Can I send Rolex with an unauthorized dial to Rolex Service Center?

[christo]

My Daytona is 8 years old. I want to have it serviced at a Rolex service center (Dallas is closest). It's a two-tone. Originally had a champagne dial (see avatar). I had a local watchmaker install a Rolex panda dial. If I send a Rolex with a real, but not authorized for that watch dial, to be serviced will they flip out, keep it forever, send it back, or service it? Anyone try this yet? Thanks

Chris

[Tools]

Yes, you can send your Daytona to an RSC; they don't really care that you changed the dial.

What they will not accept is an aftermarket dial or a counterfeit dial.

[Ken B]

It was my understanding that they won't touch a modified watch. I wanted to change my dial on my Daytona and the AD was absolute that rolex would never touch the watch if it got changed even with a genuine dial.
That all said if my AD is wrong I would love to know as I want to install a slate or meteorite dial in my SS Daytona.

[Lgear080]

I think you're in the clear as long as that dial was available for that model.

The situation you mention is different.

Still not sure why people send their watches to Rsc in the first place.

[christo]

Why wouldn't I send it to a rsc? I would have to think they're the most knowledgeable and competent people to disassemble and reassemble a complicated watch?

[Lgear080]

There are a couple of other service options whom will provide better, faster service
With less suggested "repairs" and costs than rsc. Frankly, they're work is at best
Hit or miss, at worst cringe worthy, and always wayyyyy overpriced.

Not to mention their shitty habit of replacing perfectly good parts.

[christo]

OK. I'm listening. Can you tell me who? Thanks!

[Lgear080]

Abc in California, Vanessa in California, bob Ridley, Patrick @ excel in Miami.
Do some research and make some phone calls. Go with whom you feel comfortable.

Can I ask why you want to service your watch? Assuming it's a 116523?

[77T]

There is nothing wrong with the RSC as a choice. Yes they do charge more, though.

Since human beings are doing the work at the RSC and at an indie watchmaker - either can make a mistake.

[christo]

Thought they were supposed to get cleaned, re-lubricated, new gaskets every 5-10 years.

[Sublover2166]

You forgot Rik Dietel in Florida. His service price on a Daytona is much more reasonable than RSC and he does excellent work.

[samsam]

Originally Posted by christo

Thought they were supposed to get cleaned, re-lubricated, new gaskets every 5-10 years.

You are right. That is the recommendation. People have different thoughts on this and some even adopt the "if it ain't broken don't fix it" approach. Personally, Id service my Rolex watches every 5-7 years.. More 7 than 5. Good luck!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by christo

Thought they were supposed to get cleaned, re-lubricated, new gaskets every 5-10 years.

That's right.. However, some believe that they don't need to do anything unless it breaks. Either viewpoint is perfectly fine as long as you are comfortable with your approach to maintenance.

RSC does excellent work. You should never be concerned about sending directly to them. You should always be concerned if you go through an AD to do the sending for you. If you do that then the AD is consulted by the RSC and the AD makes the decisions that may be contrary to what you want.

There are other independent options, but those are personal choices and only opinions about better/worse than the Service Center.

[Nycturbovr6]

I think the dial needed to be available for that model then it's ok

[TCB]

Originally Posted by kaemicha

A year ago, I purchased my Rolex at Ben Bridge, and trustworthy jewelry company, and after 6 months I started having problems with my watch. I took it back to Ben Bridge and they kept it for several weeks, trying to find what was wrong with it and couldn't find anything, so I got it back.
I wear it during the day and put it on the watch winder at night. Then the date stopped working and the watch started losing time. I paid 8k a year ago and I'm stuck with an overpriced piece of crap? This can't be right.
What should I do? Should I send it somewhere to be looked at. Please Help!!

Assuming you purchased a new watch (not pre-owned), it will still be under the 2 year warranty. Contact one of the Rolex service centers and they should be able to help sort out your problem.

[landroverking]

Dallas RSC is really really good IMO.

[Lgear080]

If you're not having any timing issues - ie slow down, low power reserve, etc...
And all chrono functions work I'd pass on an immediate service.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Ken B

It was my understanding that they won't touch a modified watch. I wanted to change my dial on my Daytona and the AD was absolute that rolex would never touch the watch if it got changed even with a genuine dial.
That all said if my AD is wrong I would love to know as I want to install a slate or meteorite dial in my SS Daytona.

