[RSC] Replacement Band Questions

[tunnelno5]

Hey guys, a few questions regarding a two-tone 16233. Read almost all the threads on the forums with varying answers.

1. Will RSC sell a replacement bracelet?
2. Will RSC allow me to keep my old bracelet?
3. Do replacement bracelets come with the 'S' code inside the clasp. (Some people have the 'S' coding when the bracelet is in for service)
4. What are the rough prices for a replacement band on an exchange and non-exchange basis?

Thanks in advance!

[Michael T]

I looked in the price list and did not see one listed for 16233. The jubilee two tone for the 126233 is $4,950 in the Jan 2020 price list.

If you instead have it rebuilt, two recommendations below. Michael Hui has some videos on-line of repair process. Pretty amazing work.


Michael Hui
Rolliworks in Campbell, California
[email protected]

Michael Young
Classic Watch Repair in Hong Kong
[email protected]

[billfredericks]

FWIW I had my 16710 into RSC earlier this year. Bought a jubilee for it ($1150) and was allowed to have my oyster back. Don’t know if the same goes for PM, but I was told that there was no trade-in option...

Edit: RSC Dallas, btw.

[tunnelno5]

Michael, Bill thanks for your replies.

Just got off the phone with a Rolex AD in Seoul, South Korea. They stated that they only replace bracelets on an exchange basis and the exchange TT jubilee cost is roughly $5900. Seems like other members have paid around $2500 for a TT jubilee, so I am very skeptical with the price that the AD has given me. In addition, the AD stated that they because they are exchange basis, they will have to double check if purchasing a bracelet with 'only' the watch head is possible. Will try contacting RSC instead when they open on Monday.

[tunnelno5]

I just got off the phone with another AD. I specified I only have the watch head, and they quoted roughly $5,000 for a bracelet and it can be done only with an overhaul. After seeing posts that stateside RSC and AD's charge roughly $2,500 for a new TT jubilee, I am quite taken back the the $5,000 price .

[Tools]

Originally Posted by tunnelno5

I just got off the phone with another AD. I specified I only have the watch head, and they quoted roughly $5,000 for a bracelet and it can be done only with an overhaul. After seeing posts that stateside RSC and AD's charge roughly $2,500 for a new TT jubilee, I am quite taken back the the $5,000 price .

There are no new Two Tone bracelets from a Dealer or RSC for 2500 bucks, where have you seen this price?

[tunnelno5]

Originally Posted by Tools

There are no new Two Tone bracelets from a Dealer or RSC for 2500 bucks, where have you seen this price?

Thanks for the clarification, I think I may have incorrectly interpreted the posts I had spoken about.

Upon calling RSC, the replacement band for my 16233 /w 62523H-18 costs indeed approximately $5,000. Realizing the new band costs likely more than my watch itself, I have decided to wait a bit more until a RSC service for light polishing, or send it off to Michael Young once this Covid-19 pandemic settles down.

In the meanwhile, here's a picture of my clasp in lighting that reveals the scratches the most. Do you think that a 'light' polish will clean up the clasp, or would it take a more aggressive measure? (The horizontal scratch on the left of the crown & the nick on the above right of the crown's last prong seem the 'deepest', if that is even considered deep)

[Tools]

Originally Posted by tunnelno5

. . .

In the meanwhile, here's a picture of my clasp in lighting that reveals the scratches the most. Do you think that a 'light' polish will clean up the clasp, or would it take a more aggressive measure? (The horizontal scratch on the left of the crown & the nick on the above right of the crown's last prong seem the 'deepest', if that is even considered deep)

I think that your clasp is in very good condition. We usually judge a clasp by the coronet imprint, and yours does not look like it has been refinished before. Typically a "scotch-bright" type of wheel is run over it to re-align the grain, rather than a sanding block, which takes off material and eventually grinds off the crown.

For a decades old watch I think it is best to use a light touch on refinishing, which does provide a great look without too much material lost. After, it isn't new - no point in going wild about it.

Rolliworks in the Bay Area specializes in Rolex bracelet rebuilding, a far distance from Hong Kong.

[tunnelno5]

Bump for any feedback, thanks.

[214270Explorer]

The nick "may" be an issue depending on how deep it is.

The rest looks typical and should polish out nicely. Mine was worse and came out like new after polish by a 'really expert' Rolex tech.

[ltmgeller]

Remove the old bracelet and just bring in the head. They'll sell you a bracelet that was original to the model.

[tunnelno5]

@214270Explorer, thanks for your input. The nick is relatively small, and i'm assuming not too deep. I slightly feel the nick when I'm avidly searching for it using my fingernail. I'm assuming that brushed finish/polishes hide scuffs and nicks better than mirror polishes.

@Tools, thanks for the insight. How much of the nicks and scratches should I realistically expect from a RSC 'light polish'. As you mentioned, the bracelet is old, so I am not expecting too much.

@ltmgeller, thanks for your reply. I was planning on purchasing a new bracelet, but at the price given, I think I'll hold out until the bracelet has more stretch.