Is it best to service a vintage sub at an RSC or an independent watchmaker!?

[007Sub]

Thoughts?

[onkyo]

Rolex USA will not service vintage pieces. You are stuck with independent watchmakers which is not necessarily a bad thing.

[subtona]

1)make sure it is someone you trust.
2)be very specific regarding the work you want done:
*do you want them to polish the case? (it will lose its original lines)
*do you want the bezel insert swapped out? the new one will not have same color pip
*do you want the dial/hands swapped out? (this could be a major blunder)
OR
* my preference... oil the movement , replace parts of the movement that need changing , replace the seals ..... leave the rest alone!

if you don't specify these things, they may do it without bringing your attention to their intentions and then you have a big mess, some of it without a fix!



ps. if you bring it to RSC they will keep your original parts. if you bring it to a independent they will return them to you (be sure they know your intentions)

best of luck

[007Sub]

Great call thanks!

[Mike Wood]

In the UK, servicing a vintage Rolex through Rolex UK costs from £645 ($1k).

So if your vintage Sub is a Comex or military issue, a Rolex UK service will authenticate your watch, and this adds far more value to the watch than the service cost. Good thing, so yes!

If your watch is a regular vinatage Sub, a competant independant repairer who can discuss the options with you, this is fine, and you'll save a chunk of cash. Good thing, so no to Rolex Service Centre.

Maybe submit your Sub to Rolex if you have any doubts or uncertainties about your watch or the condition of the case, etc. You will be (mostly!) confident the watch is as good as it can be after the service, and the extra cost is justified.

I have four milSubs at Rolex UK, which will cost me about £3,000 in service charges in 4-5 months' time (), the same work at my own watchmakers would cost me less than £800...

Errr...

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

In the UK, servicing a vintage Rolex through Rolex UK costs from £645 ($1k).

So if your vintage Sub is a Comex or military issue, a Rolex UK service will authenticate your watch, and this adds far more value to the watch than the service cost. Good thing, so yes!

If your watch is a regular vinatage Sub, a competant independant repairer who can discuss the options with you, this is fine, and you'll save a chunk of cash. Good thing, so no to Rolex Service Centre.

Maybe submit your Sub to Rolex if you have any doubts or uncertainties about your watch or the condition of the case, etc. You will be (mostly!) confident the watch is as good as it can be after the service, and the extra cost is justified.

I have four milSubs at Rolex UK, which will cost me about £3,000 in service charges in 4-5 months' time (), the same work at my own watchmakers would cost me less than £800...

Errr...

Good advice Mike!!!

Man that service bill has got to sting a little....but well worth it for piece of mind IMO!

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

In the UK, servicing a vintage Rolex through Rolex UK costs from £645 ($1k).

So if your vintage Sub is a Comex or military issue, a Rolex UK service will authenticate your watch, and this adds far more value to the watch than the service cost. Good thing, so yes!

If your watch is a regular vinatage Sub, a competant independant repairer who can discuss the options with you, this is fine, and you'll save a chunk of cash. Good thing, so no to Rolex Service Centre.

Maybe submit your Sub to Rolex if you have any doubts or uncertainties about your watch or the condition of the case, etc. You will be (mostly!) confident the watch is as good as it can be after the service, and the extra cost is justified.

I have four milSubs at Rolex UK, which will cost me about £3,000 in service charges in 4-5 months' time (), the same work at my own watchmakers would cost me less than £800...

Errr...

Professor Wood, the problem is 007Sub is in the US.... so no go with Rolex service center. Unless he (or the watch) desired a trip to the UK.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

In the UK, servicing a vintage Rolex through Rolex UK costs from £645 ($1k).

So if your vintage Sub is a Comex or military issue, a Rolex UK service will authenticate your watch, and this adds far more value to the watch than the service cost. Good thing, so yes!

If your watch is a regular vinatage Sub, a competant independant repairer who can discuss the options with you, this is fine, and you'll save a chunk of cash. Good thing, so no to Rolex Service Centre.

Maybe submit your Sub to Rolex if you have any doubts or uncertainties about your watch or the condition of the case, etc. You will be (mostly!) confident the watch is as good as it can be after the service, and the extra cost is justified.

I have four milSubs at Rolex UK, which will cost me about £3,000 in service charges in 4-5 months' time (), the same work at my own watchmakers would cost me less than £800...

Errr...

Mike--you are lucky in UK!! And yes--My Milsub went to Bexley and has HH letter. My Comex also spent time at the Bexley Spa. Unfortunately here in US--not the same so all watches here go to the Ridley Spa--Mr. Bob Ridley that is!

** PS-If looking to save money that won't happen with Bob either--you get what you pay for and he is just as expensive but well worth it! Saving money on vintage grail work not a good place to go cheap route!

[RolexWatcher]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

In the UK, servicing a vintage Rolex through Rolex UK costs from £645 ($1k).

So if your vintage Sub is a Comex or military issue, a Rolex UK service will authenticate your watch, and this adds far more value to the watch than the service cost. Good thing, so yes!

If your watch is a regular vinatage Sub, a competant independant repairer who can discuss the options with you, this is fine, and you'll save a chunk of cash. Good thing, so no to Rolex Service Centre.

Maybe submit your Sub to Rolex if you have any doubts or uncertainties about your watch or the condition of the case, etc. You will be (mostly!) confident the watch is as good as it can be after the service, and the extra cost is justified.

I have four milSubs at Rolex UK, which will cost me about £3,000 in service charges in 4-5 months' time (), the same work at my own watchmakers would cost me less than £800...

Errr...

Mike, that's great to know!

But ouch that's a lot of money especially knowing how many COMEX you have!

[ExpII]

Originally Posted by 007Sub

Thoughts?

Bob Ridley does lots of work on vintage and non-vintage pieces alike and is highly regarded on the forum.

[greekbum]

Find a watchmaker with a Rolex parts account and he will be able to service your submariner for you.

[cameronweiss]

Vintage Rolex work often times will require balance staff replacement. Make sure you go to a certified watchmaker to ensure that if the balance staff needs replacing, it actually gets replaced, and that it is replaced properly.