Ask an Insider Thread

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis

I'm sorry but I can't buy this reasoning. I especially don't understand your second sentence here, where you say that the modern oils the watch doesn't "age" while sitting, yet it's still good that they get moved around and don't sit without running for extended periods.

So... your logic dictates that the watch doesn't age whilst not running, nor while running, so long as it's in a dealer's possession. Yet, when I buy it, it magically starts aging and needs to be serviced in 5 year intervals.

I don't follow.

Apologies Jon, the perils of writing a hasty reply on a tight schedule Just to clarify my previous points, synthetic oils do not break down over time like older mineral oils did. However, the oil can build up in just one place if the watch has no running at all, hence moving the watches (ergo placing tension in the mainspring, albeit just small amounts) will keep the movement nicely lubricated without putting much wear on the movement. We're talking about maybe a couple of hours running a week, so much much less than a regularly worn one. Therefore, a modern Rolex theoretically sitting in the window for five years will not need a movement service, whilst one that has been worn regularly will.

Hope this clears things up

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

ps. What do you do when a watch sits in the display for two years? also are the watches on consignment from rolex?

Apologies, didn't see this first time round. It's very rare for us to have a watch in stock that long, but when one does, the manager has a bigger incentive to move it on. Over here, an allocation of watches is offered to a dealership from Rolex on a monthly basis - the dealership chooses the ones that it needs, and then they are sent from Rolex. Certainly steel sports models are only available through the allocations, but other models can be special ordered as well if a client wanted a particular combination

Chris

[oysterowl83]

Chrisssss..

Has your firm ordered the Sky-Dweller? haha

Anth.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by oysterowl83

Chrisssss..

Has your firm ordered the Sky-Dweller? haha

Anth.

Hi Anth

Yep, I believe we have placed an order for the RG version, and we're planning on getting a WG version in at some point too

Chris

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hi Anth

Yep, I believe we have placed an order for the RG version, and we're planning on getting a WG version in at some point too

Chris

Can you tell what the retail price will be yet?

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by MoBe

Can you tell what the retail price will be yet?

The prices I've heard are £26k for the RG, and £32k for the WG. I think the YG will be marginally less than the WG. Those prices would be inclusive of 20% VAT as well

[oysterowl83]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hi Anth

Yep, I believe we have placed an order for the RG version, and we're planning on getting a WG version in at some point too

Chris

I know you influenced them for the RG mate! lol

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

The prices I've heard are £26k for the RG, and £32k for the WG. I think the YG will be marginally less than the WG. Those prices would be inclusive of 20% VAT as well

Really? Are those the same prices we saw when it was introduced?

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by oysterowl83

I know you influenced them for the RG mate! lol

My boss was pretty taken with it, anyway!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

Really? Are those the same prices we saw when it was introduced?

Same prices, no change

[oysterowl83]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

My boss was pretty taken with it, anyway!

Mr. Humble..you crack me up..cheers!

Anth

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

The prices I've heard are £26k for the RG, and £32k for the WG. I think the YG will be marginally less than the WG. Those prices would be inclusive of 20% VAT as well

I bet they won`t sell as fast as the Submariner.

[NorthernPike]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Ahh, thankyou Interesting piece of information

Chris

I'm not alone.
Read post #4 of this thread:
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=223450

[horseco]

Originally Posted by MoBe

I bet they won`t sell as fast as the Submariner.

Hahahah!!!

[emagni]

Chris,

Does Rolex allows for a dial swap of equivalent value (specific to that model) if you decide to do so after a new watch was purchase from an AD? If so is there a charge and if yes, will they keep the original dial?

[Andelain]

Originally Posted by emagni

Chris,

Does Rolex allows for a dial swap of equivalent value (specific to that model) if you decide to do so after a new watch was purchase from an AD? If so is there a charge and if yes, will they keep the original dial?

Chris, I'd like to take this question a step farther. If I were to have a new dial put in my Rolex, genuine but not specific to that model, what would Rolex do when I send in in for service?

For example, the TOG is only available with the stick dial. Say I buy one, then get a dial with romans put in. The dial would be genuine, and a Datejust dial.

