Rolex AD poor job

[BlackBay]

Sent in my 16610 for its first ever service since 2010. Watch was still mint except for a scratch on the side of the left lug.

AD said it could be easily repaired. Regardless, I requested laser welding instead of buffing it out.

I am really disappointed with the end result.

Thanks god they didn't touch the other 3 lugs.


Before:



After






What are your thoughts on this? Was I expecting too much?

I don't understand why they have shaved down the lug from the top. As a result there is almost no height difference between the lug and the bracelet SEL.

Also, the brushed surface now looks too polished, casting weird lights on the lug and making it look totally asymmetrical.

I doubt they have used laser welding after all - although it was paid for.

Thoughts?

[garyk]

Unfortunate is all I can say. There are options but not sure if they might only make things worse?!

[garyk]

If I may ask, which RSC did you send this to?

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by garyk

Unfortunate is all I can say. There are options but not sure if they might only make things worse?!

It is possible to fix this, new material must be added and a recut of the lug. There are numerous of restaurateurs who can do it.

I am mostly shocked with the poor craftsmanship / indifference of the Rolex AD.

Originally Posted by garyk

If I may ask, which RSC did you send this to?

This was not a RSC. It's a Rolex AD in Amsterdam that employs "Rolex trained polishers and watch makers" - according to AD.

[joli160]

I don’t see what’s wrong with it ?

[brandrea]

Can you show a picture of the same view of the same lug that was repaired?

[Dendi]

Zimmerman Watch Repair in Pennsylvania had pics of a before and after lug extension and repolishing, which looked amazing. I believe material was added with laser to the lug tip , then polished to original factory specs. I haven't personally used them, but have heard very good things about them from members here. I've also had unsatisfactory laser work done on my 16610 so I can relate.

[77T]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

What are your thoughts on this? Was I expecting too much?

If you mean this spot I circled on the lug, I understand.



I don't believe that was laser welded. I think they did try remediation instead and didn't go deep enough.


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[Chiboy]

I struggle to see the obvious problems in most of these threads too. But I thought it was the blue circle, where the lug seems like perhaps it's been ground down too much?

[HogwldFLTR]

My work browser isn't showing the images in the first post. A couple of comments.

1) I wasn't aware that Rolex does laser welding. Usually, from my experience that is done by specialty shops. They usually polish or sell replacement cases.

2) If the post by ZZT is showing the problem then I'd agree that it hasn't been laser welded as there would have been metal added and the lug reshaped.

3) polishing a single lug would almost always result in different textures from the rest of the case.

4) Polishing is best paired with servicing. Living with the damage is the best way to go until it's time for service.

5) did they say they were capable of laser welding? I'd have a conversation with them as to why the damage is still present.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Dendi

Zimmerman Watch Repair in Pennsylvania had pics of a before and after lug extension and repolishing, which looked amazing. I believe material was added with laser to the lug tip , then polished to original factory specs. I haven't personally used them, but have heard very good things about them from members here. I've also had unsatisfactory laser work done on my 16610 so I can relate.

Sorry this happened to you OP. Zimmerman is your solution here depending on how much you want to spend. I wouldn't even bother with that AD anymore. Take it as a learning experience.

[liveralone]

Looks like they polished the ish out of it to try and get the marks out. No laser welding was done there. I used RollieWorks once and they did an incredible job. I’d explore that.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I struggle to see the obvious problems in most of these threads too. But I thought it was the blue circle, where the lug seems like perhaps it's been ground down too much?

The solid endlink of the bracelet sits a bit lower than the lugs. There's a noticeable difference in height.

The left lug has indeed sanded down too much, killing this height difference.

You can clearly see that difference between the left and right lug.

The 16610 has a coarser brush pattern than the ceramic Sub - this is harder to recreate. Because they've sanded down the lug from the top, this brush pattern has been flattened/smoothened. This adds to the asymmetry.

Also, the transition line on the edge has been widened.

Hope this helps understanding the picture.

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

To everyone claiming they don't see what's wrong. Look at this pic. The left lug was clearly heavily rounded. You can even see how the reflection is uneven due to how much they messed with the lug. To OP, I don't think there's anything you can do at this point to get it back to original shape. As to how you should proceed and what compensation would suffice, that's up for you to decide.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by georgekart

To everyone claiming they don't see what's wrong. Look at this pic. The left lug was clearly heavily rounded. You can even see how the reflection is uneven due to how much they messed with the lug. To OP, I don't think there's anything you can do at this point to get it back to original shape. As to how you should proceed and what compensation would suffice, that's up for you to decide.

Indeed. The reflection is an obvious sign as well.

It is fixable, look at Instagram @watchesspa for example. There are other ones in the USA as well (Zimmerman is one of them).

Just a lesson learned: do not trust Rolex AD with anything other than movement service or part swaps.

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

Indeed. The reflection is an obvious sign as well.

It is fixable, look at Instagram @watchesspa for example. There are other ones in the USA as well (Zimmerman is one of them).

Just a lesson learned: do not trust Rolex AD with anything other than movement service or part swaps.

Usually when the watch is restored to perfect it's because it had a gouge in it that was filled with laser and then restored. That's way easier to do than adding a lot of material that has been already grounded down to equal the level of the gouge. And seeing as you are in NL, contact @polisherdoom on IG. You can see he does good case and bracelet restoration as well. (And I think Amsterdam Vintage Watches either still do or at least have in the past used his services.) That being said, I feel like too much material has been taken off, but you never know.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by georgekart

Usually when the watch is restored to perfect it's because it had a gouge in it that was filled with laser and then restored. That's way easier to do than adding a lot of material that has been already grounded down to equal the level of the gouge. And seeing as you are in NL, contact @polisherdoom on IG. You can see he does good case and bracelet restoration as well. (And I think Amsterdam Vintage Watches either still do or at least have in the past used his services.) That being said, I feel like too much material has been taken off, but you never know.

