Apparently RSC won’t service 1803 anymore???

[T*M*M]

Went in for replacement spring bars and a service. I would think that a Cal.1555 would be more than serviceable. This was given to me….I’m a little shocked.


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[greekbum]

They will not service any 4 digit reference number or supply the parts to CW21 watchmakers either.

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by greekbum

They will not service any 4 digit reference number or supply the parts to CW21 watchmakers either.

If this is so, to me the truly grim news would be the parts supply. I wouldn’t likely send an 1803 to RSC anyway, but if they would no longer even offer service parts … that makes a difference. (Fortunately, there are *lots* of 1803s out there to cannibalize.)

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by greekbum

They will not service any 4 digit reference number or supply the parts to CW21 watchmakers either.

If that’s the case, what is the future of 4 digit references?

I would think that’s potentially bad news for vintage collectors. Are there enough spare parts floating around to service these refences for the foreseeable future?

Thanks

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by brandrea

If that’s the case, what is the future of 4 digit references?

I would think that’s potentially bad news for vintage collectors. Are there enough spare parts floating around to service these refences for the foreseeable future?

Thanks

To my knowledge, it's true that Rolex is no longer providing 15xx parts to the few independent watchmakers who have retained their parts accounts. I have also heard that they are similarly planning to discontinue parts for some of the early 3XXX movements in the next couple of years.

I suspect that some watchmakers are trying to stock up a little on some of the more common parts, but soon enough, repairing these movements will be the same as repairing all other vintage movements. I don't know any manufacturer that is routinely providing new parts to repair movements from the 40s, 50s, 60s, or even 70s, so this is nothing new.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Dan S

To my knowledge, it's true that Rolex is no longer providing 15xx parts to the few independent watchmakers who have retained their parts accounts. I have also heard that they are similarly planning to discontinue parts for some of the early 3XXX movements in the next couple of years.



I suspect that some watchmakers are trying to stock up a little on some of the more common parts, but soon enough, repairing these movements will be the same as repairing all other vintage movements. I don't know any manufacturer that is routinely providing new parts to repair movements from the 40s, 50s, 60s, or even 70s, so this is nothing new.

Thank you Dan, appreciated. As someone "new" to the vintage side of things that's interesting information.



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[greekbum]

Originally Posted by brandrea

If that’s the case, what is the future of 4 digit references?

I would think that’s potentially bad news for vintage collectors. Are there enough spare parts floating around to service these refences for the foreseeable future?

Thanks

IMHO there's enough movement parts for ever. There is not a part you can't find if your paying top dollar

[Dan S]

You might want to give Dallas a try, you never know.

[Jawnz]

They serviced my 1675 last month.


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[Dr.Smellody]

Probably for the best.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by T*M*M

Went in for replacement spring bars and a service. I would think that a Cal.1555 would be more than serviceable. This was given to me….I’m a little shocked.

That's a very grumpy and cold letter for customer service. Maybe someone was having a bad day. What about something like "We're very sorry, but..." or "We regret that..."

You're better off with an independent anyway.

[gaheris]

Originally Posted by zapokee

That's a very grumpy and cold letter for customer service. Maybe someone was having a bad day. What about something like "We're very sorry, but..." or "We regret that..."

You're better off with an independent anyway.

I agree. Not really an acceptable language for communication with customers, especially considering these people bringing in old pieces do love the brand and the watches. I think there should be self-awareness for Rolex employees to show some class and understand who they represent.

[Goochy]

Originally Posted by zapokee

That's a very grumpy and cold letter for customer service. Maybe someone was having a bad day. What about something like "We're very sorry, but..." or "We regret that..."

You're better off with an independent anyway.

This is the delivery note, I suspect there is other correspondence which is more detailed and polite.

[T*M*M]

Originally Posted by Goochy

This is the delivery note, I suspect there is other correspondence which is more detailed and polite.

I went in person, as I’m local. I left with a bit of swag but not what I came for. No other correspondence.


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[ronricks]

Seems hit or miss on the 15xx movements. Some RSC’s will still service them some won’t.

[1William]

Interesting. I would look to an independent who can service. Good luck.

[77T]

The news of our demise is hopefully exaggerated, sayeth the 1803 and it’s partner 1555…

Other iconic 4-digit models who share similarly old calibers might echo that refrain.

I will check and share what I can learn.

The truth is the day of 1803 obsolescence may have come in the night - perhaps it snuck into our presence on little cat feet like the fog.

I am ambivalent about the hue and cry over the missive on Rolex letterhead. Florid prose never lessened the sting of the news that your watch is dead.

The economy of words is praiseworthy.


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[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by 77T

The news of our demise is hopefully exaggerated, sayeth the 1803 and it’s partner 1555…

Other iconic 4-digit models who share similarly old calibers might echo that refrain.

I will check and share what I can learn.

The truth is the day of 1803 obsolescence may have come in the night - perhaps it snuck into our presence on little cat feet like the fog.

I am ambivalent about the hue and cry over the missive on Rolex letterhead. Florid prose never lessened the sting of the news that your watch is dead.

The economy of words is praiseworthy.


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I enjoyed that.

[brandrea]

Brevity at its finest

[ronricks]

I'd try Giovanni at the Independent service center in San Fran. I know he has a ton of Rolex parts he has hoarded over the years.

[77T]

This was an email reply I received earlier today - I asked to discover if this is a blanket policy against servicing 4-digit models.

It is apparently a case-by-case basis.

[T*M*M]

Originally Posted by 77T

This was an email reply I received earlier today - I asked to discover if this is a blanket policy against servicing 4-digit models.

It is apparently a case-by-case basis.

The Call centre advised me that it would be no problem and I could get the spring bars right at the counter so long as the watch was in hand.

Fwiw, I imagine Lititz and the Restoration Atelier in Geneva have a decent stock. I had a 6239 just come back from Geneva and they certainly had 727 parts.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 77T

This was an email reply I received earlier today - I asked to discover if this is a blanket policy against servicing 4-digit models.

It is apparently a case-by-case basis.

At least that letter doesn’t fall flat like the one above

[77T]

Originally Posted by brandrea

At least that letter doesn’t fall flat like the one above

Yep, eloquently phrased…


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[Fredrik]

Maybe all of the US Rolex watches with 1500-series movements will end up in the rest of the world.
As far as I know, Rolex Switzerland still makes spare parts for them, it is just that Rolex USA is not supplying them domestically. Here in Sweden it is not a problem(yet...).

[George58]

Should be like Patek they will service a watch no matter the age .Yes it take a long time and costly if its not a three hander, but it's better than no service !!!

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by George58

Should be like Patek they will service a watch no matter the age .Yes it take a long time and costly if its not a three hander, but it's better than no service !!!

I think that Rolex also has a restoration department if you're willing to pay the price, but I doubt most of us are looking for that. The PP vintage restorations start at about $5k IIRC.

[T*M*M]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I think that Rolex also has a restoration department if you're willing to pay the price, but I doubt most of us are looking for that. The PP vintage restorations start at about $5k IIRC.

They do, the restoration Atelier in Geneva. Beyer took care of the process for me and my 6239 cost 12.5k chf


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[PaulMiami]

Vacheron will repair watches dating back to 1755, and Rolex is having a tough time mid century watches? Absurd

[joli160]

Sometimes I really don’t understand why Rolex is still popular. The way they deal with their customers would kill any other brand.