Rolex Service (RSC or Independent)

[Rolex Richie]

I need your views...
UK.
Watch: GMT2 12 Years old
RSC cost : £450
Independent repair: £250, mechanism only. No work on dinks on case/strap.

Do i go with the cheap & cheerful or bite the bullet and go for the proper RSC job ?

If money no object, then i would not be asking the question.

Independent chap is in Bury, Lancs.

Anyone have any feedback on this watchmaker please ?

Thanks as always

[Rags]

Only you can answer that question. There have been stories on RSC leaving scratches on watches sent in for repair. If you can find a good independent watchmaker with a rolex parts account that could save you some money that's the way I would go.

[rdmlondon]

For a 12 year old watch I think I would send to RSC.

I know everyone's pocket is different but £200 is not a massive amount of money and you could probably save it up in not too long a time. And for that you will get a 'full' Rolex service and the paperwork.

RSC for me on this one.

[114FE]

Had the experience of my wife's 18K Datejust coming back from RSC with a water cloud showing on the face.
Personally brought back same day and they intially tried to claim it had been tampered with.
Offered to have an independent source examine the watch .
Then the manager happened to walk by and heard our conversation.
He had a fit of utmost rage with the clerk for her attitude.
Watch was totally serviced and the first charge rescinded and second 'service' at no charge.
Even so, my mistrust of that facility sent our watches for service thereafter to a really reliable independent shop that specialized in Rolex repair for the trade

[Tools]

Here is the deal on a "cheap" service..
- They will adequately clean, lube and adjust your watch. Some will only dis-assemble to major components and sonic clean. That may be OK for some folks.

An RSC or CW-21 Watchmaker.
- Complete disassembly, all parts individually cleaned, replacement of out-of-tolerance parts, reassembly and lube using correct lubricants, timing in all positions and retesting over a period of days.


If you're shopping cheap, that's what you will get.. cheap.

[Evil-Twin]

I would never send my Rolex to another RSC again. My last expeience only leaves me wondering about their morals and ethics. the quality control and final inspections tells me there is no quality control of Final inspection.
I just received my Rolex back from RSC NY USA. this is what the " POLISHED " clasp and braclet looks like after they polished it. Its sitting on the box I received it in with the date stamp on the box. This is not a before shot, its an after shot. 5 weeks and 1083 dollars later



Incidentally I've sent this watch to RSC five times, over 30 years. the last time ( 2007 ) was bad , this is horrible. Never again.
Bill aka ET

[Rolex57]

Originally Posted by evil-twin

i would never send my rolex to another rsc again. My last expeience only leaves me wondering about their morals and ethics. The quality control and final inspections tells me there is no quality control of final inspection.
I just received my rolex back from rsc ny usa. This is what the " polished " clasp and braclet looks like after they polished it. Its sitting on the box i received it in with the date stamp on the box. This is not a before shot, its an after shot. 5 weeks and 1083 dollars later


bill aka et

omg!

[Dr. Robert]

I'm lucky to have a very competent indie watchmaker near me, he does a great job & I like to support the indie businesses.

[Frosty]

That is bad! I have read other people having problems with RSC NY. I would never send my watch to NY.

[Wesley Crusher]

Unless the watch is under warranty and the repair is free, no. Qualified watch repairmen are likely to do a better job for less money.