Vintage servicing Question

[greg35]

I recently received this email notification about servicing of vintage swiss time pieces .

I am still searching for my birth year rolex and now i am cautious because of this mail out. However, i guess not cautious enough to hamper my continued search. I also hear that branded parts are no longer going to be issued to small time watch repairers and that brand of watch requires the watch to be serviced in a recognised watch service store.

Whilst i would always consider having my branded watch serviced in the authorised service centre, it concerns me that if vintage parts need to be replaced, they will be replaced and the service centre keeps those parts.


What are ppls thoughts on this.
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***The fine print
Finally, after many years of a very questionable practice (failing to return YOUR old watch parts to YOU, the watch owner), Swiss watch services have now updated their repair policy: if you accept the repair quote, you are automatically waiving your rights to YOUR components.



While you really have no choice but to agree and accept, this is, at least, PROOF that they always knew that stealing your parts was not only unnecessary but criminal. Some of those 'replaced and kept' parts of your vintage watches were priceless: the original dials, hands, bezels and bezel inserts - not to mention bracelets.

In addition, by not returning your original parts, Swiss brands robbed you of an opportunity to one day return your watch back to its 'original condition'. With no guilt or shame they devalued your precious vintage pieces.

And the leading brands continue, to this day, with such practices.
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[EdipisReks]

I have mostly had vintage worked on by Pieces of Time, owned by Rick Littlefield, in Connecticut. I've been extremely pleased by both his customer service and the quality of his work. I don't think he's taking new work, however, and ABC Watch Werks is always talked about highly. A good third party is going to do exactly what you want, and will return parts. In Australia, no idea. Don't send in a vintage watch to a place that won't return parts, and which won't listen to pleas about being conservative.

In terms of parts, Rolex isn't as bad as Montblanc is with pens. However, Montblanc is very upfront with the fact that you'll be getting a new pen except for the nib and metal appointments. I've happily sent pens to Montblanc in cases where a more vintage repair isn't economic. Rolex wanted $1200 to look at my 1675, just to look at it, so...

[Pharmlou]

I would avoid using a AD for anything vintage. Parts are available for vintage watches and there are plenty of watchmakers that will do as good a job if not better than Rolex.

[Frosty]

My 1675 was done by Dalton and he returned the old parts.

[R-H]

Don't let that stop you from owning a vintage, my opinion like the others, never take a vintage to a Rolex Service Center, they are not concerned with keeping a watch vintage, only bringing their watches back to as new condition as possible. There are many very good watchmakers out there that respect the vintage and do all that's possible to maintain the watch that way, problem is, like with anything else there are the bad one's out there too, that replace and keep the parts for resale with the high price these item's can bring.

Here's a link to a thread a member started a while back that lists service repair facilities that members have used list may need some up dating.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ir+list&page=4


I can say from personal experience that ABC Watchwreks in Los Angeles does great work and are great to work with.

Good Luck in find your watch

[jamie mcilhatton]

I have used rsc uk recently for service of 1972 drsd and they did a great job , was informed on estimate that they would be sympathetic to a watch of that age . Great service

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by R-H

Don't let that stop you from owning a vintage, my opinion like the others, never take a vintage to a Rolex Service Center, they are not concerned with keeping a watch vintage, only bringing their watches back to as new condition as possible. There are many very good watchmakers out there that respect the vintage and do all that's possible to maintain the watch that way, problem is, like with anything else there are the bad one's out there too, that replace and keep the parts for resale with the high price these item's can bring.

Here's a link to a thread a member started a while back that lists service repair facilities that members have used list may need some up dating.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ir+list&page=4


I can say from personal experience that ABC Watchwreks in Los Angeles does great work and are great to work with.

Good Luck in find your watch

Thanks for reminding mate, I need update that one:)

[R-H]

No problem, and thanks for the time you spent putting it together, found it useful when I was looking to get my watch serviced.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by R-H

No problem, and thanks for the time you spent putting it together, found it useful when I was looking to get my watch serviced.

Thanks Robert, glad it helped!

[greg35]

Thanx so much guys...

I see AUS repairers. i will avoid RSC for my vintage watch.
there have been many close matches..... i can feel it in my bones that it will be in the new year before i get one!