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BB83 · 12 April 2011, 01:37 PM

Those who follow the vintage forum have surely seen the praise lavished on Bob Ridley when it comes to servicing Rolex watches. I was under the impression that Bob only serviced vintage Rolex, and surely that's his specialty, but turns out he services modern as well.

I recently sent him my Zenith Daytona, and after a couple of weeks at the Ridley spa, it's soon to be back on my wrist. Such a great experience with Bob--he was easy to talk to, completely understood my preferences for no polishing, using only period-correct parts should replacements be necessary, etc.

I went with him over a Rolex RSC because I felt comfortable with Bob and his sons and their small shop, whereas at a Rolex RSC I could get any number of different technicians. While my instructions about no polishing, etc. might well have been respected at an RSC, I couldn't be sure with a larger operation that the communication would flow as smoothly as it did with Bob. It was all about comfort and reputation for me.

In any event, I'm just delighted I used Bob--I can't imagine using anyone else for my watches! Here are a few pictures he sent me of my watch during the service. Enjoy!

Zenith.Ridleya.jpg

Zenith.Ridleyc.jpg

Zenith.Ridleyd.jpg

toph · 12 April 2011, 01:42 PM

looking good!!!!

etp095 · 12 April 2011, 01:54 PM

great shots,of a real beauty.

DCgator · 12 April 2011, 02:04 PM

Good to know. I will definitely consider Bob Ridley. Thanks!

Frogman4me · 12 April 2011, 02:15 PM

Very nice 16520, Bob is the man!

hennabav · 12 April 2011, 02:34 PM

Beautiful!! I love the 16520!! I will probably use Bob Ridley as well for my watches!!

usbzoso · 12 April 2011, 02:42 PM

thanks for sharing, always good to know you have options when it comes to servicing your time pieces

onkyo · 12 April 2011, 02:44 PM

Bob is the man....

girltime · 12 April 2011, 11:00 PM

Bob and his sons are awesome. I'm very happy with the work he provided me on my Sub.

HL65 · 12 April 2011, 11:35 PM

Very nice D!! Bob is the man for sure!!

bewithabob · 12 April 2011, 11:51 PM

Very nice. I hear so many nice reviews about Bob Ridley. He will be the one I turn to for my next service. Isn't he local to people in Dallas?

etp095 · 13 April 2011, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bewithabob

Very nice. I hear so many nice reviews about Bob Ridley. He will be the one I turn to for my next service. Isn't he local to people in Dallas?

Yes,he's in the Dallas area.

Jason71 · 13 April 2011, 02:55 AM

Bob is the man. He has serviced 4 of my watches so far this year.

Chipmunk · 13 April 2011, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

Bob is the man. He has serviced 4 of my watches so far this year.

How is Bob's service charge/price compare to Dallas RSC?

tomchicago · 13 April 2011, 03:21 AM

Does Bob Ridley have all the same/better polishing equipment (and skill) as an RSC?

Jason71 · 13 April 2011, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chipmunk

How is Bob's service charge/price compare to Dallas RSC?

Typically, slightly cheaper for Bob than RSC for a basic service based on the numbers I have read here on the forum RSC.

Chipmunk · 13 April 2011, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

Typically, slightly cheaper for Bob than RSC for a basic service based on the numbers I have read here on the forum RSC.

Okay, thanks. I might consider using him for my next service.

Jason71 · 13 April 2011, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomchicago

Does Bob Ridley have all the same/better polishing equipment (and skill) as an RSC?

I don't know about equipment, but I can talk about skill. My wife's Yachtmaster was scratched like you wouldn't believe. When it came back from Bob, it was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!! It was absolutely perfect, and I would go so far as to say it was BETTER than factory finish. I know that doesn't make sense, and honestly it is hard to explain..........but it truly was better

AWS · 13 April 2011, 04:17 AM

Nice to know about servicing the moderns as well.

tomchicago · 13 April 2011, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

I don't know about equipment, but I can talk about skill. My wife's Yachtmaster was scratched like you wouldn't believe. When it came back from Bob, it was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!! It was absolutely perfect, and I would go so far as to say it was BETTER than factory finish. I know that doesn't make sense, and honestly it is hard to explain..........but it truly was better

no...this does make sense. it's called skill and experience!

nauticajoe · 13 April 2011, 04:44 AM

Great job!

nch209 · 13 April 2011, 07:51 AM

I love the fact that he takes pics along the way!!! I wish I knew about him sooner for some of my previous services!!!

BB83 · 13 April 2011, 12:51 PM

Great to hear all the Ridley praise out there!!

DT14 · 13 April 2011, 01:13 PM

I've had several watches serviced by Bob over the last couple of years and I believe that his work is second to none. It's a true family business and he and his sons are first class all the way. I've met them all as I live in the Dallas area.

Genevapics · 13 April 2011, 01:41 PM

I certainly can understand the thought process of using Bob over RSC. It's that personal touch of a small workshop versus a large assembly line. No doubt the RSC can do the job, but sometimes it's nice to go with the smaller guy.

