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delldeaton · 27 April 2009, 10:09 AM

Is anyone aware of a Rolex Service Center in Chicago?

Are they "official," a'la the Service Centers I've known for Rolex USA in New York, Texas, and California? If not, how are they different? Or, for that matter, not the same as any other shop that "knows," is "experienced with Rolex," and "has access to genuine Rolex parts"?

Anyone have experience w/ these folks?

They're a day-trip away from me here in Southeast Michigan, so I might be considering a visit in the not-too-distant-future.

Thanks!

Tools · 27 April 2009, 10:19 AM

Yes...

They are an Official Rolex Service Center..

It is just that this Center, and the one in San Fran, are not owned by Rolex USA

.............

submariner16610 · 27 April 2009, 10:41 AM

howard frum jewelers. 5 south wabash

delldeaton · 27 April 2009, 12:14 PM

Anyone have personal experience w/ these guys?

PS: Do they have a website and/or does someone have contact information for them?

SUB4Me · 27 April 2009, 12:17 PM

Howard Frum is a non Rolex sanctioned Gray Market independent but VERY GOOD and well known. Remember Google is your friend.

coddger · 27 April 2009, 12:30 PM

The ONLY Official Rolex Service Centers in the U.S. are New York, Dallas, and Beverly Hills, the later closing by the end of the month. However, there's a Rolex Independent Authorized Service Center in Chicago and San Francisco. Here is Chicago:

Rolex Authorized Service Center
55 E Washington Street #311
Chicago, IL 60602

(312) 782-7768

Tools · 27 April 2009, 12:58 PM

In Chicago,

Sutters Watch Repair...Is an Authorized Rolex Service Center
30 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60602

(312) 782-7768‎
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rl...50826213201123

Vanessa CW21 · 27 April 2009, 01:00 PM

FYI: there is also an official RSC in Pennsylvania!

delldeaton · 27 April 2009, 01:30 PM

Setting aside gray market for now, what is the difference between an "independent" Service Center and one owned by Rolex?

Are the ones listed for East Washington and North Michigan of the same caliber, or are there differences between the two?

Thanks for letting me follow up and your help in sorting this out.

SUB4Me · 27 April 2009, 01:44 PM

You know CD Peacock in Oak Brook Center has an in house Rolex trained service guy also.

SUB4Me · 27 April 2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delldeaton

Setting aside gray market for now, what is the difference between an "independent" Service Center and one owned by Rolex?

Are the ones listed for East Washington and North Michigan of the same caliber, or are there differences between the two?

Thanks for letting me follow up and your help in sorting this out.

Its just that. They are Rolex approved centers but not operated or owned by Rolex.

delldeaton · 27 April 2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUB4Me

Its just that. They are Rolex approved centers but not operated or owned by Rolex.

Okay, so what's the difference between this and the guy who works out of a shop in the back of a Rolex AD in my area?

If the answer is "none," then maybe I should expand this question to ask if there are any Rolex Service Centers closer to Detroit.

Or are there "levels" of capability, "authorization" between Rolex USA and the guy in my area who's "trained in Rolex and can get genuine Rolex parts"?

SUB4Me · 27 April 2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delldeaton

Okay, so what's the difference between this and the guy who works out of a shop in the back of a Rolex AD in my area?

If the answer is "none," then maybe I should expand this question to ask if there are any Rolex Service Centers closer to Detroit.

Or are there "levels" of capability, "authorization" between Rolex USA and the guy in my area who's "trained in Rolex and can get genuine Rolex parts"?

Thats a question for the AD I assume they employ him?

coddger · 27 April 2009, 02:57 PM

It really depends on what you need and how old the watch is. The Official Rolex Service Centers are no longer accepting pre-30** caliber watches and manual-wind Daytonas for service, or for that matter, repairs because of parts availability. For Vintage Rolex, the independent authorized centers in San Francisco and Chicago will accept older caliber 1030 from the 1950s but due to age of watch may not warranty water proofness and offer a limited warranty so to speak. Manual-wind Daytonas and 1960s and newer models should not be a problem. Your watchmaker on-site at an AD may or may not be capable of a high quality Rolex makeover and may not have access to genuine Rolex factory parts but are generally cheaper and may not come with a written warranty. For newer Rolex, I will always send them to an RSC, for complete service and a makeover. My experience with an independent center is that the service prices tend to be more expensive than the official centers as they are free to charge what they want; they are authorized by Rolex USA and use only Rolex factory parts, but not governed by Rolex Repair price structures. If your AD employs a Rolex experienced watchmaker, go for it if you do not want to send it to an Official RSC.

rpryan55 · 28 April 2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUB4Me

You know CD Peacock in Oak Brook Center has an in house Rolex trained service guy also.

