Damage to case under glass

[Taylor97]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum although I have often visited as a guest many times before.

I bought my Explorer 114270 used about six years back. A few months in I noticed some damage under the glass. I have just now taken it in to an AD to be serviced. I did ask if anything could be done about the damage, but they seemed to suggest that it's up to Rolex if they repair anything.

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with getting something like this repaired and also how much it might affect any resale value? It's almost like a cut in the metal.

I've tried attaching a picture to explain it a bit better as I don't really know what the ring around the dial is called.

[Andad]

Hi Taylor.

Welcome to TRF.

I would take it to a RSC and discuss this with them.

In the meantime enjoy wearing it.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Taylor97

I've tried attaching a picture to explain it a bit better as I don't really know what the ring around the dial is called.

It's called the rehaut

[brandrea]

I don’t see the damage

[1William]

Submit it yourself to the RSC. That way you do not have a filter with the AD and typically it moves along a little quicker. I would believe that Rolex would fix it as I do not know how that happened but you will not know until you submit it. Keep us posted.

[Taylor97]

Thanks for the welcome Andad!

The picture isn't actually of my watch, as mine is currently in for servicing. I just found a similar model to try and point out the part of the watch I was talking about. I now know this to be the rehaut, thank you for telling me this Old Expat Beast. I learn something new everyday!

Basically the damage is on the top of the rehaut it's deeper than a scratch but more of a cut in the metal. I mostly notice it when the light catches it. On my own watch it shows above the 1 o'clock index.

[Taylor97]

Thanks for the welcome everyone and all the advice so far! I know now what a rehaut is. I have already gone through an AD to send it to RSC, but I will bear in mind going direct next time. It's my first service experience so I'm a bit of a rookie.

The picture I posted isn't actually of my own watch as I hadn't taken a picture before I sent it off. In my case the damage is above the 1 hour index. I am confused as well how damage could occur there I can only assume the previous owner must have done something.

I will let you all know how it goes in case this may help someone else out in the future.

[Taylor97]

Just had an update back from the AD. It looks like the damage isn't repairable, they did say the case could be replaced but advised it really wouldn't warrant doing that. However they did mention until it comes back from servicing that they wouldn't know if it could affect the water proofness of the watch. Fortunately it was said that this was unlikely.

[77T]

Cost-wise, it would have been better to address the issue when you noticed this many years ago. You might have been given a replacement mid-case.

Hopefully not a functional issue since a cosmetic ding inside on the rehaut won’t affect timekeeping nor water resistance.

As for resale value, I think you’d get a higher price than you paid years ago. Just how the market is today.

Side-by-side, yours would still fetch less than a pristine one. Can’t say for sure but likely $500-$1000 less if it is very noticeable under the ever-present loupes that buyers use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Tikandtokalot]

Sorry I can’t see the damage in the picture but I’m guessing that perhaps your seeing a crack in the underside of the Crystal as damage to the rehault seems very unlikely.
Just my tuppenceworth.

[Taylor97]

Thank you 77T and Tikandtokalot, yes in hindsight I should have sorted this earlier. It was my first luxury watch purchase so I wasn't too sure on what to do and look out for. To be honest $500-$1000 doesn't sound so bad.

The damage is definitely there unfortunately, but I do agree it is a very odd place to have damage! They did also mention that there were chips in the crystal, so potentially that may have made it look worse.