Rolex atelier de restauration

[tekops]

Has anyone used this to restore a vintage Rolex?
What are the typical costs associated with the service? How long does an average restoration take? Do you receive special documentation with the timepiece?


Also, I noticed that watches that go through the process of restoration get a Rolex Rolex atelier de restauration watch box?

[ELLimon]

I’ll not send vintage watches to Rolex.

There are some shops that specialize in case restoration and others in servicing vintage Rolex.


Giovanni at the independent in San Francisco is good with vintage pieces and Roliworks in LA famous for their case restorations.

If the dial is toasted you are in your own to find a replacement.

[karleone]

You should post on the Vintage forum you should have more answers

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by ELLimon

I’ll not send vintage watches to Rolex.

There are some shops that specialize in case restoration and others in servicing vintage Rolex.


Giovanni at the independent in San Francisco is good with vintage pieces and Roliworks in LA famous for their case restorations.

If the dial is toasted you are in your own to find a replacement.

Rolliworks is now in Miami, used to be in San Francisco.

[Auric Goldfinger]

Check out these two posts from Reddit where someone sent a Newman in with water damage. Cost was about $26k. All your questions are answered inside.

In addition, not every vintage reference will qualify for the service. An estimate must first be performed at your country’s designated RSC who will then determine if your reference qualifies for the vintage restoration program. It takes a very long time to complete and far from cheap.

https://www.reddit.com/r/rolex/comme...t=2&utm_term=1

https://www.reddit.com/r/rolex/comme...t=2&utm_term=1

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by tekops

Has anyone used this to restore a vintage Rolex?
What are the typical costs associated with the service? How long does an average restoration take? Do you receive special documentation with the timepiece?


Also, I noticed that watches that go through the process of restoration get a Rolex Rolex atelier de restauration watch box?

Vintage forum is the way to go, as someone else said. I’d imagine the work here is reserved for very special pieces like MilSubs (as in your photo), COMEX, and PN Daytona types.

I think I’ve seen some folks mention their experience before (do a forum or Google search), and I believe costs can be high - in excess of $10k USD.

[nocaps]

from what i’ve read on this forum, if rolex replaces the original case with a service case, it devalues the watch. service cases are stamped with a serial number beginning with 4.

[Oystersteel92]

Huh. Didn't even know this was a thing, and frankly surprised they have any customers with the almost pathological insistence on "all original, never polished, every scratch tells a story!" that permeates the collector market these days.

Needless to say, as someone who happily wears a 1601 DJ with a service dial, 18k crown, and 18k/steel service bracelet, I don't really "get it."

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Auric Goldfinger

Check out these two posts from Reddit where someone sent a Newman in with water damage. Cost was about $26k. All your questions are answered inside.

In addition, not every vintage reference will qualify for the service. An estimate must first be performed at your country’s designated RSC who will then determine if your reference qualifies for the vintage restoration program. It takes a very long time to complete and far from cheap.

https://www.reddit.com/r/rolex/comme...t=2&utm_term=1

https://www.reddit.com/r/rolex/comme...t=2&utm_term=1

That's fascinating and seems to be entirely different thing than a typical Rolex service.

[Auric Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

That's fascinating and seems to be entirely different thing than a typical Rolex service.

Yes, quite different. It’s done entirely in Genève by a very small team, which explains the long processing lead time and cost.

[tekops]

From the information that I have read Rolex repairs or rebuilds the original parts and don't replace them with service parts.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Auric Goldfinger

Check out these two posts from Reddit where someone sent a Newman in with water damage. Cost was about $26k. All your questions are answered inside.

In addition, not every vintage reference will qualify for the service. An estimate must first be performed at your country’s designated RSC who will then determine if your reference qualifies for the vintage restoration program. It takes a very long time to complete and far from cheap.

https://www.reddit.com/r/rolex/comme...t=2&utm_term=1

https://www.reddit.com/r/rolex/comme...t=2&utm_term=1

Thank you for posting this.

Worth it to the right customer IMHO

[77T]

Thanks for the Reddit link. Since we are posting in the Rolex general section (at least for the moment when I’m replying) it’s important to new-ish members to understand the Atelier’s goal is to work on significant examples of Rolex models.

From the thread (selective quotes):

THE RESTORATION
The purpose of the Restoration Atelier is to preserve defective components rather than replace them. They systematically prefer principles that reflect the technigues from the period.

COMPONENT RESTORATION
Each component that requires it is restored. The Restoration Atelier is equipped with the necessary equipment and techniques to carry out major work, including the manufacturing of components identical to those from the period. Rolex pays great care to the restoration of the dial and hands, to preserve them in their original state. The case and bracelet are then restored with the same thoroughness. The watch is finally polished and satin-finished to revive its lustre.


Hope that helps define the differences from a routine service in a modern, or even 20 year old, model.


For the Daytona in the Reddit links, this is what was done…

Case
Commercial reference: 6241/0
Serial number (redacted)

Movement
Calibre: 722-1

Bracelet
Reference: 7835/0

Polishing and satin-finishing of the case and bezel.

Replacement of the Plexiglas crystal, crown, tube and pushers.

Restoration of the movement:
Disassembly, analysis and cleaning of each component. Silver-plating of the main plate and bridges. Reassembly of the components, lubrication and adiustment of the chronograph function and regulation of the movement rate.

Complete restoration of the bracelet: disassembly, replacement of the centre links, restoration of the fitting attachments and the clasp, replacement of the fittings and replacement of its rivets

Buffing of the polishing and satin-finishing of the bracelet and clasp.

Dial and hands
No intervention on the dial.
Replacement of all the hands

Guarantee:
Except when expressly excluded from the guarantee in writing, work and parts are guaranteed for a period of 24 months from the date work was completed and watch was available for collection/despatch. The guarantee covers the replacement of parts and labour costs. It however does not cover damages or deteriorations resulting from an accident or improper use of the watch, or abnormal wear of its components. Should any intervention be carried out by a third party non-authorised by Rolex SA or any parts or accessories not manufactured by Rolex SA added, the service guarantee will be deemed void.

Guarantee exclusions:
W - The watch is not guaranteed waterproof.
P - The performance of the watch is not guaranteed.


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