How would RSC treat my 1680?

[Jessiecopeland]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Unpopular only for vintage. You also only joined the forum last month and I can assure you that the people that are responding in this particular thread are very knowledgeable regarding vintage watches and the exact people I would want to get advice from. Your advice to get certain things done at Rolex is appropriate for later references. Yes, you can get your watch serviced at Rolex and I did have them provide me with an estimate for work (1973 1675/3) when I was looking to get it serviced. They did charge an authentication fee of $260 and provided a list of necessary service items and optional items. So all parts that resided in my watch at the time were deemed authentic Rolex parts, at least from the authentication. I asked them not to replace dial or hands and not to polish the watch, which they agreed to.

However, in the end I went with Phillip Ridley because I wanted a period correct replacement for the bezel ring (not the insert). At that time, I was not confident in my own ability to source the part and had seen the wonderful work Phillip had done for so many others on this forum. He was also very easy to talk to and willing to answer all of my questions. Rolex was not very forthcoming on information and when I asked about specific things they pointed out in the estimate, those that responded to my questions were not knowledgeable enough to explain, as they were not watchmakers but sales associates. That part was quite frustrating.

If the OP wants to have a period correct dial sourced and is not confident in his own abilities to do so, Phillip will have connections or perhaps even have a dial and hands available for his reference. If the OP does not care about period correct parts at this point and would like functional lume plots and hands, then by all means go through Rolex as they will provide a new dial and hands. Perhaps not for the specific reference but they will be new and Rolex parts. Phillip also uses genuine Rolex parts and specializes in keeping vintage, vintage. So in the end it really depends on what the goals are. A sympathetic restoration or a resto-mod with functional Rolex parts and lumi-Nova lume plots.

Not trying to beat a dead horse but you seemed surprised in the other thread as well that people were not keen to send their vintage watch to Rolex and preferred an independent like the Ridleys. Like many have already said, Rolex wants the watch you receive back to be perfect. A nice polish to the case and new parts if necessary. They are not interested in vintage charm or collectability. There are plenty of threads where Rolex has ignored the directions and not communicated with the customer on changes they have made. I believe these instances to be few and far between but would rather put my trust in someone who specializes in vintage and can source Rolex parts or has an account. Rolex may change their tune given their new sales model selling second hand watches but it remains to be seen.

Nice response. Thanks for the information.
I can see your point of view.
However I am not one who thinks, keeping it looking vintage isn’t that desirable. I prefer my watches to look brand new, no matter what the brand or vintage.
I do not understand this point of view.

Are people aware there is a refurbish in Geneva service?
You can get valuable vintage watches serviced, in Geneva.
If I have something valuable I would value the care and attention given my watch in Switzerland.
How do people feel about this?

[4rnold]

My initiatial point of view was allways this:

You have to be able to service a Rolex watch trough Rolex. Plain simple, seems logical to me.

Now the reality is indeed that Rolex wants watches to look brand New and fully functional, that means waterproof also.

But the logic ends where watch afficionados start. The way most of us want watches to be and to have them preserved is not the same way Rolex sees it. And thats fine. They are a commercial business after all. So they do provide some service towards collectors , but that is not infinite. For me they did a very good job so far. I went trough my ad wich in some cases did send it trough RSC. My ad is a family based shop who takes utmost care of their customers and have some experience with vintage Rolex since they have long-time rolex trained employees working for them.

Now ,I live in Europe so I do not have the luxury of the many good watchmakers in the usa. So in a nutshell, in some cases going trough Rolex is ok. But the older the watch, and the more specific the demands of the collector. The less likely its a good idea to go trough Rolex , but not impossible. Be it in Switserland or elsewhere.

[NickD1975]

Originally Posted by Jessiecopeland

Are people aware there is a refurbish in Geneva service?
You can get valuable vintage watches serviced, in Geneva.
If I have something valuable I would value the care and attention given my watch in Switzerland.
How do people feel about this?

Rolex can and will refuse to service something with, say, cracked lume on the hands unless they're replaced. That can and will ruin the value of a vintage piece. Preference is fine, but most people don't like throwing money away.

[Incroyable12]

Originally Posted by 4rnold

My initiatial point of view was allways this:

You have to be able to service a Rolex watch trough Rolex. Plain simple, seems logical to me.

Now the reality is indeed that Rolex wants watches to look brand New and fully functional, that means waterproof also.

But the logic ends where watch afficionados start. The way most of us want watches to be and to have them preserved is not the same way Rolex sees it. And thats fine. They are a commercial business after all. So they do provide some service towards collectors , but that is not infinite. For me they did a very good job so far. I went trough my ad wich in some cases did send it trough RSC. My ad is a family based shop who takes utmost care of their customers and have some experience with vintage Rolex since they have long-time rolex trained employees working for them.

Now ,I live in Europe so I do not have the luxury of the many good watchmakers in the usa. So in a nutshell, in some cases going trough Rolex is ok. But the older the watch, and the more specific the demands of the collector. The less likely its a good idea to go trough Rolex , but not impossible. Be it in Switserland or elsewhere.

I had the impression that Europe has more skilled watchmakers than the US?

Certainly there are more watchmakers capable of servicing very esoteric antique watches in Europe than the US like spring detent chronometers, repeaters, etc.

[4rnold]

Originally Posted by Incroyable12

I had the impression that Europe has more skilled watchmakers than the US?

Certainly there are more watchmakers capable of servicing very esoteric antique watches in Europe than the US like spring detent chronometers, repeaters, etc.

Thats true what you say.

But I'm not near Rolex vintage specialists as often mentioned on this forum. And sending watches trough mail is not something I like