Rolex repairs - thoughts please .
Discussion
How old is 'old'? What do you mean by needing a new dial? (ignore this next bit if you plan on keeping it forever and ever) Quite often you can remove a good portion of value from an older Rolex by updating the dial for a fresh one. Patina which develops over time is quite often very desirable by collectors and anything that looks absolutely pristine, doesn't have the same dial it was sold with can often be less valuable. It can also be quite expensive to replace them.
If your watch has a sapphire crystal then it is likely a 167** series watch. I would expect you to pay in the region of £200-300 for a dial, £100 for a crystal replacement and around £600 for a full service and re-polish of the case.
You have to be very careful with what you let Rolex do with a watch. They are well known for replacing parts with new ones (talking about cosmetic parts here) that would either ruin a lovely patina on a vintage watch or ruin it with service dial and hands. They are often also known to re-polish the case beyond what most collectors would consider acceptable. Overpolishing a case can lead to a loss of chamfering on the lugs and also the crown guards. Rolex consider the watches that they sell as their own property, you are only the current renter. They will do everything in their power to return the watch to an as-new condition, with or without your permission.
Anyway, to summarise. You will probably be close to £800-1000 for what you are discussing with the possibility of also removing a portion of your watches value. Another option would be to find a good independant watchsmith with Rolex credentials who can service the movement. A replacement crystal as well as a dial and hand set shouldn't be a problem. But in taking it to an independent professional you also get the chance to either keep the old parts for re-installing later on. Or, if you fancy it, selling the parts to recoup a good part of what you have spent. Rolex parts are reasonably hard to come by.
Hope that helps a bit.
rich.
edit: oh, as an aside, I would also expect the service with Rolex to take at least 12 weeks or so.
If your watch has a sapphire crystal then it is likely a 167** series watch. I would expect you to pay in the region of £200-300 for a dial, £100 for a crystal replacement and around £600 for a full service and re-polish of the case.
You have to be very careful with what you let Rolex do with a watch. They are well known for replacing parts with new ones (talking about cosmetic parts here) that would either ruin a lovely patina on a vintage watch or ruin it with service dial and hands. They are often also known to re-polish the case beyond what most collectors would consider acceptable. Overpolishing a case can lead to a loss of chamfering on the lugs and also the crown guards. Rolex consider the watches that they sell as their own property, you are only the current renter. They will do everything in their power to return the watch to an as-new condition, with or without your permission.
Anyway, to summarise. You will probably be close to £800-1000 for what you are discussing with the possibility of also removing a portion of your watches value. Another option would be to find a good independant watchsmith with Rolex credentials who can service the movement. A replacement crystal as well as a dial and hand set shouldn't be a problem. But in taking it to an independent professional you also get the chance to either keep the old parts for re-installing later on. Or, if you fancy it, selling the parts to recoup a good part of what you have spent. Rolex parts are reasonably hard to come by.
Hope that helps a bit.
rich.
edit: oh, as an aside, I would also expect the service with Rolex to take at least 12 weeks or so.
Edited by RichTT on Monday 8th August 16:21
RichTT said:
How old is 'old'? What do you mean by needing a new dial? (ignore this next bit if you plan on keeping it forever and ever) Quite often you can remove a good portion of value from an older Rolex by updating the dial for a fresh one. Patina which develops over time is quite often very desirable by collectors and anything that looks absolutely pristine, doesn't have the same dial it was sold with can often be less valuable. It can also be quite expensive to replace them.
If your watch has a sapphire crystal then it is likely a 167** series watch. I would expect you to pay in the region of £200-300 for a dial, £100 for a crystal replacement and around £600 for a full service and re-polish of the case.
You have to be very careful with what you let Rolex do with a watch. They are well known for replacing parts with new ones (talking about cosmetic parts here) that would either ruin a lovely patina on a vintage watch or ruin it with service dial and hands. They are often also known to re-polish the case beyond what most collectors would consider acceptable. Overpolishing a case can lead to a loss of chamfering on the lugs and also the crown guards. Rolex consider the watches that they sell as their own property, you are only the current renter. They will do everything in their power to return the watch to an as-new condition, with or without your permission.