I would be very, very wary of dealing with this AD.

Tools · 28 April 2009, 07:29 AM

There are many, many AD's who employ watchmakers who are qualified and authorized to do Rolex watch repairs and service. In order for the Dealer to be able to offer this service they need to have a certain Rolex approved level of qualification and equipment...

What you get with a Dealer Watchmaker working on your watch is a single individual with Watchmaker qualifications, a parts account, and training on Rolex models.......and they should be able to show you those training certificates... There is no reason to believe that your watch will receive any less of a full service at a Dealer Watchmaker than at an RSC.

What you do get from the RSC is an RSC warranty, the Dealer usually gives out their own; a Rolex service cardboard box, Dealers seldom have these but may give you a nice draw-string pouch; and occasionally they toss in a travel pouch...I've never seen one of these from a Dealer.

You get individual service from a Dealer Watchmaker... You do not get this at an RSC...The watch is processed in by a clerk; the watch is taken apart by a tech at a station, each particular part is inspected at another station, the bracelet is refurbished at another station, it's re-assembled by another tech, then it goes to a watchmaker who looks it over and times it...it then goes back to the clerk who boxes it and sends it out.

Dealer watchmakers, however, usually charge the Rolex flat rate.... I have never got a discount on a service from one...

Bottom line........there is really no reason to send your watch to an RSC every time it needs a service unless you like that sort of allegiance to the mother ship.............

There are plenty of Watchmakers who can do an excellent job.........when you find one of those, it's like finding gold...

fusebuddy · 28 April 2009, 08:14 AM

What do you need as far as the service? I just sent my GMTII to Dallas due to a drop and then it stopped. If you're just getting a touch up or some lighter servicing, maybe you don't need the official RSC.

27 April 2009, 10:09 AM	#1
delldeaton "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Real Name: Dell Deaton Location: NAWCC Museum! Watch: Never kiss & tell! Posts: 883	Rolex ... Service ... Center in Chicago? Is anyone aware of a Rolex Service Center in Chicago? Are they "official," a'la the Service Centers I've known for Rolex USA in New York, Texas, and California? If not, how are they different? Or, for that matter, not the same as any other shop that "knows," is "experienced with Rolex," and "has access to genuine Rolex parts"? Anyone have experience w/ these folks? They're a day-trip away from me here in Southeast Michigan, so I might be considering a visit in the not-too-distant-future. Thanks! __________________ . Watches, James Bond Watches .

27 April 2009, 10:19 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	Yes... They are an Official Rolex Service Center.. It is just that this Center, and the one in San Fran, are not owned by Rolex USA ............. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

27 April 2009, 12:14 PM	#4
delldeaton "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Real Name: Dell Deaton Location: NAWCC Museum! Watch: Never kiss & tell! Posts: 883	Thanks! Anyone have personal experience w/ these guys? PS: Do they have a website and/or does someone have contact information for them? __________________ . Watches, James Bond Watches .

27 April 2009, 12:30 PM	#6
coddger "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Only Mom Knows Location: Land Of The Free Watch: 116520,16610,16013 Posts: 1,573	The ONLY Official Rolex Service Centers in the U.S. are New York, Dallas, and Beverly Hills, the later closing by the end of the month. However, there's a Rolex Independent Authorized Service Center in Chicago and San Francisco. Here is Chicago: Rolex Authorized Service Center 55 E Washington Street #311 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 782-7768 __________________ Contentment Is Not The Fulfillment Of Getting All The Watches You Want, It Is The Realization Of How Many Rolexes You Already Have.

27 April 2009, 12:58 PM	#7
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	In Chicago, Sutters Watch Repair...Is an Authorized Rolex Service Center 30 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 782-7768‎ http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rl...50826213201123 __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

27 April 2009, 10:41 AM	#3
submariner16610 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: united states Watch: submariner,daytona Posts: 707	howard frum jewelers. 5 south wabash

27 April 2009, 12:17 PM	#5
SUB4Me Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Posts: 99	Howard Frum is a non Rolex sanctioned Gray Market independent but VERY GOOD and well known. Remember Google is your friend.

