Learned something new today about the 50th sub

[jmed]

Took my 2004/50 anniversary submariner in for a full service today, at a very well known long time authorized Rolex dealer. I’ve never had the watch service since I purchased it brand new, thinking they would service it by their Rolex technician in house and save me some time versus sending it to Rolex. The manager informed me they can and will service most all Rolex in house by their Rolex certified technician with a two-year service warranty, however the 50th anniversary sub must go back to Rolex per Rolex policy. Has anyone ever heard this before?

[flyingtiger85]

that doesn't make a lick of sense

[Al1969]

Did they say why? Let’s see some pics.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by jmed

Took my 2004/50 anniversary submariner in for a full service today, at a very well known long time authorized Rolex dealer. I’ve never had the watch service since I purchased it brand new, thinking they would service it by their Rolex technician in house and save me some time versus sending it to Rolex. The manager informed me they can and will service most all Rolex in house by their Rolex certified technician with a two-year service warranty, however the 50th anniversary sub must go back to Rolex per Rolex policy. Has anyone ever heard this before?

No?

Did you ask why?

[037]

ADs have been instructed to send the 16610LV into an RSC due to the high number of fakes out there and rarity of the green insert.

If you don't want to go the RSC route then an independent with an active Rolex account is your next best bet.

[jmed]

Ultimately it doesn’t matter to me who services it, I just thought it would be quicker to do through their in-house tech. The watch is original to me and I know it is an authentic 50th anniversary as I have all paperwork. I wondered if it had something to do with the rarity of the model it is an F serial number flat 4 and I asked them to please do not change out the original green insert as it was in immaculate condition. It’s been working great for 14 years, as I only wear it two to three times a week, in a normal rotation. When I went to go wear it several weeks back I unscrewed the crown and went to wind it and it would not wind the crown just kept spinning, so I knew it was time. I guess 14 years isn’t so bad as it was keeping perfect time. The jeweler is a longtime family authorized dealer with multiple locations, they told me years ago they were one Rolex top independent accounts, have bought several through them and have been very pleased.

[jmed]

Sorry forgot the picture

[flyingtiger85]

watch looks great!!

[GreatScott]

Can someone show me the difference between regular 4 and flat 4, they all look the same to me

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[oldman2005]

I heard all 16610LV not flat4 or not

[037]

Stunner. Make sure you instruct them to NOT swap out the green insert for any reason. That's a rare one for sure.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by jmed

Ultimately it doesn’t matter to me who services it, I just thought it would be quicker to do through their in-house tech. The watch is original to me and I know it is an authentic 50th anniversary as I have all paperwork. I wondered if it had something to do with the rarity of the model it is an F serial number flat 4 and I asked them to please do not change out the original green insert as it was in immaculate condition. It’s been working great for 14 years, as I only wear it two to three times a week, in a normal rotation. When I went to go wear it several weeks back I unscrewed the crown and went to wind it and it would not wind the crown just kept spinning, so I knew it was time. I guess 14 years isn’t so bad as it was keeping perfect time. The jeweler is a longtime family authorized dealer with multiple locations, they told me years ago they were one Rolex top independent accounts, have bought several through them and have been very pleased.

If you want the best, send it to Rikki. A forum platinum standard.
http://www.timecareinc.com/

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by jmed

Took my 2004/50 anniversary submariner in for a full service today, at a very well known long time authorized Rolex dealer. I’ve never had the watch service since I purchased it brand new, thinking they would service it by their Rolex technician in house and save me some time versus sending it to Rolex. The manager informed me they can and will service most all Rolex in house by their Rolex certified technician with a two-year service warranty, however the 50th anniversary sub must go back to Rolex per Rolex policy. Has anyone ever heard this before?

Send it to RSC Dallas. In house watchmakers can either do a great job or destroy your watch, depending on skill set. Plenty of stories documented on here. Whatever you do don't let them replace that flat 4 bezel insert! I would even specify no polish/refinish if it is in awesome condition.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Mystro

If you want the best, send it to Rikki. A forum platinum standard.
http://www.timecareinc.com/

For the independent CW21 route, this is your answer.

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by GreatScott

Can someone show me the difference between regular 4 and flat 4, they all look the same to me

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The top of the INSIDE of the 4 is flat, not pointed.

[harvey]

Here is a pointy 4 (see 40 on the bezel insert).

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Send it to RSC Dallas. In house watchmakers can either do a great job or destroy your watch, depending on skill set. Plenty of stories documented on here. Whatever you do don't let them replace that flat 4 bezel insert! I would even specify no polish/refinish if it is in awesome condition.

My idea

[Seibei]

Only have it serviced if it NEEDS to be serviced.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by GreatScott

Can someone show me the difference between regular 4 and flat 4, they all look the same to me

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The flat 4 have more roof as you can see at the right one.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Al1969

Did they say why?

Rolex policy

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Send it to RSC Dallas. In house watchmakers can either do a great job or destroy your watch, depending on skill set. Plenty of stories documented on here. Whatever you do don't let them replace that flat 4 bezel insert! I would even specify no polish/refinish if it is in awesome condition.

I would tend to agree.
Regardless of condition perhaps i would pass on any refinishing and stick to a movement service.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by jmed

Sorry forgot the picture

Stunning watch

I would seriously consider sending it to Rikki.
And restrict the scope of work to the mechanical side of things and waterproof.

[jmed]

Originally Posted by Seibei

Only have it serviced if it NEEDS to be serviced.

Oh it’s needs a service, it won’t run as the crown will not wind the movement, same thing happened a while back with my Panerai, quick easy service fixed it right up. Since it’s going to Rolex it’ll probably be back around Christmas 🤪it’ll be a present to myself

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by jmed

Oh it’s needs a service, it won’t run as the crown will not wind the movement, same thing happened a while back with my Panerai, quick easy service fixed it right up. Since it’s going to Rolex it’ll probably be back around Christmas 🤪it’ll be a present to myself

rick dietel imo.

[stratguy]

Be careful with RSC Dallas. I sent a 11610 for service with very, very, specific instructions NOT to polish. It came back polished. RSC's response...sorry

[pb2au]

this was my flat four from December 2003. Gone for a couple of weeks and miss it.


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[G.D.BeanCounter]

I was told some time ago by AD, that anything "green" is shipped to Rolex for servicing.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by stratguy

Be careful with RSC Dallas. I sent a 11610 for service with very, very, specific instructions NOT to polish. It came back polished. RSC's response...sorry

Quite right.
It is a very real risk.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by jmed

Oh it’s needs a service, it won’t run as the crown will not wind the movement, same thing happened a while back with my Panerai, quick easy service fixed it right up. Since it’s going to Rolex it’ll probably be back around Christmas 🤪it’ll be a present to myself

Broken mainspring.

[Rogdogg]

Originally Posted by 037

ADs have been instructed to send the 16610LV into an RSC due to the high number of fakes out there and rarity of the green insert.

If you don't want to go the RSC route then an independent with an active Rolex account is your next best bet.

This seems like it could be possible.
Rolex would know from the serial numbers exactly how the watch was shipped so they might want to be returning their watches back to original factory spec because I hear there are many of these watches with the wrong bezel.
If I remember it happened to a member here recently where he found his green anniversary sub originally came with a black bezel so was in fact not a real anniversary sub as manufactured by Rolex at their factory.