Submariner 16803 Repair Estimates

[lneidorf]

Hi there.

I inherited my father's Submariner 16803. It was purchased new in 1986-1987.

About five years after it was last serviced, it stopped running. I brought it into an authorized jeweler, who sent it out to Rolex US.

The contacted me with a repair estimate from Rolex, totalling nearly $2,400. I was expecting somewhere in the $1,000 range, so I was quite taken aback.

The gave me the following list of required repairs:

• Overhaul $750
• New Crown $170
• New Crystal $180
• New Dial $510
• New Hands $105
• New Bezel Insert $48
• New Clasp $615

All of these repairs were represented to me as "required", meaning Rolex insists on performing them all or they won't touch the watch. I understand a company like Rolex wanting to protect its brand, but the way this was presented to me was kind of offensive.

Anyway, I thought to reach out here and solicit some feedback.

1. Are these repairs in line with what one would reasonably expect for a watch of this vintage?
2. Are these prices reasonable (relatively speaking)?
3. Any other thoughts?

Lastly, this is a two-tone with a black face. I've always preferred the blue face. any reason why I shouldn't consider asking them to replace the face and bezel with blue?

Thanks!

[Watchflair]

Easy stuff to say no to - just get the service done. Leave the rest. Keep your original dial hands crown etc. any pics of the watch? Post and that will greatly help.


What was the reason it required a new dial bezel hands etc?

I’d personally keep it as original as possible. If you are going to allow new bezel or what not then get the blue you prefer but again I’d go for original.


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[Watchflair]

Also - RSC goal is to make the watch as like new as possible. Our goal as collectors is to keep it as original as possible.


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[watchtung]

Pic of the watch would help. If you want to keep it original you might be better off finding a local repair person you trust or someone online for a service rather than go to RSC.

[interestedwatcher]

Once you replace the bezel dial and crown etc, is it really still your dad's watch?
Find an RSC trained watch maker and have him service the movement.

[interestedwatcher]

Also post a picture. Love well loved subs.

[FistFlight]

+1 to pictures

[Mr.Rolex1]

Welcome to the forum
Yes I have paid similar prices
I dont think a RSC would change the dial and bezel to blue

[Bladeshot]

Welcome. We need pictures. Unless there is damage to the dial and hands I would not replace them. But we can’t tell without photos of those areas and the clasp. I would try to keep it as original as possible, assuming the parts looked presentable.

There are plenty of awesome independent watchmakers who can service the watch and not require all those replacement items be installed. Rolex is not the only way. But you will meet their terms if you want them to work on it.

[LeftCoastBias]

Absolutely would not let them replace anything. If they won’t service it without replacing everything, send it to rolliworks or LA watchworks.

There are plenty of places that will service it with reasonable prices and not require you to do a full overhaul.

Replacing all those parts with new service parts will actually adversely affect the value of the watch.


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[lneidorf]

Thanks to all for your responses.

I'm posting the best pic I have, which is a little dusty and was taken with a smartphone. I should probably grab my real camera and take some decent shots.

I am not a collector or a Rolex enthusiast (no disrespect intended!). This was my father's watch and its value for me is entirely sentimental. That is to say, it is irreplaceable.

And so my interest in it isn’t tied to its monetary value as a collectible. That having been said, my father loved this watch and told me I should make sure that it is serviced appropriately.

In response to interestedwatcher's comment "Once you replace the bezel dial and crown etc, is it really still your dad's watch?", I agree wholeheartedly. Honestly, I just wanted this thing serviced, with the movement in good shape so that it runs well, without any refurbishment. If it was good enough for my dad, it's certainly good enough for me.

Can you tell me more about alternatives to having Rolex service this? LeftCoastBias mentioned Rolliworks or LA Watchworks. I'm unfamiliar with these or any other servicer. This is all new territory for me.

