OT: Rolex Repair

[abrewer]

Off-topic but still a finely-made piece of old-world engineering, my wife's Rolex has stopped and needs service (I think it was last in about eight years ago, maybe longer)

Has anyone a recommendation for who to send the watch to? It's a stainless/gold ladies day/date.

[ho_co]

Allan--
Google Rolex and visit their US homepage.

Apparently they no longer have official Rolex repair stations, but authorized external shops.

IIRC, you enter your Zip and get a listing of everyone in the (relative) neighborhood.

[ghulkhan]

I would take it into an authorized dealer and have them ship the watch to Rolex. You should get it serviced more often. 8 years is a very long time.

Also, you should make sure that the dealer themselves do not open the watch or try to service it. It should be sent to Rolex.

[usefeet]

I would contact the importer and ask for advice.

(if the watch is not worn regularly, the lubrication can congeal as it collects at the bottom of the wheels/cogs)

Cheers

[glenerrolrd]

Tourneau has an excellent watch servicing organization. They have stores in many larger cities and will ship your watch to the new york facility for cleaning and adjustment. Rolex used to have a full service organization in new york in their building on 5th avenue.
Both are very expensive and very slow but they have always done a good job for me.

A few things I have learned over the years with Rolex s .......the ladies models (exactly like yours ) require a lot more service than the mens. Our experience has been that the ladies oysters need cleaning and adjustment every 8-10 years. My Mom s Rolex has needs service about every 5 years ...she plays golf wearing it and rarely takes it off.

The Mens watches rarely need service . I have found zero benefit in cleaning and adjusting them unless they stop keeping accurate time. My first rolex was purchased in 1972....it was cleaned once after about 5 years (because thats what rolex recommends ) ..it hasn t been touched since and keeps perfect time. I do have a winder for it but even when it has been sitting for literally years ....it still keeps excellent time.

[glenerrolrd]

Looks like Tourneau doesn t carry or service Rolex ! And Rolex no longer highlights their own service center ..must be a new strategy....they recommend that you go thru the authorized dealer.

[ho_co]

That's what surprised me when I looked them up, Glen. There also used to be an official Rolex service center in Dallas, but that's gone as well.

Times have changed. Google "Rolex" and be surprised.

Unfortunately, both the excellent independent watch repairmen I knew have retired.

Someone remarked in another thread that it's a dying craft. Certainly rings some bells, doesn't it?

[symmetron]

I agree with ghulkhan. Have your authorized dealer ship it to Rolex; they'll do the best repair job. On one of my Rolexes, I had my authorized dealer repair it in house and there were problems...the stem leaked. Since then I always have them sent to Rolex for repair and have never had a problem. BTW, be prepared to spend about $750 or more.

[abrewer]

Originally Posted by ho_co

That's what surprised me when I looked them up, Glen. There also used to be an official Rolex service center in Dallas, but that's gone as well.

Oh my gosh!

That huge Rolex emblem was a navigational landmark for me when in Big D!



Thank you everyone for your responses. I was hoping there might be an independent watchmaker you could recommend, but such does not appear to be the case

I do have someone locally, but he wants over $500 to open/examine/clean/lubricate and replace the stem; and that's before any unexpected surprises

Sounds like I'd best go with him

[etp095]

Originally Posted by abrewer

Oh my gosh!

That huge Rolex emblem was a navigational landmark for me when in Big D!



Thank you everyone for your responses. I was hoping there might be an independent watchmaker you could recommend, but such does not appear to be the case

I do have someone locally, but he wants over $500 to open/examine/clean/lubricate and replace the stem; and that's before any unexpected surprises

Sounds like I'd best go with him

i would send it rolex in dallas or newyork,i had my 40 year old rolex serviced there this past march.they did a beautiful job on it,looks like new.the service will cost about $500 if they don't have to replace many extra parts,such as hands dial,crystal,etc.i wouldn't let just any shmuck work on any of my watches.call rolex and they will tell you how to ship the watch to them,mail it yourself,don't take it to a jeweler and have them send it to rolex.rolex will open up your watch and evaluate it's condition and mail you a estimate of the repair in writing.if you want some more advice on rolex's in general you could check out rolexforums.com,lots of great advice there.good luck

[cnguyen]

Interesting ! I didn't know they no longer have their own repair station. The one I usd to deal with was in Texas. I still have Sea Dweller and Two tone GMT Master II and they're still ticking away.

You don't own Rolex you merely keeping it for the next generation...

[budrichard]

Originally Posted by usefeet

I would contact the importer and ask for advice.

(if the watch is not worn regularly, the lubrication can congeal as it collects at the bottom of the wheels/cogs)

Cheers

Urban legend and absolute false.
Watch Time magazine investigated this legend at my instigation and the conclusion of the experts is, letting a watch sit with modern lubricants has no effect what so ever on the watch.

