What does a service on a Rolex include?

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by pearjam

thanks for the detailed review
BTW, how often is the rotor pivot a problem??
i.e, does it wear prematurely in many watches??
thanks, mdk

The rotor is generally only a problem when the watch has been abused, like dropped or continuously banged up (like with playing golf/tennis). The rotor will wear more obviously when the oils are dried up so it's important to do a regular maintenance. (Don't wait til it breaks)

Originally Posted by Chris Rowell

Where would you advise taking a rolex to be serviced in the UK . I know rolex UK London will service my watch but where else would you advise , if any .

I do not know any watchmakers in London, but I'm sure there are some members here on the forum that can answer that question for you if you post it somewhere where it will get more attention

[JackTen]

ah i came on to ask the same as Chris, as I am in the Uk too.
My next question I guess is, if those are some of the things to look out for, like Rolex accreditation, what can i watch out for against?
ie are there any 'tell's' against courier sites like this 123watchSpecialist or TimeRestoration ??
But ill take a look to see if there are any UK members with recommendations too, just thought id double check why something like those may/may not be appropriate.
Thanks

[Farshidi]

Professional Article!
Just wonder if I can find any training courses/classes regarding Rolex watches (not repair or servicing) in California/Los Angeles. Any comments?

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by JackTen

ah i came on to ask the same as Chris, as I am in the Uk too.
My next question I guess is, if those are some of the things to look out for, like Rolex accreditation, what can i watch out for against?
ie are there any 'tell's' against courier sites like this 123watchSpecialist or TimeRestoration ??
But ill take a look to see if there are any UK members with recommendations too, just thought id double check why something like those may/may not be appropriate.
Thanks

I've noticed this one in my Google+ circles, but I'm not familiar with their work: http://www.tictocman.com/

Originally Posted by Farshidi

Professional Article!
Just wonder if I can find any training courses/classes regarding Rolex watches (not repair or servicing) in California/Los Angeles. Any comments?

No, I wish! They don't even offer a whole lot of training to the sales associates of their AD's!

[Vanessa CW21]

Wow, just noticed I have over 100,000 views on this post! Who would've ever thought?!

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by Vanessa CW21

Wow, just noticed I have over 100,000 views on this post! Who would've ever thought?!

As your reward, you get to service the Sub Date - 16610 I just shipped to you! Thanks again for all you do, Vanessa!

[GeoGio Greece]

Congrats Vanessa ! Keep up with the good work.

Your post explains so much, and as I sit next to my technician many times when he services the watches delivered, ( he has been a friend for 30 years ), I appreciated fully your post and work.

[buellwinkle]

Vanessa, I called but you left already. I have a Submariner that's about 30 years old. Had it serviced last by ABC Watchwerks in LA in 2010 so it's close enough to due for another service. I don't wear it every day because I don't want to damage it like at the gym, so I wind it at least once a week as you previously mentioned.

Last week I went to wind it and a felt a snap and now it doesn't wind anymore, manually or by wearing it and it's just stopped like it became instantly unwound and now is only accurate twice a day. Is fixing that part of a standard service/overhaul or do you think there's some more serious going on and will require expensive parts?

I hope to get the watch to you early next week.

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by buellwinkle

Vanessa, I called but you left already. I have a Submariner that's about 30 years old. Had it serviced last by ABC Watchwerks in LA in 2010 so it's close enough to due for another service. I don't wear it every day because I don't want to damage it like at the gym, so I wind it at least once a week as you previously mentioned.

Last week I went to wind it and a felt a snap and now it doesn't wind anymore, manually or by wearing it and it's just stopped like it became instantly unwound and now is only accurate twice a day. Is fixing that part of a standard service/overhaul or do you think there's some more serious going on and will require expensive parts?

I hope to get the watch to you early next week.

