Dial swaps

[sahcivan]

Is is still correct that RSC will swap a dial on a watch for one that was available on that model?

So if I got a white dial SS Skydweller I can get a blue dial put on it? And naturally they (Rolex) keep the original white dial

[Ravager135]

I am sure a true expert will come along shortly and confirm, but to my knowledge Rolex still does this provided the dial was available in the catalog on the reference you purchased. There may be exceptions with some models though. I can't imagine Rolex swapping a white or black dial on the Explorer II because it requires a change of the hands as well. Perhaps they will, but at an additional cost.

[77T]

Dial swaps are still an option.

Must be a dial for that specific reference. So pay attention to the metal - for example a dial provided only on White Gold version can’t be put on SS version.

If the new dial uses a different hand set than the existing dial, you must purchase a new hand set.

The price does require surrender (aka trade-in) of the existing parts.


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[Goose 104]

I think I read somewhere on this topic that RSC won't do this straight away after a model is released but there needs to be at least 3 (or possibly 5 years) since the launch of the model before they will do it. The question was about the sky dweller since we are nearly at that point for swapping dials to the blue version.

[bp1000]

They certainly stopped doing this on some Daytona’s

But maybe after a few years

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by sahcivan

Is is still correct that RSC will swap a dial on a watch for one that was available on that model?

So if I got a white dial SS Skydweller I can get a blue dial put on it? And naturally they (Rolex) keep the original white dial

If they do allow this, the blue dial Skydweller secondary market value will crash in a few years.

I wouldn’t be surprised that on certain models (Daytona, Hulk, and Skydweller) Rolex will not allow dial swaps.

If that were the case, I would swap out a Hulk dial on a regular black bezel Sub date to make a killer watch — I love the sunray green dial but not overly keen on the pastel green bezel. Green dial and black bezel would be perfect!


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[peterpl]

Originally Posted by Dougiebaby

If that were the case, I would swap out a Hulk dial on a regular black bezel Sub date to make a killer watch — I love the sunray green dial but not overly keen on the pastel green bezel. Green dial and black bezel would be perfect!
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Your example is totally wrong. LOL

You CANNOT make a LN become a LV. The serial and model reference is NOT the same.

For example a Rolex DJ41 in steel if you bought it with a white dial and want to swap it for a Wimbledon, Black, or any other dial that comes in that EXACT same reference number they will do it.

For some more popular models last time I know someone that did it they must have owned the watch or purchase date must be 12 months+ plus it MUST have a full service to deter flippers from trying to make money on say swapping a White dial to Blue dial. (Dial + service is already close to $2k. On PM models it can be more).

Some RSCs dont care though depending which country.

It will cost you cost of the dial + service cost and they will keep your old dial. I've done dial swaps myself and I know heaps of ppl that have done them.

[zjd168]

for dj and dd the swap options are indeed available, however I doubt RSC will swap the SkyD to blue dial. I did try as a test and asked Dallas RSC, and they confirmed won't swap SS Daytona dial black <-> white

[peterpl]

Originally Posted by zjd168

for dj and dd the swap options are indeed available, however I doubt RSC will swap the SkyD to blue dial. I did try as a test and ask Dallas RSC, and they confirmed won't swap SS Daytona dial black <-> white

What did Dallas say was the reason? I know 2 ppl that has done that exact swap. Only term was ownership or watch needed to be older than 12 months and be accompanied with a full service.

[zjd168]

Originally Posted by peterpl

What did Dallas say was the reason? I know 2 ppl that has done that exact swap. Only term was ownership or watch needed to be older than 12 months and be accompanied with a full service.

The lady receiving my call was obviously looking up some internal system to quote me the price on the DD swap options. When I asked how much to swap my black Daytona to the white dial, she said that option is not available. Mine is a 500c.

[peterpl]

Originally Posted by zjd168

The lady receiving my call was obviously looking up some internal system to quote me the price on the DD swap options. When I asked how much to swap my black Daytona to the white dial, she said that option is not available.

You should go into RSC and ask the watch maker there in person. Dunno why they wouldnt do that for you as there is no money to be made in that exchange.

Black dial to white dial will cost you prob $1k - $1.5k for the dial + service the chrono is another $1k. Any profit your going to make aint worth it if thats what they are trying to avoid.

I've have heard of ppl being rejected for dial swaps if the watch is BRAND new and not worn at all. Never heard of a rejection for a worn watch that is longer than 12 month old.

[zjd168]

Originally Posted by peterpl

You should go into RSC and ask the watch maker there in person. Dunno why they wouldnt do that for you as there is no money to be made in that exchange.

Black dial to white dial will cost you prob $1k - $1.5k for the dial + service the chrono is another $1k. Any profit your going to make aint worth it if thats what they are trying to avoid.

I've have heard of ppl being rejected for dial swaps if the watch is BRAND new and not worn at all. Never heard of a rejection for a worn watch that is longer than 12 month old.

no idea about the profit part and not worth going there in person :-) Also in my collection, the Hulk, SS Daytona and DJ 36 will be keepers forever since they all had special stories associated with and irreplaceable sentimental values.