"You should get it serviced more often. 8 years is a very long time. "
Urban legend #2. I have purchased 6 Rolex watches new including a Sub, Daytona, Ladies TT. Ladies all gold and two SS Rolex's for my daughters.
My Sub is from 1979 and is still going strong and i am currently wearing it to destruction.
It goes where I go, kayaking, hunting, fishing and into radiological environments. It's scratched, the acrylic XL is chipped but it still works.
My wifes TT(1979) stopped after about ten years, was serviced by Rolex and still works fine. None of the others have had problems needing service.
If I was a diver, I would have my seals checked on my Sub at some interval. BTW, this really consists of putting the watch in a bell jar and pulling a negative pressure on the surrounding water in the jar. Evidence of a leak will be a small stream of bubbles from the watch and not water into the watch. I gave up doing that years ago. I'm still waiting for water to get into the watch
Do not go anywhere else for Rolex service but an authorized Rolex Service Center. They will use only Rolex parts and maintain some sembelance of a clean room. Dust, hairs and other small particles are the curse of watches.-Dick

[ho_co]

I generalized above. I don't know for sure whether the Dallas Service Center is still open, or, if so, whether it is still Rolex-owned.

I noticed a couple weeks back that Rolex's recommendation was 'take it to a dealer,' and that what used to be the Dallas service center wasn't listed differently than other dealers.

From that I assumed that the previously Rolex-owned offices may no longer be Rolex-owned.

Their 'find-a-dealer' page shows dealers plus the New York Regional Affiliate,
Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc.
665 Fifth Avenue
New York 10022
United States
TEL: +1 212 758 7700
FAX: +1 212 980 2166

So take my assumptions above with a grain of salt and let us know if the Rolex emblem still flies high over Dallas.


(Crummy, slow, Flash-driven web page IMHO. Enter at the top to get the option to turn off Flash and go HTML.)

[summarod]

Originally Posted by budrichard

Urban legend and absolute false.
Watch Time magazine investigated this legend at my instigation and the conclusion of the experts is, letting a watch sit with modern lubricants has no effect what so ever on the watch.

"You should get it serviced more often. 8 years is a very long time. "
Urban legend #2. I have purchased 6 Rolex watches new including a Sub, Daytona, Ladies TT. Ladies all gold and two SS Rolex's for my daughters.
My Sub is from 1979 and is still going strong and i am currently wearing it to destruction.
It goes where I go, kayaking, hunting, fishing and into radiological environments. It's scratched, the acrylic XL is chipped but it still works.
My wifes TT(1979) stopped after about ten years, was serviced by Rolex and still works fine. None of the others have had problems needing service.
If I was a diver, I would have my seals checked on my Sub at some interval. BTW, this really consists of putting the watch in a bell jar and pulling a negative pressure on the surrounding water in the jar. Evidence of a leak will be a small stream of bubbles from the watch and not water into the watch. I gave up doing that years ago. I'm still waiting for water to get into the watch
Do not go anywhere else for Rolex service but an authorized Rolex Service Center. They will use only Rolex parts and maintain some sembelance of a clean room. Dust, hairs and other small particles are the curse of watches.-Dick

Hello! Whoever made this up, he has absolutely no idea about watches! Just with a Leica been sitting around it does harm in one respect or another!
Although it is true, that a Rolex runs excellently for years without service, it should be pure reason to understand that the movement suffers from neglect! Bearings arbors gear trains need lubricants not to wear off and work to their specifications, just with any "machine" and a watch movement is a machine and a highly complex one. Noone on earth would expect his car to run for years without fresh oil!! Although Rolex uses high-chem to suspend service intervals do not expect it to perform without flaws over an extended period!
I once had a Rolex Oysterdate without service from new for ten years, it ran plus minus zero to perfection with a lot of travels, climate changes and hard work on my side ! When I handed it in for service,- it had been running completely dry and service costs were far higher than usual! So whatever you do, you will have to pay the prize sooner or later.
If a Rolex is worn permanently, I would suggest a service every 5 to 7 years, with a ladies model at least every 5 years.
My 16550 was ready for service after only 5 years.
If you can`t afford that, sorry to say so, buy a cheaper watch.
If you mistreat your watches like you suggest, I very strongly doubt that they are running to Rolex specs!
I agree with the statement that only Rolex itself can provide the real service. I think it`s Rolex in New York, my US cousin had his models there.
Best Wolfhard

[glenerrolrd]

The problem with the discussion about " the need for service" is that its only relevant if it affects the watch performance.

I purchased my first Rolex in 1972 with my first "real job" paycheck. I had it cleaned once and it cost almost as much as the watch did new. The watch keeps excellent time and has never been touched since. So thats 37 years and 32 since it has been cleaned.

