Customise my Rolex?
Discussion
I've had a datejust in steel & white gold for 15 years now & it's been great, never let me down & been worn every day since I got it.
However, I keep finding my eye wondering to other models simply looking for a new look but I know in my heart of hearts I won't ever wear anything else than the watch my dad got me for my 21st birthday.
I have however, wondered about changing the look. It would mean I get to keep all the original bits if I ever wanted to change back but I'd get the new look i was after.
Has anyone ever done this? is it something Rolex frown upon?
At present it's a stainless steel datejust, white gold bezel, standard bracelet, blue face with batons.
I was thinking of a relatively simple update of perhaps a plain black dial with silver batons, maybe a milglaus style red second hand perhaps?
Does anyone know if you can just buy the parts from Rolex & get your local watchmaker to fit them?
I'd rather only use only genuine Rolex parts if at all possible
However, I keep finding my eye wondering to other models simply looking for a new look but I know in my heart of hearts I won't ever wear anything else than the watch my dad got me for my 21st birthday.
I have however, wondered about changing the look. It would mean I get to keep all the original bits if I ever wanted to change back but I'd get the new look i was after.
Has anyone ever done this? is it something Rolex frown upon?
At present it's a stainless steel datejust, white gold bezel, standard bracelet, blue face with batons.
I was thinking of a relatively simple update of perhaps a plain black dial with silver batons, maybe a milglaus style red second hand perhaps?
Does anyone know if you can just buy the parts from Rolex & get your local watchmaker to fit them?
I'd rather only use only genuine Rolex parts if at all possible
Was last serviced probably 3 years ago? It's one & only service as it happens, the thing just never loses time but I got sick of seeing the slightly chipped glass on one side so really got it done to rectify that more than anything.
I'm assuming that I'd get the jewellers that did the service to do any work, they are now not Rolex dealers (though will still service) so they might not be able to get the parts?
I'm assuming that I'd get the jewellers that did the service to do any work, they are now not Rolex dealers (though will still service) so they might not be able to get the parts?
Black dial would look great.
Any decent watch shop can swap it out for you. I'm not talking about the 'shoe repairer'... For eg WoS swapped a bezel insert on my sub a while ago to a non-standard one. Just don't send it off like that come service time as Rolex will moan (and probably send the watch straight back).
Any decent watch shop can swap it out for you. I'm not talking about the 'shoe repairer'... For eg WoS swapped a bezel insert on my sub a while ago to a non-standard one. Just don't send it off like that come service time as Rolex will moan (and probably send the watch straight back).
Vvroom said:
Black dial would look great.
Any decent watch shop can swap it out for you. I'm not talking about the 'shoe repairer'....
I've always pondered this. What is it about people who repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys, refilling lighters, fitting watch batteries and engraving cheap hip flasks?Any decent watch shop can swap it out for you. I'm not talking about the 'shoe repairer'....
Is it just one of those unanswerable questions like "why do Russians love to shop for DIY stuff in the middle of the night?".
no idea why the cobblers fix watch batteries but i don't think i'll be taking mine there 
interesting about sending it back to rolex to get serviced, as i understand it my local (ex)dealers send it somewhere local not back to rolex itself so that in itself won't be an issue but if they don't like doing this how do you get the spare parts to do it? who sells genuine rolex replacement parts?
Vvroom said:
Black dial would look great.
Any decent watch shop can swap it out for you. I'm not talking about the 'shoe repairer'... For eg WoS swapped a bezel insert on my sub a while ago to a non-standard one. Just don't send it off like that come service time as Rolex will moan (and probably send the watch straight back).
yeah i think it'll look quite good too.Any decent watch shop can swap it out for you. I'm not talking about the 'shoe repairer'... For eg WoS swapped a bezel insert on my sub a while ago to a non-standard one. Just don't send it off like that come service time as Rolex will moan (and probably send the watch straight back).
interesting about sending it back to rolex to get serviced, as i understand it my local (ex)dealers send it somewhere local not back to rolex itself so that in itself won't be an issue but if they don't like doing this how do you get the spare parts to do it? who sells genuine rolex replacement parts?
