Having a vintage piece serviced

[Lesnerelli23]

Hello all, I have searched a bit and have not been able to find a good answer.

I have a 1958 OP, I’d like to have it serviced and I was considering going through Rolex because I don’t know any of the independent watchmakers locally and therefore I’m not sure who’s good/trustworthy. Anyway, will Rolex touch something that old?

I have read lots about how they’ll exchange hands or dials, etc and you might need to ask them not to, which I will :) However, just need a good answer about them working on vintage pieces.

Thanks in advanced for any advice :)

[Dan S]

The answer is “it depends”. But very unlikely on a 1958 piece. To find out for sure you’d need to contact the particular RSC and give them the details of the watch.

There actually are many recent threads on this topic.

[Lesnerelli23]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The answer is “it depends”. But very unlikely on a 1958 piece. To find out for sure you’d need to contact the particular RSC and give them the details of the watch.

There actually are many recent threads on this topic.

Thanks! Yes I have followed along with a threads and I think that’s how I ended up confused since there doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer. I did text my SA today with no response, the AD is listed as a service center so I will call them up tomorrow. I’m pretty new to all this, just started collecting seriously in ‘19. Thanks again for the help and please forgive my learning curve :)

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Lesnerelli23

Thanks! Yes I have followed along with a threads and I think that’s how I ended up confused since there doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer. I did text my SA today with no response, the AD is listed as a service center so I will call them up tomorrow. I’m pretty new to all this, just started collecting seriously in ‘19. Thanks again for the help and please forgive my learning curve :)

I'm not referring to ADs that are so-called "service centers" because they will provide watch repair services, but the three actual RSCs (since you are in the US), and TBH, Dallas is the only one I'd bother with. Regardless of what they call themselves, your AD may or may not have a watchmaker on staff, and if they do, that watchmaker may or may not even have a Rolex parts account. Most ADs are jewelry stores that represent various watch brands. They may outsource some or all of the watches they take in for repair. You really don't know unless you ask very direct questions.

[Lesnerelli23]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I'm not referring to ADs that are so-called "service centers" because they will provide watch repair services, but the three actual RSCs (since you are in the US), and TBH, Dallas is the only one I'd bother with. Regardless of what they call themselves, your AD may or may not have a watchmaker on staff, and if they do, that watchmaker may or may not even have a Rolex parts account. Most ADs are jewelry stores that represent various watch brands. They may outsource some or all of the watches they take in for repair. You really don't know unless you ask very direct questions.

Ok! Thanks! I did know that most recommended Dallas but I was unable to find an email for them. I will search a little harder for a phone number tomorrow.

I really appreciate your time helping me!

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Lesnerelli23

Ok! Thanks! I did know that most recommended Dallas but I was unable to find an email for them. I will search a little harder for a phone number tomorrow.

I really appreciate your time helping me!

Again, I think it's extremely unlikely that they will take your watch. It has been a while since I've heard of anything older than the 1970s being serviced anywhere but Switzerland. But give them a call and be prepared to give them full info about the watch. My sense is that Dallas is the premier RSC in the US, for example I know it's where my watchmaker goes for any required training.

[daveo5]

The Rolex boutique in Las Vegas at the Wynn has a Rolex trained watchmaker in the store. The only pieces Rolex forbids him to work on is the Oyster Quartz models. He has the equipment, training, parts for mechanicals.


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[R.W.T.]

Rolex USA will not service that watch. They most likely will return unopened.

Nor will a dealer be able to legally service it for you, per Rolex.

Every Rolex that comes through an AD at this point for service MUST be entered into an INTERNATIONAL data base and every operation and part replaced logged.

ALL PARTS for four digit plastic crystal models are OBSOLETED and unavailable to the dealer...so therefore...none can legally work on those watches because they cannot get the parts. There is not going to be any way...for a dealer to legitimately source a vintage part and somehow make that fly in the database.

I know, I know...nobody wants to hear that or believe it...and you may find that there might be an exception or two. They CAN do whatever they want...however...I see them all the time that are returned without being touched. The dealer CAN'T legitimately work on them...so they very often end up in my hands as a courtesy to the customer.

[Newt]

I can guarantee that that last bit is wrong. I just had them service and restore a 1959 OP. They said that they had to go out to the world to find matched parts watches from that era, and it took a long time, but they did it and it's spectacular.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Newt

I can guarantee that that last bit is wrong. I just had them service and restore a 1959 OP. They said that they had to go out to the world to find matched parts watches from that era, and it took a long time, but they did it and it's spectacular.

If you did good for you. It's NOT the norm at all.

All I know is what the AD says and what the paperwork says. I know the CW21 watchmaker personally that is in charge there as well as the sales people and the owner. I've seen the log in. I've seen the database. I know what their instructions are. You can't say...balance damaged sourced used 1560 balance from Ebay and installed on the form in the Rolex Database. It ain't gonna fly. And they cannot within their dealer agreement work on obsoleted watches that they can no longer source parts from Rolex for.

Who are "them"? Rolex? Dallas - New York - Los Angeles? If they did a 59 OP for you, you are very lucky. They don't do that. They were turning down 5512's with 1560's in L.A. in 2005.

They send them back to the AD's NOT SERVICED. Obsolete. No Parts. EVERY day....once again...they can and do make exceptions to all of their own rules at their own discretion. They always have. But DON'T BANK on it. They'll turn you down. Generally what I said is true.

Go try and have your AD order a bezel insert for 5513 to install on your watch because you lost yours or it's faded. It is NO LONGER POSSIBLE. You lost your bezel at the party when you knocked it on the doorknob...Sorry NO PARTS AVAILABLE. Have them order a crystal for 5513 for them to do the same. No Longer possible. Obsolete. I didn't make it up.

I've been doing this and associated with this longer than most people here. I'm not farting in the wind.

Your personal experience at RUSA may always vary.

[RFC]

For vintage Rolex my go to is Phillip Ridley a CW21 watchmaker in Arizona. As far as RSC goes a call to customer service in Dallas will let you know if they have the parts to service your vintage Datejust.

[TuRo]

You'll have a total shock on a 58 OP - The quote you will get back from Rolex will (having seen about a dozen in last year) be about 125-150% of its market value and faced with this grim news it will put you into a bit of downer/tailspin.....an independent will do it all for a sensible fraction of the cost ohe OP without the downer/glumness associated with the good burghers at RSC (they are great for the likes of 14060/16600/16710/14270/Modern DJ and OP, though of course ✓) !

[IgCarr]

I'll add that I dropped off my '91 16220 earlier this year with a local AD to be sent to Dallas and was told by the stern lady at the boutique that there was no guarantee that Dallas would work on the watch due to its age and they would only do it "if they have the parts".

They did "have the parts" because a few months later I got back a NOS watch. So yeah, unlikely that a RSC will work on your '58 model. But if you do send it to them, be sure and update the process here as your experience will be very useful information.

[Lesnerelli23]

Thanks for all the info everyone! I did some more digging and found a local place I’m going to check out first. Supposedly they can get most vintage pieces back to original spec, including water resistance, and they warranty for a year!

I’ll still call my AD to see what they say and report that back :)

[docjohn]

Rolex has a "restoration" department as well, as long as you can swing the $15,000 fee. It's how Paul Newman's 6263 got so pretty before auction.