Got my service estimate back from Rolex

[Kinnakeeter]

Hi all
I have a 18038 from 1987. It stopped about month ago when I was changing the date. I had it sent off to Rolex three weeks ago. I got the estimate back today. Based on what I have seen here and what the dealer said things kind of fell in line.
There were a couple things I found surprising. They had listed as recommended to change the dial and hands. The original dial had bits of the markers (lume?) that had broken off. I would have thought that they would have listed that as necessary. The thought being if some markers had broken off it is likely more would. Does anyone know what the markers were made of? The second was they listed the crown as being necessary to replace. The crown has obvious wear, cosmetics...do they wear out?
All in it is just above $2800 and the dealer said it would look good as new.
The have listed as necessary besides full service: jewelry work on braclet, new spring bar and the crown. As recommended: new sapphire crystal (replaces scratched acrylic), dial, hands new second hand.

[bmt336]

personally I would leave the hands and dial alone and just have it serviced

[ronricks]

Leave the hands and dial alone. Get the rest done and the watch will be like new.

[77T]

Yes the crowns do wear out due to the threads repeatedly being exercised.

I would agree that the dial/hands could be skipped - but...

If you’d like a different style/color dial then it might be worth making that part of the work. That watch had some other compatible dials and might be more to your liking.

Of course if you do the dial then the hands are an obvious thing to do.

The hour markers are gold and sometimes filled with phosphorus paint that was originally doped with Tritium.


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[siempreko]

Yes. You want to replace the crown. They do wear out. Keep hands and dial!

They will bring it back to life!


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[seabreeze60]

That's what Rolex charged for complete service cost on my SS Oysterdate. It included a new bracelet as well. Rolex does a nice job on the overhaul and you know it's all original parts. My overhaul came with a 3 year service warranty Rolex card as well. It's pricey but that is what luxury is about.

[77T]

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

That's what Rolex charged for complete service cost on my SS Oysterdate. It included a new bracelet as well. Rolex does a nice job on the overhaul and you know it's all original parts. My overhaul came with a 3 year service warranty Rolex card as well. It's pricey but that is what luxury is about.

Dan - how did you get a 3 yr warranty? I had an OP done at RSC earlier this year and it came with 2 yr warranty.


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[Jonnyj]

Leave the hands and dial alone !

[seabreeze60]

Originally Posted by 77T

Dan - how did you get a 3 yr warranty? I had an OP done at RSC earlier this year and it came with 2 yr warranty.


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You are correct! Here’s the back of the warranty card.

[77T]

Dang - I was hoping to use you to lever another year out of them


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[Kinnakeeter]

Originally Posted by 77T

Dang - I was hoping to use you to lever another year out of them


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Lol

[Richard Carver]

No Rolex owned service center would replace the acrylic crystal with a sapphire. You should ascertain exactly who is servicing your watch. Dealers will imply that Rolex is servicing it when actually it's Nigel in the back room.

There really is a difference between Nigel and a Rolex Service Center.

[Aymara59]

The crown should be replaced; however, do not have the dial nor the hands changed. You need to be very specific with your instructions to Rolex. They will abide. I had my YG GMT II 16718 serviced by Rolex and they recommended the same changes to my watch. To say the least, the watch was stunning upon its return. You will not regret it. All the best!

[Kinnakeeter]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

No Rolex owned service center would replace the acrylic crystal with a sapphire. You should ascertain exactly who is servicing your watch. Dealers will imply that Rolex is servicing it when actually it's Nigel in the back room.

There really is a difference between Nigel and a Rolex Service Center.

I thought the same thing about the crystal. When I talked to the dealer they said they would ask about it. The paperwork that was emailed to me was from Rolex though.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by Kinnakeeter

I thought the same thing about the crystal. When I talked to the dealer they said they would ask about it. The paperwork that was emailed to me was from Rolex though.

If the crystal swap was on the estimate it was not from Rolex. Many dealers go to great lengths to convince you your service is from Rolex. Your best bet is to contact RSC Dallas or RSC NY and ask for shipping materials to be sent to you direct. Dealers love to charge Rolex sized prices for Nigel sized work.

Those are the only two authorized service centers in the US.

[inadeje]

Not Rolex doing this work. Be careful.

[watchamatic]

Rolex service centers have to abide by certain Rolex rules and practices, oneof which is not changing certain parts of a watch from that of a totally different model. So Rolex is most probably not servicing yourwatch.

[SearChart]

RSC does not do jewelry work on bracelets, replacement or no Bueno.

And the others are correct about the crystal, we would never ever replace a plexi for a sapphire... These can fit but it's not ideal and water resistance could very well be compromised.

I would make sure you get your watch back and send it to RSC yourself. If they are swapping plexi for sapphire they shouldn't be working on any type of Rolex

[timedate]

if you had a watch of serious value, then i would agree about the hands and dial,
but as its all new rolex parts then i would have it all changed if its a run of the mill watch,
i think at resale time it could be seen as a plus,

why not ask them to keep the old hands and dial, and send them back with the serviced watch, in case somebody wants them to be re- fitted in the future.

