Laserweld or Normal RSC Service?

[Uggi]

Happy Christmas/New Year TRFers.

My 16710 is due for a service very soon as it is gaining a bit too much time. About a year ago I caused some damage to the case whilst digging around in my log store - I'm not too bothered about watches getting dinged or scratched but as it is going in for a service anyway I'm looking at the best option to get it sorted.

There is a laserwelding jeweller with a good reputation quite near to me (Gemtech in Chester if any UK members know of it) so one option is to get the gouges filled in and smoothed out with matching steel and then send the watch to RSC for service. The second option is just to send it for service and hope that the RSC polishing job doesn't destroy the look of the case by removing too much steel getting these dings out. My understanding is that RSC won't laserweld - they will only polish?

Any advice? Pics below.

[Tomas Eriksson]

these days many RSC do laserwelding, maybe even all? Ask for that when you leave it for service.

[lamadoo]

Just leave it as is. Looks better with those marks on. Seriously don't even bother polishing but...

If you had to choose between polish or laser...go with laser weld. RSC may try and polish it off...which removes metal. Try to look for a laser welder who only specialises in watches not jeweller (that will go very ugly). Also note that they will fill the dings usually with 316l...some may ask you to give a spare link to get the 904l metal; you can't tell the difference anyways.

I purchased a badly damaged Rolex..previous owner gouged the backside lugs horribly trying to remove the bracelet and also took a massive chunk off the clasp...looked like it fell into a grinder... I had the Rolex laser welded...came out nice and probaly heavier after the treatment.

[joli160]

I would not let any jeweller work on my watch ever.
Polishing is an art and only RSC for me.
They do laser weld

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by joli160

I would not let any jeweller work on my watch ever.
Polishing is an art and only RSC for me.
They do laser weld

Exactly this for me as well

[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by joli160

I would not let any jeweller work on my watch ever.
Polishing is an art and only RSC for me.
They do laser weld

My SS Patek Nautilus was laser welded by a well known and trusted watchmaker. In distinguishable from new at the end. Do your homework and you'll be fine. The watch community know who to trust. I've heard / seen so many cases of RSC errors as you're never dealing with a single individual. You get who your watch is allocated too.

[911991]

Originally Posted by lamadoo

Just leave it as is. Looks better with those marks on. Seriously don't even bother polishing but...

If you had to choose between polish or laser...go with laser weld. RSC may try and polish it off...which removes metal. Try to look for a laser welder who only specialises in watches not jeweller (that will go very ugly). Also note that they will fill the dings usually with 316l...some may ask you to give a spare link to get the 904l metal; you can't tell the difference anyways.

I purchased a badly damaged Rolex..previous owner gouged the backside lugs horribly trying to remove the bracelet and also took a massive chunk off the clasp...looked like it fell into a grinder... I had the Rolex laser welded...came out nice and probaly heavier after the treatment.

[Bladeshot]

Your watch does not need to be polished IMO. I would have that ding fixed, though…

[Uggi]

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful as always.
I was under the impression that RSC (in England at least) doesn’t do laserwelding but that could be bogus info so I’ll email them.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by Uggi

I was under the impression that RSC (in England at least) doesn’t do laserwelding but that could be bogus info so I’ll email them.

Can you let us know what you hear back from UK RSC? Would be appreciated.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by drrd

Can you let us know what you hear back from UK RSC? Would be appreciated.

Hi. I just heard back from RSC (St James):


Dear Sir,

Thank you for your e-mail. Regrettably, we do not currently offer laserwelding at Rolex UK.

The condition of the case would be improved during refurbishment, however it could only ever be ‘best possible’. As you suggest, our aim is to maintain the shape of the case, rather than remove all signs of damage, and the location of this impact would render this challenging.

One could have the case middle replacement replaced (£1,792.00 + VAT), however this is of course less than ideal for a variety of reasons.


Kind regards,

LONDON SERVICE

I think based on this I will just send it in for a normal service, see what they do with it and live with the outcome. Too risky to send it to a random laserwelder I think.

[arcampado]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Hi. I just heard back from RSC (St James):


Dear Sir,

Thank you for your e-mail. Regrettably, we do not currently offer laserwelding at Rolex UK.

The condition of the case would be improved during refurbishment, however it could only ever be ‘best possible’. As you suggest, our aim is to maintain the shape of the case, rather than remove all signs of damage, and the location of this impact would render this challenging.

One could have the case middle replacement replaced (£1,792.00 + VAT), however this is of course less than ideal for a variety of reasons.


Kind regards,

LONDON SERVICE

I think based on this I will just send it in for a normal service, see what they do with it and live with the outcome. Too risky to send it to a random laserwelder I think.

Thanks for sharing

[drrd]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Hi. I just heard back from RSC (St James):


Dear Sir,

Thank you for your e-mail. Regrettably, we do not currently offer laserwelding at Rolex UK.

The condition of the case would be improved during refurbishment, however it could only ever be ‘best possible’. As you suggest, our aim is to maintain the shape of the case, rather than remove all signs of damage, and the location of this impact would render this challenging.

