1675 Service Costs...

[1675-David]

So I took my 1970 1675 to an AD in Stockholm to get the second hand remounted, some of you may remember my post about it falling off (most of you won't...it wasn't a memorable post) Got a call on friday... movement extremely worn, needs a new balance... USD1400...


gotta love vintage watches

[RC2]

I do remember. It never ends huh?

[Cc1966]

Ouch...

[pexus]

The repair is done by watchmaker or by RSC in Stockholm?

[Jason71]

For that amount of coin, I would find an independent to do it for half that price.

[dysondiver]

sounds like a lot to lay out ,,,

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by pexus

The repair is done by watchmaker or by RSC in Stockholm?

Originally Posted by Jason71

For that amount of coin, I would find an independent to do it for half that price.

I visited 2 very well established independents who said they no longer work on Rolex after many many years, can't get the parts so they were not prepared to open her up so it was the RSC in Stockholm who got the job...and a big chunck out of my "1655 budget"

[katana]

If there is a next time, or you need vintage watchmaker, Per Antic Watchmaker in Malmö. Too bad that I did not saw earlier ......

[Vincent65]

ouch!

[pexus]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

I visited 2 very well established independents who said they no longer work on Rolex after many many years, can't get the parts so they were not prepared to open her up so it was the RSC in Stockholm who got the job...and a big chunck out of my "1655 budget"

Interesting to hear RSC still willing to do the job on a 1675...
Sorry to hear about the cost..hope they will do an excellent job that will last for a long time to come...

[Paul]

For some folk - including me - a fresh service from an RSC (with documentation) adds some value to a watch.

Won't see its value increase by $1400 but some people will pay a premium for a watch with a service history

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by katana

If there is a next time, or you need vintage watchmaker, Per Antic Watchmaker in Malmö. Too bad that I did not saw earlier ......

Thanks for the heads up!

Originally Posted by Paul

For some folk - including me - a fresh service from an RSC (with documentation) adds some value to a watch.

Won't see its value increase by $1400 but some people will pay a premium for a watch with a service history

I totally agree, I'm not planning on selling I'm just doing my bit to ensure another 43 years of perfect timing...and it's anybody guess when rolex will stop servicing vintage watches completely....

[scottb2]

ummmm im not 100% sure about this but i think you can get a new movement if you look from someone lurking around here that knows their stuff for about that price - i am not saying it is fool proof but an overhaul for 1400 is a big ouch!

[greekbum]

The balance alone is around a $250 part. I know in Greece the basic service for a 1675 at Rolex is 390 Euro. The balance will be extra.

[TSW]

Originally Posted by scottb2

ummmm im not 100% sure about this but i think you can get a new movement if you look from someone lurking around here that knows their stuff for about that price - i am not saying it is fool proof but an overhaul for 1400 is a big ouch!

[strafer_kid]

Keeping vintage going is definitely not cheap! Just hope the parts can still be got over the years!

[scottb2]

Originally Posted by TSW

im not sure what you are saying -

i probably should have said "used working movement" but from what i have heard around, you can find these calibres its just in the looking - 1400 for overhaul is a lot no?

[JustinK]

I recently called Rolex in Dallas and was quoted $800 for basic service on a 6917. Anything they find wrong with it is additional. I guess service costs are going up just like the watches. Wasn't it $600 not too long ago?

[TSW]

Originally Posted by scottb2

im not sure what you are saying -

i probably should have said "used working movement" but from what i have heard around, you can find these calibres its just in the looking - 1400 for overhaul is a lot no?

Why the hell would you want to have a used movement which doesn't have the matching numbers??

And as OP said it was not a regular overhaul as it needed a new balance.

[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by greekbum

The balance alone is around a $250 part. I know in Greece the basic service for a 1675 at Rolex is 390 Euro. The balance will be extra.

You are right Nick
I just got back my GMT 1675 Serial 2.0xx.xxx from the Rolex Greece Service
All in 480 euro plus new crown & tube and acrylic crystal as well.

I also serviced for a friend of mine in Virginia his submariner 16613
and his GMT 16750 for $200 EACH... not BAD...

Here in America there are some watchmakers who I call "lost souls"
that demand 600 or 1200 or 2000 to provide a Rolex average service

Then you have the brain surgeons who see these prices and they WONDER
if they charge too little for a brain injury...

