Servicing thoughts...

[Ketler]

I am contemplating the purchase of another Matt Dial 666...I had a number of them years ago, which have all since been sold, and lately I have had the urge to have one more before I die...

To that end I was speaking to the service department at Rolex of Dallas Texas USA the other day in regard to servicing such a piece...

I was told that if the service tech feels that the Tritium dial and hands should be swapped out and I declined to have that done...They would NOT service the watch...

Which would mean that my only alternative for a service would be to find an independent watchmaker who has the parts to be able to service the watch...

And with parts accounts being closed at numerous watchmakers around the country, (I know of several who have lost their parts accounts in the last year) not to mention the difficulty of getting a HEV from Rolex, I'm wondering if owning a Matt Dial 666 at this point is going to be more trouble than it's worth...

[Dr.Smellody]

Unless you are wearing it exclusively daily for more than 20 years, I think there are currently plenty of bits still around for a couple.mlre services with modern lubricants. You should be just fine.

I have no plan on servicing again anything I have and should be fine for another 1,500 years or so.

Older, older stuff like early bubblebacks are getting more difficult to source bits, but there seems to be an endless supply of old donor movements.

[hutch300]

I think you should be okay with that one.

[logo]

Had my 1989 Blackout 14270 serviced by RSC recently. As per my request, the original dial and hands were left untouched and they did not polish the watch - movement service only. Pleased with the outcome.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Hot Xixi Wang

I wouldn't let any RSC get anywhere near any of my vintage Rolexes. They could tell you anything then give you back your watch with a new dial and hands and your original parts are gone forever. Don't trust them.

I'm not saying RSCs are amazing, but this would not happen. You need to approve in advance any parts that would need to be changed. Why? Because you need to agree to pay for them, and RSCs aren't in the habit of giving away parts for free.

I've had quite a few vintage Rolexes serviced through the years at the RSC in NYC, and they've always done exactly what I've asked, including no polishing and not to change dials, hands and bezels. If on the estimate they insist on changing anything you don't want changed, just decline and go elsewere.

[Mk2rick]

Originally Posted by swish77

I'm not saying RSCs are amazing, but this would not happen. You need to approve in advance any parts that would need to be changed. Why? Because you need to agree to pay for them, and RSCs aren't in the habit of giving away parts for free.

I've had quite a few vintage Rolexes serviced through the years at the RSC in NYC, and they've always done exactly what I've asked, including no polishing and not to change dials, hands and bezels. If on the estimate they insist on changing anything you don't want changed, just decline and go elsewere.

Thx for sharing Aaron. I've been thinking of sending a neo-vintage piece to RSC but also had concerns over RSC not following instructions. More comforted now thx to your sharing!

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by swish77

I'm not saying RSCs are amazing, but this would not happen. You need to approve in advance any parts that would need to be changed. Why? Because you need to agree to pay for them, and RSCs aren't in the habit of giving away parts for free.

I've had quite a few vintage Rolexes serviced through the years at the RSC in NYC, and they've always done exactly what I've asked, including no polishing and not to change dials, hands and bezels. If on the estimate they insist on changing anything you don't want changed, just decline and go elsewere.

I think it depends on the RSC. Mine (Tokyo) won't do a service unless you agree to everything they want to do, which usually involves changing the hands/dial and polishing. They don't entertain any requests at all.

[Sidwin]

i don't care for the RSC in dallas. sent them my dad's 1972 date watch and they said it was too old they didn't want to work on it due to lack of parts. My buddy lives in miami and his AD sent it to PA RSC and they completely rebuild the entire watch. new band, case, crown and crystal. no problem whatsoever.

He also has a GMT white gold and wanted to change the dial to blue and they did exactly what he asked. Luckily Mark @watchdoctor.biz was able to fix my dad's 72 watch. ended up being the mainspring.