One could have the case middle replacement replaced (£1,792.00 + VAT), however this is of course less than ideal for a variety of reasons.


Kind regards,

LONDON SERVICE

I think based on this I will just send it in for a normal service, see what they do with it and live with the outcome. Too risky to send it to a random laserwelder I think.

Many thanks for the update.

[Bxtek]

I'm sure they can polish those dings out, but that will take away a lot of metal! Laser welding would be the way to repair it for sure. If this was mine, I would personally leave those alone and wouldn't even have the watch polished. The one ding that's 3/4 of the way up the lug is small, and the other 2 near the crown guard are kinda hidden by the bezel. I don't mind a watch showing its "battle scars" and imperfections.

[Tricolore66]

If you’re going to continue to use the watch regularly I’d skip the polish and just service the movement. If you wanted a perfect safe queen you could have an independent specialist laser weld it and make it like new, but that first ding will really be painful then.

[2001jesper]

Your watch looks great and the bracelet needs a cleaning. Would take the services but decline the polish; otherwise you will be missing the right lug afterwards.

Also don't see the need for a laser-weld, unless that ding annoys you every single day.

[Walster]

I would let RSC do the job. They work wonders. You will be surprised when you get it back.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

I'm sure they can polish those dings out, but that will take away a lot of metal! Laser welding would be the way to repair it for sure. If this was mine, I would personally leave those alone and wouldn't even have the watch polished. The one ding that's 3/4 of the way up the lug is small, and the other 2 near the crown guard are kinda hidden by the bezel. I don't mind a watch showing its "battle scars" and imperfections.

Originally Posted by 2001jesper

Your watch looks great and the bracelet needs a cleaning. Would take the services but decline the polish; otherwise you will be missing the right lug afterwards.

Also don't see the need for a laser-weld, unless that ding annoys you every single day.

Thanks - yeah this is exactly what worries me about a "Normal RSC Service" although ordinarily I would always choose to have a watch polished as part of an RSC service.

Genuinely unsure what to do although I have emailed RSC to ask if they do laserwelding. If they do, that's the route I'll take, if not ......... dunno.

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Happy Christmas/New Year TRFers.

My 16710 is due for a service very soon as it is gaining a bit too much time. About a year ago I caused some damage to the case whilst digging around in my log store - I'm not too bothered about watches getting dinged or scratched but as it is going in for a service anyway I'm looking at the best option to get it sorted.

There is a laserwelding jeweller with a good reputation quite near to me (Gemtech in Chester if any UK members know of it) so one option is to get the gouges filled in and smoothed out with matching steel and then send the watch to RSC for service. The second option is just to send it for service and hope that the RSC polishing job doesn't destroy the look of the case by removing too much steel getting these dings out. My understanding is that RSC won't laserweld - they will only polish?

Any advice? Pics below.

NEITHER. Leave it. Gouges filled and smoothed?

Let them polish it but leave the nicks and gouges alone. Wear it for 30 years they will lessen.

OH and use a RSC.

[JH419]

Wait so RSC does provide laser welding? Never knew this day would happen.

How do you go about asking for that service? or is it something they recommend?

[RickDude]

Very informative thread. Thank you

[karleone]

RSC will probably remove a lot of material to make this disappear… I would give it to a well known laser welder but you gotta be sure he is doing good work and you have seen pictures of his work. To be honest your case looks very sharp maybe unpolished I don’t think I would risk any job on it that could end with a worse result than now

[DLRIDES]

I wouldn’t let an RSC even open a box with a five digit watch ! They will replace original parts, keep the parts, and grind away excessive material !

Send to LAWW, RolliWorks, or comparable …………………

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

I wouldn’t let an RSC even open a box with a five digit watch ! They will replace original parts, keep the parts, and grind away excessive material !

Send to LAWW, RolliWorks, or comparable …………………

Thanks - not sure how feasible this is given I am in the UK. I'll email them and ask though.
Difficult conundrum this.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Thanks - not sure how feasible this is given I am in the UK. I'll email them and ask though.
Difficult conundrum this.

There are UK equivalents, someone will be along to name them.

[Jpccarguy]

I vote no weld, no polish. It’s a great look, proof of a life well-lived. YMMV

[S.Explorer]

There's Watchworks (Bristol) and Steven Hale (London), both are Rolex accredited and do laser welding (latter without requiring a service at the same time).

Disclaimer - not used either.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by S.Explorer

There's Watchworks (Bristol) and Steven Hale (London), both are Rolex accredited and do laser welding (latter without requiring a service at the same time).

Disclaimer - not used either.

That's really useful thanks.

[Steve36Efc]

I follow the watch polisher on IG he’s based in London and looks to do some incredible work including laser welding. Check him out and see what you think.

Good luck

[Swearengen]

Swiss Time Services (Essex) also does laser welding, although mainly for Omega I would be pretty confident that they could fix your case. I have first hand experience of their work and it is to a very high standard.

Originally Posted by S.Explorer

There's Watchworks (Bristol) and Steven Hale (London), both are Rolex accredited and do laser welding (latter without requiring a service at the same time).

Disclaimer - not used either.