Servicing my 16600

[7enderbender]

Journey begins today. I had called RSC Dallas a few weeks ago. They send me their box. Getting it ready now. And it’ll go to the post office here in Georgia today. Fully insured.

I’m still on the fence if I should put an AirTag in the box or if that will cause issues. I’m aware that I may not get it back.

[7enderbender]

Off it went. Scheduled to arrive at RSC on Tuesday.

[karleone]

Have you specifically ask not to polish your watch? It looks sharp and unpolished. If you don't ask them not to they will polish it and who knows how the polish will be

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by karleone

Have you specifically ask not to polish your watch? It looks sharp and unpolished. If you don't ask them not to they will polish it and who knows how the polish will be

I want them to lightly polish it and said that much. I’m not in the “don’t polish” camp. I want it to look as close to brand new as possible when it comes back. Given that it is in overall great shape I don’t expect anything bad to happen during a light polish. One of the reasons it goes to Dallas and not through an AD or third party.
I’m pretty sure that bad stuff happens when watches are already beat up with deep gouges - you know, the kind of abuse that some people celebrate here.
I did ask to not swap the dial. Small differences but I don’t like the service dial compared to this “Mark IV” dial.

[karleone]

I think you don’t understand and you have too high expectations. Your watch is very sharp and crisp. Why take the risk of getting a bad polish? They will remove all the scratches but there is a significant risk 1) brushing on lugs don’t look good 2) they over polish the watch 3) lugs become thin 4) crownguards become thin.
I mean your watch but I have seen and experienced very bad polish from RSC. Never ever polish a watch again and especially when the watch is unpolished.

[karleone]

Look at this thread. Unpolished 16600 polished by RSC with a bad polishing…

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=891155

[faimag]

Well, a lot of things can happen but no point in "terrorizing" the OP since the watch is already at RSC. There are several stories from people who are unhappy with RSC work, but there are many-many more people who are very satisfied, myself included

[swish77]

An RSC does not understand “light polish.” They either polish or they don’t. It’s not like ordering a steak rare, medium or well-done. Everything is “well-done” at an RSC, and sometimes it’s overdone.

[7enderbender]

I’m taking the risk. I specifically sent it to
Dallas to avoid New York and the assorted horror stories. Can things go wrong in this day and age with unqualified lazy personell (or none at all)? Sure. But I’m not paying way north of a $1000 and then not getting the watch back in like new condition. It’s not one of those banged up pieces that people expect miracles to happen to.
I personally am not all to fixated on sharp edges and chamfers (which my 16600T really doesn’t have to begin with). I usually can’t see what people are complaining about.
I’m more worried about what goes on inside and all the stuff you can’t see. With the RSC you get a factory warranty and you know who to talk to if things weren’t working out - unlike the last service on my wife’s Omega which turned into a nightmare as they just hand the job to random people apparently and barely took responsibility when it came back not working.

[7enderbender]

Update:
Watch shipped a little over a week ago from GA. Arrived today at RSC.
Used the box Rolex provides and mailed Registered mail and priority ($55 via USPS).

[7enderbender]

Update:
Got an email with the estimate. I conformed what needs to be done (no surprises).

[enginerd]

Confirm, but never conform!

I couldn't imagine polishing my unpolished 16600, but that's my watch so would never tell another what to do with theirs. You do you! I'm sure it'll look great.

I went through this a few years ago. Was about to send to RSC and then found a local shop with a Rolex trained tech that offered a 4 year warranty. Hard to pass up, and he provided some cool shots of the movement all disassembled.

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[1995akcoop]

Originally Posted by swish77

An RSC does not understand “light polish.” They either polish or they don’t. It’s not like ordering a steak rare, medium or well-done. Everything is “well-done” at an RSC, and sometimes it’s overdone.

HahhhhhAhah!


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[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by enginerd

Confirm, but never conform!

I couldn't imagine polishing my unpolished 16600, but that's my watch so would never tell another what to do with theirs. You do you! I'm sure it'll look great.

I went through this a few years ago. Was about to send to RSC and then found a local shop with a Rolex trained tech that offered a 4 year warranty. Hard to pass up, and he provided some cool shots of the movement all disassembled.

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See, we’re all different. I could never imagine giving my watch to some random guy at a local shop. Not that I think that the official place is necessary better - but if anything goes wrong, you know where to go. If you find out ten years later that some parts were swapped for non-original components, you’re out of luck.
When this one comes back, I’ll have my two year warranty and proof that it was with them. Not that I’m ever planning on selling it or so. But maybe future generations want to.

It’ll get a new crystal, new bezel insert, and crown (which probably standard anyway, always for a new one when my Omegas were serviced).

