This Is What Can Happen When Rolex Services Your Vintage Sub

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by oligeo

Hi, I do not post that frequently but what I read here above, mainly the first part of the post drives my angry. So, I may be a bit blunt here, but if RSC guys know the value of a rare vintage part and just swap it, even if in perfect state, that just plain steal.
My 16753 is out to have the movement serviced. They do not send to RSC, they do it internally and know perfectly the value of vintage. I made it perfectly clear to the guys at the other side of the desk (explicitly written in details, pictures taken,……) that, if dial, hands, date Wheel, insert were changed, he will have some interesting times with me.

My 2 cents


Oli

I bet they're glad to have you for a customer! I can imagine what they said when you left

[harry in montreal]

Rolex dealers are paying big rent. Big salaries. They don't give a second thought about antiquity preservation! They want to milk a customer for a $2k service. There is more profit in this than buying a new sub from Rolex Swiss head office and reselling it. This is business. And 30 years ago the casual consumer generally loved the outcome. I read autavias sell ad and I found it to Be very fair clear and well represented. Bravo to him. This should be a model to others.

[Kobin]

As we all know Rolex tells you in writing that they keep all parts after swapping. Company's policy, nothing wrong with that.

This is an honest description of a nice watch. I like service dials. I find them clean and beautiful. A matter of taste.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

It's a discussion about a watch that a) is correctly and honestly listed, b) one that the seller has joined in with and c) great education.

It is honestly listed by the seller, but if you are picking apart his watch and making negative comments about it then that isn't a positive thread regarding it.

Not to mention I am sure no one invited the seller here to talk about it. He was probably informed about it from someone else.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by GLADIATOR

I am sure they used for "decades". Do you know if they still fit them after 1998?? say in 2000?

Well, as stated in my post today, I just passed on a RSC Dallas service because they wanted to replace the hands on my 5513. The quote says that they would have used a tritium second hand.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

It is honestly listed by the seller, but if you are picking apart his watch and making negative comments about it then that isn't a positive thread regarding it.

Not to mention I am sure no one invited the seller here to talk about it. He was probably informed about it from someone else.

Really sorry, but on a forum aimed at collectors, WIS, and discussion around our shared interest, it would be remiss not to point out things during a discussion that may lead to a bad purchase.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by Micha

great post

Agree .....very well put! The vintage interest on the part of Rolex is probably very low if it exists at all! Their main aim is to sell new watches and turn over a profit. Yes, they will still service their older watches and provide a good service in that regard but whilst maintaining authenticity, they don't get caught up in sentiment etc. Sure, some of their people must know the value of some of the parts they replace and it would be naive to think that some parts do not end up back in circulation again.

[ancientmariner]

Things may be on the change with RSC as a UK forum member recently posted that RSC London now have a 'vintage servicing dept' where they carry out what the customer wants done on their vintage watch rather than what Rolex insists is done.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=531498

[eton97]

I rcently dropped in my 1675 mk1 GMT to RSC in st james London, and they were absolutely brilliant and totally sympathetic regarding vintage.
They told me that unlike modern Rolex that will be worked on by several people through the servicing process, the vintage pieces are worked on by one specialist. They also had absolutely no issues with my requests regarding no change on hands, dial, bezel etc etc, and everything was totally clear in the service confirmation receipt they sent me.
Only thing they flagged was without a change in the plexi, they couldn't guarantee water resistance.

[strafer_kid]

Definitely s real plus then and probably a big relief for the vintage lovers!

[Filipão]

Times they are a changin'

Early this year, I'd sent my 1665DRSD to Rolex Benelux for service and their price would be €6.842,01 Euros.

They wanted to replace just about everything on the watch.

I declined the repair, the watch returned to me and I was stuck with it.

Then I went to the Lisbon RSC with it, said nothing and just listened.

The local RSC advised me to go directly to Rolex Portugal as they did have the expertise to handle vintage watches.

Went there. The watchmaker there said they wouldn't even touch the case if I didn't wanted it to be touched. Dial, hands, bezel, insert not to be changed. Perfect.

Since this first visit I have returned there with a 1973 GMT 2.5 dial (thanks Springer) to be serviced too. Just serviced. Of course they will change plexis (I do sail with all my watches)

Bottom line is someone out there at the Rolex management is realizing vintage high Rolex's values is pushing the brand up. The older the better.

Merci Monsieur le President Directeur Général.

[77T]

In the intervening Year’s time since this thread was started, RUSA has also centralized vintage/antique service work.

Littitz, PA now has that role. Besides being the in-country training center it is now the “tower of power” (as it were) for preservation and careful restoration.



And what a beautiful place it is.




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[EdwardC]

You could tell them to not replace anything that can been seen unless it's functionally broken right?

[R.O.L.E.X]

Originally Posted by EdwardC

You could tell them to not replace anything that can been seen unless it's functionally broken right?

You can try. They'd still do the crystal with those instructions so that it meets pressure testing.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

So is it normal to slam someone's watch that is for sell here?

Yep.

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by R.O.L.E.X

You can try. They'd still do the crystal with those instructions so that it meets pressure testing.

Absolutely.

[orhanbalu]

What happened to crown guard?
It looks not good at all


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[Filipão]

Originally Posted by orhanbalu

What happened to crown guard?
It looks not good at all


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I have no idea, maybe it's just a poor perspective? Here's another picture, the bottom's is a little thinner as on many originals.

This DRSD is at the present at Rolex Portugal being serviced, can't take more photos right now, sorry.