AD experience - Leeds & Son (Palm Desert CA)

[meyers]

Holidaying in Palm Springs with the wife, decided to check out the Rolex AD. Very friendly, super accommodating staff.

In stock: a white dial Explorer II, blue dial Milgauss, TT Daytona, a variety of Yachtmasters and a gold GMT. Pre-owned 16610 but the crown guards looked over-polished to these eyes. Reminiscent of the butcher job from a recent thread here.

Perhaps of interest to TRF folks: they had a DJ41 blue dial, fluted, jubilee. I believe these tend to not last very long in display. I tried it on, unquestionably great.

The most intruiging part of the visit came when, while browsing, they offered to test and clean my GMT II and my wife's OP in house by their Rolex certified watchmaker, so we took them up on the offer. They came back informing me my watch failed the pressure test; surprising to hear since the watch was fully serviced by RSC 1 year ago. They suggested I shouldn't get the watch wet at all, i.e. don't even think about washing my hands while wearing it. Interesting, as I had the watch submerged in the hotel hot tub earlier in the morning for a solid 30 min, not to mention, an hour in the pool yesterday. Maybe that did 'er in.

Also, in requisite shortage news.. the AD was a bit cagey with details but when I inquired about the new BLRO. I was told rare pieces are "reserved for big spenders". They get the really good stuff but it's kept out of the display. So in other news, water is wet.

[christopheran]

I would have someone else pressure test your watch. Don’t think I’d let anyone I didn’t know clean my watch either... but I’m OCD.

[mmmmp]

Originally Posted by christopheran

I would have someone else pressure test your watch. Don’t think I’d let anyone I didn’t know clean my watch either... but I’m OCD.

Well, I'm not OCD and I agree. I'd never hand over my watch to a stranger. The Rolex dealership notwithstanding, I don't think he was on the level. If you swam and bathed with no issues, it's prolly fine. *Do* get it tested with a trustworthy source.

Best,
Mark

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

[meyers]

Originally Posted by mmmmp

Well, I'm not OCD and I agree. I'd never hand over my watch to a stranger. The Rolex dealership notwithstanding, I don't think he was on the level. If you swam and bathed with no issues, it's prolly fine. *Do* get it tested with a trustworthy source.

Best,
Mark

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

Update: just got in from a 2hr splasharound in the pool. Was wearing the watch the entire time. No issues

I am however interested in this comment about a watchmaker not being "on the level". What am I not tuned into here?

[T.Mas]

Originally Posted by mmmmp

Well, I'm not OCD and I agree. I'd never hand over my watch to a stranger. The Rolex dealership notwithstanding, I don't think he was on the level. If you swam and bathed with no issues, it's prolly fine. *Do* get it tested with a trustworthy source.

Best,
Mark

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

Either the watch is waterproof and it passes to pressure test, or it isn’t, and you send it in to get it repaired under warranty. What does the watchmaker have to gain in either scenario? Nothing. He probably tested the watch in his reliable machine, then reported the results to the OP. Simple as that.

[Hodog16]

Years ago I was visiting an AD who offered to clean my 116610LV as well. I took him up on the offer and in retrospect think he might have used an ultrasonic cleaner to clean it including the head which you're not supposed to do.

The watch came back fine and worked well afterwards, but I agree in the future I'll politely decline any such offer.

[sensui]

Would never let a dealer take my watch to do anything with it with a watchmaker I don't know.....

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by sensui

Would never let a dealer take my watch to do anything with it with a watchmaker I don't know.....

Triple Amen. I will not let my watch out of my sight, unless it is going to Rolex for a service.

[JoeyT]

Sounds fishy to me, did they then offer to take the leaky watch off your hands in on trade?

[HogwldFLTR]

Well sounds fairly amicable as far as AD visits go. Do they have the skill to replace the leaking seals for you?

[meyers]

Thanks for the feedback

To add: the watchmaker was wearing a white Rolex-branded lab coat, was working 10 feet from the display counter in a glass office, fully visible, with no polishing machinery in sight. Seemed legit to me and my wife. Thought it was a nice gesture. Her watch came back fine and looking cleaner than when she handed it over.

Do you guys think it was a ploy to make me spend?

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by meyers

Thanks for the feedback

To add: the watchmaker was wearing a white Rolex-branded lab coat, was working 10 feet from the display counter in a glass office, fully visible, with no polishing machinery in sight. Seemed legit to me and my wife. Thought it was a nice gesture. Her watch came back fine and looking cleaner than when she handed it over.

Do you guys think it was a ploy to make me spend?

If you had it serviced a year ago, it should still be under warranty. And if the guy was Rolex certified, he should have all of the equipment to be able to test the watch. If it actually failed the dry pressure test, you should probably have it checked out again.

[meyers]

Haha no offers of a trade but I spoke to three sales staff and they were all genuinely pleasant to us.

They suggested I send the watch in to RSC. It's under service warranty.

[Matteo E]

What I just read was that I shouldn't wear my watch in the hot-tub.

[BakerView]

I'm of the school: DO NOT TOUCH unless I personally know the watchmaker.

I'm no expert but I recall having a watch or two needing to be pressure sealed requiring I send them to more of a 'lab type' center. Like the equipment used was too big or expensive to just be at any old AD. (Again, no expert). Someone in the know chiming in could likely educate more than just me.

And, I wonder about the lab coat and glass fishbowl becoming a "thing". I've seen it at two AD's now, and yours makes three.

[justdate]

I let the flagship store in London polish my YG GMT once and they accidentally refinished the whole thing in brushed finish! Left it with them and they dropped it back to my office a couple of days later with correct finish.