Need someone like ABC Watchwerks within the EU.

[Blackdog]

I have a Z-series 16600 SD that I bought second hand a couple of years ago.

The watch was (and still is) in excellent condition, but it had already been polished at the time I got it.

The thing is that guy that did the polish it did the classic polishing wheel job and the surfaces of the watch sides have lost their plane-ness somewhat (a slight spherical mirror effect, if you know what I mean).

I noticed it at the time, but didn't think it would bother me. Fact is that it does bother me a little, but not enough to take the hit of trading it in for another one.
I would like to identify a professional within Europe, with the right equipment and skill set, that could possibly rectify this issue.

Any recommendations will be much appreciated.

[mato123]

Why not wait for next service and get it properly polished then by Rolex? You sound like it could wait.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by mato123

Why not wait for next service and get it properly polished then by Rolex? You sound like it could wait.

Last I looked, not all RSCs polished back to factory specs. The "bexley edge" was so called because the bexley UK RSC had a lapping machine and knew how to use it.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=165251

OP, what you want is someone with a lapping machine. I know there's at least one guy doing good work with one out of the U.K. Check my post history - I just posted a like to tz-uk showing the guy's work.

[joli160]

You might try horlogepolijsten.nl. From hear say he is supposed to do a decent job.
Arguably the best however is the RSC in Koln. True artisans there and that would be my choice. But it will come as part of a full service and costly.

[Number3]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Last I looked, not all RSCs polished back to factory specs. The "bexley edge" was so called because the bexley UK RSC had a lapping machine and knew how to use it.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=165251

OP, what you want is someone with a lapping machine. I know there's at least one guy doing good work with one out of the U.K. Check my post history - I just posted a like to tz-uk showing the guy's work.

I can't find the post on tz-uk JP. Can I ask the name of the guy in the UK that you mention?

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

OP, what you want is someone with a lapping machine. I know there's at least one guy doing good work with one out of the U.K. Check my post history - I just posted a like to tz-uk showing the guy's work.

Thank you JP. I looked up and I think I have found the guy you talk about: Omegary at TZ-UK. I think this is exactly what I was looking for.

Looking at some of his restorations what I need done on my SD should be pretty easy for him !

I will contact him. (and if you were talking about someone else, please let me know !)

[Blackdog]

Well, unfortunate update.

I contacted watchworks.co.uk about doing the case refinish and got a reply from Rocco Manfredi himself (he's the actual watchmaker there).

He simply stated that unfortunately they "cannot repair my watch because it is a Sea Dweller and so can only be repaired by Rolex".

So..... Since the watch could probably use a service within the next couple of years, which are the confirmed RSCs (within Europe) that do the refinish using a lapping machine ? Does anyone know ?

[JP Chestnut]

Is Bexley UK still open? I'd probably go with them, but you might be able to find others. People are getting more picky about polishing. I think Rolex will probably standardize around using a lapping machine (if they haven't already).


http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=214336

Maybe respond back to Rocco that you don't care if he can't test the water tightness to 4000 feet (or whatever). He might not have a tester which goes that deep.