Rolex servicing quote rediculous

[Yellowduck1]

Hi all

I wonder if you could advise. My previous post has not gone up for some reason.

I have just had a quote for a 1990 Date Just 15000 come back to me for £2400!!!!
It was last serviced in 2007 by Rolex (at a cost of £175) The only thing I have ever had done outside of Rolex, was about 6 months ago, and I had a new glass fitted by a local trusted watch specialist as I did not want it gone for 8 weeks.

I bought the watch in Dubai new and have always owned it. Rolex have come back and amongst the things they have included are a new dial/face/hands at £450, and a new date wheel at a modest £20, as they state neither of the current ones on the watch were fitted to this model.... !!!! The face has never changed in the 27 years I have owned it. I appreciate the Dubai dealer may have changed the face of the watch before it was sold, however when it was serviced in 2007 by Rolex they never mentioned it then.

The one thing the receptionist instantly spotted at Rolex (I took it to their West Malling centre) was the replica glass, which is one of the things I asked them to change as the date was difficult to read on the replica glass. However, on the quote they do not even mention the glass.....

They have quoted for a new case at £1100.....why??? the old one is fine.... If I wanted a new watch I would have bought one, but I like the one I have with its history and any little (and I mean little because I cannot see them) marks.

Fo those that know it, it seem like a triggers broom scenario from Only Fools and Horses..... I have had this broom for 30 years.....it has had 6 new handles and 8 new heads, but it is the same broom I had when I started.

I have checked the market, and I can get a 2013/14 115200 for around £3700, and I am sure I would get at least £1200 for mine. So why would I pay £2400 for cosmetically new watch with a 1999 movement, when I could get a 2014 model for the same price?

I know the 2014 one would not be the same watch, but neither would the original with all the parts that Rolex want to flog me....

Sorry to go on, but any thoughts?

[Rock]

Hi Yellowduck, we all wond sometimes.

[Mick P]

Chaps

I hope this kills the myth that Rolex is an investment.

To the OP I would suggest that you take this to a good independent who will be a bit more sensible.

Regards

Mick

[218225]

Just say no to the dail and case.
There is no obligation to go aling with their advise!

Glass and a service and no polish is perfectly acceptable even if they try make it sound differently.

[Old Expat Beast]

Most of those things, except the glass and movement service, should be optional. Ask again about that.

[crowncollection]

Are the recommendations optional or mandatory


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Are the recommendations optional or mandatory


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They have to be optional?

[japenney]

the correct advice has been given. Decline the optional services!

[Yellowduck1]

I have spoken to one of the managers today, and he seemed quite nice, and appeared shocked at the quote.

We worked through it, and have probably knocked out the dial and strap. He could not ee an issue with the strap other than one slightly worn link, but suggested that whoever inspected it probably wanted to 'play safe' !!
He checked the pictures from when it was in in 2007 and agreed that the face was on the watch then, and could offer no explanation as to why if it is the incorrect face, why it was not pointed out then.

The one big issue, which he has gone away to investigate is the bezel and new case (£1100). He thinks it may be that the independent who changed the glass 6 months ago damaged the case and bezel, which would mean they are unable to make it airtight.

He is going to have it inspected again and hopefully come back to me later today.

He fully understood my point about if all the work was carried out, it would not actually be the same watch with its sentimental value.

I also pointed out that when I dropped it off, the receptionist told me 'it will come back looking like a new watch'........If they do all this work it will be a ******* new watch!!!

To his credit, he found this amusing...

[MonBK]

Keep us posted and good luck.

[japenney]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Keep us posted and good luck.

x2

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I hope this kills the myth that Rolex is an investment.

To the OP I would suggest that you take this to a good independent who will be a bit more sensible.

Regards

Mick

Good point! Though I expect most of the investment talk is in the spirit of justification of what is (to homo economicus) an irrational purchase.

[swatty]

This seems like a lot of money to spend on an OP. If it has centimenal value then go for it

[Yellowduck1]

It is a really difficult decision.

The service manager rang me last night and apologised and said they were still looking at it and he would get back to me Monday.

My gut feeling is they will accept the face that is on it (as they never told me at the previous service it was wrong for that watch), and not bother with the strap. This would save £700. If they also remove the need for a new case at £1100 then I will of course have it done.

If they say it still needs a new case, then I am hoping due to misquote for the strap, and the insinuation I had a dodgy face fitted, they may give me some kind of discount, so the estimate will end up around £1500.

So, £1500 for an almost new looking watch, with a 27 year old movement, and sentimental value (the strap and face will be original...LOL) or £2500 (plus P/ex my watch) for a nearly new (2014/2015) up to date model....

May be a silly question, but what is the 'life expectancy' of a Date Just movement?

