Do you think you own your watch?

[mgm]

The Rolex Service Centers certainly have a unique way of conducting business. We're all glad they're there, and for the most part we are accepting of the idiosyncratic business model. But...

The more I think about it, the odder it seems that they won't return the parts that are removed from a watch. I guess I understand that they are combating fakes and forgeries, but how's that going?!!! Not too well, from what I hear. Based upon that notion (unless there's another reason I haven't heard), they can take from your watch a dial that might be valued at a couple of grand and replace it with one worth a couple of hundred. I know, they're not archivists or collectors. But it's not as if we were renting the bloody thing, as we did telephones in the Ma Bell era. We bought that old dial when we bought the watch, just as we’re buying the new dial. I don't believe anyone considers that they are merely buying rights to the dial until Rolex takes it back.

Do you find this acceptable, or do you play along because those are the rules? Do you think Rolex makes a good point about reducing the incidents fakes?

Sorry if you've been through all this before.

[mfer]

Never thought of it like that, but you are correct. Interested to see what others will say.

[YuppieKid]

the old parts back? I personally think that we, the customer, the Rolex OWNER, should get the part(s) back. On the other hand, I can certainly understand their efforts at combating the counterfeit Rolex trade. But, as Gregory mentioned, it's hasn't been effective. So, perhaps we are assuming that the counterfeit Rolex trade is the sole reason why Rolex does not give back parts. If that is not true, then the "$50,000 question" is: why does Rolex retain the old parts? It must be a licensing "thing" rooted in international law. That's what I am guessing that it is. I may be wrong. Anything with the Rolex symbol on it is theirs when you bring it to them for service/repair, or if they acquire it somehow - even though you bought it. Just like a book that has been copywrited. You may own "the book", but you do not own its material content (the writing). So, when you replace the item for a newer one/or a replacement, you give up that ownership in the name of protecting Rolex's sovereignty over what is theirs: the name Rolex.

Just my 2 cents.

[Wolfgang427]

IMO it's all about "control". They want to control who sells it and who services it, period. If they were to give everybody back their parts then they would lose some of that control they have over their market. They don't want used parts sold.

[SLS]

When you receive the service contract from the US RSC's, there is a disclaimer. If someone has a recent esitmate, if you post it you will see what I mean.

I agree that is is BS, that's why I have a local guy with a parts account do my work, I also get my old parts back as well.
~Scott

[marshallr47]

Anything taken off the original watch, I would want back.

[Jimbits76]

You own your Rolex after 40 or 50 years...at that point RSC will not touch it!

J

[Art161]

I have mixed feelings about this.

I can see why Rolex would want to keep genuine parts from going to someone who might, for example, use a genuine dial on a fake.

But, if you have a watch that you inherited, you might want the dial and hands changed so as to be suitable for daily wear, and retain the old parts as a remembrance.

Tough call.

[pwrslider]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

You own your Rolex after 40 or 50 years...at that point RSC will not touch it!

J

True........but I agree!! If the parts broke, scratched or unrepairable....I'd understand....but if ya just want a different dial, bezel or band.....why can't you have the old one as well!!! I guess the only way to keep the old...it to have it removed prior to RSC service and tell em it broke or done fell out!

[f16570]

Do you want the replaced parts from your car back?

[toph]

first of all good question Greg

Originally Posted by pwrslider

True........but I agree!! If the parts broke, scratched or unrepairable....I'd understand....but if ya just want a different dial, bezel or band.....why can't you have the old one as well!!! I guess the only way to keep the old...it to have it removed prior to RSC service and tell em it broke or done fell out!

Steve i agree with you on this but Fraser i also agree with what you say.

Originally Posted by f16570

Do you want the replaced parts from your car back?

[Fred2]

Originally Posted by f16570

Do you want the replaced parts from your car back?

You have the right to ask for the old parts back, to make sure that the work they said they would do was done.

I would think that if Rolex is charging you for a broken part that you can not see, you have the right to make sure that the part was really changed out.
The only way to do this is to get the old parts back.

[watchnut]

Originally Posted by Fred2

You have the right to ask for the old parts back, to make sure that the work they said they would do was done.

