Rolex UK, Service lately?

[Speedbird-1]

Hi all,
I hope you're all safe and well, and have had at least one jab.:thumbsup

We haven't been leaving the house much during the current nastiness, and consequently I haven't worn my 16710 for months.

I picked it up for the first time in ages yesterday and as I turned it to look at it,
the watch 'buzzed' in my fingers. It is probably nothing serious, just a bit of slack being taken up, after running down.
I thought it would be a good time for its first service.
(It's about 25 years old)

Have any of you used your AD RSC for servicing lately?
What is the best routine?
Take it to my local AD and let them handle it?
Is the watch insured by them, and RSC, should anything untoward occur?

I would appreciate any input/advice regarding instructions, cost etc.

Cheers.

[ratty]

I think it depends where to live in relation to either St James' Square in London or the service centre in Kent.

I dropped off a couple of watches at the service centre about a month ago, one for service one for a warranty repair, and they are both ready for collection already.

[Mr DateJust]

If not near the service centre then go through AD. St James Square is shut for renovations I think. Some AD’s have in house watch makers. Don’t let them touch it. I assume some are ok but it’s not an official service (many will disagree here). Make sure it goes back to the service centre in Kent. Basically AD sends it to them, Rolex provide a quote for the service and any other worked needed. The AD let’s you know what this is and you OK what ever you want done. The service is the carried out and the watch sent back to the AD for collection. It’s all insured by then when being sent back and forth. Just make sure you check the quote carefully. I had issues once where they changed a bezel and crystal and tried to charge me for it but I had it in writing what I had and hadn’t authorised. Rolex were a bit funny about it and the AD ended up eating the cost. Time taken should be about 6 weeks give or take.

[Das]

I've never gone through an AD. I just make sure my watches are well wrapped, include a letter explaining what's needed with name and return address/email/phone, and sent with appropriate insurance via next day delivery. They usually get back to me with an estimate within a week.

Never had an issue.

Edit: Once ready they tend to call, I pay by phone and they post it back to me fully insured.

[Wobbly]

St James’s reopened late last year after the renovations.
Mrs Wobbly took a watch there for some warranty work, but it had to be sent to Kent.
Not sure if St James’s was open during lockdown, but Mrs Wobbly will be trying next week, as the issue with her watch wasn’t fixed, so will have to go back.

[Cheapside Genie]

I took one to St James in October I think after they reopened after a fancy refurb. Was about 4w to service a Submariner for £550 with £150 parts (new crystal, winding crown, bezel insert). They now give you an estimate before leaving after an external examination with anything unforeseen, their cost. Offered to have it posted back so you only need to go once. Worth going for a look if you can to look through the glass at the surgical looking service centre. Think it prob opens again on Monday with non essential retail on appt basis.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Hi all,
I hope you're all safe and well, and have had at least one jab.:thumbsup

We haven't been leaving the house much during the current nastiness, and consequently I haven't worn my 16710 for months.

I picked it up for the first time in ages yesterday and as I turned it to look at it,
the watch 'buzzed' in my fingers. It is probably nothing serious, just a bit of slack being taken up, after running down.
I thought it would be a good time for its first service.
(It's about 25 years old)

Have any of you used your AD RSC for servicing lately?
What is the best routine?
Take it to my local AD and let them handle it?
Is the watch insured by them, and RSC, should anything untoward occur?

I would appreciate any input/advice regarding instructions, cost etc.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by ratty

I think it depends where to live in relation to either St James' Square in London or the service centre in Kent.

I dropped off a couple of watches at the service centre about a month ago, one for service one for a warranty repair, and they are both ready for collection already.

Originally Posted by Mr DateJust

If not near the service centre then go through AD. St James Square is shut for renovations I think. Some AD’s have in house watch makers. Don’t let them touch it. I assume some are ok but it’s not an official service (many will disagree here). Make sure it goes back to the service centre in Kent. Basically AD sends it to them, Rolex provide a quote for the service and any other worked needed. The AD let’s you know what this is and you OK what ever you want done. The service is the carried out and the watch sent back to the AD for collection. It’s all insured by then when being sent back and forth. Just make sure you check the quote carefully. I had issues once where they changed a bezel and crystal and tried to charge me for it but I had it in writing what I had and hadn’t authorised. Rolex were a bit funny about it and the AD ended up eating the cost. Time taken should be about 6 weeks give or take.

Originally Posted by Das

I've never gone through an AD. I just make sure my watches are well wrapped, include a letter explaining what's needed with name and return address/email/phone, and sent with appropriate insurance via next day delivery. They usually get back to me with an estimate within a week.

Never had an issue.

Edit: Once ready they tend to call, I pay by phone and they post it back to me fully insured.

Originally Posted by Wobbly

St James’s reopened late last year after the renovations.
Mrs Wobbly took a watch there for some warranty work, but it had to be sent to Kent.
Not sure if St James’s was open during lockdown, but Mrs Wobbly will be trying next week, as the issue with her watch wasn’t fixed, so will have to go back.

Originally Posted by Cheapside Genie

I took one to St James in October I think after they reopened after a fancy refurb. Was about 4w to service a Submariner for £550 with £150 parts (new crystal, winding crown, bezel insert). They now give you an estimate before leaving after an external examination with anything unforeseen, their cost. Offered to have it posted back so you only need to go once. Worth going for a look if you can to look through the glass at the surgical looking service centre. Think it prob opens again on Monday with non essential retail on appt basis.

Thanks everyone.
We live a long way from Ken and St James's.
So, I think I'll wander into my AD (when allowed) and review the situation.
I will let you know how I get on.