Rolex Service Costs in Australia

[CAL3135]

The cost of a standard service at a RSC in Australia starts at $1,000.00 AUD plus parts. And most authorised Rolex dealers with resident watchmakers will charge the same. That, to me, is simply a rip-off.

If the cost of standard service, with no replacement parts, in the US were $750.00, what would you do? And if anyone knows of any reputable Rolex service options in Australia, PLEASE share!

[pacific17]

Last time it was around $750? I cant remember what the exact amount is. What would I do? Avoid getting it serviced until its an absolute must.

[CAL3135]

After some more searching and reading reviews, I visited a Swiss specialist based in Canberra, where I live, and asked what they charge for a service. He asked me WHY I wanted to get my Sub serviced: "Is it running poorly? Is it displaying any other signs of mechanical problems?" I told him that, as the watch is 6 years old, and consistently gaining 8 seconds per day (regardless of the position it's in), and as most service centres, authorised dealers, manufacturers, etc., recommend 5-7 year service intervals, I thought I should get it serviced. He advised that service centres generally recommend those intervals to "Keep money in the service centres -- to keep people spending". He said he'll check it on the Timographer and regulate it, which will cost $68. He'll keep it for a few days and see how it runs, and if it appears to need additional attention, we can go from there.

I've had several watchmakers give pretty much the same advice, so it sounds good to me. A damn sight cheaper, too.

I'll post an update a week or so after the regulation has been done.

[avirom]

to tell you the truth i would be very doubtful to hand over my watch or any watch to a watchmacker who asks you "why" you want to have your watch serviced....

as for the "shortcut" that he suggests for a fraction of the price, from my personal experience - don't do it, I tried that shtick with my omega with an "older watchmaker", you end up running back and forth to him to get the watch working right until he gives up on you (for $68 there is a limit of how much time and effort he will invest in your watch) and then you will end up paying again, this time much more, when you take the watch to a real service center to have it serviced properly.

imo there is no short cut for a proper service.

[CAL3135]

Okay, so the watchmaker gave the watch a light examination and said all visible lubrication and jewels, etc., looked brand new and 'perfect'.

He put the Sub on his Timegrapher and it was a nice straight line (or two of them) with no scattered dots. Very good to see! Means the movement is most likely clean and healthy. Beat error was 0.2-0.3 in all positions. Amplitude was between 285 and 305 depending on the watch position. Over 24 hours, the watch now gains exactly 1 second per day with the dial up, and loses 1 second per day with the dial down. With the crown up it loses 3 seconds per day, and with the crown down it loses 2 seconds per day.

Main case-back gasket replaced and pressure test done. All up a cost of $65 USD, and if I need further adjusting after another week or so of wearing the watch, no further charges.

I understand it's not a service, and there could still be parts requiring attention, but all signs indicate a healthy watch which is now keeping perfect time. And I've found a very honest watchmaker who provides great customer service.

I'll still get a proper Rolex service done in the next year or two, but this means I can relax a bit till then.

[busytimmy]

Originally Posted by CAL3135

Okay, so the watchmaker gave the watch a light examination and said all visible lubrication and jewels, etc., looked brand new and 'perfect'.



He put the Sub on his Timegrapher and it was a nice straight line (or two of them) with no scattered dots. Very good to see! Means the movement is most likely clean and healthy. Beat error was 0.2-0.3 in all positions. Amplitude was great: around 285 in flat positions and 310 with crown up or down. Over 24 hours, the watch now gains exactly 1 second per day with the dial up, and loses 1 second per day with the dial down. With the crown up it loses 3 seconds per day, and with the crown down it loses 2 seconds per day.



Main case-back gasket replaced and pressure test done. All up a cost of $65 USD, and if I need further adjusting after another week or so of wearing the watch, no further charges.



I understand it's not a service, and there could still be parts requiring attention, but all signs indicate a healthy watch which is now keeping perfect time. And I've found a very honest watchmaker who provides great customer service.



I'll still get a proper Rolex service done in the next year or two, but this means I can relax a bit till then.

Well played.
Please PM me the details of said watchmaker. Thanks.


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[CAL3135]

And Rolex have just confirmed 10-year service intervals in line with the new 5-year warranty period.

[123Blueface]

Basic service in the U.S., with no parts, is $700.
What would I do? I authorized the work and will pay when the watch is ready.
Yeah, I could save money by having it done locally. In fact, probably about half that. However, I see it as a grand daddy of a watch, deserving of what it costs to maintain. It's got to be a factor when buying the watch, no different than servicing a high end vehicle v a low end.

[CAL3135]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

Basic service in the U.S., with no parts, is $700.
What would I do? I authorized the work and will pay when the watch is ready.
Yeah, I could save money by having it done locally. In fact, probably about half that. However, I see it as a grand daddy of a watch, deserving of what it costs to maintain. It's got to be a factor when buying the watch, no different than servicing a high end vehicle v a low end.

I completely agree. However, I was under the impression services at RSCs cost less in the US; i.e., we tend to pay more in Australia for pretty much everything, and I thought it was the case with services, too. I have no problem paying for a service, and I'm all for taking care of valuable and/or sentimental possessions. I just don't like being bent over a barrel.

Rolex put a parts ban on independent watchmakers in Australia in 2012 (they will only supply parts to 'authorized' service centers), and that resulted in a prompt rise in service fees. Sometimes service recommendations are purely to keep the money coming in on a more regular basis. That is what I disagree with.

