Rolex Service Centre and a "modified" watch??

[TopCat10]

Greetings.

I've been lurking here for ages and decided that I should join now, and to seek opinion if this is happening anywhere else.

First, I was researching between using the RSC or Independents. I decided to try RSC in Singapour.

I brought my 14060m to the local Service Centre. I filled in all the details, sat a while and was called to the counter.

Staff asked what service I required. I explained that I had some Power Reserve issue.

Staff looked at my watch, unscrewed the crown and wound it a bit, screwed the crown back and returned the watch to me. He said that he was not able to proceed because my 14060m was a modified watch.

I was very surprised and asked him where was the modification. He said that the watch, when sold, comes on a bracelet, and since the watch I had brought in was not on a bracelet, it is considered a modified watch. (I often interchange between the bracelet, leather strap or a NATO and today I had it on a NATO).

He said that because it was not on a bracelet, but on a NATO, its considered modified, and he would not to take the watch for service.

He gave me two choices; go home, attach the watch to its bracelet and bring it back OR I could buy a new bracelet.

Does this happen elsewhere???

Thank you.

.

[Tanuki]

That sounds idiotic to me.

[996marty]

That does sound bonkers

[kieselguhr]

That is correct. Any 3rd party parts (i.e NATO strap in place of OEM bracelet) renders the watch as modified and Rolex policy is to not service the watch. If you’re not going to include the bracelet then you may as well just send in the watch case by itself sans NATO strap.

[rootbeer7]

Never happened st RSC London.

[joli160]

They certainly like their policies in Singapore

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by TopCat10

Greetings.

I've been lurking here for ages and decided that I should join now, and to seek opinion if this is happening anywhere else.

First, I was researching between using the RSC or Independents. I decided to try RSC in Singapour.

I brought my 14060m to the local Service Centre. I filled in all the details, sat a while and was called to the counter.

Staff asked what service I required. I explained that I had some Power Reserve issue.

Staff looked at my watch, unscrewed the crown and wound it a bit, screwed the crown back and returned the watch to me. He said that he was not able to proceed because my 14060m was a modified watch.

I was very surprised and asked him where was the modification. He said that the watch, when sold, comes on a bracelet, and since the watch I had brought in was not on a bracelet, it is considered a modified watch. (I often interchange between the bracelet, leather strap or a NATO and today I had it on a NATO).

He said that because it was not on a bracelet, but on a NATO, its considered modified, and he would not to take the watch for service.

He gave me two choices; go home, attach the watch to its bracelet and bring it back OR I could buy a new bracelet.

Does this happen elsewhere???

Thank you.

.

Sounds about right.

[77T]

Originally Posted by TopCat10

First, I was researching between using the RSC or Independents. I decided to try RSC in Singapour.

Just curious...
What factor(s) made you choose the RSC over a local master watchmaker?

Do you know the service history of the 14060M?

If you have the bracelet it makes sense to reattach it and resubmit the watch. If not, then it seems the RSC policy is a roadblock for a simple overhaul.


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[GGGMT]

Yep heard this many times.


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[1William]

Put the bracelet on and go back and submit the watch. Lesson learned for Singapore.

[Dan Pierce]

If true, couldn't they determined it was "modified" just by looking at it? Why the need to unscrew the crown and check the winding if the lack of a bracelet and the use of a NATO strap rendered it "modified" anyway?
dP

[Pepperjack]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

If true, couldn't they determined it was "modified" just by looking at it? Why the need to unscrew the crown and check the winding if the lack of a bracelet and the use of a NATO strap rendered it "modified" anyway?
dP

When I am doing estimates or determining service needs, i would look at the whole watch. The bracelet being absent is obvious, but if the crown is aftermarket, crystal, hands, etc, I would want to make note of it. Rolex has a "three-strike" rule. If three minor components are aftermarket, we have to decline service completely - no option of replacing anything. The bracelet was one strike. The estimator was likely looking for more strikes on minor components, or any strike on a major component (like the movement).

