Bad experience at RSC Brazil - Full service on a Tudor

[Ouro9999]

Hi everyone,

Normally i do buy a watch every year at this period, this year i have bought an omega pro moonphase 2005, and a Tudor Prince Date Chrono pre tiger green dial. Was looking to buy this watch for such a long time, but it was hard to find the one that i wanted, a pre tiger, from late 90s with Rolex parts on it (crown and botton), and of course in Brazil where a live.

Found one after many years seraching, made the deal and bought it. I have got it from an ebay like brazilian site, no box and papers, so i needed to bring it to Rolex RSC for checking and servicing it. The watch is running ok, but the sapphire crystal needs to be replaced.

Every single watch Rolex or Tudor i have bought used on the past 5 years, i took it to Rolex RSC for a full service, this includes, datejust, subs, yachtmaster and a vintage tudor day date (this last one RSC destroyed the dial).

The price a i have always paid was around 900-1k usd for a full service on Rolex watches and the tudor was a little cheaper something like 650 usd.

This time my visit was so unpleseant, from my house to RSC takes about 1 hour by car. When i got there, i could not be helped, because nowdays RSC in Brazil is only by appointment. So had the watch on my pocket, at RSC building and i could not drop the watch. Anyway got back next day after the appointment, asked to check the watch and the cost to replace the sapphire and a full service.

The lady took the watch in and couple of minutes later she said the service will cost you 1.3k usd (5.5k brl), wow. 1.3k to service a 7750 is way to much in my opinion. Refused and asked only for a partial service and replacement for the saphire, she said we won't make partial service on this watch because it seems too old and there are Rolex parts on this watch that are not common (Crown and back, and needs to be verified) i have said that its rare (crown and botton) but it exists, as my other tudor day date that they serviced couple of years ago, she said again pay a full or nothing... I then asked to replace the saphire and seals, she said no. Full service or nothing. I said ok, but can't do it. So i have asked her to remove the bracelet and check if the serial number was there, can you believe she almost refuse to do it as well??? But the best part is to come, got the watch back with the serial number writen down for me for free (thanks RSC), while putting the watch back into my pocket i have asked her if i could take this years catalogue (at RSC Brazil there are dozens laying around everywhere), it is made to be given, i have all the last 5 years catalogues, always given to me at RSC, whenever a bring or pickup my watches. This time was different, i have asked, and she freezed for a few seconds (like, humm don't know if i should give one to him, he is not making the service...) then she said ok and with her eyes authorized the other lady to bring me one. I got the book, and left, but few minutes later i felt so bad that i wanted to go back and return the book.

Anyway, it was a bad experience, no plans to go back there any time soon. I think i have and had plenty watches from the brand already, happy with them.

Will try new oceans next year. As for the the Tudor chrono will need to service it somewhere else.

Thanks for reading!

[Heu]

this is sad

[Ouro9999]

[Watchflair]

The appointment policy stinks.

The service though for a chronograph movement doesn't seem that out of line in my opinion. I also get their wish to do a full service or nothing - they don't want to be responsible for the watch without completing a full service on it.

Oh - it's a gorgeous piece by the way love the Green!

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by Watchflair

The appointment policy stinks.

The service though for a chronograph movement doesn't seem that out of line in my opinion. I also get their wish to do a full service or nothing - they don't want to be responsible for the watch without completing a full service on it.

Oh - it's a gorgeous piece by the way love the Green!

Thanks for the comment, yes it is such a nice watch. As for the service, its a Tudor not a Rolex moviment, the tudor chrono is a valjoux 7750 based caliber. That why i think is not worth 1.3k for the service.

[playford]

Lovely watch.

Realistically you either pay or dont pay.

[mullman]

Just for a reference point, when I had this piece (purchased new in 1989 for USD 975.00) serviced last in 2005 the price was USD 1175.00 at RSC NYC. So the price hasn’t gone up that much. Sometimes I miss this watch, but that rotor noise though!


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[JebM]

If you thought it was going to be 900-1k is the extra 300 really worth all the added running around? At this stage you're 4 hours in the car into this operation and still have a watch that needs service.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Ouro9999

Thanks for the comment, yes it is such a nice watch. As for the service, its a Tudor not a Rolex moviment, the tudor chrono is a valjoux 7750 based caliber. That why i think is not worth 1.3k for the service.

Beautiful Tudor!

By the way this article may interest you regarding ETA and Valjoux that are owned by Swatch.


https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/sw...lied-movements

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by mullman

Just for a reference point, when I had this piece (purchased new in 1989 for USD 975.00) serviced last in 2005 the price was USD 1175.00 at RSC NYC. So the price hasn’t gone up that much. Sometimes I miss this watch, but that rotor noise though!