[LFFL]

Your watch doesn't appear it needs any polishing at all, it looks great! Curious if you sent package with air tag lol

[enginerd]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

See, we’re all different. I could never imagine giving my watch to some random guy at a local shop. Not that I think that the official place is necessary better - but if anything goes wrong, you know where to go. If you find out ten years later that some parts were swapped for non-original components, you’re out of luck.

When this one comes back, I’ll have my two year warranty and proof that it was with them. Not that I’m ever planning on selling it or so. But maybe future generations want to.



It’ll get a new crystal, new bezel insert, and crown (which probably standard anyway, always for a new one when my Omegas were serviced).

Hardly random, but I hear you. He has a 30+ year local reputation and returned everything that was changed, and included the Rolex bags that the new parts (crystal, click spring, gaskets) came in. He even bagged up the old gaskets (basically crumbled due to age) and confirmed he was the first one to open the watch.

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[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by karleone

I think you don’t understand and you have too high expectations. Your watch is very sharp and crisp. Why take the risk of getting a bad polish? They will remove all the scratches but there is a significant risk 1) brushing on lugs don’t look good 2) they over polish the watch 3) lugs become thin 4) crownguards become thin.
I mean your watch but I have seen and experienced very bad polish from RSC. Never ever polish a watch again and especially when the watch is unpolished.

I have serviced my wife's 16600 at RSC Beverly Hills "with polish" and it came back immaculate. Fully trust them to do their thing to the benefit of the watch. Not saying I'd leave them to their own devices on a PN Daytona, but a modern watch like 16600, it's completely fine.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by LFFL

Your watch doesn't appear it needs any polishing at all, it looks great! Curious if you sent package with air tag lol

Yup. Was interesting to follow along how the USPS moves registered mail (while not updating their own tracking).

[7enderbender]

Update:
Was notified that the service is finished and paid the due amount over the phone.
Watch will be returned likely next week by FedEx

[7enderbender]

Came back via FedEx overnight service today. Came out perfectly and seems to run very accurately as far as I can tell so far.

[7enderbender]

Long story short (started another thread on this and got some good answers):
It’s going back to Dallas tomorrow. The new bezel they put in is moving and doesn’t seem to be the right one. I called the RSC and they said they will sort it out.

[oak3x]

Had my near mint Submariner 16610 serviced by the Dallas RSC a few months ago. Had them lightly polish and it came out great. Don't hesitate, let the RSC do their thing.

Too many people on the forum worry about polishing and value of the watch. The RSC know what they are doing. Let them bring your watch to original / new condition...and then enjoy wearing it.

[oak3x]

Originally Posted by swish77

An RSC does not understand “light polish.” They either polish or they don’t. It’s not like ordering a steak rare, medium or well-done. Everything is “well-done” at an RSC, and sometimes it’s overdone.

Respectfully disagree

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by oak3x

Had my near mint Submariner 16610 serviced by the Dallas RSC a few months ago. Had them lightly polish and it came out great. Don't hesitate, let the RSC do their thing.

Too many people on the forum worry about polishing and value of the watch. The RSC know what they are doing. Let them bring your watch to original / new condition...and then enjoy wearing it.

Oh that’s all set. Came out perfect. It’s going back now because the new bezel insert is wrong. It is loose and can be moved around. Closer inspection (and reinstalling it) ended up with the diagnosis that they may have taken an insert for a sub instead of a Sea Dweller. Everything else is perfect and watch is good as new 1-2sec+.

[hutch300]

Too bad it has to take a ride in the mail for something so simple. Better than a movement issue though. I like that service case too - maybe you'll get a second one.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by hutch300

Too bad it has to take a ride in the mail for something so simple. Better than a movement issue though. I like that service case too - maybe you'll get a second one.

Yeah. I talked to them and it sounded like they were considering just sending me a new insert, but then asked me to send it in. Next AD is pretty far away so that wasn’t an option either. They’ll cover the cost and sent me another kit to pack it up safely. Mistakes happen, so it’s ok. Hope it won’t take too long or turn into another issue.

[hutch300]

Oh that isn't terrible. I bet they ship it back the same week they get it. If you are getting the kit to send it in it will come back in another one of those nice service pouches. Small win.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by hutch300

Oh that isn't terrible. I bet they ship it back the same week they get it. If you are getting the kit to send it in it will come back in another one of those nice service pouches. Small win.

Good point. Then I already have one for the Explorer 1 I want to get later this year.

[judodave1964]

The last watch I had serviced at our nearest RSC was a 16600 and they overpolished the case creating wide chamfer edges on the lugs, never again.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Good point. Then I already have one for the Explorer 1 I want to get later this year.

Glad to hear the overall RSC job went good (except the insert issue). Did you got back the AirTag? I used AirTag on a recent watch that send through USPS Registered mail but was sent to a private watchmen (Rik Dietel, Time Care Inc in Florida) and got it back from him. As you pointed out interesting to see the route of the package and how it compared to USPS updates on their system.


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