1990s Oyster Perpetual Date: engine turned vs smooth bezel?

[jlp_nyc]

My late dad gave me this watch ages ago.

Over 10 years ago I took it to RSC in Manhattan (650 5th Ave) for a desperately-needed cleaning / servicing and to have another link added to bracelet (was quoted almost $1,000 at the time), but after inspecting it, they said the engine turned bezel doesn't belong on this model and if they serviced it, they'd have to remove it and replace it with a smooth bezel to make it back to "as stock" as possible (and obvs would also charge me for the new bezel).

I passed... and now -- thinking the watch needs to be worn and enjoyed after languishing in a case -- I'm wondering if I should seek a third-party Rolex servicer who'd clean / service it without making me sacrifice the bezel (which I'd rather keep on the watch for both sentimental and aesthetic reasons - I prefer it to the plain smooth alternative).

Alternatively, I could go back to RSC (it's not far from me) to try again and this time insist they keep the engine turned bezel on the watch for servicing. I've seen a number of used OP Dates online that look identical to mine that have the engine turned bezel, so am not convinced Rolex is justified in implying it was an after-market switch done by the jeweler who sold dad the watch.

Any one know if the engine turned bezel is "standard" or "as stock" on this discontinued model, or (as Rolex SC indicated) it's likely an aftermarket / non-stock "mod"?

Thanks in advance.