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mattmcmhn · 26 February 2015, 12:46 PM

Just wanted to post a review up here of these guys, I saw them mentioned around once or twice while I was searching for somewhere to service my Explorer II 16550 but hadn't seen anyone actually going through with them. All I can say is I can't recommend them enough. They're in LA, so I dealt with them locally and was able to go in and drop off the watch, talk with them, and pick up after the service was completed. Throughout the process Ben was extremely helpful and communicative, and turnaround time was stellar. I had the watch back in about a month, and that was with a service that required many replacement parts above and beyond a standard movement service (watch is from 1986 and clearly had not been serviced in a very long time). I know currently ABC has been having some long turnarounds so I think the Watch Buyers Group is a great alternative right in the same area. When there were some additional problems beyond what was stated on the invoice they were taken care of at no extra cost. Basic movement service for a Rolex is $395 (if you're local and can drop off, knock $45 off for shipping label savings) and that comes with a 3 year warranty. Ben was very adamant that if I had any problems or concerns whatsoever to feel free to contact them about it and it would get taken care of. He's also cognizant of the value of a vintage piece and per my instructions the watch was very lightly refinished and looks amazing. Again I can't recommend them highly enough, I have a second vintage watch (Speedmaster cal. 1045) with them now for a full service as well.

http://www.thewatchbuyersgroup.com/rolex-repair/

thach · 27 February 2015, 04:45 AM

This is really good to read Matt. Thanks for sharing. I am in Orange County, so would still need to mail it in.

Read about them here as well: http://luxurytyme.com/en/rolex-relat...-buyers-group/

Do they still provide appraisal and certificate of authenticity?

mattmcmhn · 27 February 2015, 04:58 AM

I didn't receive the appraisal and certificate of authenticity pictured there, I think those are provided just with the used watches they sell now. I'd say contact them about it though and they may be able to accommodate you.

One other thing I forgot to note in my original post, the warranty specifically covers if the watch is not running -4/+6 and instructs you how to time it over 10 days to test. Nice to know the timing of the watch is guaranteed for 3 years in addition to their workmanship.

Annan · 27 February 2015, 05:07 AM

I like their price and turnaround time. However, their comparison to RSC shows that RSC time is 4-6 months and at a cost of $750-$900? Not sure how accurate that is????

bbressler · 27 February 2015, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annan

I like their price and turnaround time. However, their comparison to RSC shows that RSC time is 4-6 months and at a cost of $750-$900? Not sure how accurate that is????

Yeah RSC BH was 5 weeks and $600 for me last fall. Good to know there's another option locally though!

mattmcmhn · 27 February 2015, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annan

I like their price and turnaround time. However, their comparison to RSC shows that RSC time is 4-6 months and at a cost of $750-$900? Not sure how accurate that is????

Depends a lot on the watch, a basic RSC service for a Sub is going to start at around $600, and any replacement parts etc. are going to go up from there. More complicated movements also start at higher base prices. Turn around for them depends a lot on what service center it goes to, and again whether it needs replacement parts.

Chuckred · 21 March 2015, 01:51 AM

New member here...

Glad to hear the WBG was a good experience.

I inherited a ( #1601 - mid-70s?) Datejust from my father and for a variety of reasons it just sat in my desk drawer for the last couple of years. I finally decided to get it serviced so I can start wearing it, and sent it off to WBG. Now I'm just waiting for the service to finish up. Looks like $800 for overhaul & refinish, mainspring, automatic axle, center wheel, 3rd wheel, balance staff, bushing - all OEM. Based on the little bit of research I did, that seems in the ballpark.

It will be my 3rd automatic watch in what I guess must be the start of a collection!

(mid-90s Omega Speedmaster and vintage Movado gold Kingmatic are the other two).

Any thoughts?

I'll let you know how it looks when it comes back, not that I am by any means an expert.

precision40 · 23 April 2015, 06:16 AM

I received my Submariner back from them today and overall am very happy. Door to door was 20 days and the bill came to $720, which isn't bad considering it hasn't been serviced and nearly 10 years.

I'll definitely be using them again.

theprocess · 23 April 2015, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by precision40

I received my Submariner back from them today and overall am very happy. Door to door was 20 days and the bill came to $720, which isn't bad considering it hasn't been serviced and nearly 10 years.

I'll definitely be using them again.

$720? What happened to $395? At that price I'd rather service with RSC.

precision40 · 23 April 2015, 06:29 AM

Well I kind of expected it to be at least $700 considering the watch had set for a long time between services. Their prices seem to be on par with about everybody else.

The Submariner · 23 April 2015, 07:14 AM

Only use RSC. Period.

Spend thousands and thousands on the watch and then quibble about a service charge..uh no.

Quality and luxury comes at a price.

MCO1 · 23 April 2015, 08:01 AM

I have now used them twice once last summer on my GMT2 which hadn't been serviced in quite awhile came in around $500 and that was adding a new mainspring which it needed badly. Then in January my Sub no date just quit working, first time I have ever had a Rolex break. Oh well...it needed a few extra parts and came to close to $600. Both times I had it back in less than a 3 week turnaround and both times they came back like the day I bought them. Very pleased!

precision40 · 23 April 2015, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Submariner

Only use RSC. Period.

Spend thousands and thousands on the watch and then quibble about a service charge..uh no.

Quality and luxury comes at a price.

No quibbling here. I just like to support independents who in many cases are as good as RSC.

mattmcmhn · 12 May 2015, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theprocess

$720? What happened to $395? At that price I'd rather service with RSC.