Sorry I wasn't there when you called.
It sounds like all you need is a new mainspring. Unfortunately that does include a complete service as well though.
We'll give you the estimate within 2 days of receiving your watch! Don't forget to mention me and TRF in your note with the shipment, to get the extra discount.


Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk

[buellwinkle]

Sorry I missed you again. Watch dropped off yesterday.

[Chris Rowell]

Small world , I am also chris rowell and a rolex accredited watchmaker. Take care when selecting where to send your rolex . Many say they repair rolex watches or specialise in rolex watches but be sure they are rolex trained and have an accredited workshop . Not only will they have the skill but the correct rolex tooling and equipment . An easy tell is the length of guarantee , as an accredited watchmaker we must offer a 2 year guarantee but you will notice many companies offering only 1 year , to me this shows a lack of accreditation. You may if you prefer mail your watch to the likes of my company, based in Newcastle upon Tyne http://www.watchrepaircentre.co.uk

[scooter1307]

And that my friends is why my 30 year old watch still works and looks like it is brand new!

[Dishpro01]

Im getting ready to send mine off for service and I always thought that $450 was a bargain. Youb would never neglect the maintenance on your car, so why would you neglect your watch. Thanks for the detail. I think it's amazing what you do.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[Cryakabeis]

Thanks for the article, Vanessa!
Very enjoyable read!

[Quackers]

Vanessa could I ask how often (if at all) hands need replacing? Or can they just be popped off and on again for ever?
Thanks.

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by Quackers

Vanessa could I ask how often (if at all) hands need replacing? Or can they just be popped off and on again for ever?
Thanks.

Hands can be reused over and over again. Usually they are replaced for aesthetic reasons or they may be severely bend/scratched due to shattered crystals. In rare occasions the hands may loose their tension around the post, but often that can be corrected without having to replace them, but new hands would be preferred though.

[Quackers]

Thanks Vanessa for that info and all the details originally posted. A good read! :-)

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by Quackers

Thanks Vanessa for that info and all the details originally posted. A good read! :-)

My pleasure, and thank you!

[tickious]

Originally Posted by Vanessa CW21

Wow, just noticed I have over 100,000 views on this post! Who would've ever thought?!

Wow, Shame you can't sell advertising!

[w!dowmaker]

Hi Vanessa. A newbie question from a first time Rolex owner. I have read that servicing should be done approximately 5-7 years. On a practical and realistic point of view, particularly for the newer models like the 214270 and 116610LN, which I just purchase last Jan. and Feb. of this year, is this the necessary timeframe that I should follow?

And when I bring this to the RSC, will they be doing everything your enumerated as a standard even though it will be its first service?

Will the standard service be the same for an older or vintage piece perharps?

[kaemicha]

I don't know where to post this or what exactly to say but here is my dilemma.
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.
Does Anyone know what I can do about this..and thank you. Forgive my frustration!!

[bdex75]

What is it and have you contacted Rolex? It should still be under warranty. They will sort it.

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by w!dowmaker

Hi Vanessa. A newbie question from a first time Rolex owner. I have read that servicing should be done approximately 5-7 years. On a practical and realistic point of view, particularly for the newer models like the 214270 and 116610LN, which I just purchase last Jan. and Feb. of this year, is this the necessary timeframe that I should follow?

And when I bring this to the RSC, will they be doing everything your enumerated as a standard even though it will be its first service?

Will the standard service be the same for an older or vintage piece perharps?

If you don't wear the same watch daily then you can stretch it out a bit, depending on your wearing habits. It's really hard to put an actual timeframe on a service needed, because everyone uses (and abuses) their watch differently. Your watch will probably indicate when it's ready for service, by either running slow or fast, or a diminished power reserve.
During the servicing of all watches, they go through the same steps and necessary repairs.

Originally Posted by kaemicha

I don't know where to post this or what exactly to say but here is my dilemma.
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.
Does Anyone know what I can do about this..and thank you. Forgive my frustration!!

