Rolex 1520 movement serviceability

[Pure_class]

Usually don't hang around the vintage area much, tried searching but no luck both here and Google. What is the ability to get Rolex 1520 movements serviced? I have heard that Rolex is no longer servicing any 4 digit reference submariners. Has this been officially confirmed, and if so, is it difficult for others to service these movements as time has gone on?

[Nickn]

Any good watchmaker can service a Rolex 15 series movement

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Pure_class

I have heard that Rolex is no longer servicing any 4 digit reference submariners.

100% wrong

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by Pure_class

Usually don't hang around the vintage area much, tried searching but no luck both here and Google. What is the ability to get Rolex 1520 movements serviced? I have heard that Rolex is no longer servicing any 4 digit reference submariners. Has this been officially confirmed, and if so, is it difficult for others to service these movements as time has gone on?

CT? Is that a state, like Connecticut in the USA? This is a worldwide forum.

In Europe Rolex IS servicing all Rolex vintage, some directly chez the Country Distributors the older/harder ones in Geneva CH (Switzerland)

[Pure_class]

Originally Posted by Filipão

CT? Is that a state, like Connecticut in the USA? This is a worldwide forum.

In Europe Rolex IS servicing all Rolex vintage, some directly chez the Country Distributors the older/harder ones in Geneva CH (Switzerland)

Yes CT = Connecticut in the USA. That is good to know they are still servicing. I just wanted to confirm.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Pure_class

That is good to know they are still servicing. I just wanted to confirm.

The answer is not so simple, things are in flux. A given RSC will service a watch for which they have parts. The way to confirm is to ask a particular service center directly about your specific watch.

Or you can believe the people who give you the answer you want to hear.

[stmoore]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The answer is not so simple, things are in flux. A given RSC will service a watch for which they have parts. The way to confirm is to ask a particular service center directly about your specific watch.

Or you can believe the people who give you the answer you want to hear.

Listen to Dan ... the answer is “it depends”

It’s actually a point of great irritation as they’ve cut off the parts supply.

[R.W.T.]

I have friends at one of the independent local AD's...Rolex turn them down for service every day.
Independent watchmakers with accounts can NOT even get plastic crystals..they are obsoleted. All of the 4 digit serial movement components are also obsoleted.
Maybe they service them in Europe....that will be on an individual basis.

RUSA is an independent company from Rolex S.A. Policies are not always congruous.

[Pure_class]

Originally Posted by stmoore

Listen to Dan ... the answer is “it depends”

It’s actually a point of great irritation as they’ve cut off the parts supply.

Agreed. I have a friend who is a watchmaker and services Omega and his counterpart who deals with Rolex said they have cut off parts etc etc.

[Pure_class]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

I have friends at one of the independent local AD's...Rolex turn them down for service every day.
Independent watchmakers with accounts can NOT even get plastic crystals..they are obsoleted. All of the 4 digit serial movement components are also obsoleted.
Maybe they service them in Europe....that will be on an individual basis.

RUSA is an independent company from Rolex S.A. Policies are not always congruous.

Yes this is what I have heard also from a friend of mine. That is what is concerning. So I guess these watches will only be able to function/work for a certain time until no one can replace the worn parts?

[Tavli3]

Glad I just had Phillip to a full service on my 4 digit sub!

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Pure_class

Yes this is what I have heard also from a friend of mine. That is what is concerning. So I guess these watches will only be able to function/work for a certain time until no one can replace the worn parts?

No I disagree. They made probably somewhere in excess of 5 MILLION of those movements. They RARELY need parts if they are maintained properly and there ZILLIONS of parts movements in scrap and ZILLIONS of replacement service parts in the wild.

Barrels, center wheels, reversers, sweep pinions and drives. pretty much what goes bad. Barrel bridge bushing and main plate bushings. Those can be made.

I'm servicing 620s...and 700s they made a fraction of the amount of those.

You may not be able to have it run as well on the machine as it did in 1970...but is it necessary?

If it keeps time basically within spec on your wrist...can you deal with it?

People are more concerned with a single spec of dust on a matte dial, that you can't see without a loupe...than they are with accuracy even now...

[Pure_class]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

No I disagree. They made probably somewhere in excess of 5 MILLION of those movements. They RARELY need parts if they are maintained properly and there ZILLIONS of parts movements in scrap and ZILLIONS of replacement service parts in the wild.

Barrels, center wheels, reversers, sweep pinions and drives. pretty much what goes bad. Barrel bridge bushing and main plate bushings. Those can be made.

I'm servicing 620s...and 700s they made a fraction of the amount of those.

You may not be able to have it run as well on the machine as it did in 1970...but is it necessary?

If it keeps time basically within spec on your wrist...can you deal with it?

People are more concerned with a single spec of dust on a matte dial, that you can't see without a loupe...than they are with accuracy even now...

Well that is reassuring! Thanks for the info. Yeah I would have thought there would be tons of stock in the wild, just maybe locating it won't be as easy as simply calling up for a service etc. But good to know.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Pure_class

just maybe locating it won't be as easy as simply calling up for a service etc.

This is simply the nature of vintage watch collecting. Virtually no manufacturers are routinely servicing or providing parts for 50+ year-old watches. Why does this issue constantly come up on Rolex forums? I don't hear Longines, Omega, Heuer, IWC, or Universal Geneve collectors whining about it.

Never mind ... I know why.

[southtexas]

Some of the trusted watchmakers known on this site have many spare parts on hand. You might reach out to one of them to see if they can service it for you.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Pure_class

Well that is reassuring! Thanks for the info. Yeah I would have thought there would be tons of stock in the wild, just maybe locating it won't be as easy as simply calling up for a service etc. But good to know.

It will come to an issue of "price". Anytime something is made more difficult to come by...in a field where things are "collectible"...the price will be gouged.

Crystals...NO PLASTIC CRYSTALS genuine are available from Rolex. They were 35.00....Fleebay 50.00 now 125-UP! Depending on the model.