Aftermarket Crystal- Void Warranty?

[Oldstate]

Does the installation of an aftermarket crystal void the warranty?

[Loevhagen]

Why should anyone install an aftermarket crystal in the first place?

[THC]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

Why should anyone install an aftermarket crystal in the first place?

Totally agree...Inquiring minds really want to know

[goliat]

Yes.

[Danny83]

Yes it will

[Tikandtokalot]

I think anything not genuine would get the reject button.

[Spoonage]

They may also recommend to swap it back to an OEM crystal or may not work on the watch.



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[inadeje]

It isn’t clear why anyone would wish to install a non oem crystal. If it broke, the watch needs to be serviced. If it’s scratched then at some point it would be serviced. In both instances a new crystal would be installed.

[Oldstate]

The watch was preowned. I picked it up last week from a known preowned dealer who a jeweler friend works with and arranged the purchase with. I had checked everything except the LEC on the sapphire. When I got nome I could not see it no matter what I used. Decided to take it over to a Tourneau. A very nice knowledgeable guy looked it over and said the watch is legit but he is 99% sure it’s an aftermarket crystal. He couldn’t see the LEC either and pointed out the crystal wasn’t seated deep enough. It’s a 2017 with two years on the warranty

Its running 4 sec slow to 7 seconds fast. He said they would normally service it to take care of everything but wasn’t sure what they would do about the crystal and warranty. As someone mention here he said they may want to replace the crystal (I’d be fine with that) but also may or may not honor warranty

It’s a 31mm Datejust SS jubilee with diamond markers. Payed 7500 US which I thought was fair . Considering my next course of action. It’s a weird situation because our friend was trying to save us money by ordering it and passing to us without marking it up any.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Oldstate

. . .

It’s a 31mm Datejust SS jubilee with diamond markers. Payed 7500 US which I thought was fair . Considering my next course of action. It’s a weird situation because our friend was trying to save us money by ordering it and passing to us without marking it up any.

You are overthinking a non-issue.

First, there are very few "nice, knowledgeable guys,," at Tourneau.

Second, even if it is an aftermarket crystal, so what. It is unlikely to impact the function or value of the watch in any way what-so-ever.

In a few years, when the watch is performing less than what is desired, have it properly serviced and you are good-to-go for another decade.

[Oldstate]

Originally Posted by Dirt

They probably will reject any warranty work because of the crystal.
I see three viable options.
First, is to pursue the accuracy issue and expect to pay for a full service. This would be my preferred option for total peace of mind
Second, just wear it and have it pressure tested. Don't worry about the accuracy then service it when necessary in a number of years down the track and save some money.
Thirdly, get it serviced at your convenience by a reputable independent watchmaker with a Rolex account and save even more money still.

Originally Posted by Tools

You are overthinking a non-issue.

First, there are very few "nice, knowledgeable guys,," at Tourneau.

Second, even if it is an aftermarket crystal, so what. It is unlikely to impact the function or value of the watch in any way what-so-ever.

In a few years, when the watch is performing less than what is desired, have it properly serviced and you are good-to-go for another decade.

Thank you all. Makes me feel better. I’m the farthest thing from a Rolex expert and was a bit concerned buying preowned in this market. I bought my first Swiss watch from this jeweler 20 years ago when she used to be a watch dealer and trusted anyone she would deal with now. This just wasn’t something I was expecting. She did save me a lot of money as I bought a new IWC for myself with a nice discount. The whole thing makes for an awkward situation.

I honestly had a pit in my stomach until I read this. The Rolex market is really absurd right now and if my wife didn’t really want this I would have stayed away for a while. I was also worried how a non Rolex crystal would impact value

[Oldstate]

Originally Posted by Tools

First, there are very few "nice, knowledgeable guys,," at Tourneau.

I hear you. I’ve stopped into this store a few times over the years to look around and never even thought of buying. Literally the only guy I ever spoke to there I felt this way about. I remembered his name from several months ago and asked for him specifically

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Oldstate

Does the installation of an aftermarket crystal void the warranty?

What voids the warranty is the work by a third party. This will void almost any warranty, not just Rolex.

[Oldstate]

I tried to reply but it didn’t post. A jeweler friend of ours who used to be a Rolex dealer 20 years ago found it through a wholesaler she works with. The wholesalers also has a brick and mortar store. I checked everything out while there except the crystal. Got home and couldn’t find the LEC. Brought it to an AD today and they said the watch was real but they were 99% sure it was a non Rolex crystal. The other reason I brought it in was that it seems to run about 4 mins slow. It’s a 2017 31mm Datejust for my wife. SS with diamond markers made in 2017. Came with box and papers and warranty. The card it legit. The AD said they would regulate it under warranty but it was possible they could reject it for the crystal. He wasn’t absolute

Debating in what to do now

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Oldstate

I tried to reply but it didn’t post. A jeweler friend of ours who used to be a Rolex dealer 20 years ago found it through a wholesaler she works with. The wholesalers also has a brick and mortar store. I checked everything out while there except the crystal. Got home and couldn’t find the LEC. Brought it to an AD today and they said the watch was real but they were 99% sure it was a non Rolex crystal. The other reason I brought it in was that it seems to run about 4 mins slow. It’s a 2017 31mm Datejust for my wife. SS with diamond markers made in 2017. Came with box and papers and warranty. The card it legit. The AD said they would regulate it under warranty but it was possible they could reject it for the crystal. He wasn’t absolute

Debating in what to do now

They probably will reject any warranty work because of the crystal.
I see three viable options.
First, is to pursue the accuracy issue and expect to pay for a full service. This would be my preferred option for total peace of mind
Second, just wear it and have it pressure tested. Don't worry about the accuracy then service it when necessary in a number of years down the track and save some money.
Thirdly, get it serviced at your convenience by a reputable independent watchmaker with a Rolex account and save even more money still.

