Who's the best?

[adrianff7]

Who's the best for servicing and restoring vintage Rolex: Los Angeles Watchworks or Michael Young in Hong Kong?

Any other suggestions?

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[Franks07]

LAWW is fantastic but not cheap. Their turnaround time varies and warrants inquiry before proceeding. I have had them do various things to several valuable vintage pieces and have always had my expectations exceeded. Good guys for sure!
Hope this helps...

[BigBlue1]

LAWW as I have heard great things about them. I currently have my watch there now and am awaiting its completion. Please do inquire as their wait time fluctuates.
x2

[HarryLime]

Phillip Ridley

[Redtele58]

Originally Posted by HarryLime

Phillip Ridley

This.

[sensui]

It depends on what you're doing IMO. I haven't really dealt with either in the area of restoration or service but I've seen enough examples from my friends/associates to have an idea. LAWW specializes in casework IMO mostly.....they are known for restoring the original geometry of the case on vintage watches. Michael Young works with a broader scope than LAWW. They do the casework (hard for me to say they are as good as LAWW though), dial restoration, bracelet repair etc etc. If you're looking for an overhaul/service, plenty of good independents that'll do it in addition to both of these shops. Ridley would be one example.

[cpefy3]

Originally Posted by HarryLime

Phillip Ridley

This

[mattedialdoc]

Philip is outstanding for service.
LAWW/Beau and Mike Hui/Rolliworks for casework.


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[Jaques]

Depends where you are. I am in Oz and would use Lewis Watchco Perth WA.

[HL65]

LAWW for me 100% of the time. I have used others including Bob Ridley but to me LAWW is tops here in US. Their turnaround time is quicker than most and communication solid. Also their price is very fair which was one of reasons I switched to them years ago.

[Styles Bitchley]

I’ve read lots about the top vintage Rolex guys on this forum. The solid rep guys mentioned above are always there and a few guys in the UK, but never hear about anyone in Canada. Is there anyone in Canada with a solid trusted reputation?


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[illiguy]

Sorry to resuscitate an old thread. For case (no movement service), who is considered best in US - LAWW or Rolliworks?

For movement, I really trust Phillip Ridley.

[linesiders]

Can't go wrong with LAWW. My last experience with MY was disappointing to the point I may send work back to him, or eat the approximately $$ and send to someone else. Instructions were not followed and the 6-8 weeks turned into 10 months (yes - the Pandemic created a multiplier). I may send the work to Rolliworks instead.

I have two movement services done my Phillip Ridley this year and am pleased with both, one for a watch I am keeping, one for a watch I am selling.

[XavierM]

Haven’t dealt with Rolliworks but they have an Instagram account where you can see some of their work.
Not always convinced by their results regarding case proportions, lug brushing angle etc

[tekno]

I’ve used LAWW three times and every time I have been very pleased. They are conservative with the recuts because I think they don’t want to get a reputation for restoring dogged out cases to original condition. You can’t go wrong with them.

I do think it depends on the case and what your wanting done. I had LAWW add the chamfers back to a 16750, & brush the top of the lugs leaving the sides original and I thought it looked awesome.

I had him recut a 94110 and I wish he would have added a little more bevel/chamfer. A full recut isn’t cheap, it’s not going to look original so why not add a little more, but I respect the choice. I do think how much bevel you can add depends on how much meat is left on the sides.


If I was having a case restored now I would try Zimmerman. I have heard from some collectors that have been using them and their case service is too notch. They will add back more material if needed. I’m having them fix my fathers 16013 datejust case which won’t be cheap but it means a lot to me, I want to fix what I messed up by letting anyone polish it.

Rolliworks for band work, LAWW or Zimmerman for case work.


I do think it depends on the case. It’s a case-by-case basis. Lol


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[AlTinkster92]

tekno, can they add material to lugs that have been slightly over polished?

[tekno]

Zimmerman does, Laww will add it but they won’t rebuild the lugs like Zimmerman.

It’s also worth noting some stuff shouldn’t be recut, it’s expensive. I think it’s worth finding a better example if the watch is dogged out/bad dial etc. Opinions on laser rebuilding cases that are over polished vary.

https://instagram.com/zimmermanwatch...d=NzNkNDdiOGI=


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[RFC]

Originally Posted by HarryLime

Phillip Ridley

Vote for Phil and Greg in True Patina.

[tekno]

Originally Posted by RFC

Vote for Phil and Greg in True Patina.

Are they reasonable?


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[illiguy]

Sounds like folks view LAWW, Zimmerman and Rolliworks in high esteem and relative parity to one another for case (non-movement) work.

[RFC]

Originally Posted by tekno

Are they reasonable?


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Full movement overhaul betw $850-$1k. Conparable in cost to RSC but quicker turnaround. Phil is a CW21 watchmaker. Greg’s expertise is with lume and acrylic domes.

[federalgemlab]

What’s the approximate price on the case work?


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[tekno]

It’s best to get a quote, every job is different.

I can tell you what Laww charges, what do you want done?


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[swish77]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Sounds like folks view LAWW, Zimmerman and Rolliworks in high esteem and relative parity to one another for case (non-movement) work.

I've had excellent results with Zimmermann. They will do as much case work _ and as little _ as you request. Not everything is a full re-cut/polish.

Sometimes you just want a light touch-up and/or factory re-brushing of the lugs and no other polishing. For that, they have an expert light-handed approach.