Vintage Rolex Servicing in the UK

[StanGMT]

Firstly, I've been absent from the forum for a while, so apologies if this topic has been covered recently. I did raise this issue a year or so ago, but thought I would see if there is any recent change to the situation.

I've owned my 1967 1675 GMT Master on Jubilee bracelet from new and it's been my everyday watch for 53 years. I've had it serviced every five years or so right up to eight years ago, but when I spoke to my local AD last year about getting it serviced they informed me that they couldn't help me because RSC in the UK is no longer servicing watches of this vintage and that they won't touch it. They told me that Rolex is no longer producing spare components for older watches and that I should just, in effect, forget about having it serviced.

The watch is working perfectly (+/- 1sec/day) at the moment, but it feels wrong not getting it serviced - cleaned and relubed - after eight years.

Does anyone know, please - is there a competent, reputable watchmaker in the UK who can do what the RSC can't do and conduct a service on my GMT Master?

Any information will be appreciated.

Stan.

[VintageRX]

Originally Posted by StanGMT

Firstly, I've been absent from the forum for a while, so apologies if this topic has been covered recently. I did raise this issue a year or so ago, but thought I would see if there is any recent change to the situation.

I've owned my 1967 1675 GMT Master on Jubilee bracelet from new and it's been my everyday watch for 53 years. I've had it serviced every five years or so right up to eight years ago, but when I spoke to my local AD last year about getting it serviced they informed me that they couldn't help me because RSC in the UK is no longer servicing watches of this vintage and that they won't touch it. They told me that Rolex is no longer producing spare components for older watches and that I should just, in effect, forget about having it serviced.

The watch is working perfectly (+/- 1sec/day) at the moment, but it feels wrong not getting it serviced - cleaned and relubed - after eight years.

Does anyone know, please - is there a competent, reputable watchmaker in the UK who can do what the RSC can't do and conduct a service on my GMT Master?

Any information will be appreciated.

Stan.

Go on YouTube and look at some of the watch you-tubers. There’s a couple from the Uk such as Paul thorp who may have a contact for you.


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[swaini3]

Im surprised London RSC turned you down and that parts are not available.... I liked their services specially for vintage. I have heard nothing but good stuff about the following:
William Rice Watches
Steven Hale (SHWR)

[Goochy]

I wouldn’t believe your AD, give RSC at Kings Hill a call.

[winst]

I agree - ring Rolex UK direct and ask them.

[Throstle]

Duncan Potter at Genesis Watchmaking

[sutats]

Hi Stan, in these years generally any reference that's pre 1990 will likely not be serviced at the the Rolex Service Centre in London. However they would usually then point out Steve Hale Watch Repairs as the place to go.

[Filipão]

My best experience was with Bill Rice from William Rice - near Hull - Yorkshire.

http://williamricewatches.com/

Bill has just overhauled my 5513 Maxi, pics enclosed.

[Goochy]

Originally Posted by sutats

Hi Stan, in these years generally any reference that's pre 1990 will likely not be serviced at the the Rolex Service Centre in London. However they would usually then point out Steve Hale Watch Repairs as the place to go.

Not necessarily true, they’ll service it at Kings Hill for 35 years after it was removed from the catalogue. They’ll accept watches earlier than that but they’ll go to Geneva for a quote and the cost of the quote is payable if you don’t go ahead with the service. It’s expensive but it can be done if you especially want Rolex paperwork.

[StanGMT]

Many thanks, everyone, for your helpful replies. I've now got something to work with . . . . . .

Stan.

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by StanGMT

Many thanks, everyone, for your helpful replies. I've now got something to work with . . . . . .

Stan.

You can also reach out to Lee Fowler on this forum. He is from your side of pond, he may chime in when he reads this thread..

[stevewak]

David Duggan will do it. I think.

[colpol]

Originally Posted by Filipão

My best experience was with Bill Rice from William Rice - near Hull - Yorkshire.

http://williamricewatches.com/

Bill has just overhauled my 5513 Maxi, pics enclosed.