27 April 2009, 01:00 PM	#8
Vanessa CW21 TechXpert & 2016 Patron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mx Posts: 1,572	FYI: there is also an official RSC in Pennsylvania! __________________ Member# 5731 Instagram: @vanessa.cw21 Watch my Rolex repair video: https://youtu.be/jDnaotCTpTA

27 April 2009, 01:30 PM	#9
delldeaton "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Real Name: Dell Deaton Location: NAWCC Museum! Watch: Never kiss & tell! Posts: 883	Narrowing down the list here-- Setting aside gray market for now, what is the difference between an "independent" Service Center and one owned by Rolex? Are the ones listed for East Washington and North Michigan of the same caliber, or are there differences between the two? Thanks for letting me follow up and your help in sorting this out. __________________ . Watches, James Bond Watches .

27 April 2009, 01:44 PM	#10
SUB4Me Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Posts: 99	You know CD Peacock in Oak Brook Center has an in house Rolex trained service guy also.

27 April 2009, 02:57 PM	#14
coddger "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Only Mom Knows Location: Land Of The Free Watch: 116520,16610,16013 Posts: 1,573	It really depends on what you need and how old the watch is. The Official Rolex Service Centers are no longer accepting pre-30 caliber watches and manual-wind Daytonas for service, or for that matter, repairs because of parts availability. For Vintage Rolex, the independent authorized centers in San Francisco and Chicago will accept older caliber 1030 from the 1950s but due to age of watch may not warranty water proofness and offer a limited warranty so to speak. Manual-wind Daytonas and 1960s and newer models should not be a problem. Your watchmaker on-site at an AD may or may not be capable of a high quality Rolex makeover and may not have access to genuine Rolex factory parts but are generally cheaper and may not come with a written warranty. For newer Rolex, I will always send them to an RSC, for complete service and a makeover. My experience with an independent center is that the service prices tend to be more expensive than the official centers as they are free to charge what they want; they are authorized by Rolex USA and use only Rolex factory parts, but not governed by Rolex Repair price structures. If your AD employs a Rolex experienced watchmaker, go for it if you do not want to send it to an Official RSC. __________________ Contentment Is Not The Fulfillment Of Getting All The Watches You Want, It Is The Realization Of How Many Rolexes You Already Have.**

28 April 2009, 07:29 AM	#16
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	There are many, many AD's who employ watchmakers who are qualified and authorized to do Rolex watch repairs and service. In order for the Dealer to be able to offer this service they need to have a certain Rolex approved level of qualification and equipment... What you get with a Dealer Watchmaker working on your watch is a single individual with Watchmaker qualifications, a parts account, and training on Rolex models.......and they should be able to show you those training certificates... There is no reason to believe that your watch will receive any less of a full service at a Dealer Watchmaker than at an RSC. What you do get from the RSC is an RSC warranty, the Dealer usually gives out their own; a Rolex service cardboard box, Dealers seldom have these but may give you a nice draw-string pouch; and occasionally they toss in a travel pouch...I've never seen one of these from a Dealer. You get individual service from a Dealer Watchmaker... You do not get this at an RSC...The watch is processed in by a clerk; the watch is taken apart by a tech at a station, each particular part is inspected at another station, the bracelet is refurbished at another station, it's re-assembled by another tech, then it goes to a watchmaker who looks it over and times it...it then goes back to the clerk who boxes it and sends it out. Dealer watchmakers, however, usually charge the Rolex flat rate.... I have never got a discount on a service from one... Bottom line........there is really no reason to send your watch to an RSC every time it needs a service unless you like that sort of allegiance to the mother ship............. There are plenty of Watchmakers who can do an excellent job.........when you find one of those, it's like finding gold... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

28 April 2009, 08:14 AM	#17
fusebuddy "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Steve Location: Illinois, USA Watch: 16710 GMTII Posts: 387	What do you need as far as the service? I just sent my GMTII to Dallas due to a drop and then it stopped. If you're just getting a touch up or some lighter servicing, maybe you don't need the official RSC.

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