The most unfair thing about Rolex ownership is …

[Chewbacca]

Routine RSC service costs for new buyers getting into Rolex. If there’s even a thing of ‘unfair’ for a luxury watch buyer.


Whether you have a new $80k platinum dd or a $6k OP (All est. retail MSRP), movement servicing is generally the same price give a few dollars here and there.

Of course chrono costs about 30% more but that represents far fewer watches in circulation than normal complication movements.


What are your thoughts?

[Timetracker]

If you can’t afford tires for your new ride, don’t buy it.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Timetracker

If you can’t afford tires for your new ride, don’t buy it.

You lost the plot.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

You lost the plot.

He makes a fair point

Cost of ownership should be part of the equation you consider when purchasing any luxury good.

The internet is full of stories of people who came into a bit of money to buy a Ferrari or Lambo only to not be able to maintain it down the road
Mechanical toys that are expensive to buy are often expensive to run/maintain
If you cant afford to shell out the $600 every 5-7 years for service, can you really afford the watch in the first place?
I'd wager most people with a Rolex on likely spend more on takeaway coffee over the same period

On the plus side, there is nothing that says you need to have your Rolex serviced while it is still keeping good time
Also, the fact that servicing costs remain consistent regardless of price point shows Rolex aren't ripping you off (or at least, not ripping you off any more than any other OEM service)
It would be easy to charge the guys with PM watches a higher service premium but if the movements are more or less the same across the entire line up then the cost of service should be more or less the same too

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

He makes a fair point

Cost of ownership should be part of the equation you consider when purchasing any luxury good.

The internet is full of stories of people who came into a bit of money to buy a Ferrari or Lambo only to not be able to maintain it down the road
Mechanical toys that are expensive to buy are often expensive to run/maintain
If you cant afford to shell out the $600 every 5-7 years for service, can you really afford the watch in the first place?
I'd wager most people with a Rolex on likely spend more on takeaway coffee over the same period

On the plus side, there is nothing that says you need to have your Rolex serviced while it is still keeping good time
Also, the fact that servicing costs remain consistent regardless of price point shows Rolex aren't ripping you off (or at least, not ripping you off any more than any other OEM service)
It would be easy to charge the guys with PM watches a higher service premium but if the movements are more or less the same across the entire line up then the cost of service should be more or less the same too

My perspective is it should be proportional to cost of acquisition.

Is it fair that an OP and DD are about the same cost to routinely service?

If I buy an Audi, my oil service isn’t the same as a Bentley. But it’s damn near close. Even though it still takes 6 bottles of 0w30 and 45min to perform at similar intervals.

Merely looking for others opinions.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

My perspective is it should be proportional to cost of acquisition.

Is it fair that an OP and DD are about the same cost to routinely service?

If I buy an Audi, my oil service isn’t the same as a Bentley. But it’s damn near close. Even though it still takes 6 bottles of 0w30 and 45min to perform at similar intervals.

Merely looking for others opinions.

Youre looking at it the wrong way

An Audi isnt a Bentley and vice versa
Now, if you buy a 1976 Rolls Royce and a 2021 Rolls Royce, the cost of service is reasonably similar because they are both Rolls Royce and they require the same level of mechanical preventative maintenance regardless of age.
When I was a kid, a family friend owned an 80s RR. It cost him $15k but the annual service was close to $4k per year (assuming nothing needed replacing) if he got it done at a RR approved service center

The premium you pay for a Day Date is the fact the case is made from a PM.
The movement inside is more or less the same as even the cheapest Rolex you can buy and the fact its the movement that requires work means they all cost more or less the same to service

By your own point, if a watch cost $5k when it was new, but discontinuation and rarity means its now worth $30k, should your cost of service increase?

If you dont like or cant afford it, take it to your local watchmaker

[Timetracker]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

My perspective is it should be proportional to cost of acquisition.

Is it fair that an OP and DD are about the same cost to routinely service?

If I buy an Audi, my oil service isn’t the same as a Bentley. But it’s damn near close. Even though it still takes 6 bottles of 0w30 and 45min to perform at similar intervals.

Merely looking for others opinions.

You can’t start a topic asking for opinions, and then repeat ‘not the point’ when you get responses you don’t care for without a little pushback.

[rominvicta]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

My perspective is it should be proportional to cost of acquisition.

Is it fair that an OP and DD are about the same cost to routinely service?

If I buy an Audi, my oil service isn’t the same as a Bentley. But it’s damn near close. Even though it still takes 6 bottles of 0w30 and 45min to perform at similar intervals.

Merely looking for others opinions.

Can’t see your point. Service a caliber, is a service of caliber in terms of hours necessary and cost of manpower. Whether it is 126618 or 126610 what does it matter? Apart of being as well responsible towards the risk associated with the watch you work on. But I presume that has to be covered by an insurance and cost of insurance has to be a mere fraction of price calculation.

[Roddypeepa]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

My perspective is it should be proportional to cost of acquisition.

Is it fair that an OP and DD are about the same cost to routinely service?

If I buy an Audi, my oil service isn’t the same as a Bentley. But it’s damn near close. Even though it still takes 6 bottles of 0w30 and 45min to perform at similar intervals.

Merely looking for others opinions.

Yes. As others have said it’s the movement that takes the time. Of course it shouldn’t be proportional to the cost. Service for a Ferrari is so much because it’s vastly different to a sedan. Not the case with watches.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cambo]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

My perspective is it should be proportional to cost of acquisition.

Is it fair that an OP and DD are about the same cost to routinely service?

If I buy an Audi, my oil service isn’t the same as a Bentley. But it’s damn near close. Even though it still takes 6 bottles of 0w30 and 45min to perform at similar intervals.