[faz]

Note that you have aftermarket on it, wear it as is and enjoy the watch. Could have been a small nick on the edge of the Crystal and some wholesaler spent $100 on an aftermarket to make it presentable. They do these.

Or just send it in and have them replace the crystal too, (but ok now I get it, your are wondering if they will do the main part of work under warranty or not. )


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[Oldstate]

Originally Posted by faz

Note that you have aftermarket on it, wear it as is and enjoy the watch. Could have been a small nick on the edge of the Crystal and some wholesaler spent $100 on an aftermarket to make it presentable. They do these.

Or just send it in and have them replace the crystal too, (but ok now I get it, your are wondering if they will do the main part of work under warranty or not. )


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Yes...probably the situation. My wife is oblivious and would never have noticed however I was obsessing over finding LEC. I feel like I got a decent deal on it..7500 for a 2017 with 10 diamonds. They seem to be going for a bit more and are 10K new. Would be nice to have the last 2 years of a warranty. From a function standpoint I’m a bit nervous about the waterproof ness being that the glass isn’t set as deep as a stock one. That or it’s thicker

[faz]

Originally Posted by Oldstate

Yes...probably the situation. My wife is oblivious and would never have noticed however I was obsessing over finding LEC. I feel like I got a decent deal on it..7500 for a 2017 with 10 diamonds. They seem to be going for a bit more and are 10K new. Would be nice to have the last 2 years of a warranty. From a function standpoint I’m a bit nervous about the waterproof ness being that the glass isn’t set as deep as a stock one. That or it’s thicker

I know. They are beautiful and diamond dial makes them pricey. My wife has the diamond dial and diamond bezel , $16k ish.

Look for some local watch makers who specialize on Rolex and see. Some might be able to get you the genuine crystal for under $200 installed. They may also be a better choice as far as taking care of the original issue (which may not even be an issue).

In the Bay Area I could recommend a couple of watch makers but thst won’t help you in Pennsylvania.


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[Oldstate]

Originally Posted by faz

I know. They are beautiful and diamond dial makes them pricey. My wife has the diamond dial and diamond bezel , $16k ish.

Look for some local watch makers who specialize on Rolex and see. Some might be able to get you the genuine crystal for under $200 installed. They may also be a better choice as far as taking care of the original issue (which may not even be an issue).

In the Bay Area I could recommend a couple of watch makers but thst won’t help you in Pennsylvania.


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Thanks. Actually the Tourneau near me said 150 is what Rolex charges to replace the sapphire. That’s the AD I stopped in to. The guy was actually very nice and extremely knowledgeable

[JR16]

I thought when you buy from Turdneau you get a Turdneau warranty, not the Rolex card/warranty. Even if you get the Rolex warranty card, I thought you still get the Turdneau warranty.. After market parts shouldn’t void the Turdneau warranty as far as i am aware.


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[JR16]

Delete

[ltmgeller]

It could. I would only use factory crystals.

[BillA]

OP
Some time ago I purchased a pre-owned 16570 that was just returned from the RSC with the 2 year warranty card. I looked for the LEC and was not there. I called the RSC and they told me that not all replacement crystals have the LEC. Does this apply to your watch? I don’t know, but just because it does not have the LEC does not make not a Rolex part. In the past I have found the people at Tourneau to be less than helpful when it comes to Rolex facts.

[jamesbondOO7]

I had an aftermarket crystal put on my 16570 after it had been broken because at that time there was no AD in the Algarve. When I had the watch serviced last year at Rolex HQ in Geneva, they simply put an OEM one.

[Master_Grogu]

I trust nobody at Tourneau, or any AD for the matter. Unless I speak with RSC, people can say whatever they want.

Ask Rolex, send it to them and know 100% what your fate will be.

[Oldstate]

Originally Posted by BillA

OP
Some time ago I purchased a pre-owned 16570 that was just returned from the RSC with the 2 year warranty card. I looked for the LEC and was not there. I called the RSC and they told me that not all replacement crystals have the LEC. Does this apply to your watch? I don’t know, but just because it does not have the LEC does not make not a Rolex part. In the past I have found the people at Tourneau to be less than helpful when it comes to Rolex facts.

Interesting. Everything I researched said it would have an LEC with an S in it. This is great to know. How long ago was this?

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

I had an aftermarket crystal put on my 16570 after it had been broken because at that time there was no AD in the Algarve. When I had the watch serviced last year at Rolex HQ in Geneva, they simply put an OEM one.

This is good to hear. Was the watch under warranty still?

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

I trust nobody at Tourneau, or any AD for the matter. Unless I speak with RSC, people can say whatever they want.

Ask Rolex, send it to them and know 100% what your fate will be.

I understand. To be clear he didn’t definitively say one thing or the other ..but just that he wasn’t sure what they would do if it was an aftermarket. He never implied it definitively was aftermarket but just that it wasn’t original. Not only does it not have the LEC it’s also not seated as deep. He said all the other issues would definitely be covered under warranty but couldn’t tell me 100% if the replacement crystal would cause an issue.

I didn’t realize you could call the RSC direct and get an answer. I thought all that had to go through an AD.

[Calatrava r]

My understanding is, if anyone opens the watch, other than Rolex, the warranty is void.