My 16800 Submariner back from Rikki

[Justso]

Hello everyone,

I've lurked here for quite a long time and this is my first post. I plan to make it the first of many. I wanted to write a quick review and a testimony to Rikki's supremely detailed professional work, excellent communication and amazingly fast turnaround.

Here's my Review of Rik Dietl and Time Care, Inc.

It had been ten years since I had Mayor's perform the last service on my Submariner, and it was simply gaining too much time to deal with anymore. Just like everyone else who loves their watches, I was a bit concerned with turning it over to just anyone to work on and I refused to ever take my watch back to Mayor's. And the fact that my watch is my birth year, it makes it even that much more special and worries me even more to ship it out. But thanks to Rolex Forums, I was able to learn about Rik Dietl and Time Care. Considering that he's literally right next door to me in Florida and the glowing reviews I read about him, I gained the confidence to send it to him and was very happy to be able to give my business to a fellow Floridian and a local small business.

Rik contacted me via phone the day he picked up my watch to let me know it arrived safe and sound. When discussing price (and no, I will not divulge Rik's price, that's between you and him), it was very fair and included a new set of Super Luminova hands. He is a great guy to talk to and does not mind sharing his time (excuse the pun) on the phone. When you call his phone number, he answers - no automated nonsense. About two weeks after my watch arrived at his place, I received an email from Rik telling me that it would be shipping out to me and I received an email with a tracking number that same day. The packaging was extremely durable and meticulous, with both the inner and outer box bearing the shipping labels in case for some insane reason, the two were separated during shipping. When I opened the box, my eyes almost melted.

I am extremely picky when it comes to detailed work and Rik did not disappoint in the slightest bit. If anyone here is the least bit hesitant about sending their Rolex to Rik, please, do yourself a favor and stop worrying. You have absolutely, positively nothing to worry about with Rik. He's the real deal from start to finish.

It isn't every day that you run into someone who is as passionate about his craft as Rik is, and I feel privileged to join the club of those who have entrusted their Rolex to his care. I know there are many fine watchmakers who are recommended on these forums, and Rik is mine. Since I'm a scuba diver, my sub will head to him each year for pressure testing and a little clean up.

Here are the before and after pictures of my 16800.

Before











After

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Rikki's work speaks for itself!!

[Psmith]

Great job!

[MonBK]

[mjclark32]

Looks great!

[AJSM]

RIK IS AWESOME!

[EricG75]

I have used Rik before and will again when I need work done for sure!!!!

[rmfnla]

Wow...

[cop414]

Looks great, thanks for the before and after shots. So many forget to take before pics.
Welcome to TRF.

[kngzfrd]

That looks great!! Mine needs an overhaul so bad it's embarrassing!

[pollus23]

Awesome review from Rikki

[samsmart]

very nice!

[Billywiz]

Sounds great and I am going to contact Rikki for all mine...one question...if for example a new insert is required etc has Rikki got full access to all these parts?
Thx!

[Rikki]

Yes he does I have a Rolex parts account, only things I can't get are cases ,bands the actual bezel and dials. Inserts are not an issue. Rikki

[Lt.Arclight]

Kudos!! Its great to see an example of what one SHOULD expect when their watch is serviced by a PRO.

[accce]

Rik has the touch and his customer service is great.

[damo_t]

@Justso, out of curiousity, why did you change your hands to Super Luminova? Your tritium hands looked in very good condition.

Either way, it looks great.

[Justso]

Originally Posted by damo_t

@Justso, out of curiousity, why did you change your hands to Super Luminova? Your tritium hands looked in very good condition.

Either way, it looks great.

Hi Damo,

Long story, but they were supposed to be changed out years ago on my last service when I had damage to the original dial (severely cracked due to an accident), and the morons who worked on my watch last time did not change the hands out - after I paid them to do it. If you're so inclined, here's that story. So I went around for 10 years with a dial which glowed nicely and hands that the tritium was dead on. The hands had no luminescence, so I couldn't see the time at night. For some that doesn't matter, and maintaining the original integrity of the watch governs. That's fine too, but for me, I wanted to see the time at night.

Rik gave me back the original tritium hands, so if for any reason I were to sell the watch (I won't, it's my birth year) and the owner were to request the original hands, I have them.

[damo_t]

Wow, what a story. Really glad you have it back just the way you want it. Perfect.