annoyed with Rolex

[Leighton]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

I use Tylden Reed for my 1957 OD.

He will strive to source parts worldwide as part of his £250 service fee.

If he can't get the parts, he will make them or have them made at additional cost.

He repaired my OD when my father destroyed it with salt water and did a fantastic job...came back like new (apart from the salt stained dial...I asked to retain it)!

Give him a try!

J

Sounds like the "go to guy" in the UK for vintage service!

[sfrolex]

Originally Posted by rpryan55

I'm a bit disappointed in Rolex for not servicing their older pieces as well - this business that they can't be expected to keep an inventory of parts is nonsense. Of course they could have created a service department to keep up with the older Rolex watches - they did not because they mean their product to include planned obsolescence. They plan for these timepieces to eventually be beyond repair.

Porsche doesn't do that. Patek doesn't do that. It is the reason that I'm hesitant to buy any more Rolex than I already have. And it is disappointing. Just my $0.02.

Excellent points. This sums up nicely all my thoughts as I read this thread.

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by ratae1950

It does seem a bit counter intuitive- the older the watch the more trouble you have getting it fixed..... Perhaps Rolex needs to indentify service centres that work on vintage models.

Originally Posted by Leighton

Sounds like the "go to guy" in the UK for vintage service!

If you contact Rolex Bexley in the UK and ask about a vintage service they wil usually give you two names...Mr Reed and Mr Heal.

They are not affiliated with Rolex but are licensed to get parts.

Rolex's recommendation was enough for me and a fine job he does to.

Tylden is extremely busy though so the lead in and turnaround is longer than your typical RSC.

He's had my 57OD in for a service since Feb this year as he is trying to source parts for the bracelet. A little wait never hurts though because if he does manage to get the parts, it will be as good as new!!!!!

J

[Kevinm]

I just had mine serviced it's a 1969 to 1970 sub. They used Rolex parts as the parts cases were provided on return of the watch. The whole service cost me $360, got a new crown mainspring, luminated point at 12 oclcok positon n the ouer ring, o rings etc. Works great. Looks like a new watch.

[f16570]

Kinda sucks that a watch that will out last us all will not be serviced by Rolex.

[TIGGRRR]

Frankly I consider this attitude from Rolex to be rather poor considering the cost of their watches. But then there are not many faults with Rolex, so maybe we have to live with it.

[StanGMT]

I do think that it's a poor show for Rolex to be 'unable' to service their older watches. Presumably it's just not lucrative enough for them.

Having said that, I used the UK RSC to service my 1675 GMT (1967 vintage) for the first twenty years I had the watch and was never hugely impressed with them - it was often returned with faults it didn't have before it went in and had to be sent back for remedial attention. So, for the past twenty years I have used an independent watchmaker, usually with excellent results. Using a local independent also has the advantage that you can get to speak directly to the technician who works on your watch.

Rolex (RSC) technicians aren't superhuman - they're generally no better than a good, local, Rolex-trained independent.

Stan.

Stan.

[Timber Loftis]

Ever notice how in tough economic times Customer Service is the first things companies trim the budget on?

[SLS]

Congrats, now you "truly" have a vintage Rolex. I would make a post on some of the vintage Rolex forums and ask for reccomendations of watchmakers in your area, and along with the reccomendations above, find who can service you watch.
~Scott