Thanks

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by MoBe

I bet they won`t sell as fast as the Submariner.

I'm with you on that one!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by emagni

Chris,

Does Rolex allows for a dial swap of equivalent value (specific to that model) if you decide to do so after a new watch was purchase from an AD? If so is there a charge and if yes, will they keep the original dial?

Hey,

Certainly they do over here - dial swaps of an equivalent or higher value are allowed as part of a service. A basic dial will cost around £250 (been a while since I last saw one, so that price may have increased) on top of the service price, and if you want mother of pearl/diamonds etc, then the price goes up accordingly. Usually the dial is kept, but Rolex UK sometimes allow the dial to be returned to the customer. I don't know if the same policy is enforced elsewhere

It is also possible to get a dial swap (certainly on Datejusts) for free within the first couple of months of ownership. My Datejust originally came on a Black Roman dial and I never quite warmed to it, ended up swapping for the Black Arabic instead

Hope this helps

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Andelain

Chris, I'd like to take this question a step farther. If I were to have a new dial put in my Rolex, genuine but not specific to that model, what would Rolex do when I send in in for service?

For example, the TOG is only available with the stick dial. Say I buy one, then get a dial with romans put in. The dial would be genuine, and a Datejust dial.

Thanks

Rolex would probably politely decline to service it without putting on a correct dial - they don't tend to like parts not originally made for the watch. If you did want to modify your watch, you would probably have to send it for service outside of an RSC

Hope this helps,

Chris

[Andelain]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Rolex would probably politely decline to service it without putting on a correct dial - they don't tend to like parts not originally made for the watch. If you did want to modify your watch, you would probably have to send it for service outside of an RSC

Hope this helps,

Chris

Thanks for that. I was hoping they'd cut a little slack here, since a TOG actually IS a Datejust, but I guess that was too much to hope for.

[ArcticMoose]

Hi Chris, I have three questions about servicing that I do not think I have seen here before, pertaining specifically to the Kent RSC facility. I apologize if they have been asked already.

1. If I take them a 1675 GMT missing hands, dial and bezel, will they service it, and if so, how much will they charge me for replacement service parts?

2. Do they have the necessary tools to refinish a Yacht-Master bezel insert during service, and if not, will they just leave a scratched insert as is, or require it to be replaced?

3. Is the base service price the same for all sports models with a date (and without chronograph) and if so, what is it? Is the price the same if the service is administrated through your establishment as if I take it to RSC myself? (Ok, technically that one was two questions.)

Thanks in advance!

[hard8]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hey,

Certainly they do over here - dial swaps of an equivalent or higher value are allowed as part of a service. A basic dial will cost around £250 (been a while since I last saw one, so that price may have increased) on top of the service price, and if you want mother of pearl/diamonds etc, then the price goes up accordingly. Usually the dial is kept, but Rolex UK sometimes allow the dial to be returned to the customer. I don't know if the same policy is enforced elsewhere

It is also possible to get a dial swap (certainly on Datejusts) for free within the first couple of months of ownership. My Datejust originally came on a Black Roman dial and I never quite warmed to it, ended up swapping for the Black Arabic instead

Hope this helps

Chris

not quite true. if you want to change your dial within the first 3 months of ownership, there is a fitting charge of £90 + VAT, or £150 + VAT if you are changing a daytona dial. between 3 months and 2 years you have to pay the fitting charge and the price of the dial. anything more than 2 years and you will have to have the watch serviced and pay for the dial on top.

gents dials are usually around £400 after VAT, ladies £350.

[Man of Kent]

Hi Chris
Finally picked up a new Sub from an AD in Kent last week and am really pleased with the quality, accuracy etc.
The manager set the time and handwound it and I then wore it until thursday when I was unable to wear it again until this morning. Obviously the power reserve was totally exhausted so I reset the time and handwound it the 30 times as recommended. This is a rather longwinded way of asking you what I should hear and feel as I wind it? There is a distinct micro clicking/ratchet sound(best way I can describe it!) when winding and all I need to know is if this is normal?
I guess the only reason I am asking is that my other ETA based watches seem to be a lot quieter and smoother when winding but then this is a Rolex not an ETA so may well be different and I've never wound a Rolex before.
Thanks in advance.
Phil

[emagni]

Originally Posted by hard8

not quite true. if you want to change your dial within the first 3 months of ownership, there is a fitting charge of £90 + VAT, or £150 + VAT if you are changing a daytona dial. between 3 months and 2 years you have to pay the fitting charge and the price of the dial. anything more than 2 years and you will have to have the watch serviced and pay for the dial on top.

gents dials are usually around £400 after VAT, ladies £350.

