Can this bezel be repaired?

[jukey]

This is my Datejust. There are lots of scratches but the bezel has some somewhat deeper damage to it (please see pics).

The London RSC has recommended replacing with new bezel at a cost of £1350. The watch is currently given to them for a service but not yet started pending my decision to proceed with the extra work of bezel replacement. (Other suggested options were sapphire glass replacement £116 and 6-link assembly replacement £340)

Unfortunately I did not get time to visit the Watch Polisher before handing the watch to RSC but he seems to do miraculous work even with fluted bezels.

I'm tempted just to ask RSC to just do the service and the less expensive optional work and maybe ask Watch Polisher to take a look, but I am afraid that I will be charged more by RSC if I came back to them for bezel replacement only, if it can't be repaired. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome!

[dukie748]

Ouch, have no idea replace vs repair but I feel for you - that's quite the ding - one that I would struggle to live with.

[911_3.6]

Seems pretty expensive, but that appears to be a lot of damage so not sure what your polisher can do with it. Personally, I would replace the bezel and let the RSC complete all repairs and it would be like new again.

Good luck with your decision.

[Rolex1982]

That’s a bad one, i think polishing would really destroy the bezel. I would let them replace it.

[ArtNouveau]

I would replace it, that is too deep to polish out. I guess some metal could be laser welded back to it but I think getting it back into that fluted shape would be difficult.

[nighthawk77]

Tough call - I suspect you may be able to get repaired/polished, but theres some deep gouges there and my worry would be that you'll still notice. I'm not sure if it's easy or not to add white gold like you can with steel.

I think the other thing to bear in mind is that if you send to Rolex, I suspect they will stipulate you need to replace it. However, if you send it to an independent for a repair/polish, RSC may pick up on this at service time and still insist on it's replacement further down the line.

In both instances you need to pay to replace, so if it we're me I'd bite the bullet now and send it to RSC for a replacement.

[EEpro]

I think that bezel is $1100 or so to replace.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Not possible to repair, will need to replace.

[frank gama]

My guess is, it probably could be repaired. Ive read from the others on the forum that Rolliworks are good at this kind of thing.

One thing, if you do decide to replace it, I would advise you to first remove the bezel and keep it as a memento, otherwise Rolex will keep it. It will not affect the final cost of the "replacement".
The bezel on my two-tone datejust split spontaneously while it was locked away in a drawer. I have no idea why. Anyway, I kept the bezel back when I sent the watch back to the RSC for a new one. I paid about £400, but this is going back 15 years ago.

[jukey]

Originally Posted by frank gama

My guess is, it probably could be repaired. Ive read from the others on the forum that Rolliworks are good at this kind of thing.

One thing, if you do decide to replace it, I would advise you to first remove the bezel and keep it as a memento, otherwise Rolex will keep it. It will not affect the final cost of the "replacement".
The bezel on my two-tone datejust split spontaneously while it was locked away in a drawer. I have no idea why. Anyway, I kept the bezel back when I sent the watch back to the RSC for a new one. I paid about £400, but this is going back 15 years ago.

I think they've gotten wise to this. The quotation specifies that "all component prices are calculated on an exchange basis including any potential return of precious metal"

[996marty]

That damage looks pretty bad and for that reason I’d say it needs replacing

[learningtofly]

Personally, I’d bite the bullet with this one and get it done. I can’t see that a repair is going to produce a particularly satisfactory result.

[CarlOver]

See if it can be repaired, otherwise you are giving them your gold fluted bezel and $1400. So in the end, it’s a lot more than the price they quoted.

[jukey]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

See if it can be repaired, otherwise you are giving them your gold fluted bezel and $1400. So in the end, it’s a lot more than the price they quoted.

I got the impression when speaking to my local AD that the quoted price is the balance of a "part exchange" for a new one which otherwise has a significantly higher price, but I will check that with the RSC.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by jukey

I got the impression when speaking to my local AD that the quoted price is the balance of a "part exchange" for a new one which otherwise has a significantly higher price, but I will check that with the RSC.

That's correct. The exchange credit is baked into the quote. For steel bracelets it's 15% for example. Probably higher for gold.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

It’s already at the doctor. Just bite the bullet, you know it will come back perfect.

[painexpert]

Originally Posted by frank gama

My guess is, it probably could be repaired. Ive read from the others on the forum that Rolliworks are good at this kind of thing.

One thing, if you do decide to replace it, I would advise you to first remove the bezel and keep it as a memento, otherwise Rolex will keep it. It will not affect the final cost of the "replacement".
The bezel on my two-tone datejust split spontaneously while it was locked away in a drawer. I have no idea why. Anyway, I kept the bezel back when I sent the watch back to the RSC for a new one. I paid about £400, but this is going back 15 years ago.

Very good point.

[DavidSB]

I know you're in the UK but send photos to Rolliworks in Florida and see if they can fix it. Shipping may be prohibitive but at least you would know if one of the best in the US can do it. If they can't then you know you have to replace it.

[dangson]

How did you damage the bezel to that extent?

[REQUIEMnJADED4U]

I don't believe a polish will help with the deep scars on that bezel. I second everyone else's opinion of replacing the bezel but understand the cost is high.

[winst]

Originally Posted by DavidSB

I know you're in the UK but send photos to Rolliworks in Florida and see if they can fix it. Shipping may be prohibitive but at least you would know if one of the best in the US can do it. If they can't then you know you have to replace it.

No need to send to USA - try Watchworks in Bristol.

[Eric88]

If you want to buy some time, have the bezel removed and shift the damaged area to 12:00. It would be a lot less noticeable there.

[csaltphoto]

It can definitely be repaired. Seen far worse. Just have to get a quote/estimate and see how it measures up. I'm guessing repair would be about half.

[Submaster1675]

Some polishing and laser welding specialists work miracles.
In Italy, there is Il_Menzerna who has an Instagram account. Look for example at what can be repaired.
A “magician” like that, there must also be one in England

[jtorrebl]

No dent repair guy can repair a bezel like that. No way. Rolex couldn’t even make a fluted bezel for their platinum DD until this last year. You think anyone can repair a fluted bezel without Rolex’s unique machines? Come on

[Andad]

[QUOTE=jtorrebl;13137614]No dent repair guy can repair a bezel like that. No way. Rolex couldn’t even make a fluted bezel for their platinum DD until this last year. You think anyone can repair a fluted bezel without Rolex’s unique machines? Come on.

A gold bezel can be recut. Not sure if stainless can be.

The issue may be adding the material and preparing the bezel for recutting compared to the cost of replacement..

[Submaster1675]

They didn't know it was impossible, so they did it (Mark Twain)

[joli160]

Originally Posted by jtorrebl

No dent repair guy can repair a bezel like that. No way. Rolex couldn’t even make a fluted bezel for their platinum DD until this last year. You think anyone can repair a fluted bezel without Rolex’s unique machines? Come on

Yes, they can and it is much cheaper than buying new.

[londondude]

I would send it over to the watch polisher guy, he works miracles on fluted bezels! It will probably work out cheaper and you’ll get to keep the original part

[harvey]

Originally Posted by dangson

How did you damage the bezel to that extent?

…breakdancing?