[TopCat10]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

That is correct. Any 3rd party parts (i.e NATO strap in place of OEM bracelet) renders the watch as modified and Rolex policy is to not service the watch. If you’re not going to include the bracelet then you may as well just send in the watch case by itself sans NATO strap.

This was my suggestion, that I just remove and keep my NATO strap but they would not have it, the bracelet has to be attached to the watch.

🤨

[TopCat10]

Originally Posted by 77T

Just curious...
What factor(s) made you choose the RSC over a local master watchmaker?

Do you know the service history of the 14060M?

If you have the bracelet it makes sense to reattach it and resubmit the watch. If not, then it seems the RSC policy is a roadblock for a simple overhaul.


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The watch was serviced by the local Service Centre ago, so I decided to continue.

Yes, I have the bracelet but it would mean a trip home to get it, attach it to the watch and back to the Service Centre.

🤨

[TopCat10]

Originally Posted by 1William

Put the bracelet on and go back and submit the watch. Lesson learned for Singapore.

Yes.

.

[TopCat10]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

If true, couldn't they determined it was "modified" just by looking at it? Why the need to unscrew the crown and check the winding if the lack of a bracelet and the use of a NATO strap rendered it "modified" anyway?
dP

Exactly, should have just told me that they won't take it in without the bracelet.

Anyways, a new lesson learnt 🤨

.

[KatGirl]

Seems like an over the top rule, but sounds like Rolex….

Kat


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[Stan Cooper]

I have a 16710N with several easily reversed modifications to suit my tastes. For the very reason the OP cites, I always spend ten or fifteen minutes returning the watch to its original configuration every ten years before sending it to the New York RSC for service.

[omar-rye]

Imagine being denied a tune up at the dealership simply because you have aftermarket rims and tires.

[Eric88]

If you need a spare bracelet, sounds like an opportunity to get a brand new one at normal pricing, vs. paying a premium for one on the secondhand market.

[enjoythemusic]

Easy to just bring it in with the bracelet and you'll be fine. SG usually is 'by the rules;. Very easy to follow.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Imagine being denied a tune up at the dealership simply because you have aftermarket rims and tires.

Ahem… Ferrari?

[Calatrava r]

I agree it is odd they even opened the crown, where the watch was obviously not a candidate for service since it had a Nato on.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

I love Rolex (of the old days), but what a joke - honestly. I only take my Rolex watches to RSC when I need replacement parts... as indicated by my watchmaker (assuming we're talking "movement parts").

But hey, I'm also the kind of guy that takes the 911 to proper enthusiast independent motorsport shops... when not working on it myself...

To each their own ~

[WhiskeyKoffee]

I've heard this before. One dealer told me that if a Rolex was modified it was no longer considered to be a true Rolex. Honestly, I don't have a problem with it. Rolex is protecting its brand.

[TopCat10]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyKoffee

I've heard this before. One dealer told me that if a Rolex was modified it was no longer considered to be a true Rolex. Honestly, I don't have a problem with it. Rolex is protecting its brand.

Is their definition of "modified" the same? Over here, being worn on anything other than the bracelet that the watch came on is defined as "modified".

.

[TopCat10]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

I have a 16710N with several easily reversed modifications to suit my tastes. For the very reason the OP cites, I always spend ten or fifteen minutes returning the watch to its original configuration every ten years before sending it to the New York RSC for service.

Thanks, seems like I will have to do this too.


.

[TopCat10]

Anyways, thought I should add this for everyone's info, the cost of a general servicing was quoted as SGD1,400.


.

[fskywalker]

As said for Rolex is either their way or the highway


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[Goldilock]

Unfortunately this policy makes sense. At official service centers a line must be drawn what they can take and what not. Some might say that a bracelet change is not a modification, others might say that a bezel insert change is not a modification, others might say a see-through case back is not a modification and so on.

Without bracelet they cannot take it because after full service they are supposed to give a warranty for the full watch. Anyway, it would also look strange to take a car to the service without wheels or seats.