[HL65]

And that is why I have been using Rikki as he is fair and reasonable and does great work!!

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by TempoKing

You are right Nick
I just got back my GMT 1675 Serial 2.0xx.xxx from the Rolex Greece Service
All in 480 euro plus new crown & tube and acrylic crystal as well.

I also serviced for a friend of mine in Virginia his submariner 16613
and his GMT 16750 for $200 EACH... not BAD...

Here in America there are some watchmakers who I call "lost souls"
that demand 600 or 1200 or 2000 to provide a Rolex average service

Then you have the brain surgeons who see these prices and they WONDER
if they charge too little for a brain injury...

Very Correct. And if you use an ex-Rolex technician, you can get even lower prices than these with excellent work results.

[GUS SMYTHE]

I just got my 5513 (1,4 mil) back from service at RSC...they changed the crown, bezel insert and tube. Total cost: US 1250...I know that for the purits is a sin, because they did not give me back its original parts, like the fat font bezel, but the watch is brand new again and works like a charm...I was also informed that the watch was serviced in 1969, 1972, 1980 and 1993...always at RSC...

[lsavoldi]

Originally Posted by GUS SMYTHE

I just got my 5513 (1,4 mil) back from service at RSC...they changed the crown, bezel insert and tube. Total cost: US 1250...I know that for the purits is a sin, because they did not give me back its original parts, like the fat font bezel, but the watch is brand new again and works like a charm...I was also informed that the watch was serviced in 1969, 1972, 1980 and 1993...always at RSC...

Next time you should remove the insert prior to the service

[GUS SMYTHE]

Thanks Salvoldi..before I need to get myself a fat font bezel insert...Rolex returned my watch with a thin font...

[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by GUS SMYTHE

Thanks Salvoldi..before I need to get myself a fat font bezel insert...Rolex returned my watch with a thin font...

A nice slightly faded fat font insert is not impossible to find/buy
But it might set you back between 200 and 400 dollars

By the way I bought my silver Rolex prototype patent 1 from 1915
From an ex British army officer by the name of Smythe...any relation ?

[GUS SMYTHE]

Hi Tempo

Not that I know...My family left the old country in the early 1900´s...I have some relatives in the RSA and in Zimbabwe...but, as far as I´m aware, nobody in the military...
Kindest regards

[The_Collector]

Originally Posted by GUS SMYTHE

I just got my 5513 (1,4 mil) back from service at RSC...they changed the crown, bezel insert and tube. Total cost: US 1250...I know that for the purits is a sin, because they did not give me back its original parts, like the fat font bezel, but the watch is brand new again and works like a charm...I was also informed that the watch was serviced in 1969, 1972, 1980 and 1993...always at RSC...

You can't beat history like that!!!!

Better than from any independent.

Rolex are slowly closing the loop on the supply of parts to independents (and returns of parts replaced) which, unless the independents can afford ten of thousands for the official training and hundreds of thousands for the official machinery, enthusiast independents won't have genuine parts and will become obsolete. Those that remain will either be using genuine parts from cannibalised watches or using generic parts.

Having the watch serviced by Rolex makes you a purist in my opinion.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by The_Collector

You can't beat history like that!!!!

Better than from any independent.

Rolex are slowly closing the loop on the supply of parts to independents (and returns of parts replaced) which, unless the independents can afford ten of thousands for the official training and hundreds of thousands for the official machinery, enthusiast independents won't have genuine parts and will become obsolete. Those that remain will either be using genuine parts from cannibalised watches or using generic parts.

Having the watch serviced by Rolex makes you a purist in my opinion.

Rubbish....sorry! Plenty of us purists use independent watchmakers who are Rolex trained and have Rolex parts accounts and machinery! I for one would never send any of my vintage treasures to RSC here in USA and I have plenty of them. As for your speculation of Rolex closing the loop on Independents or them becoming obsolete--that has yet to happen and so until it does I will continue to use my trusted well regarded watchmaker!

[greekbum]

I have used both Rolex and Independent watchmakers on my watches for over 25 years. I am happy with both but they are different roads and different results. Rolex is Rolex they made the watch have the parts and do not cut any corners. They will change all worn parts and give you a 2 year international warranty. The independent will vary from person to person and how much you want to spend. I use both still today as every watch is different, the turn around time, cost etc.