Parts for discontinued models?

[Jeromeup]

I am about to purchase my first Rolex, it's a 1991 16610 Submariner which fits my budget and is in very good condition for its age.

Just curious about how long parts are available for discontinued models are from Rolex.

I mean, I plan on wearing it daily as it'd be my only watch.
The bracelet at the moment is in very good condition with minimal stretch.
But in 5 or 7 years time with daily wear, I doubt it would stay like this.
So if I were to get it serviced, would Rolex still be able to supply a brand new bracelet, or clasp for example if needs be for a 35 year old discontinued watch? or would they just refurbish it.
I'd personally prefer brand new.

[Chute]

If you send it in to a Rolex Service Center (RSC) they will give you a bid for service and replacement parts. I’d recommend sending it in with your bracelet removed (head only) and buy a new bracelet but keep the original. There are lots of opinions on whether you should have the case polished and or the dial hands and bezel replaced. That’s up to you and you can decline or accept those options.

But a 16610 is not too old for Rolex not to service.

[Rashid.bk]

i read here the old unwritten standard was Rolex would service a watch up to fifty years, not sure if that's still the case. Regardless there are plenty of independent watchmakers with Rolex accounts that can service just about anything and a 16610 I suspect will have parts available on earth for the next 100 years since so many were made.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Jeromeup

. . .would Rolex still be able to supply a brand new bracelet, or clasp for example if needs be for a 35 year old discontinued watch? or would they just refurbish it.
I'd personally prefer brand new.

Rolex does not refurbish bracelets, you need an independent for that.

Rolex has stated that they produce parts for 30 years after discontinuation of the last generation. For a 16610 it would not be your 1991 date, it would be the last date that they produced the 93150/93250 bracelet for 16610's. After that, they would continue to provide parts until whatever they had in storage was depleted.

You likely have quite a few years ahead of you where a new bracelet would still be available - if you can afford it.

[Tim Houser]

Originally Posted by tools

rolex does not refurbish bracelets, you need an independent for that.

Rolex has stated that they produce parts for 30 years after discontinuation of the last generation. For a 16610 it would not be your 1991 date, it would be the last date that they produced the 93150/93250 bracelet for 16610's. After that, they would continue to provide parts until whatever they had in storage was depleted.

You likely have quite a few years ahead of you where a new bracelet would still be available - if you can afford it.

+1

[Old Colonel]

Wear it until it really needs a rebuild, then consider someone like Rolliworks to renew

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex does not refurbish bracelets, you need an independent for that.

Rolex has stated that they produce parts for 30 years after discontinuation of the last generation. For a 16610 it would not be your 1991 date, it would be the last date that they produced the 93150/93250 bracelet for 16610's. After that, they would continue to provide parts until whatever they had in storage was depleted.

You likely have quite a few years ahead of you where a new bracelet would still be available - if you can afford it.

I have a Datejust 1601 that dates to 1968 and RSC Dallas serviced it last year. The watch left the factory as SS/14k, and the previous owner had Rolex install a SS/18k Jubilee bracelet and replacement pie pan dial around 2005. When I had it serviced, Rolex said the original 14k crown would no longer hold pressure so they replaced it with an 18k crown. The moral of the story is that as long as they have parts that fit, even if upgraded over the originals, they seem quite happy to keep right on servicing.

I've read recently somewhere that they have around 20 years worth of parts left for the 1570 series movements. I would imagine your Sub will be serviceable for decades to come.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Oystersteel92

I have a Datejust 1601 that dates to 1968 and RSC Dallas serviced it last year. The watch left the factory as SS/14k, and the previous owner had Rolex install a SS/18k Jubilee bracelet and replacement pie pan dial around 2005. When I had it serviced, Rolex said the original 14k crown would no longer hold pressure so they replaced it with an 18k crown. The moral of the story is that as long as they have parts that fit, even if upgraded over the originals, they seem quite happy to keep right on servicing.

I've read recently somewhere that they have around 20 years worth of parts left for the 1570 series movements. I would imagine your Sub will be serviceable for decades to come.

Parts for the 15×× are still being produced.