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FMELK · 16 August 2018, 01:51 AM

Hi All,

Firstly, apologies if this has been asked before (I'm new to the forum). I'm the proud owner of a 1977 GMT Master. I've had it only a couple of years and have recently taken it into Rolex to give it a thorough service.

They've come back and asked me if I want to replace the hands - it seems that the luminosity is crumbling and they recommend replacing otherwise the crumbling will invalidate the post-service guarantee. I'm just not sure whether doing so will de-value the watch. I wear it daily but have no particular need for luminous hands so happy to retain the original if that's the "right thing to do"?

Anything else I should tell them NOT to do as part of the service?

Thanks in advance,

Elliott

waspy1 · 16 August 2018, 07:25 AM

Are they actually crumbling or just at risk? I’d try and keep them regardless and if showing signs of cracking then get the lume stabilised by an expert in vintage. If the lume is actually cracked and falling out then consider getting them relumed with a colour matched material. Rolex Luminova service hands will look awful and cost a fortune. And they’ll keep your original hands.

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MorningTundra · 16 August 2018, 07:34 AM

Have they already started the work? If not, you could get the watch back and relume or stabilize the hands before submitting for servicing.

Do you really need the Rolex service warranty? If not, there are other places that could do the work equally well.

05carbondrz · 16 August 2018, 07:55 AM

Tell them NOT to polish it either.

HarryLime · 16 August 2018, 03:12 PM

Apparently the St.James RSC handles vintage well (or at least better than NYC, that's for sure), but I wouldn't change the hands. If they insist on it, bring it elsewhere.

R.O.L.E.X · 16 August 2018, 04:10 PM

They want to sell your watch hands mate. Good luck..

FMELK · 16 August 2018, 05:42 PM

Thanks all. This is really helpful and confirms what i thought (not to replace the hands).

It is Rolex St James RSC. I preferred the Rolex service given the age and as it's new to me I wanted it validated and certified by them. They haven't started the work so I could pull it back if someone can recommend elsewhere in London? Either way, I will tell them definitely not to replace the hands and to give it only a sympathetic polish.

16 August 2018, 01:51 AM	#1
FMELK "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London Posts: 2	Replacing hands on vintage 1675? Hi All, Firstly, apologies if this has been asked before (I'm new to the forum). I'm the proud owner of a 1977 GMT Master. I've had it only a couple of years and have recently taken it into Rolex to give it a thorough service. They've come back and asked me if I want to replace the hands - it seems that the luminosity is crumbling and they recommend replacing otherwise the crumbling will invalidate the post-service guarantee. I'm just not sure whether doing so will de-value the watch. I wear it daily but have no particular need for luminous hands so happy to retain the original if that's the "right thing to do"? Anything else I should tell them NOT to do as part of the service? Thanks in advance, Elliott

16 August 2018, 07:25 AM	#2
waspy1 Banned Join Date: Oct 2011 Real Name: Jeff Location: Home! Posts: 1,259	Are they actually crumbling or just at risk? I’d try and keep them regardless and if showing signs of cracking then get the lume stabilised by an expert in vintage. If the lume is actually cracked and falling out then consider getting them relumed with a colour matched material. Rolex Luminova service hands will look awful and cost a fortune. And they’ll keep your original hands. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

16 August 2018, 07:34 AM	#3
MorningTundra "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Real Name: Morningtundra Location: USA, UK & HKG Posts: 1,037	Have they already started the work? If not, you could get the watch back and relume or stabilize the hands before submitting for servicing. Do you really need the Rolex service warranty? If not, there are other places that could do the work equally well.

16 August 2018, 07:55 AM	#4
05carbondrz Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,030	Tell them NOT to polish it either.

16 August 2018, 03:12 PM	#5
HarryLime "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: NY Posts: 676	Apparently the St.James RSC handles vintage well (or at least better than NYC, that's for sure), but I wouldn't change the hands. If they insist on it, bring it elsewhere.

16 August 2018, 04:10 PM	#6
R.O.L.E.X "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: N/A Posts: 213	They want to sell your watch hands mate. Good luck..

16 August 2018, 05:42 PM	#7
FMELK "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London Posts: 2	Thanks all. This is really helpful and confirms what i thought (not to replace the hands). It is Rolex St James RSC. I preferred the Rolex service given the age and as it's new to me I wanted it validated and certified by them. They haven't started the work so I could pull it back if someone can recommend elsewhere in London? Either way, I will tell them definitely not to replace the hands and to give it only a sympathetic polish.

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