Rolex refused to repair it !

[GreenFish]

Hi All,

I would love to hear what you think is going on. My sister's (loaded) boyfriend bought her a Rolex from a London (UK) jeweller about 4 years ago. It was an ex-display model which he bought for around £7000, being reduced from £9000 as an ex-display. It didn't come with a Rolex box, which was blamed on it being on display. My sister found that bit slightly odd. I don't know the model, but its face is surrounded in diamonds, and that's the bit that may be causing the problem.

My sister is travelling in Australia now, and water got into her 'waterproof' watch and caused progressive interference with the timing until it stopped working, all in the last 2.5 months. She has finally made it to a proper Rolex place in Melbourne, where she asked for a repair today. They told her they couldn't touch it as it has been extensively modified and they aren't allowed to take it apart, fix it, and put it back together as if it were a perfect Rolex, if they don't believe it is as it should be. But they didn't elaborate. They only said "extensively modified". My sister left with her watch. She has all of the paperwork for it, warranty etc, but clearly Rolex have a policy that is getting in the way.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
And I imagine it isn't that uncommon. How on Earth do they handle this?

[Vincent65]

try to find a decent independent watch-maker who should be able to sort it out - or take it back to where it was bought

[toph]

It sounds as If the diamonds have been added by one jeweller oR another but ultimately not by rolex. Some apparently legitimate dealers a very unscrupulous and do it themselves. They make a 5 grand Rolex look like a 15k by adding cheaper inferior quality diamonds to dial, case and bezel and don't tell you. They charge you somewhere in the middle etc. They also don't tell you that this voids whatever original warranty and that often Rolex won't touch it anyway. Could we have any pics?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by toph

It sounds as If the diamonds have been added by one jeweller oR another but ultimately not by rolex. Some apparently legitimate dealers a very unscrupulous and do it themselves. They make a 5 grand Rolex look like a 15k by adding cheaper inferior quality diamonds to dial, case and bezel and don't tell you. They charge you somewhere in the middle etc. They also don't tell you that this voids whatever original warranty and that often Rolex won't touch it anyway. Could we have any pics?

Are you talking about a Rolex AD?

[wokafu]

Originally Posted by toph

It sounds as If the diamonds have been added by one jeweller oR another but ultimately not by rolex. Some apparently legitimate dealers a very unscrupulous and do it themselves. They make a 5 grand Rolex look like a 15k by adding cheaper inferior quality diamonds to dial, case and bezel and don't tell you. They charge you somewhere in the middle etc. They also don't tell you that this voids whatever original warranty and that often Rolex won't touch it anyway. Could we have any pics?

x2

something like that vlxxxdydiamonds kinda deal i assume..but then it would void the waranty even if its from AD 's modification..?

[toph]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Are you talking about a Rolex AD?

No no, pre-owned, or grey dealers. I have seen it quite a few times over the years but more online. There are many , what many think are reputable, eBay stores that do it for a living unfortunately.

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Are you talking about a Rolex AD?

That was my first question.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by GreenFish

My sister's (loaded) boyfriend bought her a Rolex from a London (UK) jeweller about 4 years ago.

Let her boyfriend handle it.

[floater156]

Sounds like a your sister bought a fake Rolex. OUCH. Maybe her (load in his pants) boyfriend should purchase from an authorized Rolex dealer next time instead of cheaping out and buying a fake.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by floater156

Sounds like a your sister bought a fake Rolex. OUCH. Maybe her (load in his pants) boyfriend should purchase from an authorized Rolex dealer next time instead of cheaping out and buying a fake.

Who says it's a fake?

More likely added aftermarket bezel and or dial.

[varld]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Who says it's a fake?

More likely added aftermarket bezel and or dial.

i agree

[MatthewInSeattle]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Who says it's a fake?

More likely added aftermarket bezel and or dial.

As far as US copyright law is concerned (which isn't applicable here, but it wouldn't surprise me if Australia's laws weren't similar), as well as Rolex SA's policy concerning repair at RSC's. Aftermarket additions violate Rolex's copyright and void any warranty, and because they (like any other business) can refuse service to anyone, for any reason, they don't have to service it.

