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Old 11 April 2015, 07:10 AM   #31
tkerrmd
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That's easy it's cheaper

My cars under warranty are worked on at the Porsche dealer

The race cars are worked on by IMO people who know even more than the factory trained techs and do an even better job

So comes down to finding a qualified person


That said when I have my engine or watch torn down and rebuilt it goes back to the factory
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Old 11 April 2015, 07:10 AM   #32
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How do you know for sure you are you are receiving OEM parts even if they have a parts account? Having a watch that is serviced at the RSC will be worth more than a watch only serviced elsewhere on the second-hand market, assuming you save the receipts. Also, you receive a very valuable warranty that Rolex would honor with absolutely no problems. The RSC replaces non-OEM parts from watches all the time. You say that independents may do a better job. Whenever I have had an issue, the RSC was more than happy to fix the issue. Personally, I would prefer getting my watch serviced at the RSC. I'm sure the future owner of my watch will prefer it as well.
Alright man, agree to disagree. You prefer the RSC, great, but I'm clearly not in the minority here.
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Old 11 April 2015, 07:14 AM   #33
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You are using a sample size of one to make a decision on whether or not to use an independent or the RSC? I'm sure there are thousands of horror stories of people who brought their watch to independents and had to spend thousands to replace the fake parts at the RSC.
No I'm using what that sample size represents and that will be the same at every RSC. I have no doubt they can do a good job but IF they don't I'm going to have to deal with a "customer liaison officer" or his boss or his boss. He will have to discuss with a manager who will need to ask the watchmaker who will confirm or deny then it works its way back up the hierarchy. If he's denied scratching my bracelet, suddenly it's my fault.

Independents do mess up and that's why I said someone with a good reputation. Those small independents know that they have to maintain that good reputation. One bad post online backed up with pictures and evidence could ruin their reputation.

That kind of accountability keeps them honest. RSCs don't have that accountability. Not one from my "sample." None of them do. They can treat customers like dirt and 50 more will walk through the door the next day. And they know it.
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Old 11 April 2015, 07:18 AM   #34
bayerische
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Won't go into any arguments, however, a Rolex movement isn't exactly NASA Apollo technology (put it to 1960 content) anymore, so any good watchmaker who can get Rolex parts can service it.

It's a Rolex, not a piece of Unobtainium brought to planet earth by the Overlords from SigmaSigmaRay113.
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Old 11 April 2015, 07:25 AM   #35
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My independent watchmaker comes from a family of about 3 generations in the trade. He worked at Beyer (a very famous Rolex AD) here in Zuirch/CH for over 10 years, and has worked with all makers of watches, with Burger und Gübelin and others before Rolex/Beyer.

http://www.uhrensaurer.ch/index.php?p=firma

I'm happy for him to work on my vintage watches!
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Old 11 April 2015, 07:35 AM   #36
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The receptionist at my local watchmaker is super hot.
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Old 11 April 2015, 07:52 AM   #37
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Originally Posted by jay1988 View Post
No I'm using what that sample size represents and that will be the same at every RSC. I have no doubt they can do a good job but IF they don't I'm going to have to deal with a "customer liaison officer" or his boss or his boss. He will have to discuss with a manager who will need to ask the watchmaker who will confirm or deny then it works its way back up the hierarchy. If he's denied scratching my bracelet, suddenly it's my fault.

Independents do mess up and that's why I said someone with a good reputation. Those small independents know that they have to maintain that good reputation. One bad post online backed up with pictures and evidence could ruin their reputation.

That kind of accountability keeps them honest. RSCs don't have that accountability. Not one from my "sample." None of them do. They can treat customers like dirt and 50 more will walk through the door the next day. And they know it.
X1000. Accountability and Reputation are key words. RSC has shown lack of accountability
and they in fact do treat some customers like dirt. There are threads here on the forum that prove it. A guy like Rik has to keep happy customers. It only takes one unhappy customer to tell many people of their experience with today's internet. He has serviced over 10K Rolex watches over the years so he is obviously doing something right!
For those of you who only swear by using RSC it is obviously your money and your watch and to each his own. As individuals we all have our own preferences.
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Old 11 April 2015, 07:53 AM   #38
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Because RSC is not perfect.
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Old 11 April 2015, 08:09 AM   #39
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The receptionist at my local watchmaker is super hot.
Now there's an incentive.
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Old 11 April 2015, 08:26 AM   #40
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Rolex generally have better QC in manufacturing than PP or AP, recent Cyclops issue aside, but after sales service and customer attention is infinitely better from AP and PP and so no need to absolutely stay with Rolex after purchasing unlike the HH brands.
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Old 11 April 2015, 08:29 AM   #41
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If it's vintage.
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Old 11 April 2015, 09:03 AM   #42
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too caught up with the brand, it's not like it's an FP Journe.
this.
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Old 11 April 2015, 09:05 AM   #43
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Very satisfied with my Rolex trained local watchmaker.
dP
This. And Rik too
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Old 11 April 2015, 09:28 AM   #44
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It's no different than buying a pre-owned Rolex. Do your homework, and find someone you trust, that has a reputation for good service. You save money,time, and you can build a relationship with them. Rolex could care less if you send it to them, my watchmaker knows my name.
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Old 11 April 2015, 09:46 AM   #45
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To have the same thing done for less money? Just a wild guess...
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Old 11 April 2015, 09:58 AM   #46
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If your car was out of warranty, would you keep taking it back to the dealership for service when you know the mechanic down the road will do a comparible, if not better job for less? If the watchmaker is Rolex certified, they should have a parts account. They also need to invest in a certain standard of equipment from what I gather.