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Yep, noise rotor! I think 1.3k is the same cost for daytona full service, and yes both chrono and both made somehow by Rolex, so the labor time is the same, but there is a thing, this watch is worth 2,5 to 3k (with rolex part a little more), but i bought from some who could not understand the difference, so i have paid the average price, that said how could i service it for 50% of the watch value? I have called another company who is authorized for other swiss brands and have plenty parts for the 7750, and they charged me a fraction of that amount, thats why i think its hard to pay 1.3k at Rolex.

Thanks!

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Beautiful Tudor!

By the way this article may interest you regarding ETA and Valjoux that are owned by Swatch.


https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/sw...lied-movements

Thanks this is why i will send the watch to a swiss brand authorized repair center, they said they could mak the service for a much lower price and have parts for the 7750.

The only issue will be the saphire crystal, this i will need to find.

Thanks!

[Nikrnic]

That is one beautiful piece you have. I hope you work out your service dilemma.

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[Yuri.Popov]

This is a beautiful Tudor. These people can be hawks especially if you are not spending money. don't feel bad about the book thats all you get for the poor service you received. Better luck else where

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

That is one beautiful piece you have. I hope you work out your service dilemma.

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Thanks a lot!

[ndrs63]

Originally Posted by mullman

Just for a reference point, when I had this piece (purchased new in 1989 for USD 975.00) serviced last in 2005 the price was USD 1175.00 at RSC NYC. So the price hasn’t gone up that much. Sometimes I miss this watch, but that rotor noise though!


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Gorgeous watch. What’s the model number?


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[timy]

Originally Posted by Ouro9999

Awesome watch, I really loved these when they were current, and I was very poor!

Much nicer than those TIGER hideous dials. The red second-hand pops as they say!

[dane75]

Sorry for the hassle with that location. But, man, that's a super looking color scheme. Perfect watch to wear at Christmas, too!

[alphasports]

Beautiful watch, hope you get it taken care of at a shop that offers a service you deserve.

[aero]

Hi, Ouro.
Will send you a PM.
Check inbox !
Regards, Aero

[gunhose]

Wow you have great watch !

[BisonHead]

Lovely looking watch and not one that i have seen before with that dial. Its lovely and a good match with the strap. Very nice indeed.

Do have a soft spot for the pre tiger tudors, its on my ever growing wish list......

Many thanks for posting. Hope you get your service problems sorted.

[Frits1980]

Its Brazil mate. Everything is expensive, complicated and backwords. Take it abroad if you need specialists work done. Chance you get a pro here is slim. I had my share alright with clowns who didnt had a clue what they were doing.

[Heu]

Nice tudor

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by JebM

If you thought it was going to be 900-1k is the extra 300 really worth all the added running around? At this stage you're 4 hours in the car into this operation and still have a watch that needs service.

I thought i would be paying 650-750, same amout i have paid on my tudor day-date service couple of years ago.

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by BisonHead

Lovely looking watch and not one that i have seen before with that dial. Its lovely and a good match with the strap. Very nice indeed.

Do have a soft spot for the pre tiger tudors, its on my ever growing wish list......

Many thanks for posting. Hope you get your service problems sorted.

Thanks a lot! Under the sun its gets even better!

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by dane75

Sorry for the hassle with that location. But, man, that's a super looking color scheme. Perfect watch to wear at Christmas, too!

For sure i will wear it on Christmas!

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by aero

Hi, Ouro.
Will send you a PM.
Check inbox !
Regards, Aero

I have just replied!

Thanks!

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by timy

Awesome watch, I really loved these when they were current, and I was very poor!

Much nicer than those TIGER hideous dials. The red second-hand pops as they say!

I can not look at that TIGER on the dial, it makes the chace childish in my opinion!

[Ouro9999]

And Rolex should known this. Bought a 90s Tudor Prince Chronograph, took it to Rolex RSC, they quoted 1.3k USD for am overhaul + Sapphire. I have paid 2.450k USD for the watch. This quote made me rethinking about buying Tudors for collection. I do know the time needed to fix the watch is the same to fix a Rolex Daytona, but that is more than 50% of the watch value. As for the parts, never took a watch that was running ok for a service at RSC that needed to replace more than 3 small gears or so. This service costs will affect even more the Tudor prices, and they already do not hold a good value on used market, and buying a watch the may need a service may end as a complete disaster.

Please note that Rolex can charge whatever they want, it's a free maker and I support that, but they should notice that this may hurt the brand (Tudor).

As for my watch it will need to service somewhere else, i could not look at the mirror if I need to pay 50% of it's value for a service.

Thanks!

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[BisonHead]

I commented on your other thread in regards your new watch. Which by the way looks fantastic. I think you got it for a steal compared to whats on the market at the moment.

To be honest paying $1300 USD for a full Rolex service for a watch that you got for $2450. I understand seems a lot, i.e. 50% of purchase value.

However comparable watches on various sales sites are going for around $6500 plus.

Personally i would be thrilled to have a watch as lovely as yours, plus that all important Rolex service card with 2 year guarantee for the very fair sum of $3750 USD all in.

Of course this is just my opinion on the situation.