Anyway, to summarise. You will probably be close to £800-1000 for what you are discussing with the possibility of also removing a portion of your watches value. Another option would be to find a good independant watchsmith with Rolex credentials who can service the movement. A replacement crystal as well as a dial and hand set shouldn't be a problem. But in taking it to an independent professional you also get the chance to either keep the old parts for re-installing later on. Or, if you fancy it, selling the parts to recoup a good part of what you have spent. Rolex parts are reasonably hard to come by.
Hope that helps a bit.
rich.
edit: oh, as an aside, I would also expect the service with Rolex to take at least 12 weeks or so.
Rich , many thanks for that helpful reply , the watch is about 35y/o I guess , I had to replace the bracelet some years ago because it was so worn and to answer one of your questions I do not intend to sell it. If your watch has a sapphire crystal then it is likely a 167** series watch. I would expect you to pay in the region of £200-300 for a dial, £100 for a crystal replacement and around £600 for a full service and re-polish of the case.
You have to be very careful with what you let Rolex do with a watch. They are well known for replacing parts with new ones (talking about cosmetic parts here) that would either ruin a lovely patina on a vintage watch or ruin it with service dial and hands. They are often also known to re-polish the case beyond what most collectors would consider acceptable. Overpolishing a case can lead to a loss of chamfering on the lugs and also the crown guards. Rolex consider the watches that they sell as their own property, you are only the current renter. They will do everything in their power to return the watch to an as-new condition, with or without your permission.
Anyway, to summarise. You will probably be close to £800-1000 for what you are discussing with the possibility of also removing a portion of your watches value. Another option would be to find a good independant watchsmith with Rolex credentials who can service the movement. A replacement crystal as well as a dial and hand set shouldn't be a problem. But in taking it to an independent professional you also get the chance to either keep the old parts for re-installing later on. Or, if you fancy it, selling the parts to recoup a good part of what you have spent. Rolex parts are reasonably hard to come by.
Hope that helps a bit.
rich.
edit: oh, as an aside, I would also expect the service with Rolex to take at least 12 weeks or so.
Edited by RichTT on Monday 8th August 16:21
The dial has lost all its Luminosity (sp? ) I had it serviced by Rolex some years ago and they had hoovered it all off in the cleaning process , I had the option to renew it then but decided to stay with it . The glass replacement is also needed as suddenly this one developed a series of tiny cracks , they look as if they are inside, at first I thought it was seawater crystalised on to the surface.
I am inclined to use a Rolex specialist and see any Number on line , do you have any recomendations ?
Guy
Rower said:
Rich , many thanks for that helpful reply , the watch is about 35y/o I guess , I had to replace the bracelet some years ago because it was so worn and to answer one of your questions I do not intend to sell it.
The dial has lost all its Luminosity (sp? ) I had it serviced by Rolex some years ago and they had hoovered it all off in the cleaning process , I had the option to renew it then but decided to stay with it . The glass replacement is also needed as suddenly this one developed a series of tiny cracks , they look as if they are inside, at first I thought it was seawater crystalised on to the surface.
I am inclined to use a Rolex specialist and see any Number on line , do you have any recomendations ?
Guy
A dial that old will probably have been tritium based. You will be able to see it at the bottom of the dial as it will say Swiss T < 25 or something to that effect. Like I said before, older dials can really be worth a few quid so keeping hold of yours, either to sell and recoup, or for completeness is definitely recommended. The dial has lost all its Luminosity (sp? ) I had it serviced by Rolex some years ago and they had hoovered it all off in the cleaning process , I had the option to renew it then but decided to stay with it . The glass replacement is also needed as suddenly this one developed a series of tiny cracks , they look as if they are inside, at first I thought it was seawater crystalised on to the surface.
I am inclined to use a Rolex specialist and see any Number on line , do you have any recomendations ?
Guy
For your own information here's more information that you will probably need!
http://doubleredseadweller.com/gmt_transition.htm
You can also head on over to TRF (http://50.30.33.71/~trfcom/index.php) for more advice on where to get yours serviced.
