Rolex AD poor job

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by 77T

OP already answered that point - post 49 - Rolex would provide a letter explaining the midcase change.


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Thank Just read that they didn’t offer that solution. They have changed their minds since.

Why not go with that?just asking out

[77T]

Originally Posted by madsitalia

Thank Just read that they didn’t offer that solution. They have changed their minds since.

Why not go with that?just asking out

OP should answer that from his own perspective.

IMHO, taking control of this situation and doing the laser weld repair makes more sense because you don't have to explain the proposed letter to a future buyer.


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[worldofoyster]

definitely should bring this back and express your dissatisfaction, see what they can do.

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by 77T

OP should answer that from his own perspective.

IMHO, taking control of this situation and doing the laser weld repair makes more sense because you don't have to explain the proposed letter to a future buyer.


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Thanks. Exactly that's why I asked out to get others opinions too
That makes somewhat sense if you at some point want to sell.
However I think I would stick to the new middle case

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

definitely should bring this back and express your dissatisfaction, see what they can do.

They saw the same pictures I shared here, yet dismissed their poor workmanship.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple case of a movement that doesn’t function—it’s all subjective, and they deem it acceptable.

My entire experience with this AD was pretty unfortunate. The sales rep was hyping up the 'amazing work' of the watchmakers before I even had a proper chance to inspect it myself. That just made it even more awkward to call out the issues.

The insert was damaged as well. When I pointed it out, they compared my Sub to some vintage Pepsi models, saying fading was “totally normal.” Excuse me? I had to pull up photos to prove my insert wasn’t damaged or faded when I gave it to them—it was looking brand new as I wear my watch only occasionally.

At that moment, the insert literally fell out of the bezel. Yep...

They did replace the insert with a new one, but by that point, I was so frustrated I was just happy to get my watch and leave. Of course, after paying EUR 1.200 (Full service, laser welding, new crown and crystal)



My original insert. I don't know what they did but this faded circle wasn't there. I guess manually trying to press the insert into the bezel?

[SS Oyster]

I’d ask for a replacement case!


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[Mystro]

This is an example of how little a sales associate knows. Anything can look good to an untrained eye but dismissing it as “in-spec” is lazy and ignorant. I would simply state your standards are significantly higher and surprised how low there standards are if this is “good work”. Certainly don’t ever let them touch your watch again. It would be like going back to the same barber that butchers your hair 2 weeks earlier. Rikki is who you want. At this point it’s a salvage job to get it somewhat acceptable.

https://www.timecareinc.com/

[rolexnerd]

It’s not a rare watch, so if you’re not happy with it, just sell it and find one in better condition. Consider this a lesson, never let the RSC polish any watch.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by rolexnerd

It’s not a rare watch, so if you’re not happy with it, just sell it and find one in better condition. Consider this a lesson, never let the RSC polish any watch.

It's one of the few 16610 Submariners with the random serial.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

It's one of the many thousands of 16610 Submariners all over the world with the random serial.

Fixed that for you.

[Cassian739]

Can always check with RolliWorks, they do amazing work.

https://www.rolliworks.com/

[7enderbender]

I also have a hard time following what the problem exactly is based on the photos. By looking at it my guess would’ve been that something went very wrong in the right lug, not the left. It’s much thinner and looks weird. Maybe it’s the angle of the photos.
Bottom line: never let any “AD” do tho sound of work. They are not Rolex and are just a random retailer who happen to sell new Rolex watches. Not owned or operated by Rolex and no liability I guess.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by rolexnerd

It’s not a rare watch, so if you’re not happy with it, just sell it and find one in better condition. Consider this a lesson, never let the RSC polish any watch.

This wasn’t done by an RSC.

[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

It is possible to fix this, new material must be added and a recut of the lug. There are numerous of restaurateurs who can do it.

I am mostly shocked with the poor craftsmanship / indifference of the Rolex AD.




This was not a RSC. It's a Rolex AD in Amsterdam that employs "Rolex trained polishers and watch makers" - according to AD.

Did you go to Gassan or Schaap?

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

Response from AD:

When polishing, the aim is to polish away as much damage as possible, while respecting the shape of the case and the band. When a Rolex is polished, material is removed, which can change the shape of the parts slightly. Polishing without removing material is unfortunately not possible.
There is a possibility to replace the middle case, but this changes the serial number, which means that it is no longer the same as the number on the warranty certificate.

I am contemplating now how to respond to this.

It sounds like they admitted that they polished the watch (which removes the metal) when u actually asked for laser welding.

If u have an original request or invoice for laser welding, I would argue that u never asked for the polishing.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

Did you go to Gassan or Schaap?

Thats the problem, best to go to Koln. Make a nice day out of it

[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by joli160

Thats the problem, best to go to Koln. Make a nice day out of it

Yes, that’s what I always heard too. On the dutch rolexforum that is also the consensus.


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[Oytun]

That's why some of us hate having our watches polished, despite many others still defending it.

It all comes down to skill and talent of the guy who is doign the job. Even if they are highly skilled, their job can vary depending on their mood that day.

No going back when polished.. why take the risk? You'll end up scratching or damaging it again eventually.

[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by Oytun

That's why some of us hate having our watches polished, despite many others still defending it.

It all comes down to skill and talent of the guy who is doign the job. Even if they are highly skilled, their job can vary depending on their mood that day.

No going back when polished.. why take the risk? You'll end up scratching or damaging it again eventually.

How many good jobs are there done vs bad jobs. When you got a regular light touch up with servicing the watch and you don’t have any edges that have dings chances are very high for a good job.


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[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

I also have a hard time following what the problem exactly is based on the photos. By looking at it my guess would’ve been that something went very wrong in the right lug, not the left. It’s much thinner and looks weird. Maybe it’s the angle of the photos.
Bottom line: never let any “AD” do tho sound of work. They are not Rolex and are just a random retailer who happen to sell new Rolex watches. Not owned or operated by Rolex and no liability I guess.

The right lug hasn’t been touched—it’s not thinner; that’s likely just a distortion from the wide-angle image crop.

You can see that the brushed surface of the left lug appears less matte than the right lug because it has been polished. On a 16610 Submariner, the bracelet typically sits lower than the lugs, but when a lug is trimmed down, it becomes flush with the bracelet. This is common with many vintage Submariners and Pepsis that have had multiple polishings.

For reference:
Lugs are brushed hence not reflecting too much light and SEL sits clearly lower than the lugs. A good finger nail of difference.





If you trim down the lugs. It will look like this:
Brushed surface has been polished - now reflecting light more. SEL is flush with the lugs because lugs got trimmed down over numerous of polishing cycles and daily wear.