£1,590 for my watch service !!!

[mr_nice]

Hi,

I am just looking for some advice on my Rolex Sub that is 12 years old, its last had a service 6 years ago and was around £400, I have taken it in for a service and the Rolex have responded with the following, they are also saying unless I have all the parts listed changed except the Bezal then they will not even service it ....

Sounds steep to me ......

The Rolex watch you left with us has been professionally examined by head watch technicians and their recommendation is as follows:

* Full Service
complete dismantling of the watch by highly skilled technicians, cleaning and inspecting the individual parts of the movement, the replacement of worn parts as necessary, on an exchange basis only, lubrication, re-assembly, timing and complimentary refurbishment of case and bracelet, subject to condition.

*Glass

*Crown

*Bracelet

* Bezel insert ( Optional )

Total for all work: £1,590 ( £1,550 if you choose not to go ahead with the optional bezel insert )
Price includes postage, packaging, insurance and VAT.


The time required to complete the repair to your watch will be approximately 6 working weeks from your confirmation.

You may wish to discuss the above with us in greater detail, in which case please do not hesitate to contact our experienced service team who would be delighted to talk you through your estimate.

We will not proceed any work without your approval, and therefore we would be very grateful if you could contact us at your earliest convenience to ensure there is no delay in getting your time-piece back to you where it belongs.

If for any reason you should decide not to proceed with the estimate, a £30.00 fee will be charged for postage, packaging and administration costs.

[MonBK]

Do they want you to buy a new bracelet?

[toneafficianado]

That seems steep! Is the watch currently working fine? Id send it to an independent watch tech myself where you can actually TALK to the person who will do the work.


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[Fredrik]

The bulk of the cost is probably the new bracelet they want you to buy...

Have you talked to them and asked why they might think you need a new one?

You could always take it back and send it in again on a nato strap.

[lee fowler]

Ask for it back and give Graham at Superlative Time in West London a call.

Lee

[SearChart]

If the bracelet is bad it should be an option, they cannot force you to buy a new one.

[mr_nice]

Thanks for your comments this is the latest ....
Please find below further detail following on from a phone call with Rolex on your behalf regarding your estimate. I have highlighted these below in red for you.

Hi,
The Rolex watch you left with us has been professionally examined by head watch technicians and their recommendation is as follows:



* Full Service - £460.00

complete dismantling of the watch by highly skilled technicians, cleaning and inspecting the individual parts of the movement, the replacement of worn parts as necessary, on an exchange basis only, lubrication, re-assembly, timing and complimentary refurbishment of case and bracelet, subject to condition. – required to get your time piece back in full optimal working condition



*Glass - £140.00

Rolex watch technicians have found there to be a hairline fracture to the glass upon inspection – this hairline fracture could develop into a full crack if not rectified, and as it stands could allow water into the watch which could damage the dial and movement. This work must be carried out in order to maintain water resistance and structural security of your time piece.

*Crown - £50.00

The crown is dented, and the crown stem (the part which connects the crown to the inner workings of the watch) is worn meaning water resistancy is not guaranteed in its present physical state. This is required in order to return your watch in optimal working condition

*Bracelet - £900.00

The bracelet can be declined, but there would be no guarantee to the safety there-after of your time piece. This is due to the fact that over time, Rolex bracelets do stretch and become weaker which is a completely natural process. This is highly recommended, but if declined, Rolex will not do any refurbishment to your current bracelet.

* Bezel insert ( Optional ) - £40.00

You do not have to choose to go ahead with this option, as it is purely aesthetic. The watch technicians have found some slight marking to the bezel insert which does not affect the performance of the watch.

[Watchcollectables]

Since when does a stem affect water resistance ??!!
If the bracelet is in need of some tlc and you are interested in a more realistic cost give me a shout !
Thanks

[joli160]

Without the bracelet it's a fair price, go ahead imho

[onkyo]

Normal pricing for the services quoted.

[AID_]

Originally Posted by Watchcollectables

Since when does a stem affect water resistance ??!! ...
Thanks

Stem certainly does not affect water resistance, but dent in the crown may, depending on how badly crown is dented. Most likely crown is not in bad enough shape to leak water, but I can see why Rolex may request the replacement.

