Cracked glass mid size Rolex Yachtmaster

[chesby]

My other half has just cracked the glass of her mid size, 1 year old yachtmaster. Can anyone recommend a repairer and approximate cost?

Many thanks.

[Zoon]

Rolex?

They will probably say it needs servicing as well, I'd budget up to £600.

[Parsnip]

Worth exploring your home insurance as an option.

I smashed the crystal on my Ball Engineer Trainmaster and ended up getting a full service and a new case (totalled about £600 I think) on my house insurance. I think the conventional wisdom is that damaged crystal = service - too much chance of shards getting into the mechanism and fouling it up aparrently.

Stop it running now and go straight to Rolex would be my shout - especially for a nearly brand new watch.

[DJMC]

Parsnip said:

Worth exploring your home insurance as an option.

I smashed the crystal on my Ball Engineer Trainmaster and ended up getting a full service and a new case (totalled about £600 I think) on my house insurance. I think the conventional wisdom is that damaged crystal = service - too much chance of shards getting into the mechanism and fouling it up aparrently.

Stop it running now and go straight to Rolex would be my shout - especially for a nearly brand new watch.

Don't forget a home insurance claim may affect subsequent premiums and NCD, AND the ability to insure other items. Case in point - yesterday I phoned Assetsure to insure my 16610 Sub. Because my wife fell over a chicken run 4 years ago, losing a diamond from a victorian ring and claiming £400 to have it replaced, MY watch insurance quote increased by 25%.

TH March were more obliging, no loading. BTW my home insurance is max-ed out for personal possessions so I couldn't add the watch or find any "normal" insurer who'd better John Lewis Premier.

Where in the UK are you? There are some specialists who will replace glass only, but they must be carefully researched. I know of one in Birmingham who serviced my Precision a few years back.

Otherwise phone RSC St. James and ASK. I did this a few days ago about a new Sub insert and they said "pop in and we'll do it while you wait. £31.50+VAT". A glass may be trickier as they'll perhaps be concerned that glass has entered the movement. If you think this likely or possible also, you really have to go the full service route (back to insurance claim?) or trust a specialist will take as much care not to allow the ingress of broken glass into the watch case when removing what's left, even if currently there's no sign of internal "infection."

[andy355]

If it is only the glasss damaged I don't think Rolex would try to charge for a service on a one year old watch. Not so however if there was any impact to hands or face

Any AD can send it to Rolex or as said you can deal with Rolex st James's yourself
Worth a phone call anyhow to them

[huwp]

Some AD's have their own Rolex accredited workshop. Deacons in Swindon is one such example.

You may have more joy with them than Rolex UK.

[bobbybee]

Although brittle Sapphire Crystal is very tough, to crack it, it must have had quite a knock. It'd take it to a Rolex accredited indie or to Rolex either via an AD or to St. James Street. It may not need a service, but the movement should be checked in case of any impact shock damage.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Zoon said:

Rolex?

They will probably say it needs servicing as well, I'd budget up to £600.

What on earth do you base this pearl of wisdom on?

[halfpenny43]

I recently cracked the glass on my 116619LB Sub.

Took it to my local AD who have a repair centre on the premises - there was no discussion around a full service and charged me EUR250 for a new glass, seals and water pressure testing. Hope that helps.

[chesby]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to take it into Northern Goldsmiths in Newcastle (where I bought it last year) on Monday.

Here is a photo of the damage.

[ecain63]

There are glasses available to buy online and options to have them cut. If you can take the risk of the platinum bezel being damaged (minimal risk) then a good indy could do the job at a good price. I know Joe (Vario) has done a few for me, even the hard to get omega crystals with coloured edges.

[DanR100]

I can confirm Rolex will fix this without having a service, my GMT is currently having the crystal replaced at St James Rolex and the price including VAT is £211, it will take them a week which isnt too bad.