12 April 2011, 01:37 PM	#1
BB83 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA Watch: Daytona Posts: 375	Bob Ridley Services Modern Rolex, Too! Those who follow the vintage forum have surely seen the praise lavished on Bob Ridley when it comes to servicing Rolex watches. I was under the impression that Bob only serviced vintage Rolex, and surely that's his specialty, but turns out he services modern as well. I recently sent him my Zenith Daytona, and after a couple of weeks at the Ridley spa, it's soon to be back on my wrist. Such a great experience with Bob--he was easy to talk to, completely understood my preferences for no polishing, using only period-correct parts should replacements be necessary, etc. I went with him over a Rolex RSC because I felt comfortable with Bob and his sons and their small shop, whereas at a Rolex RSC I could get any number of different technicians. While my instructions about no polishing, etc. might well have been respected at an RSC, I couldn't be sure with a larger operation that the communication would flow as smoothly as it did with Bob. It was all about comfort and reputation for me. In any event, I'm just delighted I used Bob--I can't imagine using anyone else for my watches! Here are a few pictures he sent me of my watch during the service. Enjoy! Zenith.Ridleya.jpg Zenith.Ridleyc.jpg Zenith.Ridleyd.jpg

12 April 2011, 01:42 PM	#2
toph "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: ChrisTOPHer Location: Sydney Watch: Rolex, Brellum, Posts: 12,601	looking good!!!! __________________ "Where no counsel is the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Member No.# 11795

12 April 2011, 01:54 PM	#3
etp095 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: rudolph Location: chicago burbs Posts: 2,026	great shots,of a real beauty. __________________ tt date circa 69' 5513 circa 81' ss sub w/date (z) pepsi gmt for dad(D) polar expy II(z) 1675 gmt circa 68' ladies datejust on jubilee for mom (z) sea dweller16600(M) SS Sub-C(g) Omega Planet Ocean,45.5 on mesh(2500D)

12 April 2011, 11:35 PM	#10
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 63,981	Very nice D!! Bob is the man for sure!! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

12 April 2011, 11:51 PM	#11
bewithabob "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Bob Location: Dallas, Texas Watch: Daytona Meteorite Posts: 3,417	Very nice. I hear so many nice reviews about Bob Ridley. He will be the one I turn to for my next service. Isn't he local to people in Dallas? __________________ meteor flying to Earth onto my wrist... 116509 Daytona Meteorite, 116520 Daytona Black, 116710 GMTIIC, 16013 DATEJUST, CARTIER SANTOS 100 W20090X8, IWC Big Pilot, IWC Top Gun "Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end."

12 April 2011, 02:04 PM	#4
DCgator "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PNW Watch: DS,BLNR,SubLV,DJ2 Posts: 8,123	Good to know. I will definitely consider Bob Ridley. Thanks!

12 April 2011, 02:15 PM	#5
Frogman4me Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,268	Very nice 16520, Bob is the man!

12 April 2011, 02:34 PM	#6
hennabav Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Jon Location: New England Watch: --Rolex-- Posts: 2,391	Beautiful!! I love the 16520!! I will probably use Bob Ridley as well for my watches!!

12 April 2011, 02:42 PM	#7
usbzoso Banned Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: Stan Location: Dallas Watch: 16610/16600/16800 Posts: 1,231	thanks for sharing, always good to know you have options when it comes to servicing your time pieces

12 April 2011, 02:44 PM	#8
onkyo Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Pav Location: Manhattan Posts: 11,495	Bob is the man....

12 April 2011, 11:00 PM	#9
girltime "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Lisa Location: Texas Watch: TT Sub 16613 Posts: 493	Bob and his sons are awesome. I'm very happy with the work he provided me on my Sub.

13 April 2011, 02:55 AM	#13
Jason71 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Jason Location: USA Watch: Rolex/Tudor Divers Posts: 7,973	Bob is the man. He has serviced 4 of my watches so far this year. __________________ Best Regards, Jason Just Say "NO" to Polishing Card-Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch Curmudgeons LIfe is too short to wear inexpensive watches PLEXI IS SEXY

13 April 2011, 03:21 AM	#15
tomchicago Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Watch: 16710BLRO, 214270. Posts: 2,717	Does Bob Ridley have all the same/better polishing equipment (and skill) as an RSC?

13 April 2011, 04:17 AM	#19
AWS "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Allan Location: USA Posts: 959	Nice to know about servicing the moderns as well.

13 April 2011, 04:44 AM	#21
nauticajoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: PA Posts: 14,774	Great job!

13 April 2011, 07:51 AM	#22
nch209 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Nathan Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,775	I love the fact that he takes pics along the way!!! I wish I knew about him sooner for some of my previous services!!! __________________ nch209

13 April 2011, 12:51 PM	#23
BB83 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA Watch: Daytona Posts: 375	Great to hear all the Ridley praise out there!!

13 April 2011, 01:13 PM	#24
DT14 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dallas Watch: Daytona, Explorer Posts: 218	I've had several watches serviced by Bob over the last couple of years and I believe that his work is second to none. It's a true family business and he and his sons are first class all the way. I've met them all as I live in the Dallas area.

13 April 2011, 01:41 PM	#25
Genevapics "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Andre Location: Delaware Watch: Submariner Posts: 296	I certainly can understand the thought process of using Bob over RSC. It's that personal touch of a small workshop versus a large assembly line. No doubt the RSC can do the job, but sometimes it's nice to go with the smaller guy. __________________ *–Andre´*

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