I'd echo what RichTT and Luke have said. I would think very carefully before letting Rolex loose on refurbing a vintage piece. I let them do the short back and sides treatment on an Explorer II a decade or so back: when it came back it was very shiny, but all the start edges on the case had gone, and they had polished the brushed semi matt finish on the bezel. After a lot of argument, they replaced the bezel, but the metal that they had taken off the case could never be put back.
I sort of understand your wish to have the dial replaced, but as others said, that will take a good chunk of value off the watch, so if you do do it, make sure you get the dial back (and the hands as well). Even if you never intend to sell the piece.
I sort of understand your wish to have the dial replaced, but as others said, that will take a good chunk of value off the watch, so if you do do it, make sure you get the dial back (and the hands as well). Even if you never intend to sell the piece.
CardShark said:
Even if you requested them? That's pretty shocking!
It's been their policy for a very long time. That's why Rolex parts (vintage or otherwise) are very expensive on the second hand market. They used to allow Rolex authorised watch smiths repair their watches and order in parts. Now they have changed that policy and if you go for an official service it has to go back to a service center. Even AD's can no longer order in parts for you. There's been a legal battle in the US courts since the 60's over parts distribution of Rolex spares to independent watch smiths. In their eyes it's not your property, it's theirs. They have replaced it (at your cost and instruction, sometimes without permission as well) and will consider the worn part theirs. These parts fall into the black hole of Rolex service centers. I don't think I have ever heard accounts of what happens to these parts. As a company they want to keep the watches that you have in 'as new' condition as much as possible. Things that make them collectible, ie patina, aged luminous compound, cracked glazing, limited run dials etc are all considered defects.
HI there . Just caught this strand and thought I could comment . The main reason rolex dont return parts is this . Firstly the repair is undertaken an the understanding that pats used are on an exchange basis only , so you never get old parts back . Second its about brand protection , used parts could then be re-sold to anyone resulting in rolex watches having incorrect parts fitted , thus faking them . Parts may fall into the hands of un-authorised watchrepair tecs allowing them to attempt to perform servicing/repairs in an un authorised way and not to the standards rolex require . This watch can then pass into the wider world having an inferior quality of repair and / or incorrect parts fitted . You or another pay good money for the watch and if it lets you down become angry at the rolex brand not knowing it has had poor repar work . Looking at it this way I think you can see that rolex are protecting their brand and the rolex user too . A good thing I think you will agree .
I sent my dad'd 1964 gmt in for a service with rolex at st james sq about 3 years ago, I asked them to keep the original bits but they declined. they sent it back with a new bezel and new dial and all the character was lost.... I was a little disappointed as the watch had some stories from his 36 years with the paras and survived an awful lot - borneo, falklands etc.
The original dial had faded white at the corners and the pepsi dial had also faded considerably. They even offered to grind out the engraving of his name on the side and 'borneo 1964' on the back of the watch
Im not fussed about the value as I would never dream of selling it, but it would of been nice if they could just revamp the inners and leave the external parts as they were.
The original dial had faded white at the corners and the pepsi dial had also faded considerably. They even offered to grind out the engraving of his name on the side and 'borneo 1964' on the back of the watch
Im not fussed about the value as I would never dream of selling it, but it would of been nice if they could just revamp the inners and leave the external parts as they were.
Alex99 said:
HI there . Just caught this strand and thought I could comment . The main reason rolex dont return parts is this . Firstly the repair is undertaken an the understanding that pats used are on an exchange basis only , so you never get old parts back . Second its about brand protection , used parts could then be re-sold to anyone resulting in rolex watches having incorrect parts fitted , thus faking them . Parts may fall into the hands of un-authorised watchrepair tecs allowing them to attempt to perform servicing/repairs in an un authorised way and not to the standards rolex require . This watch can then pass into the wider world having an inferior quality of repair and / or incorrect parts fitted . You or another pay good money for the watch and if it lets you down become angry at the rolex brand not knowing it has had poor repar work . Looking at it this way I think you can see that rolex are protecting their brand and the rolex user too . A good thing I think you will agree .
