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Old 29 March 2012, 05:42 AM   #1
hatidua
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Service

I recently needed service on my Rolex Explorer. Nothing was wrong it with but it'd been a while and I just felt that I'd have a bit more peace of mind if the seals and movement were serviced. In light of so many threads on here suggesting that independent watch makers might be the way to go, I contacted three of the more highly recommended ones, asking what a movement-only service would cost.

I can only think that the volume of recommendations has caused some of them to raise rates a bit as the closest one, in cost, to RSC/Dallas was $200 above what Rolex itself charged.

Sometimes RSC isn't the more costly option, and they accommodated my request to not polish or change out anything, simply service the movement.
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Old 29 March 2012, 07:18 AM   #2
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Glad to hear RSC said they would accomodate you. Have you gotten it back yet?
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Old 29 March 2012, 11:01 AM   #3
hatidua
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Have you gotten it back yet?
Came back last week along with 2-yr warranty.
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Old 30 March 2012, 01:11 AM   #4
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I agree with you
simple watchmakers are charging a high dollar service charge
as if they are God's - gift to horology.
I hear horror stories like... $1,200 bucks SERVICE CHARGE for a.... ROLEX DATE (?)
Some even charge 3 times what Rolex is charging
...and to the unsuspecting soul with a collectible vintage (?)
There are those (sharks if you ask me) that...quote $2000-$3000 dollars for service
and then make an offer to buy for $1.500 dollars - supposedly for parts
for a watch that sells once serviced - between $6,000 and $25,000

I give most of my watches to the official Rolex Service Center for around 300 labor plus
parts (a little extra for Daytonas) ....it takes around 3 weeks.
I can help any of you - who needs service.
Of course with a 2 year international Rolex factory warranty
.
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Old 30 March 2012, 03:15 AM   #5
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try harder

Quote:
Originally Posted by hatidua View Post
I recently needed service on my Rolex Explorer. Nothing was wrong it with but it'd been a while and I just felt that I'd have a bit more peace of mind if the seals and movement were serviced. In light of so many threads on here suggesting that independent watch makers might be the way to go, I contacted three of the more highly recommended ones, asking what a movement-only service would cost.

I can only think that the volume of recommendations has caused some of them to raise rates a bit as the closest one, in cost, to RSC/Dallas was $200 above what Rolex itself charged.

Sometimes RSC isn't the more costly option, and they accommodated my request to not polish or change out anything, simply service the movement.
I don't have any trouble finding independent, well respected watch guys who do the service in Dallas for less than RSC. The price difference isn't all that big a deal, but they are consistently faster and, for me, more convenient. I work about 3 miles from RSC Dallas, too.
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Old 30 March 2012, 04:02 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by TempoKing View Post

I give most of my watches to the official Rolex Service Center for around 300 labor plus
parts (a little extra for Daytonas) ....it takes around 3 weeks.
Which RSC center does $300 plus parts
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Old 30 March 2012, 11:54 PM   #7
slcbbrown
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Which RSC center does $300 plus parts
I also don't recall Daytona service being a "little" extra, either.
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Old 1 April 2012, 03:38 PM   #8
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Which RSC center does $300 plus parts
An honest one ?
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Old 1 April 2012, 03:40 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by slcbbrown View Post
I also don't recall Daytona service being a "little" extra, either.
A daytona is around $130-$150 extra labor plus parts...what do you pay ?
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Old 8 April 2012, 12:09 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TempoKing View Post
I agree with you
simple watchmakers are charging a high dollar service charge
as if they are God's - gift to horology.
I hear horror stories like... $1,200 bucks SERVICE CHARGE for a.... ROLEX DATE (?)
Some even charge 3 times what Rolex is charging
...and to the unsuspecting soul with a collectible vintage (?)
There are those (sharks if you ask me) that...quote $2000-$3000 dollars for service
and then make an offer to buy for $1.500 dollars - supposedly for parts
for a watch that sells once serviced - between $6,000 and $25,000

I give most of my watches to the official Rolex Service Center for around 300 labor plus
parts (a little extra for Daytonas) ....it takes around 3 weeks.
I can help any of you - who needs service.
Of course with a 2 year international Rolex factory warranty
.
Who in the world is quoting you $2,000-$3,000 to do a basic service?
Sounds like you're talking to the wrong people... And at the same time, since when does RSC service for $300? RSC current prices are $595-$795 plus parts, and when you add all the extra parts they always want to replace (dial has discoloration, bracelet is stretched, hands are scratched, etc) the service cost usually runs $1000 +++

And Daytonas are more than $130-$150 extra... I have customers call me every week complaining about RSC quotes in excess of $1500...
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Old 8 April 2012, 04:11 PM   #11
TempoKing
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Originally Posted by IQ Publishing View Post
Who in the world is quoting you $2,000-$3,000 to do a basic service?
Sounds like you're talking to the wrong people... And at the same time, since when does RSC service for $300? RSC current prices are $595-$795 plus parts, and when you add all the extra parts they always want to replace (dial has discoloration, bracelet is stretched, hands are scratched, etc) the service cost usually runs $1000 +++

And Daytonas are more than $130-$150 extra... I have customers call me every week complaining about RSC quotes in excess of $1500...

