Rolex pulling most indy parts accounts

[fsprow]

Most quality auto dealers will not install an aftermarket part. No difference.


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[g_luck]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Most quality auto dealers will not install an aftermarket part. No difference.


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Actually, the difference is that Rolex not only let you but suggested you do if for many, many years. Their business model has changed. Not that long ago my AD sold Nato straps and leather straps to compliment your newly purchased Rolex. So there is a difference.

Look at the ads of Paul Newman's Daytona. I doubt that was an original Rolex strap yet they didn't have any trouble using it for marketing.

[Fatso]

I don't think Rolex will actually stop servicing old watches. What Rolex won't accept is taking responsibility for fragile old tritium dials and hands with lume that is about to fall off. My 45 year old 1675 (with Luminova service dial) was fully serviced by Rolex Geneva a month ago, and on another forum a member had his 6542 authenticated by the heritage department at Rolex - Rolex is servicing that watch and custom manufacturing any required parts (obviously for a cost). So I don't think anyone needs to worry about getting an old watch repaired...

[HK852GMT]

My dear lady wife was gifted a Rolex by my father when we married. This thing is tiny (i still haven’t worked out what it is).

It wasn’t running, so we went to an AD initially. They told us it was dead. An affordable watchmaker was happy to create the parts. It isn’t the company, it’s the person.

[kohe321]

Originally Posted by Fatso

I don't think Rolex will actually stop servicing old watches. What Rolex won't accept is taking responsibility for fragile old tritium dials and hands with lume that is about to fall off. My 45 year old 1675 (with Luminova service dial) was fully serviced by Rolex Geneva a month ago, and on another forum a member had his 6542 authenticated by the heritage department at Rolex - Rolex is servicing that watch and custom manufacturing any required parts (obviously for a cost). So I don't think anyone needs to worry about getting an old watch repaired...

That's interesting. I didn't know Rolex had a dedicated department for repairing especially old watches that even manufactures out of production parts if needed. I guess you'll have to mail them directly with such an inquiry, since it's not something that their normal service channels can do?

Would be cool to hear more about this. If true, Rolex climbs up quite a few notches in my book.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by Fatso

I don't think Rolex will actually stop servicing old watches. What Rolex won't accept is taking responsibility for fragile old tritium dials and hands with lume that is about to fall off. My 45 year old 1675 (with Luminova service dial) was fully serviced by Rolex Geneva a month ago, and on another forum a member had his 6542 authenticated by the heritage department at Rolex - Rolex is servicing that watch and custom manufacturing any required parts (obviously for a cost). So I don't think anyone needs to worry about getting an old watch repaired...

We want them serviced how WE want them serviced at a FAIR price,That isn’t happening with a Rolex service for vintage anymore.

[Swede71]

Originally Posted by kohe321

That's interesting. I didn't know Rolex had a dedicated department for repairing especially old watches that even manufactures out of production parts if needed. I guess you'll have to mail them directly with such an inquiry, since it's not something that their normal service channels can do?

Would be cool to hear more about this. If true, Rolex climbs up quite a few notches in my book.

I was told by a Rolex AD that Rolex calls it department of historical watches or something in that category. They can manufacture parts for vintage watches, but it will cost highly. Other old watch brands like Cartier do the same.


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[jeffnnj]

And next come the ADs. Watch.


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[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by jeffnnj

And next come the ADs. Watch.


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Next comes the price increase. 2 thousand for a routine service.

[challer]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

We want them serviced how WE want them serviced at a FAIR price,That isn’t happening with a Rolex service for vintage anymore.

What vendor would service old things your way rather than their way?

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Next comes the price increase. 2 thousand for a routine service.

Probably.

[jaroush]

Depressing state of affairs. I'm done with Rolex. It's become a joke. The fake shortage of stainless steel sports models, while AD's have cases full of unsold, ugly PM datejusts in weird colors was bad enough. Cutting off the independent watchmakers who have done more for the industry than anyone else is the last straw. Rikki is one of the best in the world. Pathetic.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by jlovda

What was the final outcome of Swatch/ETA stopping the supply of watch parts to other small manufacturers?

They never stopped, they threaten to stop and those companies went to other manufactures.

[ApriliaRider]

Its news like this that dampens my enthusiasm for the brand. I was just getting into the Rolex thing because of a watch I inherited. I saw a vintage Rolex that was on consignment at a small local jewelry store that I was considering buying. It was in great condition and reasonably priced. These policies just rub me the wrong way.

[crowncollection]

this happened years in Australia, there are no indies with parts accounts, I believe many other parts of the world other than the USA are like this too

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

this happened years in Australia, there are no indies with parts accounts, I believe many other parts of the world other than the USA are like this too

Shed loads in the U.K. to choose from.

[g_luck]

Originally Posted by challer

What vendor would service old things your way rather than their way?

Please take a look at the thread "Thoughts on RSC issue" for a complete understanding of why indy shops are so important and why many of us who have been around Rolex for decades don't like the current situation.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by SeaDweller50

Shed loads in the U.K. to choose from.

...but for how much longer?

[SeaDweller50]

Very true. Worrying really.


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[JohnBaker3]

Lack of parts for newer watch repairs will be found; the market place always fills a void.

I could see some independents forming a co-op for parts; they can purchase new watches at market prices then part them out as needed...

It would be awesome to listen in on the "hotlines" among them as they search out the needed parts for watches in for service!

As for older watch repairs, there is always eBay; I once found a crown for my 5513 Sub from a watch maker in Croatia!