Cheers

[andyxxx]

Don't get your leg lifted by this money making scam.

If it has sentimental value find a good independent - tell them what you want doing.

It would be crazy to spend so much on a watch that is worth far less than the cost of the service.

[rootbeer7]

I've now taken 3 watches to RSC St James. All quotations seemed reasonable and all had extras that were optional. Because 2 of the watches were older we declined a few extras i.e. new hands etc. This quote seems absurd, but I guess they're aiming to make the watch brand new. Choose which items to include and you won't be disappointed.

[yunach]

Choose what you want to do, decline the options.

[Ian Macdermott]

Just choose the options you want and decline he others or as mentioned find a good independent repairer to do it.

[Mystro]

Rolex service is a hoping to fleece their affluent customer base. It has gotten to the point now where it's insulting to one's intelligence. A qualified independent watch maker like Rikki is the only place my Rolex goes.

[zaydans]

Generally the cosmetic stuff is optional. At my recent service I was quoted nearly $1k for optional items most of which were for microscopic issues. Pick and choose what you really want.

[varkom]

honestly, at these prices you might as well sell it on ebay and then using the proceeds to upgrade

[Tools]

Frequently the case corrodes at the back making it impossible to achieve the rated waterproof seal. Usually they recommend a new case, or they may agree to service with the old case but not guarantee waterproofing.

It is unlikely that fitting an aftermarket crystal would have done any damage, this is a very common item and procedure.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Most of those things, except the glass and movement service, should be optional. Ask again about that.

exactly.

the only operational must-haves are in-line with the UK market RSC prices.

don't confuse a blanket shopping list quote with mandatory requirements.

[terryuk]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Rolex service is a hoping to fleece their affluent customer base. It has gotten to the point now where it's insulting to one's intelligence. A qualified independent watch maker like Rikki is the only place my Rolex goes.

I agree.
I've heard quite a few of these ridiculous quotes by Rolex, and especially Rolex in the UK. It's becoming a common pattern.

[Yellowduck1]

Update

This is the response from Rolex....

Further to our recent telephone conversation I am pleased to confirm revised costings as below.



Full Service £337.50 exc VAT

Bracelet Section £210.81 exc VAT

Clasp £102.70 exc VAT

Bezel £ 85.14 exc VAT

Total £736.15 exc VAT

VAT £147.23

Total inc VAT £883.38



To confirm the details of our discussion, the dial, whilst now incorrect for the model, would have been acceptable at the time the watch was produced and we are therefore happy to allow it to remain on the watch.



We further advise that, whilst the Case flange is damaged, we will allow the original case to remain on the watch but will be unable to accept any responsibility for the waterproof qualities of the watch hereafter.

Should you wish to replace the whole bracelet at this time, rather than the two individual components noted above, we kindly advise that the cost of a new bracelet would be £625.00 exc VAT.

How generous to ALLOW me to keep the face the watch was supplied with!!

So £900 for the work and they are unable to guarantee waterproof unless I spend an addition £1100 on a new case.

They are so strict about the face, but 'happy' to send out a watch that mey not be waterproof. Anyone else think this is double standards....

[sleddog]

IMO, they have accommodated you well.
Your case is damaged as per their inspection, so how do you expect them to guarantee an item they believe to be a potential failing point? If they did, and a year later it flooded, I'm sure you would be knocking on their door demanding a full replacement. It's solid business acumen!
As for the dial, they will leave it on, so no harm, or double standard?!

Most of the original quote was optional, so I understand the original sticker shock, but you're not obligated in any way...

Or is this all about costs you think are exorbitant?

[PACEVIPER]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Rolex service is a hoping to fleece their affluent customer base. It has gotten to the point now where it's insulting to one's intelligence. A qualified independent watch maker like Rikki is the only place my Rolex goes.

Rikki serviced my 1991 Sub. Very pleased. Watch is accurate to less than a second a day. You can't go wrong with Rikki.......Jimmy

[utc66]

I had a 30 year old date serviced by an independent. It came back like
new but it was pointed out to me that the watch could not be considered waterproof because the back had corroded around the case back - it
was easy to see. The watch was worn by my father everyday for 30 years. So the old date just cases do wear out. RSC would have suggested a new case but not the independent watchmaker.

[T. Ferguson]

Well, some of it may be optional but I do have a question about the case. If they determined it needs a new case because it's damaged and they can't guarantee WR, what happens then? Will they give you the option of not buying a new case and service the watch without warranty, or do they require you to change the case in order for them to service it?

In more general terms, will Rolex service a watch without providing a warranty if you don't agree to replace all the parts they recommend?

[Napoleon]

I sent mine to Rik at Time Care INC. Saved a ton of money over the RSC. He's a pro and mine came back pristine.