Service quote Indy vs Rolex

[reno1910]

Picked up a nice Explorer #14270 this week. "Minty, minty, minty, Steel Stunner" to borrow a quote from a you tube guru.

Figured after 27 years it would need a service, and this will be a piece I cherish and never flip.

A local independent jeweler looked at it and said the lubricants have dried and it's in need of a service. He quoted me $500 and comes highly recommended from a friend.

My question is that a good or bad price vs RCS?

Will it present a problem in the future if/when the jeweler retires and I need to go thru Rolex?

I do want to cultivate a relationship with my AD for a few reasons. I had been debating a GMT BLNR and some other pieces. They called me about a trade in 1680 Sub yesterday, and I don't think she was happy I didn't by her 39mm Explorer.

Just a few questions I have and would appreciate any advice.

[Comacho]

As long as he has a parts account or access to them via some other channel it shouldnt be a big deal (assuming he has the chops). For warranty work I would always go through RSC, but for older pieces there's not a thing wrong with using an independent watchmaker. There are several on here that are highly recommended. His price is pretty good too based on my limited experience. My local guy is 450-500$ so he's right in line

also, RSC would be close to twice that price.

[DJ TT 2002]

Suspect that a service by RSC will cost double that quote

Does the local jeweler have a Rolex parts account?

May want to look into TRF superstars like Rikki and Vanessa for your watch service needs.

[doubleinfive]

If you're thinking of buying a watch from your AD in the near future, ask the AD to service your minty Explorer as part of the deal.

That's what I did. I bought an OP Red Grape for my wife early this year and asked the AD to service my 2005 DJ gratis. Same thing when I bought my DJ Tuxedo in 2012, I asked the AD to service my wife's inherited 1963 Oyster Date free of charge. My AD happens to have a technician on site, by the way...

[smcintos]

I used Vanessa and couldn't of been happier. She does great work and it's a great company to work with. I highly recommend her.

[LuminousMaximus]

Originally Posted by reno1910

Picked up a nice Explorer #14270 this week. "Minty, minty, minty, Steel Stunner" to borrow a quote from a you tube guru.

Figured after 27 years it would need a service, and this will be a piece I cherish and never flip.

A local independent jeweler looked at it and said the lubricants have dried and it's in need of a service. He quoted me $500 and comes highly recommended from a friend.

My question is that a good or bad price vs RCS?

Will it present a problem in the future if/when the jeweler retires and I need to go thru Rolex?

I do want to cultivate a relationship with my AD for a few reasons. I had been debating a GMT BLNR and some other pieces. They called me about a trade in 1680 Sub yesterday, and I don't think she was happy I didn't by her 39mm Explorer.

Just a few questions I have and would appreciate any advice.

I know who you are referring to and I think he is funny to "watch" pardon the pun. I think he is banned here but I wonder if he could ever come back?

[HogwldFLTR]

RSC should be just a bit over $600 not $1000. With this sort of mathematical rounding logic we might as well call the $500 quote a $1000 quote. If the watch is a complete set including papers then using the indie could provide advantage of not having to ship and pay for shipping as well. If not a complete set the RSC will provide documentation as to authenticity as well as a two year warranty which can be used at any RSC in the world. Since you know that the indie is a good shop then there having a parts account is irrelevant since they quoted and said they can do the work; a good shop wouldn't say they can do something that they can't.

[NKflyer]

Yep, current RSC price for a basic service is $600 provided that no extra parts (such as crystal, crown, tube, etc) are required. Your local AD may have a watchmaker in-house or otherwise they will send the watch to RSC, which you can do directly, and tack on a small profit. Why not call the AD and ask? The independent's quote is in line with what others charge and you will likely receive quicker turnaround than the RSC option.

[1AP]

I would go RSC for an extra 1-200$.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by NKflyer

Yep, current RSC price for a basic service is $600 provided that no extra parts (such as crystal, crown, tube, etc) are required.