So if done within the first three months Rolex will only charge for the dial swap fee and provide a free dial exchange given that the dial is equivalent in value? Thanks for clarifying!

[emagni]

I called RSC in Dallas Texas. They said they will not swap out any dials for sport models :-(

[bewithabob]

It has been reported that the new Rolex calibre an annual calendar; and Rolex touts in its video explaining the calibre that it discerns the difference between a 30 and a 31 day month.

I have also read reviews on the new movement telling that the new calibre is such that it discerns the 29, 30 and 31 day month, so that it doesn't need to be set but once every leap year.

Which is true?

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by bewithabob

It has been reported that the new Rolex calibre an annual calendar; and Rolex touts in its video explaining the calibre that it discerns the difference between a 30 and a 31 day month.

I have also read reviews on the new movement telling that the new calibre is such that it discerns the 29, 30 and 31 day month, so that it doesn't need to be set but once every leap year.

Which is true?

It's an annual calendar, so it needs an adjustment on March 1st every year.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by ArcticMoose

Hi Chris, I have three questions about servicing that I do not think I have seen here before, pertaining specifically to the Kent RSC facility. I apologize if they have been asked already.

1. If I take them a 1675 GMT missing hands, dial and bezel, will they service it, and if so, how much will they charge me for replacement service parts?

2. Do they have the necessary tools to refinish a Yacht-Master bezel insert during service, and if not, will they just leave a scratched insert as is, or require it to be replaced?

3. Is the base service price the same for all sports models with a date (and without chronograph) and if so, what is it? Is the price the same if the service is administrated through your establishment as if I take it to RSC myself? (Ok, technically that one was two questions.)

Thanks in advance!

Hey

1. I'm not completely sure, it may be a case they don't have all the parts necessary. We sometimes have to send vintage models to a vintage specialist (I can't remember where we last sent a vintage model, it was a little while back now) - normally in situations like that, they'd insist on an estimate beforehand

2. I believe they have the capability to refinish it, but I haven't taken in a YM for quite some time now

3. They have a price for all Professional models, split into modern and vintage calibres. For modern models, the baseline price is £430 (inc. VAT), on top of which we charge an additional fee for P&P and insurance. It'll be pretty much the same as you'd have to pay separately (unless you dropped it off in person).

Sorry for the slightly vague answers,

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by hard8

not quite true. if you want to change your dial within the first 3 months of ownership, there is a fitting charge of £90 + VAT, or £150 + VAT if you are changing a daytona dial. between 3 months and 2 years you have to pay the fitting charge and the price of the dial. anything more than 2 years and you will have to have the watch serviced and pay for the dial on top.

gents dials are usually around £400 after VAT, ladies £350.

Shows how out of date I am with my dial change information Thankyou

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by bewithabob

It has been reported that the new Rolex calibre an annual calendar; and Rolex touts in its video explaining the calibre that it discerns the difference between a 30 and a 31 day month.

I have also read reviews on the new movement telling that the new calibre is such that it discerns the 29, 30 and 31 day month, so that it doesn't need to be set but once every leap year.

Which is true?

Originally Posted by Fiery

It's an annual calendar, so it needs an adjustment on March 1st every year.

As it is an annual calendar, not a perpetual calendar, it has to be reset once a year, as Fiery says, on March 1st. A perpetual calendar watch knows when leap years are and are amongst the most complex watches money can buy - they have to be adjusted only when a leap year is deleted, and that won't happen again until 2100 now. There are also semi-perpetual calendars where you have to adjust it once every leap year. Confused yet?

Chris