$750 for overhaul from independent...too high?

[pk552502]

There's an independent watchmaker that lives about 20 miles from my house- he's been in business for about 30 years or so. He quoted me $750 to service my 16030. My initial reaction was it's too high. He said he uses all genuine Swiss Rolex parts, complete movement cleaning, overhaul service, new mainspring, highest quality Swiss made synthetic oils, gaskets, new spring bar band pins and full 12 month warranty on work done and any needed timing adjustments. And you get what you pay for.

Pros:

- I could physically drop off the watch at his house.
- don't have to worry about shipping
- nice to establish a relationship, verify future purchases possibly
- good local reviews online
- contracts with local rolex AD.

Cons:
- Price- almost as expensive as the RSC.

I probably will use him, but dang it seems high for a vintage datejust.

[Dan S]

What are your other options? Just RSC? Where do you get your other watches serviced and why not use that watchmaker? After all, it's just a DJ. ;-)

Just as an FYI, if he really has access to Rolex parts, he's one of fewer than 100 independents remaining in the US by most accounts, so he can probably charge what he wants. My watchmaker charges me less, but we have a very longstanding relationship.

[Tools]

Almost everybody has an inflated price when you say Rolex.

The key is to ensure that a watchmaker is CW-21 qualified and current, and that the shop does have a Rolex parts account.

[MorningTundra]

It’s about the going rate. What we’re you expecting to pay? And do you really want the cheapest guy on the street working on your watch? It’s not a Seiko, after all.

[granttime]

send it to Philip Ridley.

[zapokee]

750 sounds about right to me, especially if he's sympathetic to vintage. RSC will want to swap out a bunch of parts without considering vintage value.

I'd even pay more than RSC for a CW-21 independent with a Rolex parts account. Same service as RSC without ruining the value of your watch.

Let us know what you decide.

[Andad]

As Larry has posted in #3.

And if your local watchmaker really knows his Rolex watches and has good feedback I would take your 16030 there.

[CaveDweller]

About what I paid to service (independent) my 16030 after ten years, roughly the same parts as well. Got all my old parts back in the replacement part Rolex boxes

As for the quality of the work – only one way to find out ……

[pk552502]

Hi Guys, thanks for your replies. This watchmaker has one of the AWCI older legacy certifications C.M.E.W which stands for certified master electronic watchmaker. Do you consider this as good as the CW-21?

I found this information about the older certifications:

AWCI members who were previously certified were given the option to upgrade their certification to the new 21st Century designations.

Many of our members still hold our legacy certifications. They are:

CW
Certified Watchmaker

CMW
Certified Master Watchmaker

CMEW
Certified Master Electronic Watchmaker

CEWT
Certified Electronic Watch Technician

CC
Certified Clockmaker

CMC
Certified Master Clockmaker

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by pk552502

Hi Guys, thanks for your replies. This watchmaker has one of the AWCI older legacy certifications C.M.E.W which stands for certified master electronic watchmaker. Do you consider this as good as the CW-21?

I found this information about the older certifications:

AWCI members who were previously certified were given the option to upgrade their certification to the new 21st Century designations.

Many of our members still hold our legacy certifications. They are:

CW
Certified Watchmaker

CMW
Certified Master Watchmaker

CMEW
Certified Master Electronic Watchmaker

CEWT
Certified Electronic Watch Technician

CC
Certified Clockmaker

CMC
Certified Master Clockmaker

I think you might be over thinking this. If you have doubts send it to someone with a proven track record. Plenty of recommendations on this forum. If your watch is precious to you, pay a premium for piece of mind.

[Chris]

Hi
I recently paid £500 (approx $700) for a service of my 1952 (6426). I had a chat with him 1st told him what i expected, he told me what he could do. The watch had been running slow came back now keeping good time. A TRF member had told me no one would touch it and if they did expect to min £1000.

[joli160]

Almost the same as the RSC.
The latter provides a two year warranty instead of one. Provides a service card together with some paperwork. You are sure of original parts, nothing generic, QC procedures in place.

Easy choice for me.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by joli160

Almost the same as the RSC.
The latter provides a two year warranty instead of one. Provides a service card together with some paperwork. You are sure of original parts, nothing generic, QC procedures in place.

Easy choice for me.

Service was undertaken by an accredited service engineer came with 24 month warrenty card and being vintage i requested no polishing.

Easy choice for me

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by Chris

Hi
I recently paid £500 (approx $700) for a service of my 1952 (6426). I had a chat with him 1st told him what i expected, he told me what he could do. The watch had been running slow came back now keeping good time. A TRF member had told me no one would touch it and if they did expect to min £1000.

Asking about a 6542 in TRF? Presumably you asked in the Vuntage subforum?

[77T]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

Asking about a 6542 in TRF? Presumably you asked in the Vuntage subforum?

He wasn’t asking anything. He was sharing a personal experience on the price of service by independent watchmaker (as the OP had requested input on price of service)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Chris]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

Asking about a 6542 in TRF? Presumably you asked in the Vuntage subforum?

What you on about numpty!!

[Chris]

doubt you'll find many watchmakers who will be interested in servicing a 6426. It simply isn't worth it to them and nobody can get the parts anymore.

Steven Hale would probably be the only place in the UK that would service it properly and you'd be looking at £1k+.

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by Chris

What you on about numpty!!

This douchy to every stranger you talk to?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

This douchy to every stranger you talk to?

Speak english!!

[indianmachine]

Seems pretty reasonable if they're good, in-line with the pricing I've seen in SF

[Nickn]

£500 to service a manual wind movement seems very expensive
Any competent watchmaker could service this movement and any other Rolex for that matter

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Nickn

£500 to service a manual wind movement seems very expensive
Any competent watchmaker could service this movement and any other Rolex for that matter

That begs the question why does RSC charge so much!!

[Nickn]

Because they can

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Nickn

Because they can

Likewise so can an independant repairer

[Nickn]

Greed then
Again
There’s nothing special about a Rolex movement any watchmaker can do a service
I recently used watch doctor in tring
Look at their site and see what they charge
My old bloke charged me £60 for a manual service plus parts
Rolex trained but had Been retired for 30 years so did repairs as a hobby
Sadly at 93 he developed shakes

[Nickn]

Just remembered my 1680 is booked into be serviced at the end of the month
The main spring has failed
£240 plus parts

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Nickn

Greed then
Again
There’s nothing special about a Rolex movement any watchmaker can do a service
I recently used watch doctor in tring
Look at their site and see what they charge
My old bloke charged me £60 for a manual service plus parts
Rolex trained but had Been retired for 30 years so did repairs as a hobby
Sadly at 93 he developed shakes

Or just market forces...

I might be a bit nervous about having a 93-year old with the shakes servicing my vintage Rolex . How did it turn out?

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by Chris

Speak english!!

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/douchebag