[Finslayer83]

Originally Posted by JeanGenie

I’m fairly new here so I wanted to be sure it was kosher to do so. He shared this with me openly and did not instruct me not to share it, so I suppose you’re right.

The watchmaker is Rik Deitel.

I had the same conversation and was asked not to share it until further details emerged.

Rik is the best and I enjoy the freedom of choice of where my watches get repaired.

So now I'll extend this process for what brands I retain and/or choose to buy in the future.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

We want them serviced how WE want them serviced at a FAIR price,That isn’t happening with a Rolex service for vintage anymore.

Wow, I’ll plan on telling all our home and auto service people this !!

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Wow, I’ll plan on telling all our home and auto service people this !!

What does that have to do with Vintage Watch repairs? Nothing.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by jaroush

Depressing state of affairs. I'm done with Rolex. It's become a joke. The fake shortage of stainless steel sports models, while AD's have cases full of unsold, ugly PM datejusts in weird colors was bad enough. Cutting off the independent watchmakers who have done more for the industry than anyone else is the last straw. Rikki is one of the best in the world. Pathetic.

Fake shortage? No, they can't keep up with demand and ADs keep and sell to who they want, high spending VIP buyers. Just simple business, not some dark Rolex master plan against the world, like it is portrayed here.

And Rolex is pulling accounts because they want everything under their control, service through large platforms, to ensure that everyone is getting the exact same quality of after sales service all over the world. Which is a good thing IMO.

Rikki has a good reputation and I'm sure he is as good as people say he is, but so are thousands of other watchmakers around the world, so you're making a pretty weird statement.

This anti Rolex, anti AD, anti RSC bullsh#te is getting a bit old. If you don't like the brand, then what are you even doing here in the first place?

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

What does that have to do with Vintage Watch repairs? Nothing.

It means that for all services price is determined by the seller and folks willing to purchase at that price.


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[fskywalker]

I recently found out about this, which affects not only Rik (awesome watchmaker, highly recommended) but also many other great independent watchmakers like LA Watchworks, ABC Watchwerks, Al Archer, Nesbit, etc. It is really sad as some of us rely on independent watchmakers which provide a more "boutique" approach service versus the mass servicing approach you get from some "authorized" brand service centers, no pun intended

[D111s]

Barely 30 years ago my father could easily get parts to service his own Rolex, he’d be spinning in his grave if he could see what’s happened to the brand these days.


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[CharlesN]

I use an Independent Watchmaker.

He has a Rolex parts account.

He is where I get all the dials, bezels etc that want.

He does NOT work for a store. He is fully independent and only works 3 days a week (he likes playing golf far too much).

I have discussed the removal of parts accounts from watchmakers situation with him several times over the last 2 years.

He will be keeping his parts account. Rolex have told him that as he is Rolex trained, by Rolex in Switzerland that he will always keep his account.

He think the non Rolex trained watchmakers without a Rolex certificate are the ones loosing their accounts, whether they are an Independent watchmaker or an in Rolex AD store watchmaker.

It looks like the officially trained by Rolex themselves watchmakers are keeping their accounts.

[JeanGenie]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

I use an Independent Watchmaker.

He has a Rolex parts account.

He is where I get all the dials, bezels etc that want.

He does NOT work for a store. He is fully independent and only works 3 days a week (he likes playing golf far too much).

I have discussed the removal of parts accounts from watchmakers situation with him several times over the last 2 years.

He will be keeping his parts account. Rolex have told him that as he is Rolex trained, by Rolex in Switzerland that he will always keep his account.

He think the non Rolex trained watchmakers without a Rolex certificate are the ones loosing their accounts, whether they are an Independent watchmaker or an in Rolex AD store watchmaker.

It looks like the officially trained by Rolex themselves watchmakers are keeping their accounts.

I don’t think this is the case. Rik is Rolex trained and has done it all by their book for over three decades. It’s about streamlining and controlling the process, as the post above suggests.

[JeanGenie]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Fake shortage? No, they can't keep up with demand and ADs keep and sell to who they want, high spending VIP buyers. Just simple business, not some dark Rolex master plan against the world, like it is portrayed here.

And Rolex is pulling accounts because they want everything under their control, service through large platforms, to ensure that everyone is getting the exact same quality of after sales service all over the world. Which is a good thing IMO.

Rikki has a good reputation and I'm sure he is as good as people say he is, but so are thousands of other watchmakers around the world, so you're making a pretty weird statement.

This anti Rolex, anti AD, anti RSC bullsh#te is getting a bit old. If you don't like the brand, then what are you even doing here in the first place?

I agree with you it’s unlikely to be an evil master plan. However, I think you’re overstating how many watchmakers there are and misrepresenting what the outcome of this will be. How long do you think the turnaround will be for watches when the RSCs, some of which already have less than stellar reputations, are overwhelmed with ALL the service jobs? I can easily see customers becoming very frustrated with the brand if it takes months and months to complete a service that often costs $1500 and up.

People are here speaking out because they love the brand and it’s history, but are hugely disappointed by the way things are going. As has been hashed out in this thread, part of the appeal of a watch like a Rolex is the ability to keep it going indefinitely through service. What if I don’t want my dial changed? Or whatever else Rolex imposes on me if I send it to them for a service? It’s already been stated in this thread that the people this won’t affect are those who can afford plenty of Rolexes, predominantly buy new references, and will just pay whatever the service prices are at Rolex. Folks being upset about not being able to use trusted independent watchmakers is completely reasonable.