RSC - chip in crystal 116710LN

[RyanJames]

So I’ve just received my quote back from RSC for a full standard service at the cost of £585. The price has been relayed to me by my local AD Mappin and Webb Manchester. On top of the standard fee they’ve also advised there’s a chip in the crystal of my watch, which they class as ‘needing replacement for cosmetic reasons’ at an additional £170. Now my predicament is that my watch is quite heavily babied and if there were to be a ‘chip’ in my crystal, I’m pretty sure I’d know about it. (I can pin point every nick on the watch by memory and I routinely clean and inspect it).

My main question is, does this sound like an advisory on my GMT116710N or a somewhat extra ploy to make a few extra pounds.

Surely a compromised crystal would be a mandatory requirement, not optional?

[tbonesteak]

I can’t really advise, but to be direct, I’d have the same skepticism as you. I can pinpoint any mark on my watch too, pretty sure I’d notice a chip in the crystal.

I’d be very curious to see it if I was you and ask for a picture.

[SLS]

This is the second time that I have read a post like this. It would appear they are being over particular.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

I can’t really advise, but to be direct, I’d have the same skepticism as you. I can pinpoint any mark on my watch too, pretty sure I’d notice a chip in the crystal.

I’d be very curious to see it if I was you and ask for a picture.

I wonder the same.

[Amochosto]

I got the same call on my Explorer II told them not to fix it. I can barely see it while inspecting it with my reading glasses on. Not worried in the least.

[Old Geezer]

I think this is just an RSC technique to sell up the service. I got the same recommendation and declined. I called them direct. My crystal did not have chips in it when I sent it in and I stressed I didn’t expect to see any when it was returned. Thankfully no issue when it came back.

[SoCal_Batman]

Originally Posted by RyanJames

So I’ve just received my quote back from RSC for a full standard service at the cost of £585. The price has been relayed to me by my local AD Mappin and Webb Manchester. On top of the standard fee they’ve also advised there’s a chip in the crystal of my watch, which they class as ‘needing replacement for cosmetic reasons’ at an additional £170. Now my predicament is that my watch is quite heavily babied and if there were to be a ‘chip’ in my crystal, I’m pretty sure I’d know about it. (I can pin point every nick on the watch by memory and I routinely clean and inspect it).

My main question is, does this sound like an advisory on my GMT116710N or a somewhat extra ploy to make a few extra pounds.

Surely a compromised crystal would be a mandatory requirement, not optional?

Just curious, did you take a picture of your watch before you sent it in to the RSC? Not that you would if you can pin-point every nick, but maybe you could take a look and see if you notice anything unusual.

Either way I would be skeptical, especially if it has been heavily babied. Let us know what the outcome is!

[Tools]

If it is purely cosmetic, Rolex is not likely to make it a mandatory service item. If you don't think that you want your original crystal, say so.

I have a number of watches that have slight chips on the edges that you can feel with a fingernail, but I wouldn't change it out for them.

[Prizla]

If the crystal replacement is an “advisory for cosmetic reasons” then the crystal is not compromised as far RSC is concerned. If there is any damage around the bezel/crystal interface then they would be concerned about the sealing of the watch and would have made the crystal replacement a mandatory requirement of the service so they can confidently give you your service warranty. So my guess is the reported chip is an insignificant nick on the edge of the crystal somewhere.

As far as you never noticing the “chip” it may just be a question of terminology, the reported damage may be so slight that RSC have only picked it up during detailed inspection under a loupe. The estimates are generated using a kind of form language/terminology and “chip” could describe anything from a practically microscopic mark on the edge of the crystal to immediately obvious damage clearly visible to the naked eye.