That's not my understanding. It is my understanding that they will service the watch but only if you agree to have them replace any non-original parts.

I'm not sure the blanket statement they won't touch the watch is true.

[shay2nak]

So if I swap out the SS Daytona bezel for a WG version, RSC will be cool with it? My AD said the same thing about any mods would not be accepted. Even if I polished the center links of my SubDateC.

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

So if I swap out the SS Daytona bezel for a WG version, RSC will be cool with it? My AD said the same thing about any mods would not be accepted. Even if I polished the center links of my SubDateC.

No I do not think they would be cool with it because it was not original for a stainless steel daytona.

for example. You buy the black dial daytona in SS and decide you would rather have the white dial. You can send your watch to RSC and they will replace the black with the white (at a cost) and keep the black dial. They will do this because that specific reference number had both options for that dial.

Now for an example of what they would not do. I have a stainless steel submariner. I source a blue dial (white gold dial) and have it installed. Both are genuine rolex parts, but it is not available for my model number so they would refuse to work on it unless they revert it back to original model specs.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

No I do not think they would be cool with it because it was not original for a stainless steel daytona.

for example. You buy the black dial daytona in SS and decide you would rather have the white dial. You can send your watch to RSC and they will replace the black with the white (at a cost) and keep the black dial. They will do this because that specific reference number had both options for that dial.

Now for an example of what they would not do. I have a stainless steel submariner. I source a blue dial (white gold dial) and have it installed. Both are genuine rolex parts, but it is not available for my model number so they would refuse to work on it unless they revert it back to original model specs.

They don't refuse to work with it but they will get it back to original and keep the wrong (genuine) parts. At least in US.

[Ed Man]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

No I do not think they would be cool with it because it was not original for a stainless steel daytona.

for example. You buy the black dial daytona in SS and decide you would rather have the white dial. You can send your watch to RSC and they will replace the black with the white (at a cost) and keep the black dial. They will do this because that specific reference number had both options for that dial.

Now for an example of what they would not do. I have a stainless steel submariner. I source a blue dial (white gold dial) and have it installed. Both are genuine rolex parts, but it is not available for my model number so they would refuse to work on it unless they revert it back to original model specs.

All true. I learned this when I sent my 15203 OP Date in to have it serviced and it had an aftermarket diamond dial in it. They would not service it unless I changed it back to what was available on that reference. I wanted change it back anyway so I had the original dial but different color put back in.(silver vs champagne). Watch came back looking brand new.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Ed Man

All true. I learned this when I sent my 15203 OP Date in to have it serviced and it had an aftermarket diamond dial in it. They would not service it unless I changed it back to what was available on that reference. I wanted change it back anyway so I had the original dial but different color put back in.(silver vs champagne). Watch came back looking brand new.

Did they keep the diamond dial and if so, you were OK with that?

[blue lion]

Another vote for Rik at
http://www.timecareinc.com/

[Ed Man]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Did they keep the diamond dial and if so, you were OK with that?

They kept it. To be honest it was about 10 years old and it only cost me about $400.00 when I got it. So I was giving it to my wife who wanted the stick dial so I just accepted it. I was happy just to have the watch back authentic. It was a valuable lesson that I will not modify any Rolex watches in the future.

[Laszlo]

They'll probably just confiscate the dial and return everything else polished.

[Girkmonster]

Have you thought about calling the Dallas RSC and having a conversation about this with them? I had a fine experience with NY RSC not too long ago. I had questions first, they answered them and I sent my watch in...

For me the reason to use RSC was mostly their worldwide warranty. I like knowing that a) they will always be there and b) will stand behind their warranty anywhere. An indie will likely offer you the same exact warranty, but you have to return it to them. For many its the same thing. For me, it wasn't. Cost may help you decide, or personal preference. Or, simply getting to keep the dial you love. That may be the tipping point in your situation, it probably would be for me. But, I would want to vet RSC first and decide based on all facts.

[Lgear080]

As you can see there are a lot of opinions on the subject... Though I haven't personally used Rik before, his reputation is exemplary too.