Used Bill earlier this year - he serviced my 1680. Thumbs up from me too

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

You can also reach out to Lee Fowler on this forum. He is from your side of pond, he may chime in when he reads this thread..

Thanks Norm and hi Stan. I use Superlative Time in West London, Graham is superb when it comes to vintage pieces.

[StanGMT]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Thanks Norm and hi Stan. I use Superlative Time in West London, Graham is superb when it comes to vintage pieces.

Thanks Lee (and everyone). I've now got some good contacts to work with.

Stan.

[Wigwag]

Most of the contacts mentioned within this thread won't have access to the parts required to service a 1675.

RSC still service all calibre 15xx. Your local AD is wrong.

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by Wigwag

Most of the contacts mentioned within this thread won't have access to the parts required to service a 1675.

RSC still service all calibre 15xx. Your local AD is wrong.

Define "most"...

[StanGMT]

Originally Posted by Wigwag

Most of the contacts mentioned within this thread won't have access to the parts required to service a 1675.

RSC still service all calibre 15xx. Your local AD is wrong.

Mine is in the 14xxxx series.

Incidentally, if a watch is working well, is it not possible that a service could just entail a strip, clean, lube and reassembly, without new parts being needed? Surely it's better to do that and keep the movement clean and lubed than do nothing. I know that components can fail on disassembly or cleaning, but if that happens then the movement was on the point of failure anyway and it's a risk one takes. I also know that seals need replacing but if new seals aren't available and the old ones are reused I'm prepared to just keep the watch dry and dust-free!

I still find it intriguing that although Rolex watches of a certain vintage are very much in demand and, indeed, they represent the Rolex heritage, Rolex have apparently washed their hands of them by withdrawing from the vintage component market. There is a market there and wherever there's a market there's potential profit . . . . . .

Thanks again for all the advice,

Stan.

[Dazthebeard]

Just booked my 14060M.from 2011 with Bill Rice in Hull. Finally having its first service. Heather Rice was lovely on the phone and answered all my questions such as parts I didn't want polishing and stuff.

[watchlovr]

FYI the manager in Rolex Glasgow, whilst admiring my 1665, told me that Rolex UK send vintage models to Stephen Hale, they then come back with Rolex paperwork.
I had heard this before but it was interesting to hear it from Rolex themselves.

[colpol]

Originally Posted by watchlovr

FYI the manager in Rolex Glasgow, whilst admiring my 1665, told me that Rolex UK send vintage models to Stephen Hale, they then come back with Rolex paperwork.
I had heard this before but it was interesting to hear it from Rolex themselves.

Is that in Laings ? Might drop in next week & ask the question as my 1665 needs serviced & preference would be the papers if possible for it

[watchlovr]

Originally Posted by colpol

Is that in Laings ? Might drop in next week & ask the question as my 1665 needs serviced & preference would be the papers if possible for it

Rolex Boutique, WOS

[watchlovr]

Originally Posted by StanGMT

Mine is in the 14xxxx series.

Incidentally, if a watch is working well, is it not possible that a service could just entail a strip, clean, lube and reassembly, without new parts being needed? Surely it's better to do that and keep the movement clean and lubed than do nothing. I know that components can fail on disassembly or cleaning, but if that happens then the movement was on the point of failure anyway and it's a risk one takes. I also know that seals need replacing but if new seals aren't available and the old ones are reused I'm prepared to just keep the watch dry and dust-free!

I still find it intriguing that although Rolex watches of a certain vintage are very much in demand and, indeed, they represent the Rolex heritage, Rolex have apparently washed their hands of them by withdrawing from the vintage component market. There is a market there and wherever there's a market there's potential profit . . . . . .

Thanks again for all the advice,

Stan.

As has been said before, Rolex’s business model is to sell new watches.
It is actually counterproductive of them to keep old watches going. Throw it away and buy a new one.