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Old 1 April 2023, 03:21 AM   #1
giddyup
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Novice question on Service of Rolex 16220

Not sure if this needs to be in WatchTech thread or general thread.

I brought my Rolex (Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust model 16220 purchased in 1998) to the only Rolex certified service center in Houston. I am not an expert in watches/repairs by any means, so I'm worried that I might be getting upsold (scammed?/taken advantage of) on work that really isn't TRULY necessary but because they are "Rolex" authorized, they can just state things are "necessary" and charge whatever they want and you have to pay it to have it done by "Rolex". They returned an estimate as follows:

"NECESSARY" (non-optional) service/parts

Full Service: $800 (fine--that's what I was expecting)

Clasp Exchange: $220 (they state clasp is "very worn and scratched, very worn axle on clasp"--clasp works just fine, have NEVER had an issue with it--not sure why this is "mandatory" service given there are no issues--other than maybe strictly cosmetic--with the clasp or its function)

Bridge Exchange: $1,085 (they state that "due to impact, rotor has become loose, causing damage to bridges"--I wear this watch every day and there has NEVER been any impact to the watch, much less impact that would damage what seems to be a very expensive part?

this one part is seems to be roughly 20-25% of the total current value of the entire watch [based on what you can buy the watch for now]--could this be a VERY expensive upsell?
--if truly necesary, could this be done for a less expensive price by a master watch repair person with genuine Rolex parts in Houston but not necessarily by Rolex authorized service? Frankly, I'm not even sure what the "bridge" is. This just seems to be a VERY expensive repair and I want to make sure I'm not getting screwed/taken advantage of)

OSC Weight: $105 (I don't even know what this is and I can't really find any information on the web regarding this service/repair, much less if it is truly "necessary"/mandatory to be repaired)

Again, I am not an expert on watchmaking/watch repair. I am a novice that is simply trying not to get taken advantage of just because I brought my watch for service to the only "authorized" Rolex service center in the Houston area.

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Does this seem like a "scam" and/or BIG upsell situation? Would I be better off bringing it somewhere else in Houston to have it serviced by a TRUSTWORTHY and REPUTABLE independent watch repair person? I just worry that by bringing it to a non-"authorized" Rolex service repair, that it might not be done exactly right or with genuine Rolex parts, which might cause issues down the road (since it seems like Rolex states that if ALL genuine parts are not used, then the entire watch is deemed "counterfeit").

THANK YOU SO MUCH in advance for any and all advice regarding this issue. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions.
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Old 1 April 2023, 10:40 AM   #2
Tools
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I would agree with you that this service center may be mandating items that are unnecessary.

The clasp may indeed be worn and a rivet/axle well worn. These can easily be replaced, although Rolex seldom repairs bracelets.

Bridges can and do become marked when a rotor axle wobbles. There are likely thousands of watches working perfectly fine with the rhodium worn off the tops from this. It would take a lot to make it unusable.

Rolex sometimes wants to try and make an older watch near new, and that isn't for everybody.

There are plenty of independents who can service and repair a Rolex, they are not cutting-edge technology. Check to ensure they have a parts account.
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Last edited by Tools; 2 April 2023 at 09:20 AM..
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Old 2 April 2023, 03:07 AM   #3
giddyup
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Does anyone know of any REPUTABLE and TRUSTWORTHY watch repair shops/watchmakers in the Houston area that might be able to do this work? How would you know if a store/watchmaker truly has a Rolex parts account?

What would be the symptoms of damaged bridges for the actual function of the watch? If the bridge exchange is not done, are there any LONG TERM negative effects to the watch function? Can the bridges be repaired or do they always have to be exchanged? If there is indeed an issue with the watch function because of this damaged bridge or if there would be long term negative effects to the watch function, is $1085 a fair price to perform this repair? If not, what would be a ballpark price that an independent watchmaker/repair person would charge to perform the repair?

Any thoughts on the OSC Weight service? I have no idea what this is but similar to the bridge, what are the symptoms of this OSC Weight issue for the watch function and if it is not repaired, would there be any long term negative effects to the watch function?

Thank you to everyone in advance for helping a novice!!
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