The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 21 September 2011, 07:16 AM   #1
thsiao
"TRF" Member
 
thsiao's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,248
Icon5 Sending watch to a US RSC

So I've never done this before so please forgive my ignorance.

I am located in Los Angeles and just finished talking to the RSC in San Francisco. A gentlemen by the name of Jiovanni was helping me out and he was very nice and a pleasure to deal with.

My wife's watch needs a new crystal (current one has a scratch) and Jiovanni said it would not be a problem to get it replaced in a few days. He instructed me to send it out by USPS registered to his attention and that he would call me once he received it. Since I've never done this before it seems kinda weird to me to just send out a watch like that to his attention (he didn't even give me a last name, saying that it was not necessary as the mail person knows him).

Has anyone dealt with RSC SF that could confirm this to be legit and the right way of sending the watch to them to get something fixed?

Just did a quick google search and it seems that this SF RSC is not a real Rolex owned service center (just an authorized service center)? Are the only two Rolex owned Dallas and New York?


Thank you.
thsiao is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2011, 08:00 AM   #2
OysterDavid
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: S F Bay Area
Posts: 621
SF Authorized Rolex Repair

Here's the scoop...the facility is for real and Giovanni (Paselaqua) is a prince of a guy and a fine watch repair person.

A long time ago, Rolex USA had only their NY repair facility...and somewhere in that time, Rolex decided to appoint a very small number of shops around the USA as Authorized Rolex Repair shops. These shops work only on Rolex and Tudor, have access to all of the parts that an RSC would, including dials, full bezels and bracelets. But they're not owned by Rolex USA. There continues to be one in Chicago and there used to be one in Los Angeles before the Beverly Hills RSC opened (and has since closed). I suspect from pieces of evidence, that the ownership of these shops is like a license to print money for the owners (well, maybe Giovanni is still paying off the prior owner, so his financial ship hasn't quite come in), but they do great work and offer the worldwide Rolex warranty.

Giovanni can be trusted to live up to his word, and by reputation, does fine work. A major difference is that these independent Authorized shops can and do offer to work on the very old Rolex models that an RSC tends to refuse...they charge accordingly (meaning a higher cost), but for those who have the vintage models and want a real Rolex shop working on it...this fills the bill.

Last edited by OysterDavid; 21 September 2011 at 08:01 AM.. Reason: spelling
OysterDavid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2011, 08:34 AM   #3
roger0770
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: On Earth
Watch: A Few
Posts: 1,510
Giovanni is the man! As mentioned above, Giovanni and his crew, Joe, Justin, and an Asian gentleman who I do not know his name, do fine work. Though the shop is not owned by Rolex USA, but they provide Rolex warranty. Giovanni had worked on many of my watches in the past, and I recommend him highly.
roger0770 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2011, 08:39 AM   #4
warren G.
"TRF" Member
 
warren G.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Duy
Location: New Orleans, LA
Watch: Speedmaster 3861
Posts: 1,925
Giovanni is a highly regard guy. You can't go wrong with him.
__________________
De gustibus non est disputandum.
warren G. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2011, 10:04 AM   #5
Speed
"TRF" Member
 
Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 19,706
I would not hesitate to use the San Francisco RSC.
Speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2011, 10:30 AM   #6
Dr. Robert
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Dr. Robert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Real Name: Bob
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: 1655
Posts: 64,277
The SFO RSC is excellent......I have had them renovate & service my older Rolex watches as the old RSC in Bev Hills wouldn't work on 'em......they did a great job.
Send your watch to them as instructed etc., you will be happy w/ their work.
__________________
Founder & Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons
Dr. Robert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2011, 10:44 AM   #7
jefstathiou
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Boston
Posts: 222
Are they authorized to do Rolex warranty work?
__________________
______________________
Rolex Sub-C Ref 116610LN; Rolex Day Date Ref 1803
Rolex Milgauss Ref 116400V;
Omega Speedmaster Ref 311.30
Omega De Ville St. Moritz Ref. 4842.20.32
jefstathiou is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2011, 11:00 AM   #8
gwalker
"TRF" Member
 
gwalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Gunter
Location: AL/NJ
Watch: DSSD; 116610LN
Posts: 5,509
Don't worry. Send the watch. Giovanni is highly regarded on here.
gwalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2011, 11:41 AM   #9
Wolfgang427
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Wolfgang427's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Real Name: Wolfgang
Location: New Jersey.
Watch: Rolex Tudor Omega
Posts: 5,592
Quote:
Originally Posted by jefstathiou View Post
Are they authorized to do Rolex warranty work?
Yes they are and you get a RSC warranty that is good at any RSC around the world. I highly recommend them and I'm a repeat customer.
__________________
TRF member #917
Wolfgang427 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 September 2011, 01:10 AM   #10
tomchicago
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chicago
Watch: 16710BLRO, 214270.
Posts: 2,717
anyone have experience with the Chicago "RSC" ?
tomchicago is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.