Rolex service question(s)

[lakeros]

All -

Since there are a lot of knowledgeable folks here I wanted to post this question.

As I delve deeper into one day owning a vintage piece I was wondering what is the cut-off from Rolex for servicing time pieces? And if there is a cut-off who do you go to next? Has anyone been denied? personal stories?

Thanks for any information.

[mike]

Jason,

Like most things Rolex there's no clear cut answer. Conventional wisdom says Rolex stocks parts for 25 to 30 years from the end of the run for a given reference/calibre.

However, many have had watches that fall outside this range serviced. Likewise some references that fall within the time limit are turned away for a variety of reasons, the most notable being the "exotic" dial catagory.

Certain references (1655, 1680RED, sometimes gilt dial examples, etc...) have been denied service or serviced without warranty by Rolex USA. Note...our overseas brothers and sisters seem to have a bit easier time of it (though I might be not up to speed on overseas servicing).

An area where collectors bang their heads on the wall () is the servicing of a particular piece, but at the expense of a forced dial/hands change. Of course you are free to decline the dial etc... but Rolex will decline service.

It really depends on the reference, dial, parts availability (10xx movements forget in in the states), and the condition of the dial.

Many serious collectors have gone outside the mothership for service on a particular vintage. One source that has the ear(eye?) of the vintage community is here,

http://www.watchmakers.com/index.html

Bob has done some amazing work and understands the value and heritage of these pieces.

Some have also used the services of the Independent service centers in Chicago and San Francisco with great results.

As with any vintage piece talk to the source of the work and have a good understanding of whats involved.

Good luck.

[lakeros]

Thanks Mike I appreciate the response. I hope others will post with further information.

[Tools]

I think that Rolex make so many more of each model today, and has for the past decade, that service will become easier - and for longer periods - than it has in the past..

Luminova dials have been the norm the past ten years, and sapphire crystals, both of which are more stable than early plastics and tritium.. and I can't really think of a single "exotic" dial that has been retired or was short lived like the red Subs or SD's.

I also believe that the early vintage repair and restorations business will be taken care of by the likes of Bob Ridley, and shops such as his that will spring up to fill the void when needed.. and perhaps do an even better, more personal job, than the automated Rolex Centers..

as always............time will tell...

[mike]

Originally Posted by Tools

I think that Rolex make so many more of each model today, and has for the past decade, that service will become easier - and for longer periods - than it has in the past..

Luminova dials have been the norm the past ten years, and sapphire crystals, both of which are more stable than early plastics and tritium.. and I can't really think of a single "exotic" dial that has been retired or was short lived like the red Subs or SD's.

I also believe that the early vintage repair and restorations business will be taken care of by the likes of Bob Ridley, and shops such as his that will spring up to fill the void when needed.. and perhaps do an even better, more personal job, than the automated Rolex Centers..

as always............time will tell...

I agree Larry. The number of watches made today and the "recent" past one would think would skew the time frame. There's got to be a LOT of parts for modern references.

I believe I've read of one "modern exotic" that was turned away due to the dial. A 16610 COMEX. This was in the states.

[lakeros]

Great to hear and Mike that link has been bookmarked for future use. Just throwing this out there as I am not sure how many have vintage watches but maybe a section or sticky for all the resources for vintage watches such as the link above - just a thought.

Thanks again

[rilu]

from what ive heard rolex will not do specialty vintage dials like comex or red subs unless the customer has the original receipt or warranty. the reason for this is that someone can take a vintage submariner to a dial expert and have them change the writing to red. if rolex services that watch and sends you a 1 year warranty receipt with it than they just authenticated an altered dial.
Rolex no longer sevices certain vintage watches like bubble back and some others except on special occasions. They will give you the phone number to the american watch and clockmaking instutute to refer you to a watchmaker that can restore those models.

[SLS]

Find yourself a good local watchmaker, it will save you a lot of time and money. Most of these watchmakers can get parts, even if they do not have a Rolex parts account.
~Scott

[BiG JeEzY]

Well, I would contact the independent Rolex service center that is based in San Francisco, CA. From reading other testimonials, they have never denied servicing any vintage timepiece. I understand that some parts are no longer available for some of the models. I believe that they will acknowledge that for you if thats the case but they will still clean and service the movement inside. As far as I can remember, they have never said no to servicing any Rolex. They are actually not owned by Rolex but are classified as an official service center and use genuine Rolex parts.

Also, if you want to consider staying in the RSC network and not go independent, theres a service center closer to where you live. Its in Beverly Hills, CA and they are officially owned by Rolex. I sent my 30 year old GMT Master to be serviced in 2004 and had no problems about them refusing to service it. I had an excellent experience with RSC Beverly Hills.

Hope this helps.

[lakeros]

Originally Posted by rilu

from what ive heard rolex will not do specialty vintage dials like comex or red subs unless the customer has the original receipt or warranty. the reason for this is that someone can take a vintage submariner to a dial expert and have them change the writing to red. if rolex services that watch and sends you a 1 year warranty receipt with it than they just authenticated an altered dial.
Rolex no longer sevices certain vintage watches like bubble back and some others except on special occasions. They will give you the phone number to the american watch and clockmaking instutute to refer you to a watchmaker that can restore those models.

Rilu - good information to know about the red dialed watches. So papers would be a plus on those.

[Wolfgang427]

No worries, if the RSC won't service it there's many qualified watchmakers that will.

[mike]

Originally Posted by BiG JeEzY

Well, I would contact the independent Rolex service center that is based in San Francisco, CA. From reading other testimonials, they have never denied servicing any vintage timepiece. I understand that some parts are no longer available for some of the models. I believe that they will acknowledge that for you if thats the case but they will still clean and service the movement inside. As far as I can remember, they have never said no to servicing any Rolex. They are actually not owned by Rolex but are classified as an official service center and use genuine Rolex parts.

Also, if you want to consider staying in the RSC network and not go independent, theres a service center closer to where you live. Its in Beverly Hills, CA and they are officially owned by Rolex. I sent my 30 year old GMT Master to be serviced in 2004 and had no problems about them refusing to service it. I had an excellent experience with RSC Beverly Hills.

Hope this helps.

X2 on Beverly Hills. They did my 5513. FANTASTIC.

[rilu]

theo ones that rsc won't do are the watches with the 1400 calbiers and older, these are the calibers that rolex told me they wouldn't do. there are still some models that they have parts for. that why it is good to call before you send it. I called rolex dallas. all these watches mentioned here like the 1500 calibers still have parts at all rsc. i don't know about the independant one in SF thay might have all those parts.

[lakeros]

Thanks all for the good information, it is certainly appreciated.

[Tools]

I have also heard that if your watch has been routinely serviced with the RSC, there is a better likelihood that they will continue to service it because they have all the records of everything that has ever been done to it..

[Dr S]

If it's over 25 years old they may decline to service it - I've seen a couple of poite but firm letters from Rolex declining their services - luckily my older pieces have been accepted and serviced fine 26 & 28 years old respectively.