Submariner 16800 cleaning/service

[2Bang2]

Hi all, I'm a new member. I own a stainless Submariner 16800 which I purchased in 1983. I wish to have it cleaned and serviced (long overdue!). I do not want the matte dial replaced and have been told Rolex Auth Repair insists on doing this. Any advice for where I can get my watch serviced? I live near Philadelphia, Pa. Thank you in advance!

[GeorgeK]

1- retrieve the watch safe and complete.
2- read up here for good specialists that will treat your watch with respect (hint: NOT Rolex AD).

[Tools]

Originally Posted by 2Bang2

Hi all, I'm a new member. I own a stainless Submariner 16800 which I purchased in 1983. I wish to have it cleaned and serviced (long overdue!). I do not want the matte dial replaced and have been told Rolex Auth Repair insists on doing this. Any advice for where I can get my watch serviced? I live near Philadelphia, Pa. Thank you in advance!

Not sure where you get that idea. Rolex does not "insist" on anything unless it has degraded to a point where it will affect the performance of the watch.

They frequently "recommend" that tritium dials be changed because they no longer glow, but you can always decline to have it changed.

What does happen all too often, owners give the watch to the AD to send in. At that point the RSC will only deal with the AD and many of them simply say "change it" because they think the owner wants a like-new watch.

[Cantab]

+1 to above.

[lhawli]

Originally Posted by 2Bang2

Hi all, I'm a new member. I own a stainless Submariner 16800 which I purchased in 1983. I wish to have it cleaned and serviced (long overdue!). I do not want the matte dial replaced and have been told Rolex Auth Repair insists on doing this. Any advice for where I can get my watch serviced? I live near Philadelphia, Pa. Thank you in advance!

No such thing unless the part interferes with how well the watch runs, thus they will insist.

When you send the watch in, make it crystal clear you want a caliber overhaul ONLY. Be specific that you do not want the dial and hands replaced and you can even request they do not polish the watch either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
----
Rolex Submariner Date (116610LN)
Omega Speedmaster Pro (311.30.42.30.01.006)

[colpol]

I was in authorised Rolex AD at lunchtime handing my sea dweller 16600 across for service. I asked about getting my 1680 serviced & they said could/ would insist on movement only service & anything like hands, dial, etc wouldn't be touched if specified

I've read the horror stories on this & other forums about hands, dials etc being replaced without owners permission & the effect it then has on value but more often than not the stories come to light when someone didn't know before hand to specify what they did/ did not want done. The Rolex service papers on a 35/40 year old Watch attractive for me versus joe bloggs Watch servicing. Maybe different in US where a few well known independent names

Interested to hear others opinions

[madonofrio]

If you're willing to ship, I can personally recommend Los Angeles Watchworks. They specialize in vintage and are very easy to work with...

I personally wouldn't take the chance with the RSC and a vintage watch. That said, sounds like it should be ok as long as you're specific about what should and shouldn't be done.