Rolex service (quote received) + bracelet refurb
Discussion
Hi all,
Finally took the Rolex Datejust 16203 that I inherited from my late father to the Rolex UK HQ the other day for a service estimate.
We knew that a spring bar was broken and that the bracelet was "worn" but nothing stupidly excessive. When they did an initial inspection they also said the crystal was chipped etc but the girl on reception said she sees crystal chips everyday and they are very rarely replaced.
I was expecting them to come back and say it needs service as a must have and recommend new crystal etc but they have come back with a quote for £2512.70 and the way I'm reading it is they are telling me all of this is "needed" work rather than optional.
Do you think Rolex will let me proceed with just a "service" ignoring the crystal, crown and bracelet? If I do that will they polish the bracelet as well or just the watch itself?
or is it wise to get service + crown and ignore the crystal + bracelet.
I have also been contemplating using prestige time services (cheshire) and perpetual time (liverpool), perpetual time say they can "refurbish" the bracelet so its a lot tighter, prestige time services say they can't.
Is there anybody else I can use in UK for bracelet repair? I really hate the idea of sending it away by post so would rather drop it off. I was hoping to get a one stop shop for it all to be completed.
Here is the estimate
Here is a photo that shows the gap between links
Finally took the Rolex Datejust 16203 that I inherited from my late father to the Rolex UK HQ the other day for a service estimate.
We knew that a spring bar was broken and that the bracelet was "worn" but nothing stupidly excessive. When they did an initial inspection they also said the crystal was chipped etc but the girl on reception said she sees crystal chips everyday and they are very rarely replaced.
I was expecting them to come back and say it needs service as a must have and recommend new crystal etc but they have come back with a quote for £2512.70 and the way I'm reading it is they are telling me all of this is "needed" work rather than optional.
Do you think Rolex will let me proceed with just a "service" ignoring the crystal, crown and bracelet? If I do that will they polish the bracelet as well or just the watch itself?
or is it wise to get service + crown and ignore the crystal + bracelet.
I have also been contemplating using prestige time services (cheshire) and perpetual time (liverpool), perpetual time say they can "refurbish" the bracelet so its a lot tighter, prestige time services say they can't.
Is there anybody else I can use in UK for bracelet repair? I really hate the idea of sending it away by post so would rather drop it off. I was hoping to get a one stop shop for it all to be completed.
Here is the estimate
Here is a photo that shows the gap between links
Finally got RSC to answer the phone,
Crown + Crystal are needed for the service or else they won't guarantee waterproofing. They will replace the broken spring bar as part of the "service"
They will ultrasonic clean the bracelet but won't polish it so will end up with a polished watch and not bracelet.
Crown + Crystal are needed for the service or else they won't guarantee waterproofing. They will replace the broken spring bar as part of the "service"
They will ultrasonic clean the bracelet but won't polish it so will end up with a polished watch and not bracelet.
No matter how pristine the watch, pessimistic Rolex inspection reports always make it seem like the watch is a veritable wreck, so I wouldn’t pay too much concern.
I don’t really blame them. Their concern is not saving you money, or preserving originality - it’s mechanically making the watch the soundest it can be. And that’s also fair enough if they’re standing over their work for a two-year Warranty - no point them getting the movement in tip-top condition only for an aged crown to ruin all their work by flooding the interior the first time you get in the pool (and then angrily beat down their door claiming their work to be sub-standard).
Spring bar replacement is essential, so is the crown in all likelihood (being the weakest point in terms of water resistance), and the crystal debatable, but for all the minimal cost you may as well replace it too.
The service cost is fine.
So that just leaves the bracelet - take that replacement cost out of the equation, and the service bill will actually be quite reasonable. You can certainly ask them to leave it, as you’ve ascertained.
You can also instruct nothing - not the case, nor the bracelet - be polished, if you wish.
Bracelet refurb is a specialist task. There is a well known guy in Honk Kong, but you don’t want to post it off. If it’s not that bad you’ll likely be fine to wear it.
If you go somewhere non-Rolex, you’ll get a more sympathetic, optional service offering, but then the Rolex service comes with two-year guarantee, a set of service papers (handy if the original papers have been lost), and they also replace quite a few other movement parts with OEM parts as standard, included in the service price and not necessarily itemised on the bill.
Nice watch, and your choice.