I've heard and read absolute horror stories about things that have happened to watches as a result of an authorized service, and I've heard and read extremely good things about services performed by independents. A label doesn't necessarily mean a higher quality of service. It can mean a better quality product—this is definitely the case with a Rolex—but not service.

[CAL3135]

Very happy with the timekeeping since the regulation was done 5 days ago. I set it against time.is and recorded some results. If the left watch is left sitting around, it loses between 1 and 2 seconds per 24 hours, depending on the position it's in. If the watch stays on my wrist for 24 hours, it literally does not lose or gain one second. That's a better result than I had hoped for. Enough obsessing about accuracy from me.

[NucMed]

Originally Posted by CAL3135

I have no problem paying for a service

Hi, I realise I'm a little late to the party here, but there's a watchmaker in Sydney that took over Ross Beer's customers when he died in 2013.

The name of the place is Kalmar Antiques in the Queen Victoria Building

Shop 23, Level 2, Queen Victoria Building, 61 2 9264 3663

[email protected]

The price I've paid over the past ten years for service from Ross Beer and then Kalmar has been AU$500 for a full service on my 1601 and 5500 watches.

They were also able to service my 1967 7928/0 Tudor Submariner ... so are able to access parts not available through Rolex.

Cheers, Peter

[SpaceWanderer]

Originally Posted by CAL3135

And Rolex have just confirmed 10-year service intervals in line with the new 5-year warranty period.

I know they confirmed the 5-year warranty, but I've yet to see any official statement about a 10-year service interval. And no, the posted letter circulating the forums allegedly from Rolex to ADs is not confirmation of anything. They never officially stated any set time interval in the past, either, and if you can find it in an official Rolex document to customers I'd love to see it.

[solidice]

I had my 2003 subby 14060m serviced by Rolex Australia about 6 months ago. Total cost came in at about $950, this included a new glass as it had a big scratch, and a new bezel.

I dropped it of at Watches of Switzerland and they sorted out the rest. I am not sure if they add any extra cost to it to make something from it.

[madmax21]

I would have to agree that is a big rip off since I just finished paying about a thousand dollars with parts and that included taxes in Canada

[RRyan]

Originally Posted by solidice

I had my 2003 subby 14060m serviced by Rolex Australia about 6 months ago. Total cost came in at about $950, this included a new glass as it had a big scratch, and a new bezel.

I dropped it of at Watches of Switzerland and they sorted out the rest. I am not sure if they add any extra cost to it to make something from it.

Very late to this party - but I just dropped off my 1989 16610 date Sub at Langfords in Brisbane to be sent to RSC in Sydney after having a guy at Watch Tech (Vintage Watch Co's watchmaker) look over it. Pretty scared at the what the outcome of the quote will be to be honest. But it is good to hear $950 plus the glass.

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by RRyan

Very late to this party - but I just dropped off my 1989 16610 date Sub at Langfords in Brisbane to be sent to RSC in Sydney after having a guy at Watch Tech (Vintage Watch Co's watchmaker) look over it. Pretty scared at the what the outcome of the quote will be to be honest. But it is good to hear $950 plus the glass.

Threads from over 2yrs ago matey. oz expenses have soared since.

I too have been sniffing around in recent mths for servicing in Melb. Currently anyone independent with "Rolex experience" also quoting A$1k + abnormal parts; think that's about same as RSC but perhaps with more "customer control" over parts changed. Independents might be slightly cheaper, haven't yet chatted to everybody on my list yet.

[watchmavan]

Can anyone recommend someone in Melbourne who is good and not part of the Rolex gravy train?


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[tamiya]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

Can anyone recommend someone in Melbourne who is good and not part of the Rolex gravy train?

I'm needing answers myself, none too forthcoming here https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=534971

What exactly are you wishing to service, may I ask?

Current consensus (from the fellas I've gone to meet) rule of thumb is, if it's 1990s & later it's best to send to RSC.

The newer models' parts are scarce and sounds like nobody's got a local parts account, I get the feeling some may source from greymarket overseas or aftermarket.

[SeaDwellerBund]

With all the 1:1 fakes down to movement reproductions, It appears a real gamble if not sourcing direct from the company proper. For the gamblers I guess that's ok.

[stevenke]

Originally Posted by CAL3135

After some more searching and reading reviews, I visited a Swiss specialist based in Canberra, where I live, and asked what they charge for a service. He asked me WHY I wanted to get my Sub serviced: "Is it running poorly? Is it displaying any other signs of mechanical problems?" I told him that, as the watch is 6 years old, and consistently gaining 8 seconds per day (regardless of the position it's in), and as most service centres, authorised dealers, manufacturers, etc., recommend 5-7 year service intervals, I thought I should get it serviced. He advised that service centres generally recommend those intervals to "Keep money in the service centres -- to keep people spending". He said he'll check it on the Timographer and regulate it, which will cost $68. He'll keep it for a few days and see how it runs, and if it appears to need additional attention, we can go from there.

I've had several watchmakers give pretty much the same advice, so it sounds good to me. A damn sight cheaper, too.

I'll post an update a week or so after the regulation has been done.

Wow we live in the same state. By the way are they A.J. Watch Repairs ? . Currently having my ORIS servicing by them. Quoted $386 for service, wheels for automatic section, back seal, case tube seal. I just bought a 2017 datejust from oversea, not sure if i should bring the watch in for them to have a look or send it to rolex straight away.

[jordan5]

its 800+ here in KOREA. thats expensive