Rolex Service Center Cut Off Date?

[GMTJOHNNY]

Any truth to this? I have heard some mention of it but not sure if it is true or just bad rumor. Then I saw this from a search I did (it is on Qualitytyme.net)

Q: I sent my watch to Rolex New York for service, but they told me it's too old and they can't fix it!!! Can you service my watch?

A: Yes, I know this sounds crazy, but Rolex will not currently service a watch that is over "around" 25 years old!! Their excuse... they can't get parts. Rolex only guarantees to provide parts for your "new" Rolex watch for 20 years.

Currently, Rolex will service watches dating back to the mid 1980s, and that date will no doubt move up as the years go by. It was around this time that Rolex switched to a newer series movement and they have chosen this period as the cut off.

If your watch is older (and has the older series movement) they will not service it, but instead will return the watch to you unserviced and suggest you purchase a new watch. Furthermore, it has come to my attention that many authorized Rolex dealers have now established the "cut off" as any watch with a plastic crystal.

[briantheartist]

Originally Posted by GMTJOHNNY

:

A: Yes, I know this sounds crazy, but Rolex will not currently service a watch that is over "around" 25 years old!! Their excuse... they can't get parts. Rolex only guarantees to provide parts for your "new" Rolex watch for 20 years.

.

That's what I tell my clients.

[Howie]

RCS NY overhauled my 5513 which is over 40 years old.

[etp095]

ny rsc overhauled my 1505 which is 39 years old.

[Incurable]

Sad but somewhat true... There have been cases where folks here have been told that the RSC will not service their watch due to age. Certainly deflates the notion that you can hand your revered Rolex down to your heirs. Taking that out of the equation puts a BIG hit on the lure of Rolex for me...

[chevycorvette]

so what happen to all vintage? using made in china spare part?

[jac67]

Apart from the fact that Rolex may not have the correct spare parts for certain models, I think the real issue is this:

A lot depends on your attitude. As many vintage owners/collectors are passioate about their watches, sometimes they come about arrogant, inflexible and 'nastly' to RSC's with a list of DEMANDS.

Well, in places like the US, and in particular NYC, where there a millions of people, if someone goes into a RSC in this manner, then I reckon they're told no, so that they don't have to deal the any provlems and/or issues that may arise.

Please do NOT take this as US bashing. I just say this because I have seen the attitudes of "some" NYC sales people, and the volumes of people on the streets. If you look "high maintenance", then you're often neglected.

I have heard RSCNY reject a vintage Daytona from one person, but service one from another - same model, similar time frame.

I think the secret is, be nice, be flexible, but also be assertive (in a nice manner). People tend to "bend" a little and go that extra mile when you're nice.


John.

[Incurable]

Originally Posted by jac67

Apart from the fact that Rolex may not have the correct spare parts for certain models, I think the real issue is this:

A lot depends on your attitude. As many vintage owners/collectors are passioate about their watches, sometimes they come about arrogant, inflexible and 'nastly' to RSC's with a list of DEMANDS.

Well, in places like the US, and in particular NYC, where there a millions of people, if someone goes into a RSC in this manner, then I reckon they're told no, so that they don't have to deal the any provlems and/or issues that may arise.

Please do NOT take this as US bashing. I just say this because I have seen the attitudes of "some" NYC sales people, and the volumes of people on the streets. If you look "high maintenance", then you're often neglected.

I have heard RSCNY reject a vintage Daytona from one person, but service one from another - same model, similar time frame.

I think the secret is, be nice, be flexible, but also be assertive (in a nice manner). People tend to "bend" a little and go that extra mile when you're nice.


John.

I don't know how much water this assertion holds. Many, if not most, service requests are handled by the local AD. This puts a buffer between the RSC and customer so how can the RSC react to the customer's 'attitude'?? There are only 3 service centers in the US and most of us are not within driving distance. We express our needs to the AD and they ship the watch to the RSC in our behalf.

[jac67]

Originally Posted by Incurable

I don't know how much water this assertion holds. Many, if not most, service requests are handled by the local AD. This puts a buffer between the RSC and customer so how can the RSC react to the customer's 'attitude'?? There are only 3 service centers in the US and most of us are not within driving distance. We express our needs to the AD and they ship the watch to the RSC in our behalf.