I would think that if Rolex is charging you for a broken part that you can not see, you have the right to make sure that the part was really changed out.
The only way to do this is to get the old parts back.

That's true. Of the garages around here some will give you the old parts back, some won't. Rolex is asking you to make a big leap of faith that they did change the parts because none of us is going to have the watch torn down to check. Rolex USA is particularly over the top on this control issue by all reports. Maybe they should police some of their ADs a bit better based on some of the stories your read on here.

[Marrk]

To the OP:

1) I agree.

2) "No Parts Back" has not always been the case. It apparently was a response to issues that were arising from counterfeits and vintage dials that were too delicate to guarantee safe service on.

3) Rolex doesn't require that you use their service. You have a choice.

4) RUSA seems to be the bad apple in the bunch. Other countries do better, according to TRF.

5) I have a 38 year old piece in at RSC NY right now. Guess what? They offered (they offered!) to return my old bezel insert after replacing it with a new one. More on this when I get the piece back.

6) Rolex is an extraordinary company. They are so successful, so rich, that they can afford to be independent in there thinking on many levels. Perhaps we should accept the good (DSSD, anyone?) with the bad (no parts return in USA) and go along for the ride. The Neurosis of TRF (and I mean that in a nice way!) has made even me a little cuckoo about things. Perhaps I should start thinking less about my watch and start think more about, oh, I don't know, life, say.

7) Yeah, I sometimes ask for my old car parts back and I never have any trouble getting them if I want them.

[Marrk]

8) Like you, I want my parts back. However, I am kinda glad to be dealing with a company that is capable of making executive decisions that are not based on market research, demographics, surveys, or committee consensus. I own a Honda S2000 and when it was offered for sale to the public, Honda just about said, "Here's your car. Pick a color and shut up." There were no options. If you shop for a Porsche, you get four pages of options. You practically have to finish building the car yourself. Frankly, I don't need the aggravation. And I am a b*lls to the wall "car guy"!

Originally Posted by Marrk

To the OP:

1) I agree.

2) "No Parts Back" has not always been the case. It apparently was a response to issues that were arising from counterfeits and vintage dials that were too delicate to guarantee safe service on.

3) Rolex doesn't require that you use their service. You have a choice.

4) RUSA seems to be the bad apple in the bunch. Other countries do better, according to TRF.

5) I have a 38 year old piece in at RSC NY right now. Guess what? They offered (they offered!) to return my old bezel insert after replacing it with a new one. More on this when I get the piece back.

6) Rolex is an extraordinary company. They are so successful, so rich, that they can afford to be independent in there thinking on many levels. Perhaps we should accept the good (DSSD, anyone?) with the bad (no parts return in USA) and go along for the ride. The Neurosis of TRF (and I mean that in a nice way!) has made even me a little cuckoo about things. Perhaps I should start thinking less about my watch and start think more about, oh, I don't know, life, say.

7) Yeah, I sometimes ask for my old car parts back and I never have any trouble getting them if I want them.

[mgm]

Originally Posted by watchnut

That's true. Of the garages around here some will give you the old parts back, some won't. Rolex is asking you to make a big leap of faith that they did change the parts because none of us is going to have the watch torn down to check. Rolex USA is particularly over the top on this control issue by all reports. Maybe they should police some of their ADs a bit better based on some of the stories your read on here.

Hey, Watchnut. It is, I believe, Ohio state law that shops must return replaced parts to the customer if the customer asks for them, unless those parts are cores demanded as returns by a manufacturer... which would apply to such things as rebuilt transmissions where the rebuilder needs the core for his business and the customer is merely exchanging parts of equal value.

That is not analogous to refusing to repair a watch (who's hands and dial might drop a bit of lume) unless the customer buys new parts, and then refusing to return the super-valued parts. That would be considered criminal behavior in the automotive business, and any shop of that sort would rapidly develop a very bad reputation among the brotherhood.

Of course, we can rest somewhat assured that Rolex are not reselling our dials and hands.... Wait a minute. Do you suppose they have a dial, hand and bezel shreder on site? Should we quit our current jobs and take up dumpster diving behind the RSC? Or do they remove those parts in an armored truck at the end of the day?

