Service (??) of Datejust

[Lawolf]

Hello, everybody!
I'm facing a serious problem and I would like ot ask for your assistance.
I own a Rolex Datejust dated back to 1967-1968. I sent the watch to Rolex service center for maintanace once it hasn't been serviced for a while. Please note that the watch was working perfectly till then (functional and water resistant). As a standard procedure, the service center checked the watch and inform me that some parts will be replaced due to normal wear and that after the service the watch will be accompanied with 2 year warranty.
I just received a call from Rolex today, stating that the watch cannot be water resistant any more because one membrane that is used for sealing is out of production from Rolex, so my watch will never be waterproof again....

Has anybody faced the same problem?
Any suggestions?
Are you aware of any 3rd party source, where I can find this part?

Thanx in advance.

[Valenciawatchrepair]

Ahhh yes. Not surprising. I bet they told you they want to put new dial and hands on it without returning the old ones, yes?? Get your watch back and find someone else who can perform the job.

[Lawolf]

I haven't discussed about taking back the old parts yet. Nice point, though!
They told me that they will change a lot of parts.
The problem is that after replacing all the necessary parts and while finalizing the maintenance they figured out that the watch can't withstand pressure (probably during final pressure test)....
They told me that this part is out of production by Rolex because it is a very old watch and that there is nothing they can do.
I argued with them for some time. Late this aftermoon they called me back, suggesting to send the watch to Rolex headquaters (Switzerland) where they have a dedicated department that deals with vintage/old models where they might be able to produce this part for me.... I hope they don't charge me another watch for that...
Has anyone faced the same problem before or I am the first one??

[andyxxx]

If they did not make you aware of this on the initial quote, I would kick up a massive fuss - they should not have accepted the watch if they did not have the necessary parts to complete the job and honour the 2 year warranty.

I would not pay any more than the quote and insist they indeed find a way of producing the part at their expense and within a reasonable time span.

[breitlings]

There has been another case about this reported on trf. Paraphrasing, there was pitting on the midcase and they could not guarantee water proofing without a new mid-case. With more persistence the poster in that scenario actually did get Rolex Service in the USA to laser weld the pitting and have the watch water resistant once again.

I don't think you will get the parts back from RSC. I would pick your battles. If you are certain they said it was a gasket, please consider posting in the tech subforum or asking a rolex technician on here, perhaps a google search may help you discern if there is a generic replacement part available.

[Kh114060]

I was always told not to send vintage rollies into Rolex.

They will swap out everything they want.

Your watch will be sent with all this character and history and be returned to you as just another cookie cutter Rolex.

[Burlington]

That’s very disappointing to read, and a poor show compared to how other brands take care of vintage pieces.

[andromeda160]

There are 3 components to water resistance, the crystal, the crown and the case back gasket. They could use RTV sealant and gasket or simply use a liquid gasket and the resistance would be fine. These were 50-100M resistance back then, and 5Bar really isn’t that hard to achieve with the design. Kind of sad they couldn’t bring it up to spec. I have a 1972 outsert precision that passed a 100M PT with a hazed acrylic and aftermarket CB gasket. Crown wasn’t changed either. I went swimming with it a few times on accident(was inebriated and was shoved off a boat) no problems at all. Wish I could’ve said the same about my 5 year old Omega that had water ingress while jet skiing

[SearChart]

You most likely have a 1601, which needs gasket #29-302-86
Any RSC can get these parts, are you sure you sent it in to an official Rolex service centre?

[Lawolf]

They told me that this part is installed below the crown. They called it mambrane, but frankly speaking I have no idea what it is.. I just want my watch back working as it should be after paying a lot for servicing...

[SearChart]

Underneath the crown is an older style rubber washer, 24-0530.
These parts are all readily available from Rolex SA Geneva, as an RSC.

[Chaching]

And why I go to an independent watch repair guy who specializes in Rolex..........

[Tools]

The gaskets and O-rings used in Datejusts have been produced for decades; they just are not rare at all.

[Rocket_Man]

You might have better luck with a skilled independent with a Rolex parts account. There are a few who are regular posters on TRF.