Time for a service!

[SearChart]

Here you can see the small 'bubble' of oil inside the contra-pivot in-setting for the escape wheel.

Next pics are from the keyless system being assembled.

[SearChart]

Barrel + bridge and crown wheel, ratchet wheel and ratchet.

[SearChart]

Assembly of the gear train and escapement.

Two pics of the great wheel pivot, one prior to lubrication and one after. Now going to do dynamic oiling on the escape wheel teeth with a odd looking oiler and my 25× loupe, hard to capture this on photo.

[capital]

Oh Bas, thanks so much for the time you are taking to delight us

What do you do with the parts you remove? Some might be rather insignificant like small screws, but what about a dial for example? Is it even a possibility to send it back to the owner?

Thanks again!

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[Yaz]

Cool ! Like all members, I just want to thank you for this amazing thread.
Always excited when it comes to Rolex heart...especially with GMT.
Maybe my lovely 16710 will go through a little refresh like this...

[Number3]

Best thread I’ve seen in a long time. Many thanks Bas, always love seeing your work.

[emtee]

Hey Bas do you ever get to the end after assembling a movement and have a couple of random screws left over and think “Damn where the hell were those supposed to go?”

This is what happens whenever I attempt to put anything together

[SearChart]

Putting the date system back together

[alielali]

Amazing, one of the best topics I have lately seen. thank you for sharing

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by emtee

Hey Bas do you ever get to the end after assembling a movement and have a couple of random screws left over and think “Damn where the hell were those supposed to go?”

This is what happens whenever I attempt to put anything together

No, not really, but it is not that hard though.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by capital

Oh Bas, thanks so much for the time you are taking to delight us

What do you do with the parts you remove? Some might be rather insignificant like small screws, but what about a dial for example? Is it even a possibility to send it back to the owner?

Thanks again!

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Thank you for your kind message.

The old parts will be kept and later destroyed, we rarely give back old parts. Legally you have to give them back to the customer if he/she specifically asks for it. Rolex lost a lawsuit or two in past where they wouldn't give back the old parts...

[usling15]

Riveting thread

[SearChart]

Before & after polishing. Hard to capture this with my phone, but I hope it shows through.


Before





After

[azs.77]

Thank you for sharing. These are things I can only dream of.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jmbarrack]

Incredible job on that case refinish. Thanks for posting this service and nice work!

[lord91]

Originally Posted by Gotgolf52

Bas- are you working for RSC? If not, can members here contact you for service when the time come? Lately with all the disheartening RSC stories about careless from their watchmakers make me nervous to send anything to RSC USA.

I am also curious, for the reasons stated above, more so that i am in Europe, just like you. if you could answer, that would be wonderful.

[capital]

What's funny is that the owner of the watch might be commenting on this thread without knowing it's his

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[Zkydweller]

Wooow, that's amazing polishing job

Sent from my SM-N960W using Tapatalk

[Ashton_Horologist]

Nice work Bas, I love the 3085, I think it is such an awesome and underappreciated movement. BTW, do you have the new 'belt sander' style lapping machine for the professional cases? I love that thing.

[kohe321]

Wow, it's rare to see polishing and re-finishing done this well. Personally, I'm no fan of removing marks that tell stories and hold memories from your life with the watch, but for those that want it done, it doesn't get better than this.

Excellent thread.

[SearChart]

Cheers guys

Originally Posted by Ashton_Horologist

Nice work Bas, I love the 3085, I think it is such an awesome and underappreciated movement. BTW, do you have the new 'belt sander' style lapping machine for the professional cases? I love that thing.

Thanks!
Yes Sir, belt sander/grinder with integrated lapping disk. It is definitely a very good step up from doing everything with a felt wheel.
But eventually I'd like that Rolex brings a more complete lapping machine with tin disks for doing complete case re-cuts like LA Watchwerks does.
That combined with a laser welding machine and the hands of a skilled craftsman can really restore cases to perfect condition.

[Ashton_Horologist]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Cheers guys

Thanks!
Yes Sir, belt sander/grinder with integrated lapping disk. It is definitely a very good step up from doing everything with a felt wheel.
But eventually I'd like that Rolex brings a more complete lapping machine with tin disks for doing complete case re-cuts like LA Watchwerks does.
That combined with a laser welding machine and the hands of a skilled craftsman can really restore cases to perfect condition.

It's true, but I don't ever really see that happening.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by lord91

I am also curious, for the reasons stated above, more so that i am in Europe, just like you. if you could answer, that would be wonderful.

All RSC and authorized service centers should deliver the exact same quality work, yet it can vary depending on even the specific watchmaker at work.
I do not wish to take on repairs from the forums, I'm merely here to share my passion for watches and pass on some knowledge and help a few.

On forums you generally only hear about negative experiences regarding service, which is human nature I guess... Yet most customers are not WIS and are happy with the aftersales service that Rolex offers world wide.

If you want your watch serviced, bring it to your nearest AD or send it directly to your nearest RSC, it could still end up on my bench if I happen to be closest to you.

[Johny]

An absolutely first class thread. Thank you for posting it Bas.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Ashton_Horologist

It's true, but I don't ever really see that happening.

Probably not indeed, they even recommend using artifex abrasive wheels for doing the lugs, because the large type sandpaper wheel they use at the factory is too dangerous could very well kill the lug in one swift motion

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Johny

An absolutely first class thread. Thank you for posting it Bas.

Thanks Bud

[Keepchasing]

Wow Bas, looking sharp! Nice going!

[SearChart]

Final steps, assembly of the automatic module & casing the movement.

Dial has some slight damage, but it's not too bad, not going to replace it, don't worry!

[iheartrolexx]

very nice job

[Xyza0722]

Great work and very interesting to see

Thanks very much for posting this