It’s funny you mentioned him. He works for that Rolex AD and requested me to go through there. Rolex sales rep says he’s the one doing the case works. This is why I went through because his work on Instagram looks good. So perhaps someone else worked on my watch after all.

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

It’s funny you mentioned him. He works for that Rolex AD and requested me to go through there. Rolex sales rep says he’s the one doing the case works. This is why I went through because his work on Instagram looks good. So perhaps someone else worked on my watch after all.

Wow, now that's crazy.

[pk552502]

I see the issue. The lug is rounded at the edge and it looks like they shaved too much off the top of the lug. This is one of the reasons I decline polishing- you never know what you're going to get.

To be honest, I think I would just live with it and just enjoy it since what is done is done. I have a couple watches with worse polishing jobs that I bought early on before I had an eye for it.

[ltmgeller]

Sorry to hear. Are they offering a solution?

[Pboned]

Sorry to hear about your experience. I’d expect a better job from them.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

My work browser isn't showing the images in the first post. A couple of comments.

1) I wasn't aware that Rolex does laser welding. Usually, from my experience that is done by specialty shops. They usually polish or sell replacement cases.

2) If the post by ZZT is showing the problem then I'd agree that it hasn't been laser welded as there would have been metal added and the lug reshaped.

3) polishing a single lug would almost always result in different textures from the rest of the case.

4) Polishing is best paired with servicing. Living with the damage is the best way to go until it's time for service.

5) did they say they were capable of laser welding? I'd have a conversation with them as to why the damage is still present.

I apologize for my misread. You did say that you sent it in for service and not just for the refin.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

My work browser isn't showing the images in the first post. A couple of comments.

1) I wasn't aware that Rolex does laser welding. Usually, from my experience that is done by specialty shops. They usually polish or sell replacement cases.

2) If the post by ZZT is showing the problem then I'd agree that it hasn't been laser welded as there would have been metal added and the lug reshaped.

3) polishing a single lug would almost always result in different textures from the rest of the case.

4) Polishing is best paired with servicing. Living with the damage is the best way to go until it's time for service.

5) did they say they were capable of laser welding? I'd have a conversation with them as to why the damage is still present.

1. Me neither. I once called RSC Cologne, Germany and they also told me they can do it.

2. Agree. Seems like laser welding has not been done.

3. I guess if the dent was filled with the laser and lapped, the brushed area shouldn't have been touched all that much. Just slightly where the dent existed. Instead, the entire lug has been polished - erasing the brushed finish.

4. Indeed, full service

5. Sales rep was in between myself and polisher, so another lesson learned: ask if you can talk to the guy who is going to work on your watch so you can align on expectations.



As to the conversation I had: I pissed off the sales rep when the first thing I said was that I am not satisfied when he pulled the watch out of the service case. To make things worse, the insert fell out of the watch at that moment as well.


The lug - Sales guy asked the watchmaker to come down and he said it's all within Rolex standards of polishing up to no more than 30%.

However, I specifically requested laser welding per email, stating that I do not want to sacrifice material by buffing out that dent. Laser welding was another EUR 80 surcharge.

Should I follow-up per email? What are y'all thoughts on this?

[shaunylw]

I generally won’t send anything but 6 digit watches to Rolex to service. They destroyed a 5 digit explorer 2. thin the lugs out so much i ended up dumping it. This doesn’t look particularly bad.


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[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

I generally won’t send anything but 6 digit watches to Rolex to service. They destroyed a 5 digit explorer 2. thin the lugs out so much i ended up dumping it. This doesn’t look particularly bad.


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I am going to Poland and let watchesspa take care of it.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

1. Me neither. I once called RSC Cologne, Germany and they also told me they can do it.

2. Agree. Seems like laser welding has not been done.

3. I guess if the dent was filled with the laser and lapped, the brushed area shouldn't have been touched all that much. Just slightly where the dent existed. Instead, the entire lug has been polished - erasing the brushed finish.

4. Indeed, full service

5. Sales rep was in between myself and polisher, so another lesson learned: ask if you can talk to the guy who is going to work on your watch so you can align on expectations.



As to the conversation I had: I pissed off the sales rep when the first thing I said was that I am not satisfied when he pulled the watch out of the service case. To make things worse, the insert fell out of the watch at that moment as well.


The lug - Sales guy asked the watchmaker to come down and he said it's all within Rolex standards of polishing up to no more than 30%.

However, I specifically requested laser welding per email, stating that I do not want to sacrifice material by buffing out that dent. Laser welding was another EUR 80 surcharge.

Should I follow-up per email? What are y'all thoughts on this?

I'd follow-up on the email as it can't hurt. It was a specified requirement for the work which was either fumbled or ignored. You paid for something which you didn't get. It sounds to me like the sales rep was a knuckle dragger who can't read or was just too lazy.

[Dendi]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

I am going to Poland and let watchesspa take care of it.

His work does look impressive. I've seen a few YouTube videos of him doing case restoration, including laser welding. Hopefully fixes your watch back to specs.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by georgekart

To everyone claiming they don't see what's wrong. Look at this pic. The left lug was clearly heavily rounded. You can even see how the reflection is uneven due to how much they messed with the lug. To OP, I don't think there's anything you can do at this point to get it back to original shape. As to how you should proceed and what compensation would suffice, that's up for you to decide.

Now I see it, the height difference would probably bug me the most.
Clearly an amateur job.

Hopefully watchesspa does a better job

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

I am going to Poland and let watchesspa take care of it.

Upload pictures when you get it back

I’m curious to see how much better work is done


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[robinhenrywatches]

What they did is terrible. That was over polished, and not done well.


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