RSC Quandary, Need Expert Advice

[Dan Pierce]

My goal:
Overhaul my Tudor "big block" 79170 to as new as possible. Love the watch, have no plans to sell, and want to return it to new while parts are still available WITHOUT ruining the value of this discontinued model.

Options:
1-My watchmaker [with Rolex parts account]: can replace crystal, bezel insert, and clean, oil, and regulate the movement. Plus he WILL return replaced parts. He can't access bracelets, crowns, or the bezel itself. So that means ebay or other sources for a 78360 bracelet.

2-RSC Chicago [Sutter's]: Will replace everything I request, including not touching the dial or hands, but WILL NOT return the replaced parts.

3-RSC: Typically Rolex will replace/ repair what THEY want [including dial and hands] and WILL NOT return any replaced parts.

What would you do? The replaced parts are not a huge deal or are they? My watchmaker says buyers LOVE the patina of used parts. I would only sell if I experience a financial disaster. Otherwise it's a keeper my son will inherit. Not sure which way to go.
HELP!
Thanks in advance,
dP

[crimscrem]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

My goal:
Overhaul my Tudor "big block" 79170 to as new as possible. Love the watch, have no plans to sell, and want to return it to new while parts are still available WITHOUT ruining the value of this discontinued model.

Options:
1-My watchmaker [with Rolex parts account]: can replace crystal, bezel insert, and clean, oil, and regulate the movement. Plus he WILL return replaced parts. He can't access bracelets, crowns, or the bezel itself. So that means ebay or other sources for a 78360 bracelet.

2-RSC Chicago [Sutter's]: Will replace everything I request, including not touching the dial or hands, but WILL NOT return the replaced parts.

3-RSC: Typically Rolex will replace/ repair what THEY want [including dial and hands] and WILL NOT return any replaced parts.

What would you do? The replaced parts are not a huge deal or are they? My watchmaker says buyers LOVE the patina of used parts. I would only sell if I experience a financial disaster. Otherwise it's a keeper my son will inherit. Not sure which way to go.
HELP!
Thanks in advance,
dP

Not an expert, but here's what I would do.

Have #1 do what he can. For things he cannot do, have him remove it and return it to you. So he would remove the bracelet, the crown, and the bezel. Then send it to #2 or #3 and have them put new ones on. You could send a picture in case they don't know what it should look like.

[SSD]

If you are satisfied with the skill of your watchmaker, and don't have a need for the parts he cannot aquire, I'd go with him. If a need developed for something else (like a crown), I'd go with Sutter's in Chicago after I had the parts I'd like to retain already in hand.

Rawhyde is having problems with his watchmaker, and RSC NY allegedly stoped working on Tudors because of parts issues (?, I got that info from an AD, didn't investigate). However, RSC Dallas told him they could assist him over the phone.

Just my 0.02, I am a widely denounced amateur. But I love those Tudor Chronos!

[padi56]

Movement parts should not be a problem if needed, as any good high street watchmaker could service or get parts its a ETA Valjoux 7750 movement parts are easily available.Crystal should not be a problem as well but IMHO best kept as original as possible.But when it comes to a case or bracelet brush up and refurbish Rolex does a very fine job.

[Texsubmariner]

Originally Posted by crimscrem

Not an expert, but here's what I would do.

Have #1 do what he can. For things he cannot do, have him remove it and return it to you. So he would remove the bracelet, the crown, and the bezel. Then send it to #2 or #3 and have them put new ones on. You could send a picture in case they don't know what it should look like.

X2.

[Dan Pierce]

Thanks for your insights guys. Seems wacky I'd have to take it to both my watchmaker and RSC Chicago and STILL not get everything I want.
Think I'll take it to my trusted watchmaker, let him replace the crystal, bezel insert [and keep the original], clean, oil, and regulate. The bracelet's in pretty good shape with just a little stretch but the center link closest to the end piece [6 side] has a slight dent. Bugs me everytime I see the reflection.
I'll have him take a look at it. I have to double check about the crown. Don't care if I keep the original.
That way it's cheaper, faster, and I'll have a vintage piece with many years of wear ahead.

[Spark]

Dan,
Can't you just buy a new bracelet from an AD if you want one, you can here in the UK as long as they have stock?
That way you get to keep your one and get a new one, but brace yourself for the price last time I checked the price a 20mm fliplock was £450GBP and that was 2 years ago.