As far as bracelet, you can always decline the replacement and take it to a local shop to check the clasp and pins just to make sure they are ok. If they are, the bracelet is completely secure, even if stretched...

[aquanaut]

I remember when I put my 1995 sea dweller in for service in 2005, they wanted nearly £900...pretty much for everything you have been quoted except bracelet was £400. I said to go ahead without the new bracelet but Rolex said it was all or nothing! That watch is at Rolex now for a service...price £450

[mapalfa]

I put a Tudor Monarch II quartz in to RSC UK for a new bezel insert last year.

They insisted on a new movement, crown, stem, tube, crystal and service before they would consider doing the bezel. They also opened it, immediately rendering the test it had had done to 3ATM after it's battery change. Over £1000 of additional work insisted on.

After a bit of back and forth with the customer care manager (his title IIFC) I pointed out that if this was a car I'd already have taken the matter to trading standards as it's illegal in the UK for additional work that's not related to the specific fault to be made a condition of taking on the job. They can refuse to do any of it, but they can't say we'll only do x if you pay for y and z. It was only meant as a passing nudge, but they must have taken it as a direct threat because they came back to me almost straight away and agreed to fit the new insert on the understanding that I accepted they wouldn't guarantee the movement or water resistance.

It's not the first time I've heard of them doing this either. They seem to work on the premise that you've got an expensive watch so you'll just sign off any work they say is needed without thinking about it. The fact that they implied a bracelet was a condition of doing the work in their first estimate, only for you to be told it was optional when you questioned it, just goes to make this more likely in my mind.

[AK797]

Prices seem fair, keep your old bracelet if it is OK.

[crossroads]

I would have everything done at an independent accredited Rolex Watchmaker, I would ask for all the work to be done but the bracelet to be restored - cleaned/ polished / adjusted and new pins. Rocco Manfredi of Watchworks Bristol is an honest guy, fully trained, Rolex inspected and has all the gear. I would expect the bill to be about 50% of your quote.

[PJ S]

Don’t know anything about the above member’s credentials, but you should at least have a chat with Brendan Hoey (webwatchmaker.com) who’s ex-JLC Switzerland.

There’s also Roco at Watchworks, Duncan at Genesis, and William Rice – most of, if not all previously mentioned on this forum.

[PanosI]

Originally Posted by mr_nice

Hi,

complete dismantling of the watch by highly skilled technicians

This cracked me up !

Jesus.....

[Wahlberg]

Do you have a recent picture of the bracelet? I would love to know what Rolex considers worn/in need for replacement.

[Swearengen]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Don’t know anything about the above member’s credentials, but you should at least have a chat with Brendan Hoey (webwatchmaker.com) who’s ex-JLC Switzerland.

There’s also Roco at Watchworks, Duncan at Genesis, and William Rice – most of, if not all previously mentioned on this forum.

I can vouch for William Rice, a very straightforward person to deal with. Get him to service your watch (he is Rolex accredited) and send your bracelet to Michael Young. Job done

[PatrickJ]

Originally Posted by mr_nice

Hi,

I am just looking for some advice on my Rolex Sub that is 12 years old, its last had a service 6 years ago and was around £400, I have taken it in for a service and the Rolex have responded with the following, they are also saying unless I have all the parts listed changed except the Bezal then they will not even service it ....

Sounds steep to me ......

The Rolex watch you left with us has been professionally examined by head watch technicians and their recommendation is as follows:

* Full Service
complete dismantling of the watch by highly skilled technicians, cleaning and inspecting the individual parts of the movement, the replacement of worn parts as necessary, on an exchange basis only, lubrication, re-assembly, timing and complimentary refurbishment of case and bracelet, subject to condition.

*Glass

*Crown

*Bracelet

* Bezel insert ( Optional )

Total for all work: £1,590 ( £1,550 if you choose not to go ahead with the optional bezel insert )
Price includes postage, packaging, insurance and VAT.


