Jubilee Band Stretched

[Geep]

My 20+ year old 18k/ss Jubilee band is stretched and needs repairing. I have checked prices for new and 'generic' bands but would really like to keep my existing band but have the 'pins' replaced. There is a company in Florida that will do this for about $900.

Someone on a recent Rolex Forum suggested a company in Hong Kong.....I spoke to 'Michael' in HK and he can do this for about $120 USD. Quite a difference in price.

Has anyone had any experience with 'refurbishing' Jubilee 18k/ss bands with anyone and were you pleased? I would like help, as this watch is quite important to me and I would hate to send it away and someone 'swap' bands and replace it with a nice, new, shiny 'FAKE' one.

Any help is greatly appreciated......thanks,

[Tools]

If the watch was important to me here is what I would do.

I would take the original Jubilee off. I would send the watch head in to one of the Rolex Service Centers and have a complete service done and a new Jubilee fitted..

This is the most expensive option, but for under 2 grand I would have a "like new" watch for the next 20 years.

Then I would worry about having the old band restored..

[vegetablepower]

You can also get the trade in value for the gold on the old bracelet, by sending it to rolex, if you don't care about having the original bracelet. Depending on how old the watch is they might still make the current bracelet.

[AJF]

Rolex (London) offer a bracelet rebuild where they re-smelt the gold down and replace all the pins. It has to go back to the bracelet factory in Geneva for a quote.

Watches of Switzerland in London quoted as a starting figure of around £900 but subject to individual estimate on a TT Oyster band.

Try contacting WOS in New York and see what they quote.

AJF.

[C. Davidson]

Originally Posted by vegetablepower

You can also get the trade in value for the gold on the old bracelet, by sending it to rolex, if you don't care about having the original bracelet. Depending on how old the watch is they might still make the current bracelet.

Hey, looks like this is your first post vegetablepower. Welcome to TRF! Good to see that you've got a running start. Look forward to hearing from you.

To Geep, the above quote seems like Kosher advice to me.

[rilu]

Originally Posted by vegetablepower

You can also get the trade in value for the gold on the old bracelet, by sending it to rolex, if you don't care about having the original bracelet. Depending on how old the watch is they might still make the current bracelet.

Welcome mr vegtablepower. i agree i would just send it in to rolex and get a discount for a trade in, unless it has sentimental value, then keep it and go to Rolex and have them put a new one on for full retail.

[waldis]

Hmmm. Your watch cost about $1200 (assuming your watch is 16013 model) and you wanna spend $900 on fixing a band for it?!!! Doesn't sount smart to me.
For sure do not use the company in Florida, they will just fill your band with metal - your band will look and feel like aftermarket one. Spend about $340 and get a super quality Italian-Made band (make sure you don't run on some scammer who will sell you a "Italian Band" made in Chaina).

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by waldis

Hmmm. Your watch cost about $1200 (assuming your watch is 16013 model) and you wanna spend $900 on fixing a band for it?!!! Doesn't sount smart to me.
For sure do not use the company in Florida, they will just fill your band with metal - your band will look and feel like aftermarket one. Spend about $340 and get a super quality Italian-Made band (make sure you don't run on some scammer who will sell you a "Italian Band" made in Chaina).

On the contrary, spending money on a fake bracelet for an authentic Rolex doesn't sound smart to me.

[waldis]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

On the contrary, spending money on a fake bracelet for an authentic Rolex doesn't sound smart to me.

:) Are one of those people who put brand new exencive rims on their 1991 Honda Civic?!!!
Band is not the most valuable part of the watch. If your watch doesn't worth much don't try to make it look brand new by "fixing" the band. 16013 costs not more then $1500 with a 80% band, without a band it cost $1200.... It is simple, a two-tone band costs about $300. A two-tone band off 16233 will be in alot better condition, but still won't cost more then $600.
Do the math

[hungheavy]

I have an old 18k/ss Jubilee band that I sent to 'Michael' in HK and he did an excellent job replacing all the pins and it came back tight apart from the end links that attach to the case. Good value for about $120 USD

[Dr S]

Have all the pins repalced - it's an older watch - accept that that is part of the charm adn it's history - don't do too much to it - also DO NOT BY A FAKE BAND adn put it on your watch - the worst part of this is you are not wearign a rolex (only the head is touching you r wrist - the only exceptions I have to this is leather or NATO straps!

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by waldis

:) Are one of those people who put brand new exencive rims on their 1991 Honda Civic?!!!
Band is not the most valuable part of the watch. If your watch doesn't worth much don't try to make it look brand new by "fixing" the band. 16013 costs not more then $1500 with a 80% band, without a band it cost $1200.... It is simple, a two-tone band costs about $300. A two-tone band off 16233 will be in alot better condition, but still won't cost more then $600.
Do the math

No. And technically that's more parallel to your own advice, since you want him to go aftermarket for some 'super quality' BS.

[mretzloff]

Originally Posted by waldis

:) Are one of those people who put brand new exencive rims on their 1991 Honda Civic?!!!
Band is not the most valuable part of the watch. If your watch doesn't worth much don't try to make it look brand new by "fixing" the band. 16013 costs not more then $1500 with a 80% band, without a band it cost $1200.... It is simple, a two-tone band costs about $300. A two-tone band off 16233 will be in alot better condition, but still won't cost more then $600.
Do the math

You've got to be joking...If he's going to get a fake bracelet, he might as well just sell his Rolex and get a Folex. Aftermarket is just a nice word for fake...

[Letsgodiving]

If you are referring to this guy http://classicwatchparts.com/index.p.../services.html I have never used him but I have seen a couple band restorations that members have sent to him they were happy with the results. He seems to have a good reputation from what I have seen.