Service locations in the UK

[winco]

Hello

Firstly, is a 1979 watch now classed as vintage? Have I posted in the right section?

I have inherited my Father's Rolex 16013. This was presented to him by the Sultan of Oman, I suspect for his service during the 1970's Dhofar war.






I remember my father getting it serviced many years ago, and I think they replaced the front glass. I looks like the strap was replaced with a spare in the box.

The watch works fine but loses a minute or two every fortnight. It must be in a desperate need of another service.

Can anyone recommend where I can go for the service here in the UK?

Thank you in advance.

[stevedssd]

Hi there that's a lovely watch, I wouldn't worry too much about whether it's vintage or not as some will say it is and others not. It's a great piece of family history which is more important.

In terms of service in the UK, the RSC is in Kent and Rolex UK at St James' in London, you can go to both direct to drop the watch off and discuss service requirements. As you are in Poole neither are particularly close, so you can take the watch to any Rolex Authorised Dealer and they will send it for service to Kent.

It is important to stipulate what you want, as Rolex when they service will look to restore to "as new" condition and replace any parts they think necessary to achieve that. In your case I'd stipulate that the dial and hands should not be replaced as they have an important part to play in the history of the watch. Rolex UK do a great job on servicing and in your case I'd suggest you arrange service through a local Rolex AD. Good luck

[winco]

Thank you for the advice. I remember Dad using Watches of Switzerland on the Westover Road in Bournemouth and Mum thinks she has the receipt for the work. WoS appear to be longer there. Honestly, I am not pleased with date bubble on the front glass, as it is difficult to focus the date correctly. I find it hard to imagine that they would not have fitted it correctly? Are all Datejust like this? Anyway, there appears to be Charles Fox in the Arcade in Bournemouth who are a Rolex authorised dealer. I will enquire with them.

[watchlovr]

Odd looking Kanjar, has it been damaged?

[winco]

It does look like it. That along with the difficult to read date leads me to suspect the last service. I am more keen to see the receipt that Mum says she has.

The watch was handed to Charles Fox in Bournemouth for service this afternoon. It will be £540 and 6 weeks to receive it back.

[winco]

An update. I received the watch back all shiny. It would gain a minute in a week which I didn't mind.

This week something has happened whereby it will now gain an hour in 12.

Sods law dictates I am outside the 2 year service warranty.

Back for another service perhaps. If its going to be £540 every two and a half years, there is the argument to keep it static in its box and invest in a newer watch. But its my Dad's watch and I want to wear it.

For this age of watch, is this level of service expense normal?

[BisonHead]

Lovely watch and a great story. There are other well recommended independent watchmakers in the UK. You don't always have to go RSC route.

I know a lot of people have used watchguy in the UK with good results. Not sure if i allowed to post the link? Other may have better recommendations.

Can you post some pictures of the watch after its last service, would be nice to see an update.

I would have it checked over and keep wearing it, esp with the family history.

[winco]

Thank you for the suggestion. Alas I didn't take any post service pictures but the date in the window bubble is now easier to read. Over the last 2 years it has picked up a couple of marks as I do wear it every day.

[BisonHead]

Did they replace the glass at last service? Acrylic or sapphire.

I believe with acrylic you can polish light marks out with polywatch. Seen some great results on here with older watches.

[StanGMT]

Originally Posted by BisonHead

Lovely watch and a great story. There are other well recommended independent watchmakers in the UK. You don't always have to go RSC route.

I know a lot of people have used watchguy in the UK with good results. Not sure if i allowed to post the link? Other may have better recommendations.

Can you post some pictures of the watch after its last service, would be nice to see an update.

I would have it checked over and keep wearing it, esp with the family history.

I agree. I've had my GMT Master serviced every 5-7 years since I bought it in 1967 and I'm afraid that, in the 1980's and 90's I had some less than good service work done by Rolex RSC in Kent, with the watch being sent back to me with obvious faults. I have had to return the watch to them for remedial work on a number of occasions. I therefore shopped around and have generally had better service from local accredited independents in more recent years.

Stan.

[winco]

Originally Posted by BisonHead

Did they replace the glass at last service? Acrylic or sapphire.

I believe with acrylic you can polish light marks out with polywatch. Seen some great results on here with older watches.

I am not sure what material was used.

The marks that have happened in the last 2 years are minor and I'm inclined to leave alone for now.

[plainsdrifter]

I used Mappin & Webb for my 1976 E2 who sent it to Geneva. nice job but expensive.

[Mrpupsi]

I’ve used Duncan Hewitt who I thought was brilliant. He does all watches, vintage and new.
Here’s a link to his site: https://thewatchbloke.co.uk/

[BisonHead]

Originally Posted by StanGMT

I agree. I've had my GMT Master serviced every 5-7 years since I bought it in 1967 and I'm afraid that, in the 1980's and 90's I had some less than good service work done by Rolex RSC in Kent, with the watch being sent back to me with obvious faults. I have had to return the watch to them for remedial work on a number of occasions. I therefore shopped around and have generally had better service from local accredited independents in more recent years.

Stan.

Have you used the place in Eldon Sq for any work. Looked at their website but don't know anybody who has used them.

[StanGMT]

Originally Posted by BisonHead

Have you used the place in Eldon Sq for any work. Looked at their website but don't know anybody who has used them.

Yes, I used them to do a couple of services in the 1990's and was very happy with them. I was able to talk directly to the guy who was doing the work and he was very dedicated and obviously a Rolex enthusiast.

Then I went back for a service in 2007 and there had been changes in the organisation - I couldn't get access to the technician and I wasn't very inspired by their 'front of house' staff. The service seemed to go ok, though, and the watch worked perfectly afterwards. So, I went back to them for a service in 2014, which turned out to be a disaster. By then they were charging £750 for a full service. I have no idea who they set to work on my watch but when I went to collect it the guy on the counter casually informed me that the watch was no longer waterproof and that I should use it only as a dress watch in future - a Rolex Oyster! It turned out that they had damaged the case where the winder pendant screws in - I demanded to see the owner of the company and they did eventually remedy the problem, but it was traumatic. (I didn't want a new case, which they offered, because the serial numbers wouldn't match and anyway, I've had this watch all my adult life). I won't be using them again, which is a pity because they used to be good. Northern Goldsmiths in Newcastle now have their own in-house technician, so I might give them a try, unless anyone can recommend another good independent in the north east of England.

Stan.

[BisonHead]

Thanks Stan interesting to read.

Think they have an outlet in the Metro centre, used the guy for batteries etc and he is as miserable as sin.

Was going to maybe use the Eldon sq one to test my waterproofness/pressure but will give that a miss. Might pop into the goldsmiths and see what they say.

[StanGMT]

I would say that's a wise move . . . .

Stan.

[Xantiagib]

I've used Duncan from Genesis Watchmaking for my Omega Speedy I know he does Rolexes too
https://genesiswatchmaking.co.uk/

[andrewjb88]

watchguy.co.uk did my late fathers Datejust earlier in the year! cost circa £250 and I got about 60 high detail photos of the watch in pieces etc and also a nice little online tracking system!

[BisonHead]

Some great suggestions there. I had looked at Watchguy to service my old DJ, will give them a go. Watch bloke isn't accepting anymore work currently according to his site.

I am sending my 1950s OP to Rolliworks in the states as it needs the rivet bracelet repaired and his work is outstanding by all account. Plus a service, i think it may have been serviced once.....

[StanGMT]

Thanks for this.

Stan.