[cmr]

i am confused, if your jeweler has a parts account and is a certified rolex watch smith why can't he get all of the parts? i don't understand that.

if indeed that is the case, send it to him and have the work done he can perform and get those parts back. send it to rolex for the remainder of the work. that way your watch is restored with all factory parts and you got to keep as many of the old ones as possible.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by cmr

i am confused, if your jeweler has a parts account and is a certified rolex watch smith why can't he get all of the parts? i don't understand that.

if indeed that is the case, send it to him and have the work done he can perform and get those parts back. send it to rolex for the remainder of the work. that way your watch is restored with all factory parts and you got to keep as many of the old ones as possible.

Not sure about all the details having a Rolex parts account but it seems there are those like my watchmaker who are trained and certified by Rolex. They have access to Rolex movement parts, crystals, bezel inserts, ect. They can't however, source bracelets, bezels, and other case parts.
The stringent Rolex rules make it a real pain. On the other hand, it keeps the value of their [our] watches high.
As far as sending it out twice? Too much time, money, and effort. I'd probably feel guilty about wearing it. This is and will be my daily work watch.
dP

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Spark

Dan,
Can't you just buy a new bracelet from an AD if you want one, you can here in the UK as long as they have stock?
That way you get to keep your one and get a new one, but brace yourself for the price last time I checked the price a 20mm fliplock was £450GBP and that was 2 years ago.

Mark,
I'm just crazy enough to do that. Or I could keep a sharp eye out for a like new used bracelet at a resonable price. I love a good challenge.
dP

[cmr]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Not sure about all the details having a Rolex parts account but it seems there are those like my watchmaker who are trained and certified by Rolex. They have access to Rolex movement parts, crystals, bezel inserts, ect. They can't however, source bracelets, bezels, and other case parts.
The stringent Rolex rules make it a real pain. On the other hand, it keeps the value of their [our] watches high.
As far as sending it out twice? Too much time, money, and effort. I'd probably feel guilty about wearing it. This is and will be my daily work watch.
dP

that does seem strange but we have no choice but to deal with their rules. in that case since it will be your daily watch, i would send it to your watch maker and let him do the work. if the crown and bracelet are ok i would just live with them until you had no choice but to send it to rolex for repair.

[DocD]

Dan,
I'm sorry but there are a few things about your watchmaker's comments that just make me uncomfortable. I use a watchmaker in Philadelphia that is a second generation watchmaker and also has an active "Rolex parts account". He has recently worked on my brother-in-law's vintage Rolex, and I personally saw the invoices from Rolex and drawers full of Rolex parts in Rolex packaging, including crystals, crowns, etc.

According to my watchmaker, Rolex does NOT limit his account to only "certain" parts. He has access to any parts that are required to repair a watch, as long as the part is still available.

Secondly, he is not allowed to return parts to customers, nor is HE allowed to keep the parts. Rolex insists that parts are returned to THEM (that is one of the stipulations for him to maintain his parts account). This prevents the removed parts from being recycled or used in counterfeit watches. It's the way Rolex can help prevent fraud.

Therefore, your watchmaker's story doesn't really sound "kosher", since he told you he can't get all the parts and told you that you can keep the replaced parts. That does not seem consistent with what I've been told by my watchmaker and by many others that have dealt with watchmakers with Rolex parts accounts.

Please be careful.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by DocD

Dan,
I'm sorry but there are a few things about your watchmaker's comments that just make me uncomfortable. I use a watchmaker in Philadelphia that is a second generation watchmaker and also has an active "Rolex parts account". He has recently worked on my brother-in-law's vintage Rolex, and I personally saw the invoices from Rolex and drawers full of Rolex parts in Rolex packaging, including crystals, crowns, etc.

According to my watchmaker, Rolex does NOT limit his account to only "certain" parts. He has access to any parts that are required to repair a watch, as long as the part is still available.

Secondly, he is not allowed to return parts to customers, nor is HE allowed to keep the parts. Rolex insists that parts are returned to THEM (that is one of the stipulations for him to maintain his parts account). This prevents the removed parts from being recycled or used in counterfeit watches. It's the way Rolex can help prevent fraud.

Therefore, your watchmaker's story doesn't really sound "kosher", since he told you he can't get all the parts and told you that you can keep the replaced parts. That does not seem consistent with what I've been told by my watchmaker and by many others that have dealt with watchmakers with Rolex parts accounts.

Please be careful.

Doc,
Appreciate your comments. My watchmaker is extremely well respected and considered very knowedgeble. All I can say it what he told me. Not saying your wrong at all but I've heard so many conflicting versions of the Rolex rules it's hard to keep them straight.
My guy did wonders with a vintage Patek I once owned.
The plot thickens.
dP