$395 is base service and refinish with no replacement parts, which from RSC is now $600 I believe. Both go up from there. I'd rather start at the one that's $200 less, and charges less for replacement parts on top. When I did my first watch with them after I received the list of replacement parts and prices I shopped it around at some of the other recommended independents on here. Only one was cheaper, and even then only marginally and with a turnaround time measured in months, as opposed to the 3 weeks I got from WBG. I've had 2 other watches done by them in the past couple months as well and every time their turnaround, price, and communication have been exceptional.

handsfull · 12 May 2015, 07:11 AM

The BIG question is: are they using genuine Rolex brand parts/do they have a Rolex parta account?

One must compare apples to apples....

mattmcmhn · 12 May 2015, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handsfull

The BIG question is: are they using genuine Rolex brand parts/do they have a Rolex parta account?

One must compare apples to apples....

Yes, they have a Rolex parts account. What's the point in even discussing watchmaker's that don't?

27 February 2015, 05:07 AM	#4
Annan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Ron Location: Arizona, USA Watch: 116233 Posts: 3,180	I like their price and turnaround time. However, their comparison to RSC shows that RSC time is 4-6 months and at a cost of $750-$900? Not sure how accurate that is???? __________________ *so many Rolexes.....so little time*

26 February 2015, 12:46 PM	#1
mattmcmhn 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: MA Posts: 245	Absolutely fantastic service experience from the Watch Buyers Group Just wanted to post a review up here of these guys, I saw them mentioned around once or twice while I was searching for somewhere to service my Explorer II 16550 but hadn't seen anyone actually going through with them. All I can say is I can't recommend them enough. They're in LA, so I dealt with them locally and was able to go in and drop off the watch, talk with them, and pick up after the service was completed. Throughout the process Ben was extremely helpful and communicative, and turnaround time was stellar. I had the watch back in about a month, and that was with a service that required many replacement parts above and beyond a standard movement service (watch is from 1986 and clearly had not been serviced in a very long time). I know currently ABC has been having some long turnarounds so I think the Watch Buyers Group is a great alternative right in the same area. When there were some additional problems beyond what was stated on the invoice they were taken care of at no extra cost. Basic movement service for a Rolex is $395 (if you're local and can drop off, knock $45 off for shipping label savings) and that comes with a 3 year warranty. Ben was very adamant that if I had any problems or concerns whatsoever to feel free to contact them about it and it would get taken care of. He's also cognizant of the value of a vintage piece and per my instructions the watch was very lightly refinished and looks amazing. Again I can't recommend them highly enough, I have a second vintage watch (Speedmaster cal. 1045) with them now for a full service as well. http://www.thewatchbuyersgroup.com/rolex-repair/

27 February 2015, 04:45 AM	#2
thach "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 28	This is really good to read Matt. Thanks for sharing. I am in Orange County, so would still need to mail it in. Read about them here as well: http://luxurytyme.com/en/rolex-relat...-buyers-group/ Do they still provide appraisal and certificate of authenticity?

27 February 2015, 04:58 AM	#3
mattmcmhn 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: MA Posts: 245	I didn't receive the appraisal and certificate of authenticity pictured there, I think those are provided just with the used watches they sell now. I'd say contact them about it though and they may be able to accommodate you. One other thing I forgot to note in my original post, the warranty specifically covers if the watch is not running -4/+6 and instructs you how to time it over 10 days to test. Nice to know the timing of the watch is guaranteed for 3 years in addition to their workmanship.

21 March 2015, 01:51 AM	#7
Chuckred "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Colorado Posts: 117	New member here... Glad to hear the WBG was a good experience. I inherited a ( #1601 - mid-70s?) Datejust from my father and for a variety of reasons it just sat in my desk drawer for the last couple of years. I finally decided to get it serviced so I can start wearing it, and sent it off to WBG. Now I'm just waiting for the service to finish up. Looks like $800 for overhaul & refinish, mainspring, automatic axle, center wheel, 3rd wheel, balance staff, bushing - all OEM. Based on the little bit of research I did, that seems in the ballpark. It will be my 3rd automatic watch in what I guess must be the start of a collection! (mid-90s Omega Speedmaster and vintage Movado gold Kingmatic are the other two). Any thoughts? I'll let you know how it looks when it comes back, not that I am by any means an expert.

23 April 2015, 06:16 AM	#8
precision40 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 32	I received my Submariner back from them today and overall am very happy. Door to door was 20 days and the bill came to $720, which isn't bad considering it hasn't been serviced and nearly 10 years. I'll definitely be using them again.

23 April 2015, 06:29 AM	#10
precision40 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 32	Well I kind of expected it to be at least $700 considering the watch had set for a long time between services. Their prices seem to be on par with about everybody else.

23 April 2015, 07:14 AM	#11
The Submariner Banned Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Land of Adventure Watch: Guess? Posts: 461	Only use RSC. Period. Spend thousands and thousands on the watch and then quibble about a service charge..uh no. Quality and luxury comes at a price.

23 April 2015, 08:01 AM	#12
MCO1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Missouri USA Watch: Daytona C white Posts: 2,248	I have now used them twice once last summer on my GMT2 which hadn't been serviced in quite awhile came in around $500 and that was adding a new mainspring which it needed badly. Then in January my Sub no date just quit working, first time I have ever had a Rolex break. Oh well...it needed a few extra parts and came to close to $600. Both times I had it back in less than a 3 week turnaround and both times they came back like the day I bought them. Very pleased!

12 May 2015, 07:11 AM	#15
handsfull "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: J Location: The great Midwest Watch: youlookinat? Posts: 2,369	The BIG question is: are they using genuine Rolex brand parts/do they have a Rolex parta account? One must compare apples to apples....

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