We have quite a few Rolex s in the family ..probably a dozen. The ladies oysters seem to have problems ..but you know it because they stop running.

I would only use Rolex service if I could afford it as there are numerous shops that short cut the process and use replacement parts. You will not find this generally with the big established jewelry stores ..like Tourneau or Wempe.

[budrichard]

"Hello! Whoever made this up, he has absolutely no idea about watches! Just with a Leica been sitting around it does harm in one respect or another! "

My Letter to Watch Time magazine and their subsequent investigation and subsequent report in the magazine are public record. Look them up.

"So thats 37 years and 32 since it has been cleaned. "
It appears that i am not alone!

"If you can`t afford that, sorry to say so, buy a cheaper watch."

BAD choice of words! Have you priced a Ladies all gold with MOP/Diamond dial or SS. Daytona lately from an authorised US Rolex Dealer and not some aftermarket parts add on watch? I have and have paid for them. I can afford whatever I want but as an engineer its interesting debunking these Urban Legends and not needlessly subjecting a watch to service. Believe it or not the biggest problems usually result from the watch case being opened for cleaning in a dirty environment. The less that case is opended, the better for the watch, so if it works, leave it be. Personally I dont care how often you service your Rolex's.
BTW, my M's never go in for service unless they stop working. Purchased 1963 M3 about 20 years ago, Leica tech at a Leica 'Clean and Check Day' (remember those) showed me the intact L seal and that the shuuter speeds and camera still checked out OK. No lube left though. Tech send it in within a year and it will be OK. Had Leica perform CLA and its been working fine every since.-Dick

[summarod]

Hi Dick, don`t take it personal!

I repeat, I strongly doubt, that your watches are running to their intended precision, and I mean precision. You don`t seem to care about that main argument for a Rolex. Then you don`t seem to actually need one.
Also you are adding up to my impression, that some folks seem to buy European luxury items just for the brand name and reputation and don`t give a .... about their real intrinsic value, may it be a watch, a car or a camera.

WHY are you buying Rolex, when you don`t seem to understand what it is all about?

Just curious, Wolfhard

[usefeet]

Originally Posted by budrichard

Urban legend and absolute false.
Watch Time magazine investigated this legend at my instigation and the conclusion of the experts is, letting a watch sit with modern lubricants has no effect what so ever on the watch.

Just responding to your response.

This happened to me, and that was the explanation given from the importer (and authorized service centre) about my watch a year ago.

Quite seperate from that, I don't believe everything I read (I suppose some people do).

Also, ..I wouldn't fly an aeroplane that's been in storage for a year!

[glenerrolrd]

Originally Posted by summarod

Hi Dick, don`t take it personal!

I repeat, I strongly doubt, that your watches are running to their intended precision, and I mean precision. You don`t seem to care about that main argument for a Rolex. Then you don`t seem to actually need one.
Also you are adding up to my impression, that some folks seem to buy European luxury items just for the brand name and reputation and don`t give a .... about their real intrinsic value, may it be a watch, a car or a camera.

WHY are you buying Rolex, when you don`t seem to understand what it is all about?

Just curious, Wolfhard

Wolford

I have been collecting watches for almost 40 years.....haven t bought a single one because it keep great time. Almost any quartz movement will keep better time than a Rolex...

Now if your watch loses 5-10 minutes a day then thats a different story .

Most people buy a Rolex for their beauty and to marvel at the durability . I would say that almost 40 years of on and off usage qualifies.

The only reasons to clean and adjust a watch would be


1. to insure that it keeps accurate time ..if its not acceptable

2. to make it last longer

Unfortunately even with factory service ..you have some risk that you catch a technician on a bad day.......so some consideration must be made in avoiding unnecessary service.

Roger

[budrichard]

Originally Posted by summarod

Hi Dick, don`t take it personal!

I repeat, I strongly doubt, that your watches are running to their intended precision, and I mean precision. You don`t seem to care about that main argument for a Rolex. Then you don`t seem to actually need one.
Also you are adding up to my impression, that some folks seem to buy European luxury items just for the brand name and reputation and don`t give a .... about their real intrinsic value, may it be a watch, a car or a camera.

WHY are you buying Rolex, when you don`t seem to understand what it is all about?

Just curious, Wolfhard

Wolfhard, you are not dealing in facts but suppositions.
"I strongly doubt', 'you don't seem to care', 'you don't actually need one' and the list goes on. Having an discourse based on suppositions with someone just does not work. You don't know a thing about me and I don't know anything about you.
Also your impression of me matters not in the least to me.
Concentrate on the Original Post and try to help the Poster obtain some useful information.
If you don't like the information I Posted, rebut the information but do not make suppositions about me. EOT for me. -Dick