Merely looking for others opinions.

The second you compare the Audi to the Bentley you muddy the water. Does a “cheaper” Lambo get difference service rates than the more expensive ones? What about Patek? Bottom line is if you should take servicing into consideration before buying the brand. Too many people (IMHO) are buying based on YouTube and IG hype, probably spending more than they should without considering maintenance. Then they are shocked to see the RSC bill and cry for “fairness”. This is a luxury product. Do your homework.

[Finslayer83]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

My perspective is it should be proportional to cost of acquisition.

Is it fair that an OP and DD are about the same cost to routinely service?

If I buy an Audi, my oil service isn’t the same as a Bentley. But it’s damn near close. Even though it still takes 6 bottles of 0w30 and 45min to perform at similar intervals.

Merely looking for others opinions.

You can always overpay if it makes you feel better.

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

On the plus side, there is nothing that says you need to have your Rolex serviced while it is still keeping good time
Also, the fact that servicing costs remain consistent regardless of price point shows Rolex aren't ripping you off (or at least, not ripping you off any more than any other OEM service)
It would be easy to charge the guys with PM watches a higher service premium but if the movements are more or less the same across the entire line up then the cost of service should be more or less the same too

Rolex may not up the price but you end up giving part of the difference to FedEx for increased insurance on your PM watch.

[avidflyer]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

You lost the plot.

exactly

[Heady Topper]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

You lost the plot.

No he didn’t. You just have a hard time accepting it. If you buy a luxury car, you consider the maintenance costs.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Timetracker

If you can’t afford tires for your new ride, don’t buy it.

This

[iaymnu]

If you can’t even set aside $100 a year for 5-6 years then luxury brands are not their thing.


The cost for servicing the movements makes sense as it’s the same inside, just the outer metal is different which is where the premium is.

I bought a 3135 movement for a project and it’s about a 1/3 of the cost of the watch.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by iaymnu

If you can’t even set aside $100 a year for 5-6 years then luxury brands are not their thing.


The cost for servicing the movements makes sense as it’s the same inside, just the outer metal is different which is where the premium is.

I bought a 3135 movement for a project and it’s about a 1/3 of the cost of the watch.

Again. That’s not the point of the question.

[edisonstar23]

Agreed with all the other posters. Relatively speaking it’s quite cheap. You may not even need to do a movement service in 6-8 years. My uncle has an Omega Speedmaster that still keeps good time for over 25 Yrs , never polished never serviced.

So I guess it all depends on how much abuse your timepiece and how picky you are with loosing or gaining few seconds.


Just a question to everyone here, who here actually uses their watch to check time? I personally never adjust the time or date on mine.

[FL23833]

This doesn't make sense. You pay for a movement service. The case and bracelet being made of SS or gold or platinum has nothing to do with movement service costs.

[Dr. Robert]

Movement service has to do with movement not the type of metal. It’s not an easy job doing a service on a mechanical watch movement, just ask Bas!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Movement service has to do with movement not the type of metal. It’s not an easy job doing a service on a mechanical watch movement, just ask Bas!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I agree. It’s not a question based on logic. Simply whether it’s fair or not for the mass model buyers subsidizing the uber models.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

I agree. It’s not a question based on logic. Simply whether it’s fair or not for the mass model buyers subsidizing the uber models.

Ok then
I have a Stainless Steel Sub
You have a White Gold Sub
Are you going to be happy having to pay more for a service then I have too?

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Ok then
I have a Stainless Steel Sub
You have a White Gold Sub
Are you going to be happy having to pay more for a service then I have too?

I can’t answer that because I’ve never been in that position. Nobody has in fact.

What I will say is this isn’t a happy or sad thing, it’s about fair pricing proportional to acquisition cost.

[lmcgbaj]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Movement service has to do with movement not the type of metal.

This.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by FL23833

This doesn't make sense. You pay for a movement service. The case and bracelet being made of SS or gold or platinum has nothing to do with movement service costs.

But should it matter and why shouldn’t it make sense if the shoe is on the other foot?

[donas]

I buy into the if it "ain't broke, don't fix it" crowd. Either way, Rolex is gonna gouge me on service, might as well feel better about it and actually need it. My oldest is about 16 years, runs like a champ.

[Dr. Robert]

PS if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

[Gab27]

I agree and I disagree.

I don't think it can be completely proportional to the cost of acquisition because the actual labor and parts costs to service the movement are likely mostly determined by the movement rather than things such as precious metals and gemstones, which increase the purchase price but not necessarily the time, effort, or materials used when servicing the movement.

To some extent, I think it makes sense to charge slightly more given there is absolutely more risk to Rolex when servicing a pricier watch. Most likely the service price on less expensive models to some extent subsidizes this higher risk.

[EagleBear]

I agree, I believe the real cost comes not from preventative maintenance but replacement parts like bracelets dials and bezels among other parts that are high dollar especially if they are PM pieces. Here’s a personal story with a 16613LB 1999 and a 2021 126610BLRO. The Blusey had to go into Dallas for an overhaul and decided to do a couple things a crown, crystal, and insert all very inexpensive to do so with the service all in just over a grand with the extras. So great not bad so far right? here comes the kicker… we’re going to have the 93153 replaced with the updated 93253 bracelet and they approved it because of it being a transition year $4950 yup! So now we’re at just over 6 grand for some cosmetic stuff that no one is going to care about but us right?
Same with my BLRO just purchased the extra Jubilee bracelet for it at $2100 yup I’m sick right?! I have to be but how many are right there with me… lol

[subtona]

Example of steel (at MSRP) being the value as the mechanics / heart and soul are identical.

The only issue I have with the cost of service is the recurring negligence I have experienced at rscny