4 watches for service

[divmat]

Hello everyone

I have 4 Rolex timepieces that may need servicing-

A ladies President 18K/diamond dial/diamond bezel.
A mens President 18K same.
A mens President 18K same, including diamond lugs, and oyster bracelet.
A mens President 18K plain, no diamonds.

I called the local AD and his jeweler happens to be out today.
I asked my friend who works there, what is the approximate cost of a 5 or 6 year service? He said some of the things they do are, replace all gaskets, main spring, re-lube with all the proper oils, put it on a machine to make sure it is keeping the correct time,pressure test, and refinish the watch to look as new. Were a few other things he said he can't remember he performs on the watches.

He said all parts would be genuine Rolex and would come with a warranty, although he does not know how long the warranty is. He said the approx cost is around $700.00 for each watch.
That's $2,800+/- it will cost me for all.

I asked him if he could give me a break on 4pcs, and he said normally they do not, because Rolex sets the prices. Does he mean that they send them to Rolex, or they do them in house? If they do them in house, then he should be able to cut me a better deal??

I guess I should have waited on this post until I talked to the jeweler but I thought before I visit, you guys could offer me your thoughts about it. I very seldom wear the watches, but they are all on winders, daily. Some have said you can go 10+ years without a service, but since they are being wound daily, what would you guys suggest? I can afford the service, but was wondering if this is about the normal rate? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Steve

[JJ Irani]

Hi Steve,

I think you should insist on a GROUP discount....and then tell him to make sure he doesn't get all the parts interchanged and mixed up!!

[Tools]

Generally, if you take them to an AD and want a full service, they send them to the Rolex Service Center...They come back looking like new.

If you take them elsewhere, it's possible they could send them to the RSC, but it is unlikely. They will probably not final finish as well, but a good watchmaker can do a fine job at about half the RSC. If they are seldom worn, then there is very little benifit with sending them to the RSC if you have a reliable watchmaker (not a jeweler) at hand.

Personally, I would not send them all at once. I would set up a schedule about 1 year apart. There is no law or rule that says you have to send one in for a full service at 5, 6, or any year......but at that time you should at least have it cleaned and re-oiled and regulated by a watchmaker every 5 years.

[divmat]

Thanks JJ....That makes me feel better

Tools has a good point on scheduling them out. I just thought of getting them all done together and finished. Might be a better plan.

What is the general return time from RSC per watch?

[OysterDavid]

You're in Texas...anywhere near Dallas where Rolex has its service center? You could just bring them in if it's convenient.

Depending on their work load, it tends to take about 3-4 days after receiving the watch to receive a FAXED estimate. Then, if you're inclined to approve the estimate, it's another 2-3 weeks for the work, and if you're waiting to have it shipped back to you, another couple of days for the USPS to work its registered mail magic.

Most people here tend to ship the watch themselves, because the jeweler is just acting as a shipping and billing service, and if they just don't get around to working the shipping area, then your watch sits until they do.

In addition, the verbal estimate for Rolex RSC work seems high to me. At an RSC, you'll pay a $420 charge for the basic work, and then figure on another $70 or so for a new crown and tube. Case + bracelet refinish, gaskets, new plastic crystal, oil and so on are all part of the service. New hands, dials and other parts are extra charges. So unless the dial lume is shot, or you have a cracked sapphire crystal, if the watches are working and keeping good time, then I don't think you'll be into it too deep.

I would doubt if Rolex is going to offer a group discount, but you never know. Otherwise, I think the advice of staggering the servicing for what are basically 3 of the same type and model is well taken. If all of your watches are performing reasonably well, then just do it one at a time, starting with your favorite or the one that has the most scratches.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi Steve,

I think you should insist on a GROUP discount....and then tell him to make sure he doesn't get all the parts interchanged and mixed up!!

You mean like this??

[divmat]

Originally Posted by OysterDavid

You're in Texas...anywhere near Dallas where Rolex has its service center? You could just bring them in if it's convenient.

Depending on their work load, it tends to take about 3-4 days after receiving the watch to receive a FAXED estimate. Then, if you're inclined to approve the estimate, it's another 2-3 weeks for the work, and if you're waiting to have it shipped back to you, another couple of days for the USPS to work its registered mail magic.

Most people here tend to ship the watch themselves, because the jeweler is just acting as a shipping and billing service, and if they just don't get around to working the shipping area, then your watch sits until they do.

In addition, the verbal estimate for Rolex RSC work seems high to me. At an RSC, you'll pay a $420 charge for the basic work, and then figure on another $70 or so for a new crown and tube. Case + bracelet refinish, gaskets, new plastic crystal, oil and so on are all part of the service. New hands, dials and other parts are extra charges. So unless the dial lume is shot, or you have a cracked sapphire crystal, if the watches are working and keeping good time, then I don't think you'll be into it too deep.

I would doubt if Rolex is going to offer a group discount, but you never know. Otherwise, I think the advice of staggering the servicing for what are basically 3 of the same type and model is well taken. If all of your watches are performing reasonably well, then just do it one at a time, starting with your favorite or the one that has the most scratches.

Thanks for the reply. I live in Corpus Christi, but my brother lives up in the Metroplex area. Might take a trip up and drop the watch while I'm there. They are all basically near mint condition. Just the issue of age really. I think the oldest is around around 2001.

[mike]

Nice group!

I'm with Larry, setting up a schedule is a good idea.
I do that with my vintage pieces.

[OysterDavid]

Thanks for the reply. I live in Corpus Christi, but my brother lives up in the Metroplex area. Might take a trip up and drop the watch while I'm there. They are all basically near mint condition. Just the issue of age really. I think the oldest is around around 2001.

I'll be honest with you. If you're not having any problems with timekeeping, you can easily go another year or two without doing any harm to anything. Running fast or slow, winding rough, making funny noises, low power reserve on winding, scratches or scuffs, yeah, sure send it in...but with the oldest being 6 years old...I certainly wouldn't obsess over any of this.

It's your call...and this is just my opinion.

[divmat]

I agree. Now that you mention it, one has sort of a rough wind and a time keeping issue. Might just service the one for now and let the others wait for an other year or two.

[blueface]

Originally Posted by OysterDavid

I'll be honest with you. If you're not having any problems with timekeeping, you can easily go another year or two without doing any harm to anything. Running fast or slow, winding rough, making funny noises, low power reserve on winding, scratches or scuffs, yeah, sure send it in...but with the oldest being 6 years old...I certainly wouldn't obsess over any of this.

It's your call...and this is just my opinion.

I agree with this 100%. FYI, my DJ is 10 yrs old, looks and works fine. I wear it daily, and it has yet to be serviced.
I may be pushing my luck on the service thing, but at 6 yrs, I wouldn't sweat it.
BTW, mine is going out in a month or so, only because I feel that 10 yrs is long enough.