Questions about getting serviced...

[GoldenBear]

I have a 20 y/o SS Sub that has had one servicing about a dozen years ago. I also have a 7 y/o TT Sub that has never been serviced. They both work fine. The TT is kind of scratched up, both the gold and the steel, after 7 years of daily wear. Is it worth it to have it/them sent in for servicing? Do they really come back looking "almost new" and with papers, as some people have said? Finally, do you guys send them directly to Rolex or go through your AD? Thanks for any input.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Trust me! RSC will make it look as if it has just left Rolex S.A.!

And even though both watches are keeping good time, it is time to get them serviced ASAP : read:

You can either have your AD send the watches to RSC or send them directly. I for my part prefer to have it done via the AD.

[Timber Loftis]

I was just at a RSC getting my first one sized. A guy came in to pick up 2 that he had serviced, his and his wife's. One (bought in 1969) hadn't been serviced in 20 yrs, and the other in 12. Both quit working correctly prior to being serviced, and each one cost almost $500 to fix. (I'd like to think it would have been cheaper had he kept on the regular service plan.)

The service schedule the RSC recommended to me was 4 to 5 years.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis

(...)Both quit working correctly prior to being serviced, and each one cost almost $500 to fix. (I'd like to think it would have been cheaper had he kept on the regular service plan.) (...)

Nah. US $ 500 is actually pretty much the standard cost of an RSC service.

[mike]

A 20 year old sub would probably be a 16800 vintage with a tritium dial. Not only worth servicing for the sake of the watch but also a wise move to establish some new paperwork on a reference with some collector appeal.

[Letsgodiving]

A reference for sending it in yourself if you decide to:

http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/service.html

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by mike

A 20 year old sub would probably be a 16800 vintage with a tritium dial. Not only worth servicing for the sake of the watch but also a wise move to establish some new paperwork on a reference with some collector appeal.

Ok Mike,
I've got some questions for ya. Gonna take my Tudor chrono in next year for an overhaul. It's been used but not abused. I'd like to get it back to like new condition, start from scratch, and use it as my daily wearer [not beater]. I'll never sell it [unless there is a major catastrophe and REALY need cash]and hopefully pass it down to my son.
My questions: What should I do about the dial? It has TSwiss MadeT on the dial. As you would expect, no lume. The minute hand has a very, very small hole in the luminous material seen under a loupe as does one of the tiny hour markers. It dates from 1989 to 1995. Would Rolex have an original replacement? Would they use an updated dial? Should I tell them to not touch the dial & hands? Just don't want to damage the value of a piece that's going up in price.
Sorry for the highjack. And thanks in advance,
dP

[Spark]

Hi,
I would recommend a Rolex Service.
Just don't let them change the dial or hands on your 20 year old sub.
Have a look at these pics they are of my recently serviced 1968 Submariner

[mike]

Dan,

RUSA will not have an original trit. dial or hands and because of the pin hole (common) would grade the hands as "imperfect" and would force change. I think the best bet would be to send it to the authorized Rolex Service Center in Chicago.

Rolex Service Center
55 E. Washington #311
Chicago, Ill. 60602 312-782-7768

You will get a one year warranty and establish new paperwork.
The dial looks good and to replace would impact from a collectable standpoint.

It's just so unfortunate that RUSA is so unforgiving as compared to RSCs in other parts of the world.

[Dan Pierce]

Mark, That Sub is a stunner!

Mike,
Thanks for the info. I'll be in NY and wanted to drop it off there. I'd just hate to mess with the value by changing to a newer style dial. Think they would just do the hands?
Although Chicago is within driving distance. Then there's always my local watchmaker too. But nobody can polish a case like Rolex.
Looks like I have to think about this more.
dP

[Prince]

Oh. I thought this thread was about something entirely different. Never mind...

[jhowton]

Originally Posted by mike

Rolex Service Center
55 E. Washington #311
Chicago, Ill. 60602 312-782-7768

I just visited this location this morning (Washington & Wabash in Jeweller's row), and was pleasantly surprised. Nice people, they stated they would in no way touch the Tritium dial and hands on my S series Sub unless I specifically requested a change. They also said they should be able to repair rather than replace my bracelet and quoted me $485 for full factory service with a three week lead time. They are also doing a warranty regulation of my SD which should be done in a day or two. They have apparently been repairing Rolex watches from this location for quite some time. The only negative is that that they do not accept credit cards, it's cash or check only.

I'll post pics when I get the Sub back but initial impressions are positive.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by jhowton

I just visited this location this morning (Washington & Wabash in Jeweller's row), and was pleasantly surprised. Nice people, they stated they would in no way touch the Tritium dial and hands on my S series Sub unless I specifically requested a change. They also said they should be able to repair rather than replace my bracelet and quoted me $485 for full factory service with a three week lead time. They are also doing a warranty regulation of my SD which should be done in a day or two. They have apparently been repairing Rolex watches from this location for quite some time. The only negative is that that they do not accept credit cards, it's cash or check only.

I'll post pics when I get the Sub back but initial impressions are positive.

Great info Jamie, thanks!
dP

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Spark

Hi,
I would recommend a Rolex Service.
Just don't let them change the dial or hands on your 20 year old sub.
Have a look at these pics they are of my recently serviced 1968 Submariner

It's hard to believe that Sub is almost 40 years old.

[slojoh]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Nah. US $ 500 is actually pretty much the standard cost of an RSC service.

I just got back from the ad in scottsdale and was quoted $405.00 for a service on a ss sub

[mike]

Originally Posted by jhowton

I just visited this location this morning (Washington & Wabash in Jeweller's row), and was pleasantly surprised. Nice people, they stated they would in no way touch the Tritium dial and hands on my S series Sub unless I specifically requested a change. They also said they should be able to repair rather than replace my bracelet and quoted me $485 for full factory service with a three week lead time. They are also doing a warranty regulation of my SD which should be done in a day or two. They have apparently been repairing Rolex watches from this location for quite some time. The only negative is that that they do not accept credit cards, it's cash or check only.

I'll post pics when I get the Sub back but initial impressions are positive.

I've had great luck with them.

[slojoh]

Originally Posted by Spark

Hi,
I would recommend a Rolex Service.
Just don't let them change the dial or hands on your 20 year old sub.
Have a look at these pics they are of my recently serviced 1968 Submariner

that looks fantastic!! did that polish job come with the servicing of the watch? If not what did it cost you extra ? i want to do it to mine!

[GoldenBear]

It's an E serial number, I got it in the 1991. I found all of my papers, anchor, etc. So, when I have it tuned up I should tell them not to replace the dial, just buff it up. It runs about 3 seconds a day fast. I set it 30 seconds early every month and it evens out by month-end...LOL. Thanks for the articles and advice.
P.S. Heard $500 was standard for a tune-up.

[teton]

Originally Posted by Prince

Oh. I thought this thread was about something entirely different. Never mind...

Me too.

[watchnut]

Originally Posted by teton

Me too.

Me three. Looks like we need to check out another forum !

[Spark]

Originally Posted by slojoh

that looks fantastic!! did that polish job come with the servicing of the watch? If not what did it cost you extra ? i want to do it to mine!

Hi,
Yes the case refurb was part of the Rolex Service, total cost of £231 GBP, but there has been a price rise here in the UK I am not sure if it is world wide and I was told it would be another £25 GBP on top if I had it done today