The crown and crown tube are replaced at every full service, if I'm not mistaken.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by doubleinfive

If you're thinking of buying a watch from your AD in the near future, ask the AD to service your minty Explorer as part of the deal.

great idea, my AD does this all the time

[reno1910]

I guess it's what you call full set with papers, box etc...

I may run it by the AD in the morning and see if they can give me an opinion.

Funny thing was, I was half way to the AD to buy the 39mm Explorer or a GMT when I pulled over to check the For Sale listings one final time.

Even with service factored, I am tickled to death on the quality and price savings.

I need a new roof on my house more than I needed a BLNR.

The little Explorer was supposed something to hold me over a few months until I could justify the GMT.

Right now, I'm trying to soak in all the little 36mm Explorer's glory.

My wife has a 30mm Datejust in need of service, so I will try to play that card when I go in for the BLNR in October.

[Girkmonster]

RSC is the only shop to open mine. I like the consistency and the peace of mind.

[Tseg]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

With this sort of mathematical rounding logic we might as well call the $500 quote a $1000 quote.

Ha! My wife uses opposite logic... a $900 shopping spree rounds to $500.

But back to the subject at hand... besides for paying for "knowing what you'll get" with the RSC, there is likely more recourse through the RSC if the result is less than expected + a 2 year Rolex warranty. Of course nothing is for free.

[kepr]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

The crown and crown tube are replaced at every full service, if I'm not mistaken.

RSC London charged me an extra GBP 40 for a (required) new crown on top of the service price last month.

[arinsd]

Originally Posted by eli9

I would go RSC for an extra 1-200$.

This.

I suppose if the watchmaker has a Rolex parts account its fine. But personally I would like to know im getting 100% Rolex parts. In the long run an extra 200-300 wouldn't be much.

[watchwatcher]

I would get a quote from the RSC and go from there.

[LuminousMaximus]

Originally Posted by arinsd

This.

I suppose if the watchmaker has a Rolex parts account its fine. But personally I would like to know im getting 100% Rolex parts. In the long run an extra 200-300 wouldn't be much.

I like RSC as well... The advantage of servicing at Rolex over an authorized Rolex dealer/jeweler is the 2 year factory warranty and guarantee of only the highest quality authentic parts.

[JeremyS]

Twenty-seven years is quite a while. RSC might error on the side of replacement versus repair when it comes to parts, but after such a long time, who could say parts wouldn't need replaced? I would go with RSC. The warranty and availability of parts is a big deal, and it would give me the peace of mind to wear the watch without worry.

Jeremy

[reno1910]

Slight mathmatical glitch...

It's 17 years old.

I left it with the AD to send to RSC.

Six weeks was the estimate? Dang...

Likely a couple hundred extra...

[Time Exposure]

Originally Posted by reno1910

Slight mathmatical glitch...



It's 17 years old.



I left it with the AD to send to RSC.



Six weeks was the estimate? Dang...



Likely a couple hundred extra...

Good for you (and that would have been my advice had I joined the party earlier).
I just picked up my Cartier Roadster today from service. I paid $800, and my watch is worth about $2-$2.5. Did I mention it's an ETA movement?
Some will say I'm stoopid but Cartier has the proper gaskets and a one year warranty. No indy can get those. Plus the watch was a gift from my first wife on my 40th birthday.
She's still my only wife. Had I ever introduced her as my first wife, that Cartier might have been an Invicta...

[perpetual92]

I would just make sure your dealer is authorized to service the Rolex (has a parts account). Does your gut tell you he/she is up to snuff?
I would lean towards this route as Rolex just loves replacing perfectly fine parts, combined with alot of polishing. Both these factors kill off any vintage look to your watch.
Also, Rolex may replace that nice T Swiss T dial, along with the Hands. And they will NOT give you your old parts back.
Proceed with caution. Many here would never send a aging or vintage Rolex to an RSC for these very reasons.

But, if you do go the RSC route have them put in writing they will not change your Dial or Hands.

Your watch will come back looking new from a RSC and that means replacing Dials, Hands, Crowns, etc.

Is that what you want???

[Watchgeek5000]

Plus RCS will give you that nifty little Rolex service card!