Advice please knowledgeable watch folk?

[kanzeon75]

As previously posted the baton on my 1967 1601 Datejust came off. Before I had it repaired for £20. I took it to an independent Rolex service centre. They took it from me on Saturday and 10 minutes later said they couldn't re-glue the baton on unless I had it serviced.

I can't afford £700 to have that done, it's kept impeccable time since I've had it for 13 years. The guy said, 'since the baton has been floating around the dial, it's messed up the date-wheel'. It didn't, soon as I noticed it, I took it off and the second hand never touched it. Since they took it away, now the watch stops at 12.15 every night, the date-wheel won't turn until I reset the time.

I'm not going to say sabotage, but there's a weird correlation between me taking it in, them wanting a service before they would reapply the baton (which they didn't) and now the date-wheel malfunctioning. It still keeps great time, until the date-wheel has to change. Then just stops.

Any advice, or ideas would be very helpful. TIA

[1675-David]

have you given it a good winding since you got it back?

[kanzeon75]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

have you given it a good winding since you got it back?

I wound it 25 times. It's always when the date changes it just stops. Was perfect before they looked at it.

[Dan S]

It sounds like the extra torque required to turn over the date wheel is stalling the movement, suggesting the watch is needing an overhaul, new mainspring, etc. Nothing to do with the Rolex inspection IMO.

[Styles Bitchley]

In your other post, you said “There's an old guy who has a literal booth he works out of. Fixed in 20 mins for £20.”

Does it not seem more likely that damage occurred during that 20 minutes with a guy who works out of a booth? He would have had to take the movement out to repair the dial.

[hutch300]

Now you see why no one wanted to do the repair. You took a risk getting the repair - time to pony up for a good movement service and hope to enjoy it another decade plus.

[harry in montreal]

The date jumper is a tiny wire spring deep into the movement. This is a classic problem with watches that have no oil left in them

[kanzeon75]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

In your other post, you said “There's an old guy who has a literal booth he works out of. Fixed in 20 mins for £20.”

Does it not seem more likely that damage occurred during that 20 minutes with a guy who works out of a booth? He would have had to take the movement out to repair the dial.

No. He took the bezel and plexiglass off, he never went through the back.

[kanzeon75]

Originally Posted by hutch300

Now you see why no one wanted to do the repair. You took a risk getting the repair - time to pony up for a good movement service and hope to enjoy it another decade plus.

It's away in a box for another 10 years. I can live without a watch. Seems some people can't.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by kanzeon75

it's away in a box for another 10 years. I can live without a watch. Seems some people can't.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by Dan S

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by kanzeon75

It's away in a box for another 10 years. I can live without a watch. Seems some people can't.

What a shame.

Maintenance is part of the cost of ownership. It needs to be factored in when you're deciding whether or not you can afford a watch.

700 quid isn't unreasonable for a full Rolex service.

[hutch300]

Originally Posted by Dan S

[offrdmania]

Its kind of like buying a Ferrari but then complaining that you cant afford it when it comes to the 30,000 mile timing belt change for $10,000+

[kanzeon75]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Its kind of like buying a Ferrari but then complaining that you cant afford it when it comes to the 30,000 mile timing belt change for $10,000+

I used to own a 1995 911. I could afford it. I was given this watch. Now I can't afford to service it. I didn't buy it.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by kanzeon75

I used to own a 1995 911. I could afford it. I was given this watch. Now I can't afford to service it. I didn't buy it.

Not sure if thats makes it any better but okay. Just leave it in the box then since you can live without it.

People have given their advice.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by kanzeon75

I used to own a 1995 911. I could afford it. I was given this watch. Now I can't afford to service it. I didn't buy it.

Unfortunate that a 911 was within budget but these days 700 pounds for a Rolex service isn't.

If it's not sentimental, I'd sell it so that somebody else can enjoy it. If it is sentimental, I'd save my pennies and get it fixed.

Letting it rot in a drawer wouldn't be the ideal solution for me.