16710 new dial and hands

[E92jay]

I have had my 16710 for many years, and don’t have any plans to get rid of it. It is a N serial with tritium dial and hands. I really wish it was still luminous but the last of the tritium faded a while back. I am hoping that Rolex will replace the dial and hands as my local trusted watchmaker (who used to be authorized to service Rolex) cannot get parts anymore but I have a RSC at the local AD. I know it’s sacrilege to swap them, but I’d rather it function as it’s supposed to than worry with its “originality” as long as the parts are genuine. Has anyone ever had any luck getting RSC to do the swap without full service? It was serviced about a year ago by the above mentioned watchmaker. Just curious…

[ltmgeller]

If it's not within Rolex authorized service then they will have to do a full service.

[georgekart]

You can absolutely get it serviced and have the dial and hands replaced for extra money, but IMO, you shouldn't do it. Find a dial and hands separately, keep the original dial and hands so you can revert it at any time. That would seem more reasonable to me if you don't want to sell it and just buy a newer example.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by E92jay

I have had my 16710 for many years, and don’t have any plans to get rid of it. It is a N serial with tritium dial and hands. I really wish it was still luminous but the last of the tritium faded a while back. I am hoping that Rolex will replace the dial and hands as my local trusted watchmaker (who used to be authorized to service Rolex) cannot get parts anymore but I have a RSC at the local AD. I know it’s sacrilege to swap them, but I’d rather it function as it’s supposed to than worry with its “originality” as long as the parts are genuine. Has anyone ever had any luck getting RSC to do the swap without full service? It was serviced about a year ago by the above mentioned watchmaker. Just curious…

I would find a service dial and hands from a dealer, and have them swapped vs letting rolex do it. That way you can always go back.

[Dom9]

Yes, another vote to get an independent to swap them so you keep your original parts and pay a lot less for probably far better service. 16710 SL service dials and hands are quite common, new and blistered - it's an easy swap for someone who knows what they're doing!

[E92jay]

I scoured my area to find an independent who could obtain a dial and hands but haven’t been successful. The independent watch maker I typically use didn’t have access, but said he could ask around for basically a used dial and hands or someone who wants to swap for a tritium dial and hands but wasn’t overly enthusiastic about it. If anyone has any leads on an independent shop that they trust and might be able to do it for me…I’d be all ears and thankful if you’d point me in that direction.

[joli160]

If I wanted lume I would let Rolex take care of it. Combine it with a service and polish and you have a brand new watch.

Since it’s not an expensive rare vintage watch there will be no significant value loss.

[Tools]

Nothing wrong with wanting functional lume.

If your AD has a service ship it is a good place to use and the work will come with a warranty. If the watch was recently serviced then talk with the shop about just doing the swap.

There are a vocal few and die hard collectors who demand everything be original and untouched, but these are not in the majority of Rolex owners.