I'm curious if RSC's put chamfers on serviced 5 digit Subs and GMT's

[502 to Right]

I'm currently on the hunt for a 16710 Pepsi that I plan to get serviced by Rolex. Many cases of this vintage have had their lug chamfers polished out. I'm curious if Rolex is shaping the lugs during service to create chamfers again.

I know companies like Zimmerman Watch Repair, RolliWorks, and LA WatchWorks recreate the chamfers, but have no idea if the RSC's are doing this.

Does anyone have experience with this?

[yowlie]

I am going to say yes. That generation do not have a pronounced chamfer really, but RSC will go back to factory and have the equipment for that.

[KatGirl]

I doubt it. If they have to add metal back, to create chamfers, RSC would not provide that service. I think if you want that done, you would need to send it to a more specialized repair facility, like the ones you mentioned.

Kat


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[sportsfan0704]

They can. But you’re better off with one of those third parties because they will add the metal back on to get the proper finish. It is also a lot easier to communicate with them about specific requests than with Rolex. I just sent my 16710 out for this exact thing to Zimmerman so I get it

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Negative. They do not. Can they? I don't see why not. But they don't do it. Just polish the shite out of your watch

[hutch300]

I would have it done by Zimmerman but if you buy a watch why not buy one in better shape that doesn't need to be recut?

Do you shop for cars that need to go to the body shop for a new quarter panel? I don't mean this to be rude. Its to provide context. You can get a great 16710 without issue and it will be cheaper in the long run.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by hutch300

I would have it done by Zimmerman but if you buy a watch why not buy one in better shape that doesn't need to be recut?

Do you shop for cars that need to go to the body shop for a new quarter panel? I don't mean this to be rude. Its to provide context. You can get a great 16710 without issue and it will be cheaper in the long run.

This.. buy in as good condition as you can find. Last thing you want is to part with a watch that you are on honeymoon with for weeks/months for repairs?

[502 to Right]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

They can. But you’re better off with one of those third parties because they will add the metal back on to get the proper finish. It is also a lot easier to communicate with them about specific requests than with Rolex. I just sent my 16710 out for this exact thing to Zimmerman so I get it

ZWR worked on a 114270 Explorer for me. It came back looking like new from Rolex. They do fantastic work. It was a lesson learned for me that when Gray Market Dealers call something in "Excellent" condition, it probably means "overpolished." I'm looking at you Bob's.

I asked about RSC because if they did work similar to ZWR I could save some money. But that's not the most important factor. And it sounds like they don't.

[502 to Right]

Originally Posted by hutch300

if you buy a watch why not buy one in better shape that doesn't need to be recut?

Do you shop for cars that need to go to the body shop for a new quarter panel? I don't mean this to be rude. Its to provide context. You can get a great 16710 without issue and it will be cheaper in the long run.

That's the goal. But I want to know what my options are as I start the process. So this thread is for info gathering rather than a plan of action.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

That's the goal. But I want to know what my options are as I start the process. So this thread is for info gathering rather than a plan of action.

And sometimes this isn’t practical. A chamfer repair is 6-800 dollars. If you price that into the watch, it could end up a better deal. To each their own of course.

[jacowestt]

This right here is a tough one, especially since the chamfers are such a defining feature of the 16710 Pepsi. From what I know, Rolex Service Centers (RSC) tend to focus more on polishing rather than reshaping the case or restoring chamfers. They generally aim for a factory-fresh look, but don't typically go as far as recreating the original chamfered edges like specialized restorers such as RolliWorks or LA WatchWorks. If retaining those original lines is important to you, it might be worth considering one of the independent specialists who are known for their case refinishing expertise.

[Salty_Owl]

I just got my 16710 coke back from service. When I took it in I asked for full polish and brushing, essentially make it look brand new.

I was amazed at the result, it looks brand spanking new and they put the polished chamfer back on the case, I've never seen it look so good, nor did i ever think i'd see the chamfer so defined again.

So yes they will put the chamfer back on and they did a bloody good job too.

Edit: confirming it was RSC who did the service, not a third party or independent.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Negative. They do not. Can they? I don't see why not. But they don't do it. Just polish the out of your watch

?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

I'm currently on the hunt for a 16710 Pepsi that I plan to get serviced by Rolex. Many cases of this vintage have had their lug chamfers polished out. I'm curious if Rolex is shaping the lugs during service to create chamfers again.

I know companies like Zimmerman Watch Repair, RolliWorks, and LA WatchWorks recreate the chamfers, but have no idea if the RSC's are doing this.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Well my own 16600 SD from late 1990s early 2000 had very hard life working as a tool watch underwater.And its been serviced and polished by 4 different RSC world wide and they have always returned it with original case chamfers.

[brandrea]

Good luck OP, I hope you find one in decent shape

[77T]

Originally Posted by Andad

?

Yep me too.

The trend of posts from the beginning of the thread back in Sept. 2024, went from "will they?", "can they?", and then "they don't" from fairly uninformed opinions.

As Peter showed, Rolex does return a fully serviced watch to nearly new condition including chamfers.


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[Old Expat Beast]

I've had multiple 5-digits returned from RSC with light polishing and carefully redefined chamfers, including Subs, EXPs, EXPIIs and GMTs.

[rmagoo57]

Originally Posted by Salty_Owl

I just got my 16710 coke back from service. When I took it in I asked for full polish and brushing, essentially make it look brand new.

I was amazed at the result, it looks brand spanking new and they put the polished chamfer back on the case, I've never seen it look so good, nor did i ever think i'd see the chamfer so defined again.

So yes they will put the chamfer back on and they did a bloody good job too.

Edit: confirming it was RSC who did the service, not a third party or independent.

Would love to see it. Please share some pics!!!

[502 to Right]

I clicked on this thread. Then realized I started it several months ago.

As noted above, the responses were all over the board.

[502 to Right]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Good luck OP, I hope you find one in decent shape

I did.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

I did.

That’s fantastic! Please post some pictures here


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[worldofoyster]

RSC does polishing, but not laser welding

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

RSC does polishing, but not laser welding

This is my understanding as well. RSC will reshape the case, bring it back to as close to new as possible, by removing metal, through polishing, not adding metal, via welding.

Kat


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