Find an independent with a parts account, and see if they can't work on it. I'm sure someone on here can point you to one near you.

[mikkibarry]

You're talking either trademark or design patent, not copyright. Just an FYI.

[daniel76]

There are good independent places in Melbourne she can have it serviced

[Venusfly]

Sounds like a real watch with aftermarket diamonds, sold with disclosing it's aftermarket. Unlikely it's an AD, Grey Market more likely. Rolex doesn't service watches with aftermarket modifications of that magnitude.

Best bet would be to have the boyfriend take it back to where he bought it. Get them to service it. If they sold it without disclosing they should be eager to accomodate.

[bayerische]

Completely normal "behavior" from Rolex. They won't service a modified watch.

[jay1988]

If water has been in the watch for 2.5 months then she has a serious problem. She needs to move fast and get it to a decent independent watch maker. Ask for recommendations on here.

Sounds to me like her bf was talking rubbish. I have never heard of ex-display Rolex models going for cheaper ... He obviously didn't buy it from an AD.

[jay1988]

Originally Posted by floater156

Sounds like a your sister bought a fake Rolex. OUCH. Maybe her (load in his pants) boyfriend should purchase from an authorized Rolex dealer next time instead of cheaping out and buying a fake.

Unless I'm mistaken, if it was fake they would of confiscated it and not given it back to her.

[andromeda160]

That aftermarket bezel is probably what caused the leak as well

[crowncollection]

completely understandable by rolex, and this is why aftermarket parts are not supported, they are not made with the same nanometer tolerances, the bezel may fit but it does not maintain adequate pressure in the gasket surrounding the glass on some occassions. I have come across aftermarket bezels you could pull off and push back on with just your fingers, a true rolex diamond bezel is worth over 8000 usd, however it fits really tight and you need a press to put it on the watch, it maintains waterproofness. Your option is to take it to an independent as fast as you can, if it's been over 2 months you will have caused a lot of water damage, in my experience damage starts within 12-24 hours if the watch is not dried out properly. all the best

[damiand]

Perhaps she can take it to The Watch Gallery at 337 Little Collins St (Tel 9670 4233)
They might be able to help.

[Left wrist]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Completely normal "behavior" from Rolex. They won't service a modified watch.

why modify it anyway? my car dealer wont modify my car if i put an after market suspension... same stuff

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Left wrist

why modify it anyway? my car dealer wont modify my car if i put an after market suspension... same stuff

I am not following you??

[joseluu]

Just another story of someone who never came back to explain anything...

[opm2008]

a Frankenwatch maybe? If it is out of spec, I believe Rolex would then insist to return it to its original state and well, the cost of parts and service plus the redundant parts thereafter ... bring it to a independant watchmaker I'd say if you are going to go to all that trouble to restore it before sending it in ...

Here is a parallel story. Many years ago I bought my son a Sony game console and after a bit, allowed it to go to an independant shop for operating system mod. It worked well until his litte sister decided to test if the console or the marble floor was harder. Anywayz, Sony refused to repair the repair as it had been tampered with ....

[warren brazina]

the diamonds are probably after market & I think if the watch has been altered in any way Rolex won't honor the warranty.

[JTR64]

Hi, when your sister gets to Sydney go to Max Schweizer Swiss Watch Service located at:- Suite 313, Level 3, 375 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000. He is highly experienced and Rolex factory trained a straight up guy. Hope this helps :-)

[dsio]

Trouble is if its leaked and there are parts rusted that need replacing, because nobody other than RSC can supply replacement parts for the watch, its going to be a big bill as the independent you go to will have to source bits from overseas.

There is no such thing as a Rolex parts account in Australia, and you can't ship to the USA for servicing as they'll seize it on entry to the states.

[robisan]

Maybe her loaded boyfriend can buy her a new one?

[Tools]

The OP made the one post and never came back..

I imagine that we will never know the true story here since it was relayed second or third hand to begin with...

Let it be known though, there are plenty of other good watchmakers out there, besides those at an AD, who are perfectly capable of repairing your Rolex..