Top repair recommendations vintage Rolex

[cgibs105]

Hi all I have a 1601 "wide boy". It seems as if it's losing significantly more seconds per day than COSC specs. I'd like to send it in for a service any good recommendations. I'm located in the US looking for top notch service reasonable prices. Thanks

[azguy]

Rikki in Florida or ABC in Los Angles

[Floorguy]

Originally Posted by azguy

Rikki in Florida or ABC in Los Angles

X2 Chris, Rikki is my go to guy!!

[texex91]

ABC or Bob Ridley

[pablofields]

Originally Posted by texex91

ABC or Bob Ridley

OP: Suggest you read this from VRF

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...23762/View+All

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by pablofields

OP: Suggest you read this from VRF

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...23762/View+All

Yowser

[SAAS]

ABC or Rikki

[brandrea]

ABC, Rik, or Bob Ridley

[texex91]

..

[perpetual92]

....I would consider Rik or ABC.

[TimeToGo]

When considering any of the three recommended, please take into account the final bill - which is not set in stone.

If you want to spend near $700 in any of the other two watchmakers, I would recommend you send to the RSC in Dallas - otherwise, keep looking. I have used all three and yes all three went out the door after my first experience (specially Ridley).. Live and learn.

[perpetual92]

If you can layout what you want done (sans the polishing, dials/hands left alone.., etc) to a RSC such as San Francisco, you will also get more 'thrown' regarding parts, etc when using an RSC. But be forewarned, going the RSC route can be daunting with a true vintage watch's maintained appearence post RSC service.....

More often than not, you do lose control quickly with an RSC sometimes so that's why independents such as Rik or ABC can be good.

If you want a much better chance at a 'controlled' repair and polishing than go the independent route. But sometimes even with independents these guys are busy and have limited time for hand holding and OCD phone discussions so BE VERY CLEAR UP FRONT VERBALLY AND WRITTEN with these folks, too......

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by perpetual92

If you can layout what you want done (sans the polishing, dials/hands left alone.., etc) to a RSC such as San Francisco, you will also get more 'thrown' regarding parts, etc when using an RSC. But be forewarned, going the RSC route can be daunting with a true vintage watch's maintained appearence post RSC service.....

More often than not, you do lose control quickly with an RSC sometimes so that's why independents such as Rik or ABC can be good.

If you want a much better chance at a 'controlled' repair and polishing than go the independent route. But sometimes even with independents these guys are busy and have limited time for hand holding and OCD phone discussions so BE VERY CLEAR UP FRONT VERBALLY AND WRITTEN with these folks, too......

I have used Rikki and ABC recently and I can tell you that they always responded to my phone calls / requests as well as took ample time to discuss the options that were available for my watch with me. I can also tell you that I can be very OCD and borderline annoying when it cones to my timepieces and both of them made me feel very comfortable.

[perpetual92]

Good to hear. thought I was the only ocd one! These poor watchmakers....lol.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by perpetual92

Good to hear. thought I was the only ocd one! These poor watchmakers....lol.

Definitely not alone my friend... I often start my conversations with "sorry to bother you again" so they know I am aware that I am a PITA!! Both Rikki and Edvi were incredibly understanding and seemed to truly enjoy what they do as well as had a great appreciation for how important these timepieces are to us. Lol

[Menyce]

Do they automatically assume that you want your watch polished during a RSC service?

[perpetual92]

The polishing wheel at a RSC is well used and it's their standard to polish as many owners (not me) want a polished bar of soap for $800.00.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Menyce

Do they automatically assume that you want your watch polished during a RSC service?

Yes

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Menyce

Do they automatically assume that you want your watch polished during a RSC service?

Yes, but you can decline. In fact, you can decline anything at an RSC except a new crystal, which they say is needed to ensure water resistance, and anything else that could jeopardize water resistance (e.g. crown, tube) or damage the movement, such as flaking tritium on the hands/dial. Everything else can be declined, so you can keep dial/hands/bezel, etc ... original and you don't have to have the watch polished.

As for a service for the OP, on a vintage DJ, I'd have no problem using an RSC, as long as it was for a movement-only service. When RSC's can be tricky is when you have a more valuable vintage piece, like a 6263, 1665, 1655, etc ... Then again, the above-mentioned independents are good too!

[agsstructures]

Rikki or ABC

[Tools]

Originally Posted by cgibs105

Hi all I have a 1601 "wide boy". It seems as if it's losing significantly more seconds per day than COSC specs. I'd like to send it in for a service any good recommendations. I'm located in the US looking for top notch service reasonable prices. Thanks

Most 1601's were around before the advent of COSC..

If it has been more than a decade since the last service then it's time. If not, perhaps it only needs a regulation.

1570 movement parts are getting scarce and some independent shops will only clean and oil a movement because they don't have replacements for those older worn parts..

If it were mine and I was not sure about it's history I might use the RSC. That would get me new parts and a Rolex warranty card - two pluses for future provenance..

[Frosty]

I would go to Vanessa or Dalton. After a couple of experiences with ABC, I will never send in a watch to them again. It is not the same since Dalton left.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I would go to Vanessa or Dalton. After a couple of experiences with ABC, I will never send in a watch to them again. It is not the same since Dalton left.

Can you provide details of your problems at ABC? Many of us here have used ABC in the past with great success, and I have no reason not to use them in the future, unless I start hearing negative reviews.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I would go to Vanessa or Dalton. After a couple of experiences with ABC, I will never send in a watch to them again. It is not the same since Dalton left.

That's what I've been hearing.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I would go to Vanessa or Dalton. After a couple of experiences with ABC, I will never send in a watch to them again. It is not the same since Dalton left.

I'd still like to hear details of the problems. ABC is a highly regarded vintage watchmaker that's been praised and recommended countless times on this forum. If there are issues, it would be helpful to know more about them.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by swish77

I'd still like to hear details of the problems. ABC is a highly regarded vintage watchmaker that's been praised and recommended countless times on this forum. If there are issues, it would be helpful to know more about them.

Sometimes companies grow too fast and sometimes they lose key people, and sometimes they do both. jmho

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I would go to Vanessa . . . .

x 2

[Aceldama]

My 5513 is with Phillip Ridley at the moment. For the work being done, the price was not unreasonable (period correct crown and tube, crystal, and insert pearl). I priced the parts individually and it wasn't too far off). The watch did not require a service and that seemed a very honest thing to mention. They could have easily tacked that on and I'd have been none the wiser.


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[nobbylon]

Surely a pressure test prior to service can determine if a crystal needs replacing or not. I was going to treat my 16800 to a service at Rolex but after reading this thread I'm not going to bother.
My crystal has a chip at the 5pm mark and had 2 services at Bexley without needing changing.
They advised it and I declined each time and it passed a yearly pressure test every time.
I don't want the watch changed in any way especially the insert and crystal and all these enforced changes to 'get the watch as near to new as possible' strike me as a money making exercise more than anything else. I bought this new in 1986 and would like it serviced and resealed but I'm reluctant to hand it over to anyone.
I have a JLC manual wind from 1950 (bought new by my Grandfather) that has never had a service and still keeps time with no issues.
If I could find someone to do a basic honest service in the UK or Nederlands I would but to be honest if I want to dive with or just wear a waterproof Rolex I'll probably end up having to buy another one new.
Sadly this is most likely what Rolex want us all to do anyway.

[nobbylon]

I walked past a watch repair place today and dry tested my Submariner, passed the 200m test no problem so no new seals necessary. Last serviced in 2003 I think!