That's why.

To me, this analogy makes perfect sense...

The Rolex I purchased new, I will probably send it to RSC... My vintage pieces I know I have already been serviced by independents and they work perfectly fine. Plus what I paid for the vintage pieces and what RSC would charge doesn't wash IMO.
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Old 11 April 2015, 01:59 PM   #47
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Who I choose to perform the service has not a thing to do with my appreciation for Rolex watches. I love the watches that come out of Switzerland, yet don't particularly care for Rolex North America. I want somone--an individual with a top notch reputation from a small shop--to be accountable for servicing my watch, not taking my chances with RSC which produces very mixed results.
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Old 11 April 2015, 02:08 PM   #48
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One fact that seems to be often overlooked... watchmakers are a dying breed. Literally. Each successive generation of watchmakers is getting smaller and smaller. Two independents in my town closed shop and retired recently. The brands are doing what they can to train new watchmakers but often these then work for them. Independents are retiring faster than new ones are being trained. There are too few Carls (young people interested in this industry) in the world today. If this trend continues, you won't be able to get your watch services outside of an AD (and many of them are sending them out) or brand service center.
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Old 11 April 2015, 02:11 PM   #49
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Fair question.

Now check the reviews on Rik timecareinc.com
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Old 11 April 2015, 02:12 PM   #50
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My guy has worked on my Sub with no issues and guarantees work for 1 year. He was recommended to me by my father who used to be a jeweler in the NYC diamond district so I have complete confidence he knows what he is doing. Why pay more and wait longer at RSC?
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Old 11 April 2015, 02:24 PM   #51
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One point that favors RSCs is having a 2 yr world wide warranty. I'm in Dallas, LA, and NYC often with occasional trips overseas as well. If I'm ever in a situation where I have a watch issue, it's very reassuring to know that I can drop off my watch at a nearby RSC for work under warranty.
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Old 11 April 2015, 03:49 PM   #52
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This. And Rik too
Rik's pricing is close to RSC's but there is no Rolex warranty to accompany the watch afterwards. I'd say he isn't really a bargain from my perspective. If a watch needs to be kept away from Rolex then, "yes"; if not, then "no."
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Old 11 April 2015, 04:28 PM   #53
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Won't go into any arguments, however, a Rolex movement isn't exactly NASA Apollo technology (put it to 1960 content) anymore, so any good watchmaker who can get Rolex parts can service it.

It's a Rolex, not a piece of Unobtainium brought to planet earth by the Overlords from SigmaSigmaRay113.

Exactly this, Rolex employs watchmakers some are good and some not so good and diligent like in any profession. I suspect most don't go home to their family and think about other peoples rolexes when their 8 hours work is over.
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Old 11 April 2015, 05:03 PM   #54
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Why does Rolex always have to be associated with great success? Yes, they're expensive. But they're also collected and there are also people out there who just love a nice timepiece. I hate that stigma.
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Old 11 April 2015, 08:17 PM   #55
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My watchmaker is the only one that will touch my vintage. RSC might be great for modern, but to chance destroying the charater and heritage of an heirloom piece defeats the purpose and history of the piece.
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Old 11 April 2015, 08:49 PM   #56
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How do you know for sure you are you are receiving OEM parts even if they have a parts account?.
Because 1) That's fraud by telling someone so and 2) chances are if they were doing this and got caught, they'd lose their parts account.
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Old 11 April 2015, 08:54 PM   #57
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I purchased mine from a very reputable jeweler long after the factory warranty had expired. They have serviced it on one occasion and it functions perfectly. If you feel like you may not get "OEM" parts, don't use that jeweler. Seems to me there are some that get caught up in the name or brand, "RSC or nothing." Why does it matter who uses who on THEIR watches? You have to remember some may not be able to foot the bill for a $750 service when the issue could be an easy fix. Plus turn around time is usually better if you go locally. And it doesn't mean I appreciate my watch any less than you do simply because you only send yours to RSC, not the case at all.
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Old 11 April 2015, 09:27 PM   #58
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Honestly, in all likelihood the quality control is better at a independent watch maker.
This has not been my experience. As far as getting it right the first time, RSC has done a much better job than independents for me. When there's an RSC horror story, people share it with the world, but I don't think people are as eager to share their issues with indies.
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Old 11 April 2015, 09:35 PM   #59
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Peace of mind is why I choose to use our RSC in Toronto. Now vintage is a different kettle of fish.

As Mike mentioned the REC service also comes with warranty and to some that is important.
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Old 11 April 2015, 10:13 PM   #60
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OMG:Lol, I want to know why it bothers you.
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