1970 GMT Master

[Budweiser]

I've had this watch from new and always worn it. I paid a visit to my AD to arrange a service and was informed they would definitely change the bezel amongst other things. The strap was changed a number of years ago when the first service was done, by Rolex.

My question is will this effect the value of my watch, either way? I still have the original box but no paperwork.

Thanks....

[Budweiser]

Thought a picture may help..

[LaurasOtherHalf]

You should get all the old changed parts back however?

[Dominic H]

Budweiser said:

Thought a picture may help..

Personally, I'd leave the faded bezel insert on, it add's to the look/character of the watch.

LaurasOtherHalf said:

You should get all the old changed parts back however?

I'm pretty sure that all serviced parts are provided on an exchange basis. Rolex wanted to control any surplus of parts in the market place.

[nikaiyo2]

I would say replacing the bezel would take £1000-£1500 off the value. It's not just the value to be honest, a fresh sparkling bezel on a 40year old watch is going to put off a lot of buyers. To me it goes from being a desirable vintage piece, too a meh, find a better one.

Any decent watch maker should be able to service it, I would not let Rolex touch a vintage watch, as you end up with a "Triggers broom."
Try webwatchmaker or variomatic on here or thewatchspotblog all great guys.

[UnclePat]

Don't let go of that Bezel insert - others will pay quite a bit of money for that faded look, and future buyers will expect it to remain with the watch.

Rolex can be arsey with retaining replaced parts, but I believe in the UK they may let you keep it - a chap on another Forum recently had a walk-in 'while you wait' Bezel insert change at RSC London, and they charged £32 to replace (and 'trade in') his old Black insert with a new Pepsi, or £54 to keep both the old insert & the new Pepsi.

Rolex shouldn't change it if you expressly ask them not to in writing, ignore your AD. The Bezel insert is not a performance-critical part, so whilst Rolex will recommend you change it, they shouldn't insist on it.

[traffman]

Dont swap out the bezel!

The older Gmt's had a bakelite bezel and now they are worth a mint. Your bezel has great fading

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I've only had the glass changed on my datejust and a rotor pin in the two services I had and I received both back. If you ask to retain them you will, it's your property.

[GCH]

Do not send this to rolex or anywhere via a rolex AD.
They will replace the bezel, and state that you require new hands, dial (which will be a service dial that is not the same), crystal, and more than likely over polish the case.
You will also not get any of the original parts back.
Value will be slashed, as will originality.That is a lovely faded 1675 bezel.

I have heard plenty of stories of explicit instructions to rolex to leave stuff alone being ignored and changed anyway, so if you feel lucky then go ahead.

Plenty of competent people that can do the job - post on one of the rolex forums to find somewhere appropriate for you.

[Budweiser]

Thank you all for your input, very much appreciated.

To be fair to my AD he was very honest in expressing his belief Rolex would insist on the changes mentioned.

I am based in North Essex but I'm happy to travel to have the service completed by a competent company. Any suggestions anyone?

I will checkout the Rolex forums...

[bunglesprout]

You could always remove the bezel insert before sending it in for service. Tell Rolex it had taken a knock and due to its age, fallen out. They will replace with a new one, which you can then take off and put the old one back on afterward. That's what I did with my GMT Master when I sent it in for a service. I have retained the faded bezel insert. If you explicitly ask them not to change the hand set and dial etc, then they shouldn't do so. They will give you a written quote for all the work they recommended, you then tell them what you do and don't want them to do.

[hilly10]

My Sub is a 16800 and when it's was overhauled by Rolex in 2008 they changed out the dial hands and bezel as such now it's worth a grand less

[andy355]

You do not want the hands, dial or bezel changed. Either explicitly Instruct Rolex not to change them or send to an independent. A couple were recommended earlier in this thread

Given you can deal with Rolex service centre in London direct it may be worth calling them if you want to go down that route to see what they say

Faded bezels, original features are what make the vintage watches desirable. Mine is a 1971 and I bought it for its colouring

[Budweiser]

Thanks again all.

I've spoken to Rolex London and they suggest taking the watch directly to them and for £710 they will fully service the watch and only replace, hands, bezel etc if I agree.

Job done.....