[joli160]

OP, you are being scammed.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Kinnakeeter

Hi all
I have a 18038 from 1987. It stopped about month ago when I was changing the date. I had it sent off to Rolex three weeks ago. I got the estimate back today. Based on what I have seen here and what the dealer said things kind of fell in line.
There were a couple things I found surprising. They had listed as recommended to change the dial and hands. The original dial had bits of the markers (lume?) that had broken off. I would have thought that they would have listed that as necessary. The thought being if some markers had broken off it is likely more would. Does anyone know what the markers were made of? The second was they listed the crown as being necessary to replace. The crown has obvious wear, cosmetics...do they wear out?
All in it is just above $2800 and the dealer said it would look good as new.
The have listed as necessary besides full service: jewelry work on braclet, new spring bar and the crown. As recommended: new sapphire crystal (replaces scratched acrylic), dial, hands new second hand.

If the Tritium lume is flaking Rolex will always recommend its changed, although you dont have to agree to having them changed.If not changed I would doubt if Rolex would give you any service warranty.And all acrylic crystals are always replaced as part of service with the same material the watch had to start with and not sapphire..

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

There really is a difference between Nigel and a Rolex Service Center.

Now that was funny!

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by joli160

OP, you are being scammed.

You can say that again...

[Otto]

I don’t know about the sapphire crystal. I have been told that it is not technically sound to use a sapphire crystal on a watch that didn’t have one originally. Maybe that’s not true for all models/years though. As for the dial and hands, I have changed the dial and hands numerous times on my Day-Dates and Datejusts over the years. It’s easy to do in Asia. It gives me a nice change of pace. Dial defects would bother me on a Day Date or Datejust. I’d let them go on a truly vintage sport watch, but I’d replace the dials and hands on a Day-Date or Datejust if they’re damaged or failing. That’s just me; my personal preference.

[1bad750]

I agree w otto, if the dial and hands have damage id have them replaced,so you get the watch back as new

[1William]

I would have to make a determination on if I was to keep the watch long term or it was to be moved in the next few years. If I was keeping the watch and would not sell it, I would do the complete recommended procedures. If not then I would do the movement service and crown and sell it. I have always liked the saying, "If you want to play, you have to pay". It is true when it comes to many high end luxury goods and vehicles. Depending on how much you have in the watch and current values I might use this as a chance to upgrade to a newer or different model.

[cht]

$2,800 is a ridiculous price....sorry....

Id take it somewhere else personally.

[Kinnakeeter]

All Thanks for the responses. The watch will be kept in the family. I had set money aside to have it serviced, it is more than I expected.

I did some diligence here and on line. It seems that the 18038 has a sapphire crystal. I saw it listed at Bob's and Beckers website. also here:
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=240369
"24 June 2012, 04:33 PM
Hi!
I'm wondering what the difference is between the different Day-Date's, like the 1803, 18038 and so on ?
from Jocke
1803 plastic crystal slowset
18038 sapphire crystal single quickset
18238 sapphire crystal double quickset"

There was confusion on my part. The quote said
"Full service includes: Service of the movement, refinishing of the case and bracelet, and timekeeping accuracy testing. Where applicable, it also includes replacement of the acrylic crystal and water-resistance tests." and so I thought it was acrylic.

The service estimate quote I received is from
Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc.
Lititz Service Center
1 Wynfield Dr. Lititz, PA 17543 Phone: (717) 627-6270 Fax: (717) 627-6271
ROLEX

The jewelry work is shown as:
"NOTES
• Jewelry work on bracelet: Reinforce both fittings and refinish bracelet. "


Is that a Rolex service center? It has the Rolex logo. The service estimate looks like what other folks have posted here.

Am I missing something here?

[ronricks]

Lititz is a service center and I have also seen Day Dates with service invoices from Rolex that say bracelet repair was done. There is one on eBay right now.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Gold-...cAAOSwbQZbdN-J

[seabreeze60]

Originally Posted by Kinnakeeter

All Thanks for the responses. The watch will be kept in the family. I had set money aside to have it serviced, it is more than I expected.

I did some diligence here and on line. It seems that the 18038 has a sapphire crystal. I saw it listed at Bob's and Beckers website. also here:
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=240369
"24 June 2012, 04:33

The service estimate quote I received is from
Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc.
Lititz Service Center
1 Wynfield Dr. Lititz, PA 17543 Phone: (717) 627-6270 Fax: (717) 627-6271
ROLEX

The jewelry work is shown as:
"NOTES
• Jewelry work on bracelet: Reinforce both fittings and refinish bracelet. "


Is that a Rolex service center? It has the Rolex logo. The service estimate looks like what other folks have posted here.

Am I missing something here?

That’s where I had my Rolex serviced. It’s Rolex USA. You’ll get a warranty card and love their work!