[Fred2]

Originally Posted by mgm

Of course, we can rest somewhat assured that Rolex are not reselling our dials and hands.... Wait a minute. Do you suppose they have a dial, hand and bezel shreder on site? Should we quit our current jobs and take up dumpster diving behind the RSC? Or do they remove those parts in an armored truck at the end of the day?

It is a possibility that Rolex is refurbishing the used components and then selling them as new.

[mgm]

Deleted because of multiple positing...

[harvey]

in the uk, it was of my understanding that you could give instructions to the service centre as to:

1. what parts you dont want replacing i.e. hands or dial etc
2. and if any parts have been replaced you can ask for them back

can any one collaborate this?

[f16570]

Interesting thoughts, not sure why they want to keep the parts, or why I would want them back.

[sfrolex]

I own the watch and unless there is a legal agreement that prevents this, I want them back. If they refuse, I'd rather pay for the service somewhere else and keep the parts. If nothing else I'd frame the dial as a little trophy. Perhaps find a framer who can create a little picture frame mechanical artwork for me. That would be cool.

[steel4me]

Originally Posted by sfrolex

I own the watch and unless there is a legal agreement that prevents this, I want them back. If they refuse, I'd rather pay for the service somewhere else and keep the parts. ........

Very well said
:thumb sup:

[Brushpup]

They should give you a credit "core charge" like when you buy a new battery if they are keeping them. What is rediculous is that they won't leave in your old parts.

[Ghenderson]

Hey guys, I’m new here and I need some clarification. Are you saying that when you send a Rolex in to have an upgrade done to the RSC that you do not get the parts back? Or, are you saying that when you send the watch in for lets say a cleaning and RSC discovers non authentic parts, the confiscate them?

If the parts are confiscated, is that in some form of a licensing agreement or on the original certificate of authenticity?

[mgm]

Ditto

[mgm]

Originally Posted by f16570

Do you want the replaced parts from your car back?

Yes! Absolutely. The used parts of Classic cars can be quite valuable. Repair of an old part may not be money well spent if a new part is available, but having, for instance, a repairable water pump is way better than one day needing a pump and having no core. There are folks in the classic car industry that make their livelihood dealing in these old parts, much the same as the sellers of dials and hands, bezels and crystals. Analogous decorative items such as chrome trim bring very high dollars in the restoration field. Quite often you can realize more profit by disassembling a car and selling the parts than you can by selling it as a working car.

Originally Posted by Ghenderson

Hey guys, I’m new here and I need some clarification. Are you saying that when you send a Rolex in to have an upgrade done to the RSC that you do not get the parts back? Or, are you saying that when you send the watch in for lets say a cleaning and RSC discovers non authentic parts, the confiscate them?

Hey, Ghenderson. Yes, when Rolex removes a genuine Rolex part and replaces it with a new part, you don't get the old part back. You do get to choose whether they replace it or not, but in some cases they will not work on the watch if you choose 'no'.

[Z-Sub]

on Rolex's part. They should disclose what does it cost to buy new without turning in the old one and how much does it cost to trade the old one for new.
You do get "core charges" back if you bring old parts that can be remanufactured like alternator, starter or even the old engine for a car.
What does Rolex do with the old parts?
Refurbish them and sell them to make more $$?

[steel4me]

If I pay for my watch, I own my watch .. every single gram and every single freakin atom, proton and neutron .... The only way I would not want my parts is if they are being replaced for FREE but a small service fee ....It is a SCAM that rolex keeps our original parts & charges for new one ....

I think most of us are real sissies who think that RSC is the only place who can touch the watch and we pay dearly for this fear. Take it to some reputable inhouse watch maker for servicing insteead of an RSC... the little shops that specialize in rolex are just as competant .....RSC is the last resort for me ....

[Mr Sandman]

Its my name on the documents and I pay the bill when its serviced........If I want the old parts back then believe me I'll get them....That you can be sure on

[SLS]

OK, I found this on TZ from "Time Peace." This is a copy of his estimate and it clearly says that parts are on an exchange basis only. So in essence, when you authorize them to do the work, you are telling them they can keep the old parts. Oddly enough, I found a similar estimate from the London RSC and it stated the same thing, but I guess in the UK, they really do not enforce it as strictly!



~Scott