Will Rolex change watch face on new watch?

[sven]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forums and a new Rolex owner! A few days ago I bought a new Oystersteel Datejust. I have a question which I'll follow with a short backstory to avoid reprimands. :)

Does Rolex offer the service of changing the watch face on a new watch (for a fee or not)? Or, does Rolex offer hands which are less reflective and would they change my watch to use them? I did buy the watch from the official retailer in my city.

Now the backstory: I find it difficult to see the time in certain lighting. The watch has a white face. When the silver hands reflect light, they kind of blend into the white of the face. When they aren't reflecting light, or in a brightly lit room, there's no evidence of a problem; the watch face becomes so beautiful that it takes my breath away. (I don't own a lot of nice things.)

This is my second Rolex. My first one I lost 20 years ago. Back then my eyes were much better and I had no problem seeing the time. Now things are worse (the beginning of cataracts). I thought I was being careful with my choice of color since the Rolex website describes the white dial in this way...

"The dial is the distinctive face of a Rolex watch, the feature most responsible for its identity and readability."

In the store the lighting was so bright that there was no way I could have anticipated a problem. During the purchase I agreed to no refund since the labels were removed. It seems my only course of action is to modify my new watch.

Regards,

Sven

[S’portEye]

It’s time for the cataracts to be removed. I just did 27 cataract removals with lens implants today. It’s a wonderful procedure... seriously

[sven]

Originally Posted by S’portEye

It’s time for the cataracts to be removed.

Only slight cataracts; the doctor says it's not time. I would definitely benefit from glasses whenever I need to check the time, but that would be impractical since I generally don't wear them around the house.

Putting aside how I might be modified, are there any modifications to the watch available to me.

P.S. I've heard great things about cataract removal. I'm actually looking forward to it when it's my time.

[Tools]

Changing the dial on a Datejust is fairly common. They charge a couple of hundred and up, depending on the dial chosen.

They will not change the hands for you, unless that dial came with the different hands that you want.

[sven]

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad I have a route forward.

Does anyone have opinions which of the faces make the time most visible in lower light?

[sven]

I called the Rolex service center in Dallas. To switch from a white face to a blue face will be $620. They broke it down as $420 for the part trade-in and $200 as a service charge.

This might not be a route forward. I'll call my dealer and see if they can help me in some way.

[mk2jag]

Originally Posted by sven

I called the Rolex service center in Dallas. To switch from a white face to a blue face will be $620. They broke it down as $420 for the part trade-in and $200 as a service charge.

This might not be a route forward. I'll call my dealer and see if they can help me in some way.

would they change it to a dial previously purchased (original Rolex dial) if you sent it with the watch?

[mk2jag]

Originally Posted by sven

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad I have a route forward.

Does anyone have opinions which of the faces make the time most visible in lower light?

I wild think black would be most legible or rhodium or blue

[sven]

Originally Posted by mk2jag

would they change it to a dial previously purchased (original Rolex dial) if you sent it with the watch?

I can call them back to ask. Are you suggesting there is somewhere that offers dials at a cheaper price?

One thing that they confirmed was that the watch would still be under warranty after the change. This is important to me. I would have to ask them if that would be the case if I provided my own dial.

[ArtNouveau]

I doubt very seriously that they will let you supply a dial.

[sven]

I'm definitely not crying in my milk; I'm grateful that I could afford the watch and it won't kill me to live with the white dial (which is beautiful).

But, I often kick myself for missteps with negative consequences. I don't see any steps I could have taken to safeguard against getting into this position.

And mk2jag, thanks for your thoughts on color choice.