I don’t really blame them. Their concern is not saving you money, or preserving originality - it’s mechanically making the watch the soundest it can be. And that’s also fair enough if they’re standing over their work for a two-year Warranty - no point them getting the movement in tip-top condition only for an aged crown to ruin all their work by flooding the interior the first time you get in the pool (and then angrily beat down their door claiming their work to be sub-standard).
Spring bar replacement is essential, so is the crown in all likelihood (being the weakest point in terms of water resistance), and the crystal debatable, but for all the minimal cost you may as well replace it too.
The service cost is fine.
So that just leaves the bracelet - take that replacement cost out of the equation, and the service bill will actually be quite reasonable. You can certainly ask them to leave it, as you’ve ascertained.
You can also instruct nothing - not the case, nor the bracelet - be polished, if you wish.
Bracelet refurb is a specialist task. There is a well known guy in Honk Kong, but you don’t want to post it off. If it’s not that bad you’ll likely be fine to wear it.
If you go somewhere non-Rolex, you’ll get a more sympathetic, optional service offering, but then the Rolex service comes with two-year guarantee, a set of service papers (handy if the original papers have been lost), and they also replace quite a few other movement parts with OEM parts as standard, included in the service price and not necessarily itemised on the bill.
Nice watch, and your choice.
If you take off the price for the new bracelet then it's worth having all the other work done.
You could always just put the serviced/refurbished watch on a leather strap or other strap if not wanting to spend a not inconsiderable amount on new bracelet.
Or when you get it back you could remove the bracelet and ship it to Michael Young for one of his excellent bracelet refurb jobs which will cost a LOT less than a replacement bracelet from Rolex.
You could always just put the serviced/refurbished watch on a leather strap or other strap if not wanting to spend a not inconsiderable amount on new bracelet.
Or when you get it back you could remove the bracelet and ship it to Michael Young for one of his excellent bracelet refurb jobs which will cost a LOT less than a replacement bracelet from Rolex.
Excellent, just been looking on their Instagram and hes actually done the exact bracelet I have before, apart from the one before was in a lot worse condition.
Tempted for now just to get it serviced and cleaned up a little bit. Rolex will replace the springbars as well. The bracelet isn't that worn yet.
Tempted for now just to get it serviced and cleaned up a little bit. Rolex will replace the springbars as well. The bracelet isn't that worn yet.
I haven't ever used the chap in HK but have heard good reports about him for ten years so wouldn't hesitate myself if the need ever arose
I'd get the service done with glass and crown replacement. The watch will be good for ages. Probably north of ten years, even if worn daily, from my experience of wearing rolex. The bracelet will come back in decent condition from what I have seen and will obviously also be polished. Or you could use the watch on a leather strap or just use the bracelet as is. I think you'd be very unlucky for the watch to fall off your wrist and you not notice. Oh, and get it insured, in case that ever happens.
I'd get the service done with glass and crown replacement. The watch will be good for ages. Probably north of ten years, even if worn daily, from my experience of wearing rolex. The bracelet will come back in decent condition from what I have seen and will obviously also be polished. Or you could use the watch on a leather strap or just use the bracelet as is. I think you'd be very unlucky for the watch to fall off your wrist and you not notice. Oh, and get it insured, in case that ever happens.
MrJuice said:
I haven't ever used the chap in HK but have heard good reports about him for ten years so wouldn't hesitate myself if the need ever arose
I'd get the service done with glass and crown replacement. The watch will be good for ages. Probably north of ten years, even if worn daily, from my experience of wearing rolex. The bracelet will come back in decent condition from what I have seen and will obviously also be polished. Or you could use the watch on a leather strap or just use the bracelet as is. I think you'd be very unlucky for the watch to fall off your wrist and you not notice. Oh, and get it insured, in case that ever happens.
Watch is insured a long with my Tudor BB GMT and Omega Seamaster, the Rolex doesn't get a lot of wrist time, its reserved more for events as Gold isn't really my colour. I'd get the service done with glass and crown replacement. The watch will be good for ages. Probably north of ten years, even if worn daily, from my experience of wearing rolex. The bracelet will come back in decent condition from what I have seen and will obviously also be polished. Or you could use the watch on a leather strap or just use the bracelet as is. I think you'd be very unlucky for the watch to fall off your wrist and you not notice. Oh, and get it insured, in case that ever happens.
Its going to get serviced, its last service was 2002 and its running fine at the moment but a lot better safe than sorry with it.
Been in contact with MY, might send the bracelet to him in the new year.
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