It's very unusual for a Rolex to need warranty repair, BUT in your case that may be just what it needs. Go back to BB and ask them to send it to RSC, they should have no problem with this. DO NOT FORET YOUR ORIGINAL WARRANTY CARD, they will need to send it with the watch. DO NOT take your box and other stuff, they will send it in their own packing materials.
Good luck!

[DLink]

I was given a Rolex SS Submariner (model 16610) about 1 year ago, however, the watch build date (by serial number) is 2006. The original owner never wore it, and I have worn it sparingly for this past year. The small luminescent "dot" that marks the "1" (5 after the hour) spot detached itself from the face and has wedged itself in the watch hands, causing the watch to stop. If I shake the watch the "dot' will come loose, but only to wedge itself again, in a matter of time (no pun intended)! First, this certainly seemed very odd to me that a watch of this caliber would have such a trivial thing 'break'; is this not true? Secondly, what will this fix cost (approximately)?
Thanks for any advice.

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by DLink

I was given a Rolex SS Submariner (model 16610) about 1 year ago, however, the watch build date (by serial number) is 2006. The original owner never wore it, and I have worn it sparingly for this past year. The small luminescent "dot" that marks the "1" (5 after the hour) spot detached itself from the face and has wedged itself in the watch hands, causing the watch to stop. If I shake the watch the "dot' will come loose, but only to wedge itself again, in a matter of time (no pun intended)! First, this certainly seemed very odd to me that a watch of this caliber would have such a trivial thing 'break'; is this not true? Secondly, what will this fix cost (approximately)?
Thanks for any advice.

I'm sorry your watch is having this issue with the dial marker! It isn't a usual occurrence, but it is a problem that can easily be corrected. I do want to advise you to not shake the dot around, as this can cause significant scratches on the surface of the dial, that cannot be removed.
Due to the age of the watch, regardless of it's wearing history, it does need to be overhauled when any work will be performed. Depending if you want it polished during this service, the starting cost of the repair will be anywhere between $410 and $550.

[w!dowmaker]

Hi Vanessa. Another newbie question, if you don't mind. Does it harm the watch if i manually wind it everyday? Although I normally wear a different piece everyday, I just seem to have this habit of winding each and every piece almost daily, as my form stress relief every night. Also, i just want to make sure that my watch is already running and in the correct time setting when I would use them.

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by w!dowmaker

Hi Vanessa. Another newbie question, if you don't mind. Does it harm the watch if i manually wind it everyday? Although I normally wear a different piece everyday, I just seem to have this habit of winding each and every piece almost daily, as my form stress relief every night. Also, i just want to make sure that my watch is already running and in the correct time setting when I would use them.

Technically you're not doing anything harmful to the watches.

[steeldreams]

I am sorry to sound like the rebel and insurgent here. Honestly, I do not mean to be one. But, the reason I bought my GMT Master II, I thought such an excellent watch was a technological marvel of creation that I never expected it would cost me US $500 for service maintenance every 18 months.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by steeldreams

I am sorry to sound like the rebel and insurgent here. Honestly, I do not mean to be one. But, the reason I bought my GMT Master II, I thought such an excellent watch was a technological marvel of creation that I never expected it would cost me US $500 for service maintenance every 18 months.

Every 18 months? You should be able to go about 5x that long. If you get it serviced by Rolex, even the warranty is 24 months...

[w!dowmaker]

Originally Posted by w!dowmaker

Hi Vanessa. Another newbie question, if you don't mind. Does it harm the watch if i manually wind it everyday? Although I normally wear a different piece everyday, I just seem to have this habit of winding each and every piece almost daily, as my form stress relief every night. Also, i just want to make sure that my watch is already running and in the correct time setting when I would use them.

Does it in any way speed up the wear and tear of the piece? Similar to using it on a daily basis?

My question also relates to my first querie, that by winding my pieces on a daily basis, does it speed up also the service internal of 5-7 years?