What does a service on a Rolex include?

[jatco]

Originally Posted by ScottyV

Hello All,

I just received an estimate to service my 18K/SS L serial Datejust. I will start off by saying that I am not using Rolex but another facility that is highly rated and has access to new Rolex parts. This all came about after the watch stopped running (which I assume was from a broken mainspring).

Base service price is 400
But here are the additional items required for repair. What are your thoughts on this and do you think the watch is worth the service? So without the optional crystal, the price would be $1233. $1418 with the crystal.

Mainspring
68.25

Automatic Axle
78.00

Jewel for Oscillation Weight Upper
35.00

Reversing Wheel
76.00
x 2
152.00

Ratchet Wheel
72.75

Drive Wheel for Ratchet Wheel
70.50

Setting Wheel
55.00
x 2
110.00

Date Wheel
65.00

Sliding Pinion "Clutch"
59.25

Great Wheel
58.50

Third Wheel
58.50

Winding Stem
45.50

Case Tube
75.50

18k Gold Monobloc Rolex Crown Logo Winding Crown
115.00

Spring Bar
9.75
x 2
19.50

OPTIONAL: Sapphire Crystal
185.00

I'm far from an expert but that watch must've been beat up pretty bad to such an extent to require all those parts...
..Was it severely damaged somehow to cause it to just stopped running? Did you leave the crown unscrewed and go in the water..?

[ScottyV]

Jatco,

Thanks for your comments. I've worn this watch daily from day one. I had the watch serviced about 5 years ago (not an authorised facility). I went to bed one night, and the woke up to a non-running watch. I tried to wind and nothing.

As far as impact damage, I may have dropped it on my carpeting but never have I dropped it on a hard surface. Furthermore, I never noticed signs of any water intrusion. I guess 33 years of daily use, things will wear out. Just would like to know if the estimate seems fair.

Thanks.

[jatco]

I wish I could say definitively about the estimate. Given the watch was serviced 5 years ago and jewels were re-oiled etc..I guess I find it hard to believe that all those wheels would need replacing plus a broken jewel (?)..date wheel, crown and stem..etc. Just seems to be too many parts 'supposedly ' needed...even for a 30 year old Rolex..I'm surprised the crystal is an 'option'..since just about everything else is new.
I wish I could say for sure..but I can't. I just have my doubts. Personally, I would get another estimate for comparison.
Hopefully someone else with more knowledge than me will chime in...

[Ron P]

Please note an RSC will repair to a new state, so any wear or tear, which on it’s own will not be an issue will be replaced.
An example I always use are the cocks and bridges, if they are cosmetically
damaged due to a worn rotor axle will be replaced. Even though funtionswise it is still at a 100%.

So do it one time at an RSC and you can go to indepent watchmakers the next 2 serivice interval’s

[BMWE90]

Thank you.

[emails4me]

Excellent post, Vanessa. Always wanted to know the steps the watch goes through

[temporaltactix]

That's an involved process, I've always wondered what went on behind the scenes. Thanks for sharing

[FL2024]

thanks for this!

[capice]

thanks for sharing your workflow, it is amazing....the smoking buffing wheel makes me a bit careful