Rolex repair

[RoleyPoley100]

Hi (new poster).

I have a question about a repair for my Rolex Sub. A few xmas drinks and being a bit worse for wear, had a bit of a fall and scratched two links right at the top of my watch. I took it to Goldsmith today and they said it's only possible to replace the links at the bottom, and to get it serviced would be £600 min as a refurb.

Would anyone know what my options are at all? They talked about finding a jeweller to buff it out but didn't recommend as it would remove a layer of the metal (its two tone Gold and Silver)....any advice welcomed guys cheers.

[GradyPhilpott]

Make enough posts to be able to post some pictures.

It all depends on how deep the scratches are.

You should really contact RSC and get their opinion.

Battle scars are not necessarily a bad thing in my humble judgement.

[inadeje]

I’m not sure if you have bracelet referb companies in the UK. Here we have Rolliworks and there are a few others who would “pull” those links out and replace with new, to avoid a new bracelet piece. Rolex only offers to replace the whole section of a bracelet in these instances.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RoleyPoley100

Hi (new poster).

I have a question about a repair for my Rolex Sub. A few xmas drinks and being a bit worse for wear, had a bit of a fall and scratched two links right at the top of my watch. I took it to Goldsmith today and they said it's only possible to replace the links at the bottom, and to get it serviced would be £600 min as a refurb.

Would anyone know what my options are at all? They talked about finding a jeweller to buff it out but didn't recommend as it would remove a layer of the metal (its two tone Gold and Silver)....any advice welcomed guys cheers.

First your watch is gold and stainless steel all scratches best left till normal service depending on use every 5-10 year's.

[RoleyPoley100]

I have about 4 years until service due, but it mentally stings every time I look at the watch so really want it repaired. It could have been a lot worse in fairness, and will take a look at bracelet repairs. I still have some spare links in the box, here's me thinking I could just get a jeweller to replace the scratched links :(

[drrd]

Originally Posted by RoleyPoley100

I have about 4 years until service due, but it mentally stings every time I look at the watch so really want it repaired. It could have been a lot worse in fairness, and will take a look at bracelet repairs. I still have some spare links in the box, here's me thinking I could just get a jeweller to replace the scratched links :(

The end link that attaches to the watch body and the next three links or so (on Oyster) don't have screws so the spare links won't help.

Keep posting though, only 8 more posts and we can get a look at the damage

[Bxtek]

Yes, please post pics when you can. Unfortunately the upper links are not like the lower links with the screws for sizing. They are a different size as well. Depending on how bad the damage is, I probably would just leave it and enjoy the watch! Each nick, scratch and imperfection on a watch tells a story. If you really need to fix it, there are services from companies like Michael Young and Rolliworks that specialize in these exact types of repairs.

[RoleyPoley100]

https://ibb.co/tZ175jM
https://ibb.co/2nvF3wj
https://ibb.co/Bw9xFKj
https://ibb.co/LSMt64g

[RoleyPoley100]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

Yes, please post pics when you can. Unfortunately the upper links are not like the lower links with the screws for sizing. They are a different size as well. Depending on how bad the damage is, I probably would just leave it and enjoy the watch! Each nick, scratch and imperfection on a watch tells a story. If you really need to fix it, there are services from companies like Michael Young and Rolliworks that specialize in these exact types of repairs.

Love this man

[Flintstone]

Keep the watch as is. It will serve as a remembrance of the evening -- with will be good for you, as you probably don't remember anything else.

[Tools]

Find a different repair shop

Those links can easily be cleaned up and refinished to an almost-new look.

Be cautious where you go though, they can also be ruined by heavy hands. You do not need your watch serviced for this.

[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by RoleyPoley100

Hi (new poster).

I have a question about a repair for my Rolex Sub. A few xmas drinks and being a bit worse for wear, had a bit of a fall and scratched two links right at the top of my watch. I took it to Goldsmith today and they said it's only possible to replace the links at the bottom, and to get it serviced would be £600 min as a refurb.

Would anyone know what my options are at all? They talked about finding a jeweller to buff it out but didn't recommend as it would remove a layer of the metal (its two tone Gold and Silver)....any advice welcomed guys cheers.

Hey Fella, as mention Rolliworks and Michael Young do incredible work, in regards to repairs and refurbishments, we all go through emotional turmoil when it comes to damage just try to not get upset about it as most damage can be put right, welcome to the forum all the best "H"

[RoleyPoley100]

Appreciate it fellas. It's my 35th birthday today, and I've spent my day fretting about this so thanks for making me feel better ppl.

