Bare with me...

[B737]

Hi,

I have posted kind of the same question before and I apologize for bringing this up again...

Regarding the future and spare parts for vintage Rolex watches, I talked to a watchmaker yesterday who also is certified from Rolex. He said that Rolex supplies spare parts for a watch 30 years after it has been discontinued. He also said that he is able to order all parts to a 1675 directly from Rolex as of now, but that it is impossible to foresee how the supply will look in the future.

Now, and to my question, given that the 1675 GMT was discontinued in 1980, Rolex has no longer any commitment in suppling parts for that watch. The parts that actually could be order right now could run out in a week or 10 years, nobody know right? I have read a lot of posts by people owning Rolexes from the 50's, RSC's wont even touch them and Rolex will charge 1000's for manufacturing new parts. In 10 years, will the situation be the same for subs and gmt's?

I would like my son to have my 1675 some day. Given this fact it is also important to know of this is possible... What if I break the glass or need a new bazel in 10 years?

All of you with your lovely SUB's and GMT's - what's your reasoning around this issue?

Thank you all for a great forum and sorry for my paranoia.

Erik

[andromeda160]

Well, since the 70's all the Rolex movements were like 1520's 1570's and stuff like that. There was the same auto movement in a datejust as there was a submariner, and a gmt is the same movement with a little modification I believe. So parts shouldn't be a problem. Now on 40's and 50's bubble back movements, butterfly rotors, and movements of those such, they had changes every few years it seems. Point being is the 15xx and the 3xxx series movements will have parts in stock for years to come. And as for case parts, like bezels and crystals, you'll have no problem sourcing those without Rsc in this lifetime

[mr500cm]

From what I understand, a few years ago, Rolex bought up spare parts from repair shops to control repairs. Right after that they became so overloaded they would turn down repairs on a ten year old watch. At a certain point, older non working watches will be stripped for parts and those parts will command a price for repairs, then there will be generic parts. I'm a photographer and this happened a few years ago when Hasselblad stopped making parts for its older lenses. After new parts ran out, recycled parts were being used. When demand get big enough, someone will reproduce parts. Its all about supply and demand. If not, thats what a watch maker will do, make the part, but the value or the watch has to warrent the price of the service.

[Clay]

If you are looking for a definitive answer, forget it…Only Rolex knows and they aren't talking…

Everyone has a story that they've heard:

Example: My watchmaker, who used to work for Rolex, told me that they will never run out of parts for the 15xx series movements…Never…!!!

It's anyones guess...

No point in worrying about something you have no control over...

[watchcrank]

If you are that uncertain buy a new/newer GMT and don't worry about it.
Same as buying a vintage bike or auto it takes more thought and sometimes work in finding correct parts. If you do not have the inclination, patience or time that gives you a direction. good luck with your choice. M

[JustinK]

They will always have the parts, who gets them is another story. My suspicion is Rolex will make you send vintage pieces to them and will not sell vintage parts to their certified watchmakers. They already do this to some extent but I think it is just the beginning. I think Rolex has figured out they can make a lot of money servicing vintage pieces.

[MitchSteel]

+1 with Justin, I think Rolex sees how mainstream vintage is nowadays, so they figure, let's take advantage of it.I can see them in the future doing exactly that, having a vintage service division, most likely in Switzerland.
However, that wouldn't deter me from buying vintage.I say go for it, a nice 1675 will never go out of style, on the contrary, I can see it getting even more popular.

[powerfunk]

It seems like they'll service, at least for now, anything with a 15xx caliber and up.

They recently serviced a '66 Air King Date for me (1525 movement) but sent back an Oyster Perpetual from '59 (1030 movement I think).

It seems like with RSC, there's an exception to every rule anyway.

[B737]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

It seems like they'll service, at least for now, anything with a 15xx caliber and up.

They recently serviced a '66 Air King Date for me (1525 movement) but sent back an Oyster Perpetual from '59 (1030 movement I think).

It seems like with RSC, there's an exception to every rule anyway.

Thanks - thats interesting. I found this post that seems a bit discuraging. They refused an Airking...

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f23/rol...ost390263.html

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by B737

Thanks - thats interesting. I found this post that seems a bit discuraging. They refused an Airking...

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f23/rol...ost390263.html

That is from 2007. A lot has changed in the past couple years.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

[B737]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

That is from 2007. A lot has changed in the past couple years.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

Great to hear, but why? That would mean that they produced new parts or sourced them from somewhere?

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by B737

Great to hear, but why? That would mean that they produced new parts or sourced them from somewhere?

Why indeed. Rolex's veil of mystery is vast.

[mr500cm]

I guess we should treasure our watches as well as those who repair them. Independent repairmen are getting harder to find, but when you do find one their worth the wait.