[shipitfresh]

My wife liked my new SSDJ41 so much that we ended up getting one for her. But, before we completed the purchase she wanted to swap the silver dial for a blue. The AD was pretty emphatic that it couldn't happen until the first service (5 years). Unfortunately for the AD, they are no match for my wife. The AD manager finally relented and as long as we paid for the new dial and installation at the Dallas RSC ($700). We've been told it's on it's way back from the RSC and we can pick it up today or tomorrow.

On a separate note...my wife and daughter both said that women are wearing much larger luxury watches these days. The AD sales staff also mentioned that more and more women are buying 36 and 41 DJ's. Go figure.

[psd1966]

I had my SS Daytona dial swapped from black to white at service time with RSC St James Square no issues at all

[bp1000]

Originally Posted by psd1966

I had my SS Daytona dial swapped from black to white at service time with RSC no issues at all

They did this up until late 2018 early 2019

Not sure they will do this now unless it’s on routine service.

Ie if you just bought and request this, they won’t do it even if you pay for a full service

I’ve checked a couple of times since

[psd1966]

It was before 2018 and part of routine service (they retained original dial which I was fine with) but policy may well have changed since then

[bp1000]

Originally Posted by psd1966

It was before 2018 and part of routine service (they retained original dial which I was fine with) but policy may well have changed since then

[GreatCircle]

Different countries different policies. A new dial usually can be swapped if it is intended for your reference 1 year after release (Basel in the past).
However some models and dials have limitations. The SS Sky is one of them. The blue dial wil not be put in a white or black version. For 116509 whitegold Daytona at least in most EU countries the blue dial can be swapped !
Same for example for the new Everose choco dials (both 116515 and 116505).
Another difficult one seems to be the olive dial for Everose DD 228235 but not 100 percent sure if then one can be swapped or not. The dials that have limitations have “exchange only” below them in red lettering in the online parts catalogue for dealers and official service centres meaning it can only be ordered if the same (damaged) dial is returned, for example after crystal shattering damage.

[bp1000]

Isn’t the olive dial the 50th anniversary configuration?

If I remember that right, it’s probably why it can’t be swapped to

[HedgeHogger]

I'm a new member here and this is my first post. I'm glad I used the search function because this is exactly the information I was looking for.

I've been hunting around on-line for a GMT Master II white gold with the blue dial that was recently discontinued. I was surprised to find one listed that included a note that it includes, "** RSC Paper Work for Dial Swap" I messaged the seller and indeed they did have the dial swapped by Rolex.

Doesn't that kind of defeat the investment potential in searching for a blue dial version? The black dial white gold version is available for ~$30K, the blue dials start at about $41K.

Will you be able to take the black dial version and have RSC swap it for the Meteorite version soon?

Is it possible to tell from the paperwork if a watch originally came from the factory with a particular dial?

It really makes me have second thoughts about the potential of this watch to increase in value. Am I over reacting?

[replicator]

I asked a local AD and they said they would be able to switch dial on my 116509, provided the watch was no longer under warranty, and I would not get my original dial back.

I do wonder though how having a swapped dial would affect resale value. However, if you look at Daytona PM, the dial seems to have a huge impact on grey prices. It doesn’t make sense to pay an extra 10k for the Daytona blue dial over the other less in demand dials when you can just swap it out later and otherwise it is the exact same watch.

[watchmaker]

Blue Sky Dweller dials are a Geneva exchange component, meaning you must supply the old one to receive a new one.

Meaning you can’t make a blue dial SD out of a white dial one.

[JohnnyM]

Sounds expensive in any case. I'd enjoy the one you already invested in

[iTreelex]

This sounds like its a huge headache. Why OP?

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by iTreelex

This sounds like its a huge headache. Why OP?

The cynic in me says...”do you really have to ask?“

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Blue Sky Dweller dials are a Geneva exchange component, meaning you must supply the old one to receive a new one.

Meaning you can’t make a blue dial SD out of a white dial one.

Didn’t realize that Scott, great info as always

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Dougiebaby

If they do allow this, the blue dial Skydweller secondary market value will crash in a few years.

That is a good reason for Rolex to do that because they hate the second hand market where the guys made more money on the watch than themself. 🤣🤣

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by psd1966

It was before 2018 and part of routine service (they retained original dial which I was fine with) but policy may well have changed since then

[scooba]

The Daytona Dial swap won’t happen anymore ,I asked about going from Black to White on a Ceramic Daytona and RSC UK said no and also said no to swapping a 116508 from Black to Green

GMT different a white Gold with black dial they are happy to swap for blue ,They also will swap a yellow gold with a black dial to green .

[Incroyable12]

Does anyone know if ADs still do dial swaps for things like 5 digit white gold/platinum Day-Dates?

The Rolex catalog has a lot of very unusual dials that were originally sold for those references so it might be worth the cost of the swap.