What happens when Rolex "no longer has the parts"

[Dan2010]

I have seen many threads about Rolex not having parts for a particular model. What the heck do you do then to keep the watch running and looking good? I believe Rolex guarantees parts for 30 years after discontinuing a model but what about after that?

I know my 14060M is still in production but I don't see it being around much longer as it is either going the way of the Doo Doo bird or will be updated. And though it is a long way off, the accountant in me is planning on what the heck I do if I get the "we don't have parts" speel from Rolex.

[Naples09]

Trade it for a burger and dog with ketchup, can't forget the ketchup!

[Dr. Robert]

Then it gets worn, on a big chain, around the neck...a la Flava Flav!

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by Naples09

Trade it for a burger and dog with ketchup, can't forget the ketchup!

I DO like burgers and ketchup............

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Then it gets worn, on a big chain, around the neck...a la Flava Flav!

[cruvon]

I guess someone could always machine those parts in high quality like with vintage cars though they won't be original. Also I guess we will be long gone by the time the vintage Rolexes run out of parts so what we don't know wouldn't really hurt, I reckon would be a moment for some grave turning though;)

[SPARTAN2161]

What do you do? You call Bob Ridely. He has the parts...lol

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by SPARTAN2161

What do you do? You call Bob Ridely. He has the parts...lol

How the heck does Bob Ridley have parts if Rolex doesn't??

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by cruvon

I guess someone could always machine those parts in high quality like with vintage cars though they won't be original. Also I guess we will be long gone by the time the vintage Rolexes run out of parts so what we don't know wouldn't really hurt, I reckon would be a moment for some grave turning though;)

Why do you say we will be long gone before Rolex runs out of vintage parts? I have seen people say that Rolex would not service their watch because it was too old.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

Why do you say we will be long gone before Rolex runs out of vintage parts? I have seen people say that Rolex would not service their watch because it was too old.

True, but as Nick said there are plenty of vintage watch repairers out there including Bob with vintage parts stocks enough to possibly last more than our lifetimes. Plus a RSC, unless a trusted one to handle vintages like RSC Bexley, would be the last place one would want to take a vintage to for fear of loosing it's originality by service replacement parts et al being used.
Where do the private repairers get the parts from, guess from watches that have been scavenged for being badly damaged and some from Rolex channels itself I guess. I would think they would be stocking up on these parts long before Rolex discontinued the reference(not sure about their sources though) so that when they are finally out of circulation they could make some money out of it like any business would.

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by cruvon

True, but as Nick said there are plenty of vintage watch repairers out there including Bob with vintage parts stocks enough to possibly last more than our lifetimes. Plus a RSC, unless a trusted one to handle vintages like RSC Bexley, would be the last place one would want to take a vintage to for fear of loosing it's originality by service replacement parts et al being used.
Where do the private repairers get the parts from, guess from watches that have been scavenged for being badly damaged and some from Rolex channels itself I guess. I would think they would be stocking up on these parts long before Rolex discontinued the reference(not sure about their sources though) so that when they are finally out of circulation they could make some money out of it like any business would.

Interesting. I hope you are right.

[f-du-27]

Hi

The point is to sell new watches. They are not happy with me and my 50 years old Oyster that I repaired myself ! (no more parts from Rolex)

Regards

[Dweller of the Sea]

Movement parts will not be a big problem for most, as the same movement has been used in other models. You can fx buy a beat-up Datejust to fix a Submariner.

The tricky is case parts. I think there will be a large aftermarket market, because there are so many vintage models.
Because of this, I think Rolex will produce parts for many years, as there is a lot of $$$$ in aftersales service. They are cheap to manufacture, and easy to sell expensive.
There will be many parts for sale on the internet, like auctions and TRF, but they will not be cheap.

You can always sell your broken watch in spareparts and buy a new

A friend sold his 5513 part-for part (middle case, bezel, caseback, movement, dial and hands, bracelet), and earned 2000$ more than if he had sold it as a complete watch. Crazy

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Dweller of the Sea

Movement parts will not be a big problem for most, as the same movement has been used in other models. You can fx buy a beat-up Datejust to fix a Submariner.

The tricky is case parts. I think there will be a large aftermarket market, because there are so many vintage models.
Because of this, I think Rolex will produce parts for many years, as there is a lot of $$$$ in aftersales service. They are cheap to manufacture, and easy to sell expensive.
There will be many parts for sale on the internet, like auctions and TRF, but they will not be cheap.

You can always sell your broken watch in spareparts and buy a new

A friend sold his 5513 part-for part (middle case, bezel, caseback, movement, dial and hands, bracelet), and earned 2000$ more than if he had sold it as a complete watch. Crazy

Bob Ridley and others have pioneered case repairs using many advanced techniques like laser welding.

There are several threads here showcasing his more challenging projects. He refashioned most of the internals on a 6536 case that he said appeared to be intentionally ruined.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

[Rikki]

I believe the rumor is Rolex has developed a Heritage Department similiar to Patek's where they will restore any Rolex for a price even if parts have to be remanufactured. Rikki

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Rikki

I believe the rumor is Rolex has developed a Heritage Department similiar to Patek's where they will restore any Rolex for a price even if parts have to be remanufactured. Rikki

That would be nice!

[RC2]

Someone will make the parts to take our money. Supply and demand.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by RC2

Someone will make the parts to take our money. Supply and demand.

?????

If that someone isn't Rolex, those parts are completely useless to us. It's happening already with lots of bits out of Asia for vintage Rolex. Shouldn't be touched.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Dweller of the Sea

You can always sell your broken watch in spareparts and buy a new

A friend sold his 5513 part-for part (middle case, bezel, caseback, movement, dial and hands, bracelet), and earned 2000$ more than if he had sold it as a complete watch. Crazy

I've heard about people buying parts and building their own watch.

[Keeperoftime]

You find a good watchmaker. Parts will always be floating out there (I Hope!!) and worst case scenario could be built. They would not be "factory" but... in the whole scheme of things-I wouldn't pass on a Paul Newman because of a gear wheel being aftermarket---Would you?

[dddrees]

It's my hope that due to the demand there will always be someone willing or some means out there of getting this done.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Rikki

I believe the rumor is Rolex has developed a Heritage Department similiar to Patek's where they will restore any Rolex for a price even if parts have to be remanufactured. Rikki

I've heard that as well. It's also been speculated the cost of service would be a percentage of the value of the watch though who determines value might be interesting.

[Clay]

I've been hearing talk about the "Heritage" division for years now...I'll believe it when I see it....

[Dweller of the Sea]

Rolex has had a "vintage repair department" for many years in Geneva.
For some years ago, I visited Rolex´s movement factory in Biel, and asked about spareparts. They told me they have a small vintage servicecenter in Geneva. You can not send to them. If you send your watch to Rolex Geneva for service, they might send i to the vintage department, if it is a speciel model/repair fx. manufacture of obsolete parts. They don´t perform regular service. I was told it was very expensive.

I have also heard the rumor of a "normal" vintage servicecenter, but I don´t believe in it.
Its never been Rolex nature to "care" for vintage watches. They have always made sure old watches was serviced to like-new condition, with polish, new dial and hands etc.
I don´t think they are changing this strategy.

[mr500cm]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

How the heck does Bob Ridley have parts if Rolex doesn't??

I'm a photographer, one of my repairman has parts for cameras that are long out of production, parts which the factory doesn't have. If push comes to shove someone will make the part.

[Rolex Junky]

The watch eventually breaks down?