I'm not really sympathetic to your point at all. Lets face it, there is almost zero parts compatibility between models. At most you would be able to change the bezel insert or perhaps an earlier / later dial on each model, and the hand sets. But certainly not outwith the specific model it was designed for. Whilst the Submariners and GMT's and Seadwellers might all look likethey have similar construction the differences in the tolerances of the parts usually means cross compatibility is impossible without modification. Secondly as soon as that watch has been sold to me it's mine. Not the property of Rolex any more. If I add a blue bezel insert to a standard submariner it is still a Rolex, hardly a 'fake' as you seem to be saying. Does a car manufacturer restrict it's owners from changing the stereo equipment or adding any modifications? Declaring that as soon as you change anything on the car it's a 'fake'?
As for un-authorised watchrepair. There are many many people in this world who are more than competent to work on and service Rolex watches. They really are nothing special in that regard. The movement is simple and robust, the case construction is simple as well. What you are saying is essentially the difference between taking your car to a main dealership and paying over the odds for a dealer stamp in your book vs. going to an independant who will do just as good work for less cost.
The fact that Rolex keep your watch for months on end, destroy patina and history by replacing parts they consider 'worn out' or broken, charge over the odds for it and expect you to be happy. Definitely not a good thing I think you will agree.
Edited by RichTT on Friday 10th February 21:06
I inherited a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer that used to belong to my uncle.
It think it dates from the 1960s.
The luminous markings on the dial have faded, the glass, case and band, are superficially scratched.
The watch works fine, it just lacks lustre
.
Any recommendations for cleaning or servicing? Bearing in mind the warnings given previously in this thread about the potential damage and loss of value that can occur from a too complete service.
I don't want to sell the watch - its a perpetual reminder of my uncle and I hope to pass it on to my son, who is named after my uncle.
It think it dates from the 1960s.
The luminous markings on the dial have faded, the glass, case and band, are superficially scratched.
The watch works fine, it just lacks lustre
.Any recommendations for cleaning or servicing? Bearing in mind the warnings given previously in this thread about the potential damage and loss of value that can occur from a too complete service.
I don't want to sell the watch - its a perpetual reminder of my uncle and I hope to pass it on to my son, who is named after my uncle.
manwithbeard said:
I inherited a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer that used to belong to my uncle.
It think it dates from the 1960s.
The luminous markings on the dial have faded, the glass, case and band, are superficially scratched.
The watch works fine, it just lacks lustre.
Any recommendations for cleaning or servicing? Bearing in mind the warnings given previously in this thread about the potential damage and loss of value that can occur from a too complete service.
I don't want to sell the watch - its a perpetual reminder of my uncle and I hope to pass it on to my son, who is named after my uncle.
Just get it cleaned and serviced, no restoration or polishing whatsoever.It think it dates from the 1960s.
The luminous markings on the dial have faded, the glass, case and band, are superficially scratched.
The watch works fine, it just lacks lustre
.Any recommendations for cleaning or servicing? Bearing in mind the warnings given previously in this thread about the potential damage and loss of value that can occur from a too complete service.
I don't want to sell the watch - its a perpetual reminder of my uncle and I hope to pass it on to my son, who is named after my uncle.
manwithbeard said:
Any recommendations for cleaning or servicing? Bearing in mind the warnings given previously in this thread about the potential damage and loss of value that can occur from a too complete service.
Rolex can so whatever you wish with the watch - if you ask them not to polish or replace parts, they will do that.However, the caveat there is they may not wish to do the work if they can't replace parts that stop them warranting their work. Tritium/phosphorous paint turns to powder that could get into the movement so the hands may need replacing, or if the crown is worn meaning they can't guarantee the water resistance of the watch and so on. I have heard of them getting owners to agree to a warranty waiver or accepting a lowered water resistance but it all sound complicated.
Seek out an accredited Rolex repairer and work with them to see what's the minumum that can be done to make it reliable and keep you happy. Bill Rice or Superlativetime are the two that pop into my head.
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