I stand by my numbers !
Any of you in need my help for servicing your "grail" ..just let me know.
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Old 15 April 2012, 04:38 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by TempoKing View Post
I stand by my numbers !
Any of you in need my help for servicing your "grail" ..just let me know.
I like your numbers AND your service provider, A! My problem is I keep forgetting to send a piece or two down to ya before you go on your expeditions!!!
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Old 16 April 2012, 12:08 AM   #13
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I stand by my numbers !
Any of you in need my help for servicing your "grail" ..just let me know.
That's cool but your numbers are not RSC numbers

I think you are misleading people about it being a RSC service
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Old 16 April 2012, 12:35 AM   #14
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Another big bonus with an RSC service is the Rolex paperwork, of course. However, most of the techs there are not sensitive to vintage watches, and with super collectable Rolexes, I just wouldn't want to take the chance. I had a mid-'70s 5512 serviced at RSC NYC and even though I told them not to change the dial, hands, bezel insert, etc .... I still held my breath when I got it back. (It was fine.) I've read horror stories on this forum of guys who wanted only a movement service on their vintage watch at an RSC and instead got back a watch with swapped-out parts. There's a reason you might need to pay a little more for a watchmaker who's a vintage expert. Same with cars: I'm not taking my 1972 BMW 2002 to the dealer; it's going to a guy who specializes in vintage BMWs.
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Old 16 April 2012, 12:53 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slcbbrown View Post
I don't have any trouble finding independent, well respected watch guys who do the service in Dallas for less than RSC. The price difference isn't all that big a deal, but they are consistently faster and, for me, more convenient. I work about 3 miles from RSC Dallas, too.
I've sent my watch to an independent in Dallas before. They seem to be competitive there. For the most part here, it's take it or leave it.
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Old 16 April 2012, 01:06 AM   #16
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Quote:
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That's cool but your numbers are not RSC numbers

I think you are misleading people about it being a RSC service
I think his intention was to tell people it doesn't really cost 2-3k to service a watch. He is not misleading anybody and he did go out of his way for me on a Rare Chronograph getting a 25 year veteran Rolex Chronograph guy to service it and he had the parts that were unobtainable anywhere. He has been dealing in watches a very long time and has established contacts worldwide. He has helped me service through Rolex more than 1 rare vintage Rolex. I picked them up in person But it is not in the USA.
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Old 16 April 2012, 01:35 AM   #17
TempoKing
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azguy View Post
That's cool but your numbers are not RSC numbers

I think you are misleading people about it being a RSC service
You talk without thinking (about me misleading my fellow TRFrs)

So for your info as well....I STAND by my numbers.

Any of you ready to have your watch serviced by the Rolex factory service
center I use.... with a full two year Official Rolex International warranty (?)
I will be happy to help your get your "grail" serviced.
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Old 16 April 2012, 01:45 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TempoKing View Post
You talk without thinking (about me misleading my fellow TRFrs)

So for your info as well....I STAND by my numbers.

Any of you ready to have your watch serviced by the Rolex factory service
center I use.... with a full two year Official Rolex International warranty (?)
I will be happy to help your get your "grail" serviced.
This is what I call a class offer from a top notch person Thank you Tasos
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Old 16 April 2012, 02:01 AM   #19
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Thanks again TempoKing for showing us the real numbers in the industry. It's a Rolex movement... simple in complication and many have been relatively unchanged for decades. Should be the easiest and fastest in service turn around among high end manufactures.
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Old 16 April 2012, 02:02 AM   #20
TempoKing
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This is what I call a class offer from a top notch person Thank you Tasos
Yes Sir... my offer stands even for the sycophant (slanderer).

Never again
Unethical high charges for a simple Rolex service
apparently the special interests must be getting upset.

Ya all note again
Official Rolex factory full service within the labor prices I have quoted
above with a 2 year Rolex International warranty.

Next appointment May 1st
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