Ahhh........good point Pat. Mostly I hear "issues" when watches are taken directly to RSC, as owners with rare vintage watches want to deal directly with them, however I have heard a few "unhappy" situations when dealing with AD's.


John.

[mking0714]

I agree with both scenarios......I have a Daytona 6265 that I tried to service at the Beverly Hills RSC. They nicely declined my watch stating unavailable parts....they then referred me to a vintage watch dealer in Ohio somewhere.........I ended taking the watch to my AD where they too confirmed that it was going to a vintage service shop specializing in vintage pieces..........bummer!

[evensteven]

I live a block away from the Rolex Svc. center here in beverly Hills and they serviced my 79 mode 1680/0 wiith no questions or pushback.

By the way its for sale-6K I now its a bit of a steep price but the only reason im selling it is to make a killing. You will too if you buy it and hold on...

Email me here or at buminbh@yahoo.com for pics and paperwork. Its a gorgeous watch, recently serviced and all original.

[/I]QUOTE=GMTJOHNNY;567156]Any truth to this? I have heard some mention of it but not sure if it is true or just bad rumor. Then I saw this from a search I did (it is on Qualitytyme.net)

Q: I sent my watch to Rolex New York for service, but they told me it's too old and they can't fix it!!! Can you service my watch?

A: Yes, I know this sounds crazy, but Rolex will not currently service a watch that is over "around" 25 years old!! Their excuse... they can't get parts. Rolex only guarantees to provide parts for your "new" Rolex watch for 20 years.

Currently, Rolex will service watches dating back to the mid 1980s, and that date will no doubt move up as the years go by. It was around this time that Rolex switched to a newer series movement and they have chosen this period as the cut off.

If your watch is older (and has the older series movement) they will not service it, but instead will return the watch to you unserviced and suggest you purchase a new watch. Furthermore, it has come to my attention that many authorized Rolex dealers have now established the "cut off" as any watch with a plastic crystal.[/QUOTE]

[Jimbits76]

I (and my family) have spoken directly to both Rolex Bexley and Rolex Geneva concerning the 50 year old OD.

Both will not touch it as they have nobody to work on the watch.

Parts are available from Geneva (although depleting) so it is not a parts issue.

These parts are available to the older generation of watchmakers and repairers but once they are gone, it becomes a situation where you need to buy dead watches to salvage parts.

The best way is to service your watch at shorter intervals if the watch is over 30-40 years old. This limits wear and tear on original parts and sustains the movement's life!

As I've said recently...Rolex don't look back...only forwards!

J

[Attila]

The watch will last you a lifetime, good luck getting it serviced though!

[Scarface]

Rolex service center in Athens, Greece serviced my uncle's DJ that is approx. 40-45 y.o.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

It's not always just a matter of the movement (reportedly, often the 15XX-series). Some customers insist of having the original Tritium dial and hands NOT touched, but some of those dials/hands risk flaking off Tritium particles that then enter the movement through the date aparture. RSC won't service those watches unless a service replacement dial and hands are added. So sometimes, often the customer him/herself is to blame, insisting on parts not being touched that really ought to get exchanged for the sake of the future trouble-free functioning of the watch.

Luckily, both in terms of movements and dials/hands, independent RSC's like the one in San Francisco are normally happy to service older pieces and honour the requests of the customer. Also, there are many excellent watchmakers out there - like Bob - who can service the old Rolex watches.

[GMTJOHNNY]

It seems Patek does not have this issue. A dealer mentioned that they are in the business of passing their timepieces down from generation to generation. And make every effort to replace parts even if it means manufacturing a single spring to complete a repair.

Rolex seems a bit flighty here.

If the oils gum up and stop the movement on my 20+ year old GMT and RSC says "NO way" can an AD clean the movement and re-assemble?

Seriously doubting the Rolex "investment" based on many of the above replies as it is heavily leaning towards "disposable income" pun intended...

[Jimbits76]

John

get an Indy watchmaker to do it....cost a fraction of the price of RSC and they may be better equipped to deal with your specific movement.

Fair enough you won't get the service papers stamped by Rolex but you'll get a written statement of work provided and their own guarantee so it will not detract ffrom the value of your watch if Rolex won't touch it!!!!

