Just had my 116500ln Daytona serviced due to loose set lever.

[richard371]

I noticed my 6 year old 116500LN was dying on me recently. I took it to Giovanni Passalacqua Independent Rolex watch service center in SF. This guy is amazing. They have been servicing and restoring Rolex watches since 1969 and used to be a west coast official Rolex service center before going totally independent. He took the back off and showed me exactly what was happening. Most Rolex models have a set lever that's friction fit into the movement from the dial side. He's seen cases for various Rolex modes where it can become loose and the the friction fit pin can go towards the bottom off the movement and interfere with the rotor freely spinning. He was honest and told me to send it to Rolex if under warranty. Im just hitting 6 years so I doubt they would cover it. He said he could do it but needed to remove the dial and hands etc and let me know the hands are so tight for the factory that the can bend in rare occasions but he had both hands in stock which were not needed and even showed me the setting lever he had in stock for the 4130. It was in the little square Rolex plastic thing with the QRC code on it. It was a long 2.5 weeks wondering if the watch would come back factory perfect. I used a 5x loop and spent 5-10 mins carefully inspecting the watch and wow it was perfect. Better the some rolexes I've gotten from the factory. Everything lined up perfectly, no dust etc on dial and hands. Pressure tested. Sill keeping within 1/2 second a day or better. Ive used this service center before and they do top notch work. Cost was $250. I have no idea how long it would take or cost at Rolex Service center plus how much to insure/ship etc.

[amphr1]

Wow. 2.5 weeks instead of 2 to 3 months and about a quarter of the cost!

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[WatchGuy1966]

Giovanni Passalacqua is a local legend

[goodolejr]

I thought indies were not allocated Daytona parts?

[ducatiti]

Thanks for sharing. Is the former RSC at Post St?

[George58]

How does get Rolex parts? Rolex took parts accounts from indy's long time ago. $250 compared to $1200 RCS is suspicious too me.

[77T]

Originally Posted by George58

How does get Rolex parts? Rolex took parts accounts from indy's long time ago. $250 compared to $1200 RCS is suspicious too me.

My former Rolex watchmaker built-up his inventory and stocked up on parts for years. Both for Rolex movements and Omega (ETA too) movements. So it’s possible he had the part for years just languishing in inventory.

On the cost, perhaps the OP did not have a full overhaul done - just the repair he mentioned.

When I had a large stable of watches myself, there were times I had simple work done without the time intensive case & bracelet polishing. Saved a lot on watchworks.


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[1William]

Great watch and a good story. Glad your watch is now right.

[brandrea]

Glad you got it sorted

I’m curious too as to how he’s still getting genuine Rolex parts.

[Cauhauna]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Glad you got it sorted

I’m curious too as to how he’s still getting genuine Rolex parts.

there is a market for parts

edit: i see Giovanni has a parts account. Wow!

[codecow]

I just had my old Omega Seamaster come back from service and I forgot to tell them not to polish it. It looks like a brand new watch, and before that it was badly scratched, I’m sure they had to add material to the case to fix it.

I used to talk crap about people having their pieces refreshed but I have to say when the desk guy handed it to me he said the look of shock on my face was amazing.

A little baggy for all the old parts and such (replaced crown and hands, gaskets) and it was $650.

The last time I had it serviced it was $750 with no polish, but did get a bag with the gaskets.

[codecow]

Rolex I have only had done under warranty or my AD picked up the bill, so no idea on cost for those.

[zi464]

I'm assuming RSC charges more than $250.

[richard371]

It was not a full service just replaced the set lever. He showed me the part and packaging it was genuine. I watched him open it. He used to be an authorized service center so he may have some on hand.

[Ravager135]

Great story. It's nice to hear these things get sorted correctly and easily.

[Little machines]

That's great to have a small business do the quality work that some of the RSC cannot. Enjoy!

[richard371]

Thanks I just confirmed he has a spare parts account with Rolex and only uses genuine parts. One of the few that still do.

[77T]

Originally Posted by richard371

Thanks I just confirmed he has a spare parts account with Rolex and only uses genuine parts. One of the few that still do.

That’s great. Mine decided to relinquish his when RolexUSA made demands that were unnecessary.


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[richard371]

Yea they did mention its pretty strict. They have to report every watch serviced and send the old parts back etc.

Originally Posted by 77T

That’s great. Mine decided to relinquish his when RolexUSA made demands that were unnecessary.


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[Mystro]

Fantastic report. This is the kind of detailed post that help others years from now.

[Dragline]

Independent watch repair at 210 Post street in the Shreve building SF is THE west coast Rolex doctor. Been using them since 1980. Ludwig Bernecke was the proprietor before Giovanni.

Always fair, highly skilled and on time to their estimate. And no snobbery. Tell you what they must do, should do, could do. You decide. Repair estimate took 2 minutes. Whip off the casebook and have a quick look.

They used to have a stand up oak cabinet with alphabetical drawers filled with watches in for service. Man, the $$$$$$$ that was in that cabinet back in the day.

[htm998]

I'm glad to hear that you had a positive experience with Giovanni Passalacqua Independent Rolex watch service center.