Got my Explorer II back from RSC!

[Sam]

Hey guys....thought I would share a couple pics of my Explorer II after it's service at RSC Dallas. I picked it up last Friday and it was only a 17 day turn around from drop-off to pick-up...not bad for Rolex. They did a fantastic job (of course) and it looks like a brand new watch.

[Sam]

For some reason, it wouldn't let me put 4 pics in one post....here are 2 more.

[padi56]

Thats very quick for Rolex, in the UK takes around 4-8 weeks,your GMT
looks new again.

[Earl]

Looks great Sam and in less than 3 weeks!

[JJ Irani]

Droooooooooooooool....Sam, look what you made me do all over my keyboard now. Excellent job....she looks once more like new. Wear it in good health. That baby's next on my list.

[Sam]

Thanks guys!

I never really had a favorite watch in my collection, but I think I do now!

[mike]

They really did a great job Sam,congrats!

[maverick]

Beautiful, they always come back looking so good. =) maverick

[dman]

Sam, it looks AWESOME!! Great choice going the RSC route to mate!!

I am glad it is back, and no doubt on your wrist!! Wear it with a big smile and healthy pal!!

Looks good my black ExpII brudda.

So other than a 'regular' service, did they do anything else?

[dman]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Looks good my black ExpII brudda.

So other than a 'regular' service, did they do anything else?

I would guess put it back together.

Originally Posted by dman

I would guess put it back together.

Daren, JJ may be King Tosser but I think you're a Prince of a Tosser.

[Uncle-AJ]

Nice job and I like the way the crown is positioned. In Saudi it takes about 10 days for a service but I don't suppose they have the same volume of watches to deal with.

[Sam]

I too was pleasantly surprised to see that the crown was aligned perfectly.

They didn't do anything other than the "regular service". Of course they "recommended" replacing the dial & hands...they seem to always want to do that though.

Originally Posted by Sam

I too was pleasantly surprised to see that the crown was aligned perfectly.

They didn't do anything other than the "regular service". Of course they "recommended" replacing the dial & hands...they seem to always want to do that though.

Replace the dial and hands? On a watch less than 10 years old?? WTF is that about, they look perfectly fine. Talk about 'churning' to make a few extra bucks.

My buddy took his 10 year old white ExpII in for a service and they also recommended replacing the dial, hands AND the crystal. Dial and hands were pristine and there wasn't so much as a scratch or chip on the crystal. He passed on their recommendation too.

[Sam]

Yeah, they recommended changing my crystal too. There's an ever so slight chip on the edge by 9 o'clock. Of course you can only see it under 10X magnification! Of course I passed on that too.

Putting Luminova dial/hands on a watch that has Tritium dial/hands isn't the best for resale either.

I also find the suggestion to change the dial and hands quite odd. I had my YM serviced last year, and although the crystal needed replacing (due to a huge gouge/chunk out if it) Rolex Toronto said nothing about changing the dial or hands (both tritium). Sounds like a cash grab to me!

Originally Posted by Atomic

My buddy took his 10 year old white ExpII in for a service and they also recommended replacing the dial, hands AND the crystal. Dial and hands were pristine and there wasn't so much as a scratch or chip on the crystal. He passed on their recommendation too.

I gotta say though... when he found that Rolex Canada suggested replacing the dial and hands, I DID tell him this was a prime opportunity to swap out his white dial/black hands for the correct black dial and WG hands.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Atomic

I gotta say though... when he found that Rolex Canada suggested replacing the dial and hands, I DID tell him this was a prime opportunity to swap out his white dial/black hands for the correct black dial and WG hands.

Good Move!

[mamas]

Originally Posted by Sam

Putting Luminova dial/hands on a watch that has Tritium dial/hands isn't the best for resale either.

how would anyone know that they changed tritium hannds for superluminova?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by mamas

how would anyone know that they changed tritium hannds for superluminova?

Tritium starts to get a little patina over time....kinda turns pasty white to tan in color. If you look at enough vintage Rolex, you will eventually see some that have hands & dials that don't match each other. The markers on the dial may be tan and the hands are bright white....or vice versa.

If they change the dial, it will be really obvious because it will say "SWISS MADE" on the Luminova dial instead of "SWISS T<25" on the tritium dial.

Here's one that looks like the hands have been replace....not sure, but sure looks like it to me. Notice the tanish color on the markers on the dial.

[mamas]

i see what you mean sam, that looks awful!
mamas

I agree with Sam, from an aesthetic and resale point of view. A Tritium dial/hands combo should (when possible) be left orginal to the watch. If I was buying a watch that was spec'ed tritium but had a luminova dial/hands, it would raise and eyebrow and I'd pass. Never know if it's a redial, how good/bad a job they did, etc.

Plus, it is a proven fact that 'all original' Rolex watches command a premium (if in stellar condition) than ones with replaced dials, hands, bracelets, etc.

I quite like the patina of old tritium, even though it means the watch has zero luminosity left.

[dman]

I like the look too, but it is hard if you like to wear a watch at night!!

I personally have found that I like the glow personally.