[JodyHighroller]

As mentioned by the others, those are the permanent bracelet sections which cannot have individual links replaced. You can take it an independent who can do a polish/spot weld and fix back like new.

Rolliworks and Michael Young are out of country so not sure if you want to send abroad. You can look up @the_watch_polisher on Instagram as he’s based in London and seems to do excellent work. Does both polishing and laser welding.

[BielWatches]

Ask to see some samples of work before you have it get polished when you do. I hear tons of horror stories of polish jobs that butcher the watch.

[TimeLord2]

You can post pics now. However, you will need 10 posts for a URL. Instead of Post Quick Reply - Go Advanced. Follow the sizing rules in the pop up window for the file format which will most likely be a JPG.

[drrd]

I'd probably wait until it's time for a service at RSC and they'll refinish as part of the job.

[NIHO]

That’s nothing, just a scratch. Soon you will forget about it and just enjoy the watch

[ikincooper]

Happy Birthday OP. Whilst the scratches look bad, I promise you that with time you stop focusing on them!

I know this from “damage” done to my own watches. As others have said, the scratches will remind you of your birthday celebrations and maybe one day even become something that you cherish for that reason. If not when you do get around to sending it off for a service, it’ll come back looking amazing


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[Cigars&Watches]

I would leave it personally. You will get new scratches after if you get it fixed. Hopefully it’s a fun reminder of your night. :)

[Gab27]

For those saying leave it as is until the next service, it's a perfectly viable option (and probably the route I would take myself), but this is ultimately your decision as it is your watch. All said though, FWIW, the most important advice I can offer is to give this a week or so before taking any action, and don't let it ruin your birthday. These watches are tough as nails and they can be cosmetically refinished pretty easily when in the right hands. But be sure a specialist is the one doing the refinishing.

There's always some personal preferences on exactly who to send this sort of thing to, but three options to note are RSC (Rolex Service Center, which is Rolex's repair operations), and RolliWorks and LA Watch Works (which are two independent repair shops held in high regards, both in the US--I assume others will chime in with equivalents in the UK.)

The links don't get replaced though...they get refinished. The good news is that this isn't as bad as it seems. The missing metal on the lug might need a speck of laser welding, but that is well within the capabilities of these respective companies (we have a Rolex watchmaker on this forum who has shared posts of the results.)

Also, I cannot tell if the ceramic bezel is just dirty or scratched. If it is scratched and you wish to replace it, that adds to the costs (mine is lightly scratched and it really doesn't bother me, but again this is about what you wish to do).

Hope this helps and happy birthday!

[garyk]

Originally Posted by RoleyPoley100

Appreciate it fellas. It's my 35th birthday today, and I've spent my day fretting about this so thanks for making me feel better ppl.

I destroyed a new YG DD once while crashing my Harley and I was 35 so i understand your regret.
Don't feel bad, send it to Rollieworks and you will never regret the cost...Be more careful in the future lol

[Oxfordian]

If the scratches bother you, send it to Rolex and it will come back as good as new.

Check your house contents insurance, you may have a policy which covers you for accidental damage and could be used to pay the bill.

[RoleyPoley100]

Originally Posted by Gab27

For those saying leave it as is until the next service, it's a perfectly viable option (and probably the route I would take myself), but this is ultimately your decision as it is your watch. All said though, FWIW, the most important advice I can offer is to give this a week or so before taking any action, and don't let it ruin your birthday. These watches are tough as nails and they can be cosmetically refinished pretty easily when in the right hands. But be sure a specialist is the one doing the refinishing.

There's always some personal preferences on exactly who to send this sort of thing to, but three options to note are RSC (Rolex Service Center, which is Rolex's repair operations), and RolliWorks and LA Watch Works (which are two independent repair shops held in high regards, both in the US--I assume others will chime in with equivalents in the UK.)

The links don't get replaced though...they get refinished. The good news is that this isn't as bad as it seems. The missing metal on the lug might need a speck of laser welding, but that is well within the capabilities of these respective companies (we have a Rolex watchmaker on this forum who has shared posts of the results.)

Also, I cannot tell if the ceramic bezel is just dirty or scratched. If it is scratched and you wish to replace it, that adds to the costs (mine is lightly scratched and it really doesn't bother me, but again this is about what you wish to do).

Hope this helps and happy birthday!

Thanks all. I can't quite work out myself whether the bezel is dirty or scratched. To the eye it looks fine but when the camera is on it looks a whole lot worse. I'm choosing to ignore that. Thanks again for the advice guys, I think I'm just going to leave until it's time for a service. This thread has helped hugely.