The time required to complete the repair to your watch will be approximately 6 working weeks from your confirmation.

You may wish to discuss the above with us in greater detail, in which case please do not hesitate to contact our experienced service team who would be delighted to talk you through your estimate.

We will not proceed any work without your approval, and therefore we would be very grateful if you could contact us at your earliest convenience to ensure there is no delay in getting your time-piece back to you where it belongs.

If for any reason you should decide not to proceed with the estimate, a £30.00 fee will be charged for postage, packaging and administration costs.

Go ahead minus bracelet. It is fair.

[mr_nice]

Thanks for all of your helpful advise, I have gone ahead with all the work except the Bracelet which I am working through the people that you have suggested.
When I receive the watch back from Rolex I will take a picture of the strap, post it up on here and then send it off ....

Really appreciate the feedback to date :)

[mr_nice]

So I have looked at the option around the Bracelet and having doing some research even though the chap in Hong Kong looks good I am not sure that I want to take the risk.....

Edited - I have just realised that I can just send the bracelet doh, I have asked for a quote and how to start the proccess

I also sent an email to one of the recommendations and received this ...

We can refurbish your bracelet if just the bracelet was sent to us.

There is nothing he can do about the loseness of it though.

The cost would be in the region of £100 but would need to be confirmed when the bracelet is examined.

You can send us photographs if you like.

Tempted to get Rolex to it and be done with it !!!

[enjoythemusic]

Let Rolex do it and be done with it imho.

[strafer_kid]

Probably not a bad price for the service though Rolex know that many people will go with their estimate for peace of mind and since not everyone has the option of elsewhere. No doubt they do a great job, but they certainly tend towards the 'catch all' approach! Would hold off and get a good watchmaker to take a look at the bracelet - if nothing is broken or worn to the point of replacement, a good watch maker might be able to turn it around!

[RichardF]

It's standard practice to replace the crown and tube during service. That is the only way Rolex can certify it as pressure proof and bring it to back to factory spec. The stem must have had an issue to suggest it be replaced but I would go ahead with it. Rolex wanted to replace my 18kt Super Jubilee band at a cost of 12,000 and there was nothing wrong with it. This is a suggestion they are making a lot lately on all types of bands.

[mr_nice]

Decision made its going to Mr Young .......

Yes we can restore your band.

The price for the band restoration is USD180 for steel bands and USD250 for 2 tone bands, plus return EMS/Fedex postage USD33^ and (optional insurance for 2% of desired insured value). PAYMENT via PayPal in approx. 4-6 weeks. But this is just a general approximation, we are a small workshop and have little man power, so please be a little patient since sometimes it takes longer.

For very worn bands with worn out links (especially the 2 tone oyster bands) we offer an additional service of laser welding additional metal to the worn corners of both the centre links and the inner side links. Pricing is USD150 for steel bands and USD200 for two tone bands.

Please send ONLY the band with a note on your restoration requirements

Beats the £900 from Rolex ...........

[MikeMc]

When we service a watch and crown needs replacement, we always replace the stem. This is standard procedure. The cost is minimal. Case tube replacement depends on condition. Our person is Rolex trained and CMW21 certified.


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[aquanaut]

Originally Posted by aquanaut

I remember when I put my 1995 sea dweller in for service in 2005, they wanted nearly £900...pretty much for everything you have been quoted except bracelet was £400. I said to go ahead without the new bracelet but Rolex said it was all or nothing! That watch is at Rolex now for a service...price £450

Hmm, just heard back from Rolex....full service, bezel insert (£30) and bracelet (£900) is scratched and worn....£1360...taking the p. Instructed to go ahead with service but leave bracelet. Will be interested to see what they say

[boring_sandwich]

When Rolex replace the bracelet they return the old one if requested, so you could always sell it on the bay if not in terrible condition and the funds would contribute to the new one.

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by boring_sandwich

When Rolex replace the bracelet they return the old one if requested, so you could always sell it on the bay if not in terrible condition and the funds would contribute to the new one.

in case of replacement by RSC they do not return the old bracelet