[mank1962]

I only would lerepait the movement and new gaskets --- do never let destroy the charakter of this

[jlafou1]

Don’t send it to RSC, send it to rolliworks or LAwatchworks or equal. They’ll service it and replace only the bare necessities as requested.

[faimag]

Prices are within reason for RSC.
I think you need the overhaul, crystal, and probably crown (for pressure and waterproofness).
If you are ok with the insert as it is, you can keep it.
Definitely keep the original tritium dial and hands as they look quite ok.
Just tell them and be firm. Not all RSC insist on changing dial+hands.

[rolexrealfan]

Your Watch looks great !
Have the movement serviced and this is it

[jaisonline]

RSCs are great but I sometimes wonder if they really, really look at the watch before the service works starts. The liaisons (& their managers) between customers and watchmakers honestly don’t know much about watches (from my experience).

For example, I had Vanessa (used to be a popular member here) personally service my Tudor 79280p in Summer 2017. It’s first service ever. She also changed the dial & sub hands for me. The panda Dial was NOS OEM but we couldn’t find the correct OEM sub hands so went w/ aftermarket. She mentioned after the service, everything was working perfectly and existing parts like hands & crown were in great shape. I trusted her work and if she said a part needed to be replaced or not, I believed her like it was gospel.

Then in March 2019, I finally decided to get the correct hands put on. Took my watch to NY RSC. They agreed to install the 3 sub hands but demanded I change the hour & min hands plus the crown. There was nothing wrong with the hands as Vanessa worked on this watch 2 years prior.

They did the same with my wife’s ladies 2-tone DJ. While the caliber def needed an overhaul, (like my Tudor), they demanded her crown be changed to “proactively “ protect against water. That small gold crown was expensive. But hey, how can anyone say “no” to a suggested part replacement that will keep water out of the watch. It’s easy extra money for them and offers us piece of mind.

At the end of the day, I like the work Dallas and NY RSC performs especially if you need a warranty card. However, they are already expensive before they require certain parts be proactively replaced and they also never consider the historic value of a watch when suggesting replacing parts.

For valuable watches out of production, try to avoid RSC and use a well-known / respectable Indy watchmaker.

[BisonHead]

I would want to keep it as is, just a service using one of the recommended independents.

Lovely watch by the way.

[billfredericks]

.

[lneidorf]

Thanks to all for your feedback.

My mother actually had the best suggestion of all: take it to the place where it was originally purchased, Gray Jewelers in Barrington, RI. I spoke with them and it was a very different interaction. They're all for preserving the watch and not fixing what isn't broken. I'll be taking it to them to service the movement and leave it as original as possible.

[MCO1]

Everything that needs to be said has been said. This bid is to make this watch like new, I would be tempted to have most of the work done. I would be iffy on replacing the bezel but a new would look nice and I wouldn't replace the dial at all and the hands only if they are flaking and causing movement problems.

With this being your dad's your not going to sell it. I think sometimes we get a little carried away with the collector/untouched thing. If that floats our boat great but its just a watch and the fact it was your dad's and you will think of him when you wear it is the important thing. In 40 years who cares if the value is a little less if you enjoyed it.

[lneidorf]

MC01, I agree with you for the most part. I'm not fixated on keeping this original or refurbishing it so it looks like new.

My issue with the quote from Rolex is:
1) that they *required* repairs (I own the watch; who the hell are they to tell me what to do with it?)
2) the repairs they required seemed to me wholly unnecessary.

For example, the dial and hands look perfect. There's a very slight patina due to age, but they look perfect (again, the photo doesn't do the watch justice). The illumination has faded completely, and I assume that's why Rolex wants to replace them. I couldn't care less about that.

The only repair I'm seriously contemplating is the bezel insert, which is pretty scratched up and even has a tiny hole. I'd hang on to the old one, put it in a drawer, and probably never look at it again.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[dysert]

I doubt Rolex will certify a pressure test on the watch without a new crown, that is my experience with RSCs.