Vintage breakdowns

[Will Houston]

I have not been able to find any contact within the Rolex organisation so I am going via your media in the hopes that someone will contact me.
I bought a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date around 1975 and it has been on my wrist, except for Rolex services, until 2015 when it stopped. Repair cost £685 and all was well until 2017 when it stopped again. Rolex in Paris gave me a quotation on 11/10/2017 for the repair which detailed a new crown, polishing the case and bracelet and new hands for €700. This quotation I considered excessive. I went back to the original jeweller and the repair cost was £450. So within two and one half years I have paid to Rolex approved agents some £1135
Now in August 2020 it has stopped again and I could expect another hefty bill with the possibility of yet another breakdown in two years just after the guarantee expires.
I wonder why the watch that worked perfectly for 42 years, it has now stopped 3 times in total and twice within two years. I am beginning to question the skills of the horologists. Also how can I get a repair that is fit for purpose that considers the recent history?

[swatty]

Firstly this site is not affiliated with Rolex

Sorry to hear of your plight, however as with anything mechanical things can start to break as they get older and need more than normal service.

Oh and I forgot to say welcome to TRF. Would love to see some pics of your watch

[zapokee]

How are you not able to contact Rolex? They have a worldwide network of Authorized Dealers and Rolex Service Centers, all of which have phone numbers, email addresses and brick-and-mortar premises.

Get it serviced by a trustworthy vintage independent if Rolex isn't doing the job for you. You'll be waiting a long time for somebody from Rolex to contact you via this site.

[swaini3]

i suggest finding a reputable vintage watchmaker that knows what his stuff. Im sure if you ask in the forum someone can guide you or suggest an expert that is close to your location.

[Vlad]

I'm actually surprised that Rolex (even in Paris) would work on cal 1570.

[Mnicolini300]

I’d have it serviced by Phillip Ridley

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Vlad

I'm actually surprised that Rolex (even in Paris) would work on cal 1570.

Why is that? 15×× can be worked on even by AD watchmakers throughout Europe.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Mnicolini300

I’d have it serviced by Phillip Ridley

Sigh... The world is more than just America...

Plenty of places in Europe where one can have a vintage Rolex restored, both officially and indie. Watchmaking originated here in Europe, remember?

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Sigh... The world is more than just America...

Plenty of places in Europe where one can have a vintage Rolex restored, both officially and indie. Watchmaking originated here in Europe, remember?

It was however completely eclipsed by American watchmaking. American Railroad pocket watches were and are still some of the finest watches ever made and in the same time period the Swiss were making what was the equivalent of Chinese Junk knock offs.

[Will Houston]

Originally Posted by zapokee

How are you not able to contact Rolex? They have a worldwide network of Authorized Dealers and Rolex Service Centers, all of which have phone numbers, email addresses and brick-and-mortar premises.

Get it serviced by a trustworthy vintage independent if Rolex isn't doing the job for you. You'll be waiting a long time for somebody from Rolex to contact you via this site.

I have dealt with Rolex all the life of the watch but after its first major repair it lasted 26 months before stopping and the next repair of that lasted under three years.
I have lost faith in the Rolex Dealers so I hope to get some recommendations for a independant horologist for a repair in France

[Will Houston]

Originally Posted by swatty

Firstly this site is not affiliated with Rolex

Sorry to hear of your plight, however as with anything mechanical things can start to break as they get older and need more than normal service.

Oh and I forgot to say welcome to TRF. Would love to see some pics of your watch

I agree to age but not to the Rolex services with two breakdown after an expensive service.
Also why do you wish a photo?

[tekno]

Good idea, I’m sure someone can recommend someone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Dan S]

Try typing this into your browser:

site:rolexforums.com watchmaker france

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

It was however completely eclipsed by American watchmaking. American Railroad pocket watches were and are still some of the finest watches ever made and in the same time period the Swiss were making what was the equivalent of Chinese Junk knock offs.

Tommy, that's harsh...

However, you do have a point. We can discuss wrist watches, but the quality of an average RR watch is so much better than 99% of Swiss watches of the same time frame. Yes, Swiss watches might have had more complications (there are not a lot of American repeater chronos or perpetual calendars), but for every day use and amazing accuracy, they were unbeatable.

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Why is that? 15×× can be worked on even by AD watchmakers throughout Europe.

As far as I know (I could be very wrong), Rolex Service center does not accept cal 15xx, 10xx, 7xx, 6xx for service. Newest 15xx is over 30 years old (5513 L Serial - correct?)

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Why is that? 15×× can be worked on even by AD watchmakers throughout Europe.

ADs and independents with parts accounts can work on whatever they want. A Rolex Service Center has different rules.

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by Vlad

As far as I know (I could be very wrong), Rolex Service center does not accept cal 15xx, 10xx, 7xx, 6xx for service. Newest 15xx is over 30 years old (5513 L Serial - correct?)

Maybe some, not all. Rolex (abu dhabi- uae) serviced my 1680 red (157x movement) recently and they respected my request of not replacing any exterior parts.

[Yzord]

Originally Posted by Vlad

As far as I know (I could be very wrong), Rolex Service center does not accept cal 15xx, 10xx, 7xx, 6xx for service. Newest 15xx is over 30 years old (5513 L Serial - correct?)

Personally i think it is 'stupid' not to service those cals anymore. i really see no reason why they shouldn't. Yes, these are old cals, but they are also well known cals for them and i can't imagine they do not have parts for them anymore.

Just go to an official Rolex retailer (https://www.rolex.com/rolex-dealers) and contact one of them. I wouldn't go to a normal watchmaker without some good references for Rolex watches, but if Rolex really don't do 15xx cals anymore, ask here for some references of some good watchmakers.

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by Vlad

As far as I know (I could be very wrong), Rolex Service center does not accept cal 15xx, 10xx, 7xx, 6xx for service. Newest 15xx is over 30 years old (5513 L Serial - correct?)

Basically, what he means is that Rolex authorized service centers in Europe still services the 1500-series movements. All of the ADs I have been to are also authorized service centers or uses one.

Rolex USA does apparently not accept 1500-series movements for service in their authorized service centers.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Basically, what he means is that Rolex authorized service centers in Europe still services the 1500-series movements. All of the ADs I have been to are also authorized service centers or uses one.

Rolex USA does apparently not accept 1500-series movements for service in their authorized service centers.

Not sure this is true. Last fall I took my 1665 DRSD (1570 movement) to the RSC in NYC. They were willing to service it, although I declined.

[Will Houston]

Originally Posted by swatty

Firstly this site is not affiliated with Rolex

Sorry to hear of your plight, however as with anything mechanical things can start to break as they get older and need more than normal service.

Oh and I forgot to say welcome to TRF. Would love to see some pics of your watch

Why do you wish to see a photo of my watch?