Will a rolex service center take my paperless rolex purchased online?

[deebles]

Obvious and basic question. Everything I read online says "yes," but I want to ask some actual human beings before I do something. I see a decently priced 20 year old 16710 GMT without papers (but specifying that the serial number is legible) that "needs service." I would also want to replace the bezel. To me, this seems like a potential deal if it's as simple as going to the RSC, saying "Can I get this serviced and a new bezel please?" Paying some 500-1000 dollars and then getting my shiny new-ish vintage-ish watch back weeks later (with the replaced bezel to take home?)

Is this how it will actually go, though? Or is this just a best-case scenario and not actually how it works in practice?


Got a picture. Would this be refused? I can tell that's a 0, 8, or 9, (and the owner has told me it's a 0 and that this is a common issue with GMT's of the era ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

but I don't know if the RSC is so trusting

[zapokee]

Rolex doesn't require papers for a service, and they would have no idea (nor ask/care) where you bought it.

As long as it checks out as authentic, you should have no problem getting it serviced by Rolex. However, they will not give you the old bezel/insert back. It's a part-exchange-type arrangement.

Some people who want to keep the original bezel/insert "lose" it before sending it in for service and ask Rolex to provide a new one. This will cost you significantly more than the exchange scenario, though.

I also assume you mean "insert" (the flat colored ring), not "bezel" (the silver-colored steel ring around it, with the teeth).

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Rolex doesn't require papers for a service, and they would have no idea (nor ask/care) where you bought it.

As long as it checks out as authentic, you should have no problem getting it serviced by Rolex. However, they will not give you the old bezel/insert back. It's a part-exchange-type arrangement.

Some people who want to keep the original bezel/insert "lose" it before sending it in for service and ask Rolex to provide a new one. This will cost you significantly more than the exchange scenario, though.

I also assume you mean "insert" (the flat colored ring), not "bezel" (the silver-colored steel ring around it, with the teeth).

Agree with this.

I'd call Rolex first to see if they're willing to to let you keep the old one, and if not--then conveniently "lose" that insert and send it in.

I don't think that case wear at the serial number is serious enough that they'd throw a fit and not service it.

[deebles]

I did indeed mean the insert

e: moved to first post

[deebles]

whoa did not mean to put this twice

[SS Oyster]

No papers required. Has to be authentic and not reported as stolen or they will refuse to work on it. If they gave it in their “stolen” database, they will confiscate and not return it.


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[deebles]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

No papers required. Has to be authentic and not reported as stolen or they will refuse to work on it. If they gave it in their “stolen” database, they will confiscate and not return it.


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I very much doubt anything like that. It's just a number scraped due to typical wear, but I've had an experience where I brought a watch that had (somewhat more extensive) serial number damage to the RSC and they would not service it, so I'm asking some other people what they know

[996marty]

Interesting question and I’d be interested as to how picky they will be if you go through with the transaction. As has been mentioned they obviously check the database for anything untoward. I’d add they are great watches and so versatile with being to switch out the inserts

[KatGirl]

You shouldn’t have any problem, whatsoever. I also think you can probably keep your old insert, as they aren’t that expensive.

Kat


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[Harry-57]

Sounds pretty routine but why not speak to the RSC? They'll tell you for sure.

[PenDelicate]

I hope no one minds if I have the most First World Tantrum ever?

I sent my Daytona in for service. Nine weeks ago. They said it should take ten weeks. I was counting-down the weeks. And today, it was four days till Tuesday, which will mark the 10th week precisely.

I just received a mail from the RSC. I was SO DELIGHTED when I saw it was them!!!

The mail reads:

"<Very polite blah blah blah> <Blah blah delays> As it stands now, your watch should be ready and shipped from us by the end of August ..."

Four more weeks' delay.

Now, there are terrible things happening in the world, and people in dreadful life and health circumstances, and injustice and hardship strikes all about us.

But .....

NOOOO, MY DAYTONA'S DELAAAAAAAAAAAAYED!