FarQue said:
Craig - Humberstones in Blackburn had a selection of Rolex faces in their window when I passed last Monday. May be worth a look / call.
Cheers richard, I'll give them a call on Monday to see what they have. I'm not sure why, I just assumed most places would have a selection after a few years of swapping them around for people.When I bought the wife's rolex for the wedding present they swapped over the bracelet on the one I bought as I kee she wanted the jubilee as it looks better against the white gold we felt, I just presumed it was a regular thing.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
no idea why the cobblers fix watch batteries but i don't think i'll be taking mine there
interesting about sending it back to rolex to get serviced, as i understand it my local (ex)dealers send it somewhere local not back to rolex itself so that in itself won't be an issue but if they don't like doing this how do you get the spare parts to do it? who sells genuine rolex replacement parts?
Good point- about the servicing. If its a keeper, and it sounds like it is, a good Indy would do a smashing job and keeping it in good order. Vvroom said:
Black dial would look great.
Any decent watch shop can swap it out for you. I'm not talking about the 'shoe repairer'... For eg WoS swapped a bezel insert on my sub a while ago to a non-standard one. Just don't send it off like that come service time as Rolex will moan (and probably send the watch straight back).
yeah i think it'll look quite good too.Any decent watch shop can swap it out for you. I'm not talking about the 'shoe repairer'... For eg WoS swapped a bezel insert on my sub a while ago to a non-standard one. Just don't send it off like that come service time as Rolex will moan (and probably send the watch straight back).
interesting about sending it back to rolex to get serviced, as i understand it my local (ex)dealers send it somewhere local not back to rolex itself so that in itself won't be an issue but if they don't like doing this how do you get the spare parts to do it? who sells genuine rolex replacement parts?
Tanguero said:
Rolex will only sell genuine parts to repairers that they have authorised and licensed themselves. This is hugely expensive process requiring a large investment in specialised tools and machinery specified by Rolex, which makes it very difficult for an independent to become approved. Rolex are making it harder and harder for independant watch repairers to obtain aproval and thereby forcing all servicing back through Rolex themselves. You cannot obtain genuine Rolex parts any other way.
If you do have the watch serviced by Rolex or an authorised service centre and it has any non-genuine parts, they will replace them with genuine parts and charge you for doing so without your prior permission. They will not return the non-Rolex parts and will refuse to return the watch until you agree to pay for the replacement parts.
The monopoly is alive and well and living in Switzerland.
This. Plus the fact that Rolex audit their accredited independent repairers, and any found doing "unofficial" repairs or using non-genuine parts can have their accreditation revoked. So they can't afford to take the risk.If you do have the watch serviced by Rolex or an authorised service centre and it has any non-genuine parts, they will replace them with genuine parts and charge you for doing so without your prior permission. They will not return the non-Rolex parts and will refuse to return the watch until you agree to pay for the replacement parts.
The monopoly is alive and well and living in Switzerland.
So if you want a custom watch, you need to choose something other than a Rolex.
Haggleburyfinius said:
Tanguero said:
They will not return the non-Rolex parts and will refuse to return the watch until you agree to pay for the replacement parts.
Every time I hear this I think "this has got to be illegal".LaurasOtherHalf said:
Haggleburyfinius said:
Tanguero said:
They will not return the non-Rolex parts and will refuse to return the watch until you agree to pay for the replacement parts.
Every time I hear this I think "this has got to be illegal".I still can't help but think it illegal. What right do Rolex have to confiscate someone's diamonds just because they weren't bought via them? Or the whole watch as a result? Send it back with a charge for their time, sure.
Their behaviour regarding their tooling sounds suspect too and reminiscent of car manufacturers of the past (except I don't recall them destroying non OEM parts or confiscating cars).
I am amazed that someone hasn't had this happen and then sued the dealer they gave it to for service.
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