As for Patek....I heard Omega (swatch group) have the same policy!

J

[sherwin]

if RSC refuse, you can ask them if your movement is same as current models like the datejust, if it uses same movement, it shouldnt be rejected, otherwise take your business elsewhere

[Mr. K]

Sad, I think this is all very sad. I would hope that my watches could be passed down a few generations. So someone could one day say "this was my great grandather's watch."

But if no service or not parts are available, what is the use? True there may be independant watch makers out there, but sure would have been nice if you would have the backing of Rolex itself.

I sure hope they really don't tell people to just go buy a new one.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by GMTJOHNNY

It seems Patek does not have this issue. A dealer mentioned that they are in the business of passing their timepieces down from generation to generation. And make every effort to replace parts even if it means manufacturing a single spring to complete a repair.

Rolex seems a bit flighty here.

If the oils gum up and stop the movement on my 20+ year old GMT and RSC says "NO way" can an AD clean the movement and re-assemble?

Seriously doubting the Rolex "investment" based on many of the above replies as it is heavily leaning towards "disposable income" pun intended...

What you say about Patek is correct, John. However, that doesn't mean it's customer friendly. I asked Patek to service a working vintage piece. Just wanted a cleaning, lube, and regulating. Remember it was a working, non complication watch and Patek said it would take 2 years and cost at least $1500.00.
Pateks are passed down generations because it takes generations to pay to keep them running.
dP

[GMTJOHNNY]

Thanks! I am not in dire need of any RSC at the moment but my pieces are getting older.

Without a definitive comment from Rolex word on the street about this kind of service has been known to bury companies.

Service is EVERYTHING and if you can't support your product, you need to re-think your business plan.

It still seems very odd that such a large, prosperous (and giving) company would mandate such a poor service policy.

Imagine hearing, "Sorry Sir/Madam, your $22,000 Daytona is out of date, please see your AD for a new model."

Or for the collectors...."That COMEX you paid $100,000 for is worth it weight in steel, about $4, please see your authorized dealer..."

[GMTJOHNNY]

As far as servicing and all, can an AD do all this or does it have to be done by RSC?

I am not sure where to draw the line as far as AD versus RSC goes.

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

independent RSC's like the one in San Francisco

Sorry, but what does this mean exactly? What is an "independent RSC"? I thought the U.S. had N.Y., B.H. and Dallas RSCs, and that's it.

Thanks.

[teo]

Rolex made 1 million watches a year so if they intend to service your old watches you will never buy any new one and they can't clear their stocks. If they limit their production to 50000 watches a year that will be different.

[GraniteQuarry]

Just a note on the UK situ...

RSC London did my '69 1680 Sub without any problem, came back with a guarantee certificate.

But they've got my '66 1675 GMT now and although they are servicing it they've stated they won't be giving a 1 year guarantee on this one.

Not quite sure why, maybe becasue the movement is more complex?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Marrk

Sorry, but what does this mean exactly? What is an "independent RSC"? I thought the U.S. had N.Y., B.H. and Dallas RSCs, and that's it.

Thanks.

Those you mention are the official RSC's of Rolex in the States. They follow the strict policies of RUSA (Rolex USA). Being independent of RUSA, the RSC San Francisco have much more free hands to service pieces that an RUSA RSC would turn down.

Here's a list over other watchmakers (neither RSC nor independent RSC ones) that can be a good alternative.

[LRRP]

The RSC just did a fantastic job restoring my GMT. It's 40 years old.
Tom

[Incurable]

Although I have no experience w/them, QualityTyme also claims to have the facilities and know-how to properly service 'out-of-date' watches. They claim to use 100% Rolex parts and offer a 3 yr. warrantee on their work. From what I understand, the SF RSC is not owned by Rolex (as opposed to the other 3) but has a long standing relationship w/Rolex allowing them to be more flexible in what they can or can not do. Regardless, the problem remains... parts availability for the older vintage watches.

[swong13]

Could someone please post the contact information for the San Francisco RSC?

Thanks!

[Incurable]

Rolex Service Center
210 Post St Ste 704
San Francisco, CA
(415) 982-9830