(Thank you for listening. I feel better already.)

[1William]

Not knowing the issues with the watch I would advise the OP to make the deal contingent upon the submission of the watch to the RSC and an estimate received before closing the deal. I would be more concerned with the watch and parts being authentic and what it costs to bring everything right. By doing this you will start ownership with a watch that is right and serviced and have a service warranty. The seller may not want to do this and that is ok. Just find another watch that is right as opposed to the headache of trying to get the watch right or getting a refund. Good luck and let us know what you do.

[HorologyK]

Would an AD be able to look up if the watch is lost or stolen?


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[CarlOver]

If reported stolen to a Rolex and you unknowingly bought it and sent in for service, you will not get the watch back.

[deebles]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

If reported stolen to a Rolex and you unknowingly bought it and sent in for service, you will not get the watch back.

Yes, this is understood. This is almost certainly (obviously I can't say 100%) not a stolen watch. Nothing about it makes me think "stolen watch", it simply has some slight damage that happens to impact a serial digit, and that damage is both fairly common in this sort of watch and mirrored on the non-serial side, as would be expected of bracelet rubbing.

[Sgooter]

I second 1William's advice at reply post #12.
A few years ago I decided to sell an older GMT (without papers). So, I sent the GMT to the Dallas RSC for service, which also affirmed the watch's authenticity, along with a 2-yr warranty. This worked out fine for me and my buyer.

[minute_man]

Absolutely send it in to RSC and make sure you have agreed upon that and/or a return policy! Both cannot be stressed enough. Take note of the advice above, regarding authenticity and provenance.
I had THREE different pieces rejected by RSC in the past and the only reasons I've not lost a dime were the return policy and the sellers' solid reputation.

[Chadridv]

yeah as long as the watch is 100% authentic they will service anything, unless it predates roughly 1975-1980.

At least that is the NYC RSC stance as recently as June 2023.

[Ferrari308]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

yeah as long as the watch is 100% authentic they will service anything, unless it predates roughly 1975-1980.

At least that is the NYC RSC stance as recently as June 2023.

Do you mean that they wouldn't service a 1601??

Why wouldn't they work on anything pre-1980??


PDG

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Ferrari308

Do you mean that they wouldn't service a 1601??

Why wouldn't they work on anything pre-1980??


PDG

You'd have to ask them for a detailed response but I just went in there with my Dad's 1655 and my great grandfathers 1625. Both from that period and they sold be bracelets for each watch but made it very clear they could not service the watches.

I guess they don't have the parts anymore.

[VictorGMT]

I want to weigh in on the digit.

0% chance it's an 8, look at the other 8.

1% chance it's a 9, if 9's of the era are weird.

99% chance it's a 0.

[jb335]

Is that common for part of the serial number to be scratched off? I’ve never seen that before but I also haven’t seen much.

Any concerns that was done deliberately for a nefarious reason?


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[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by jb335

Any concerns that was done deliberately for a nefarious reason?


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Good point, wonder the same


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[DoctorsOrders]

Are you going to pay them? If yes then yes they will definitely work on it lol

[zapokee]

I don't know where this nuance that it's stolen/franked or has some other nefarious background has developed from. There's nothing to suggest this.

The OP was just asking about Rolex's servicing policy.

[ExplorerI]

For what it’s worth I think they’re more responsive to customer preferences than they used to be. I had a 90s submariner I sent back and the bezel insert had some scratches and paint chips but had really nice tritium patina on the pearl that I wanted to keep. They initially required a replacement of the insert but after a phone call they agreed to keep it on there.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by ExplorerI

For what it’s worth I think they’re more responsive to customer preferences than they used to be. I had a 90s submariner I sent back and the bezel insert had some scratches and paint chips but had really nice tritium patina on the pearl that I wanted to keep. They initially required a replacement of the insert but after a phone call they agreed to keep it on there.

It depends on the RSC. London, for example, are famously accommodating. Tokyo are brutally insistent on their own terms (in my experience).