Newbe's 1st Rolex, Service Question

[Billybob7]

I just got my 1st Rolex and I’m looking for some service information for a 1969 GMT-Master 1675…the gentleman I got the watch from say he has owned it for 25+ years and never had it serviced…I’ve had the watch for about three days and it’s keeping very good time… BUT…I think it should be serviced and checked over.

The only noticeable items are some very small scratches on the acrylic crystal and one of the folded links on the inside of the 7836 bracelet looks like it got caught on something and shows signs of being bent and then poorly repaired and it has a larger gap opening then the other links and some small tool marks…at least these marks are on the inside and can’t be seen, hope that is repairable as the rest of the bracelet is in great shape.

So where are some good place to send the watch…or is only a Rolex service center the recommended location?

What do they do on a general service and what is the approximate cost?

[goduke1]

During a service, the watch is completely taken apart (over 200 parts). All parts are cleaned and inspected. Parts that do not meet speck are replaced. It's put back together. All gaskets are replaced. It's adjusted for accuracy, and pressure tested. They will replace the plastic crystal, re-finished the watch case, and bracelet to make it look new again.

As far as getting it serviced:

There are several members on this fourm that offer their services. Dalton is one that I have read good things about.

There is always sending it to a Rolex Service Center for a Cleaning/Overhaul. Most of the estimates I have read on here run in the $650 range for that service.

I just had mine serviced at QualityTyme.net by John E. Brozek and his staff. His advertised Overhaul for a watch with a plastic crystal is $395.00. I did have to pay more than that however for my total repair, as it needed more than a basic overhaul. Overall, I was impressed with their work. The watch was made in '71 and it looks new. Their turn around time for me was 5 weeks.

Since your watch is even older, there is a slight chance that a RSC will not service it due to it's age. The only way to find that out is to send it to them. They will return it to you if they can't service it. If that is the case, that only leaves you with the independant watchmaker option. You can go by any auth. Rolex Dealer to have it sent to a RSC or you can mail it to them directly.

[Tools]

If your watch has never been serviced, then I would recommend the Rolex Service Center....

Anybody can give your watch good care, but at the RSC you will get:

. A complete dis-assembly down to the last screw (many watchmakers only disassemble to major components and sonic clean)

. A complete assessment, in writing, of what the watch is and what it needs.

. Repairs with authentic Rolex parts.

. A Rolex 1 year warranty

. Papers in your name (service) and a notation in the Rolex database that the watch was serviced on xxx date.

. A pretty cool service box and maybe a travel pouch.

Chances are that the link back was bent to take out a link for fitment... What I might do is take the bracelet off completely when sent in and ask for a replacement bracelet. For about 800 bucks, you will get a slightly more modern style, and keep the old one safe for later.

[jamesvann]

Make sure that you DO NOT change the dial,hands and bezel insert!
If you do change the bracelet make sure you keep the old one.
The plastic crystal can very easily be polished too without replacing and looking at your photo, it looks okay.