The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 29 August 2009, 02:07 PM   #1
rkenly
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Rod
Location: high desert, ca
Watch: oyster date just
Posts: 2
newbie - service

Just found this forum this evening.

I've had an oyster date just - ss & gold for about 20 years (it replaced an accutron that I wore for years). It is my only watch (except the time on my cell phone)

*** warning for young children - please turn away ***

uhhh... I never take it off (except to take a shower) - so it is pretty hammered. work on cars, woodworking, etc, and I keep it on. - never think to take it off until it's covered in paint, grease, etc, and by then it's too late, so I keep going.

So - I never had it serviced, and it's still wrking fine. My local jewelry store told me to only have it serviced when it quit working - until he saw how hammered it was, and then suggested that I purchase another watch, and have mine serviced.

So I'm thinking I probably should have it serviced. So what's the ins and outs of that? Do I want to send it somewhere, or just have the local guy service it or what? Since the crystal is not sapphire - did they have them 20 years ago? - and should I have it replaced with sapphire? - or not an option.

thanks -

>>>Rod<<<
rkenly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 August 2009, 11:19 PM   #2
Lol-x
Facilitator
 
Lol-x's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Real Name: Steve
Location: Omnipresent
Posts: 33,593
Welcome.
You could get it serviced locally as long as the person is properly qualified.
A photo would be useful. It is well overdue for service, so sending it to Rolex might be a good idea.
__________________

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~Abraham Lincoln
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy

ROLEXploitation - yeah I'm a victim
Lol-x is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 August 2009, 11:32 PM   #3
Idle Swede
Suspended
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Real Name: Leo
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 13,820
If it's a 1989 it should have a sapphire crystal, and yes, it's due for a service.
Idle Swede is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 August 2009, 11:43 PM   #4
Brushpup
"TRF" Member
 
Brushpup's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Real Name: Patrick
Location: Texas
Watch: what I'm wearing
Posts: 5,943
Local store is wrong, it needs service asap...otherwise you are asking for major trouble. Sind it to Rolex, or one of our trusted watchmakers that post here.

Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy it here.
__________________
TRFs "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Patron-Founding Member


PClub # 10
74,592
The safest place for your watch is on your wrist.
Brushpup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 August 2009, 11:44 PM   #5
R1@160@alltimes
"TRF" Member
 
R1@160@alltimes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Watch: ♛
Posts: 4,408
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brushpup View Post
Local store is wrong, it needs service asap...otherwise you are asking for major trouble.

Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy it here.
Agreed....I can't believe your jeweler would suggest that I'd steer clear from his services
__________________
R1@160@alltimes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 August 2009, 01:22 AM   #6
Tools
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
 
Tools's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,516
There is a Rolex Service Center in San Fran on Post Rd. Check your phone book or google.... Expect the cost to be close to 500 dollars up to 1000 dollars because you have waited so long..

Your Jeweler was not giving you complete information.. You should have it serviced every 5 to 8 years if you wear it all the time... It is a mechanical machine that needs to periodically be cleaned and oiled... Since it has been so long, there are likely quite a few parts that have been running dry and are now in need or replacement..
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....)
NAWCC Member
Tools is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 30 August 2009, 02:00 AM   #7
Skutt50
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Steven
Location: Sweden
Watch: Old English Fusee
Posts: 246
And as for your question on acrylic VS sapphire I would choose the acrylic.

Since you use the watch in a harsh environment I think you are better off with a scratched acrylic crystal than a chipped or broken sapphire crystal.
Skutt50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 August 2009, 07:07 AM   #8
slcbbrown
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: steve
Location: dallas area
Watch: 50's TT t-bird
Posts: 3,689
$500,minimum at Rolex

Don't be shocked if Rolex says $600+, if it needs a replacement plastic crystal. You might look for a good, non-Rolex watch guy. You could expect to pay $350+ for a thorough service with no parts replaced. If your crystal is OK, a polishing might be enough to make you happy with the results.

A thorough service will probably include a polishing of the entire watch (unless you don't want it) that is usually pretty impressive on an old, well used watch. Stick with the plastic crystal-- the sapphire is not made for your watch.
slcbbrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 August 2009, 07:13 AM   #9
Idle Swede
Suspended
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Real Name: Leo
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 13,820
An 89 DJ DOES have a sapphire crystal.
Idle Swede is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 August 2009, 07:27 AM   #10
Harvey58
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Real Name: Harvey
Location: Clermont, Florida
Watch: TT Sub Champ Serti
Posts: 338
Welcome to the forums and enjoy them, this is a great place to learn!!! I would send your watch in to Rolex and let them service it ASAP....It is time to give it a day off!!!
__________________

TT Sub Champ. Serti Dial "M"
SS Sub-C "G"
Harvey58 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 August 2009, 11:59 AM   #11
Rikki
TechXpert
 
Rikki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Real Name: Rik Dietel
Location: Seminole Fla
Watch: 5512 s/s Sub
Posts: 1,818
If your watch has an acrylic crystal that's all you can use. The bezel on the sapphire is taller to seal the sapphire at the top and the bottom. If you want it done as it should be gime me a call Rik the watchmaker
Rikki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 August 2009, 03:04 PM   #12
Rolexophile
"TRF" Member
 
Rolexophile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Real Name: D.J.
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Posts: 278
I just want to welcome you to the form, good luck with the watch. Trust these folks they are true gurus.
Rolexophile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 August 2009, 03:22 PM   #13
nektar
"TRF" Member
 
nektar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Louisiana
Watch: 114060
Posts: 1,678
welcome and post phootoosss
nektar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 September 2009, 11:42 AM   #14
rkenly
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Rod
Location: high desert, ca
Watch: oyster date just
Posts: 2
here's the requested photo

Here's the best photo of the watch. You can see its had a little wear & tear.

Thanks,

>>>Rod<<<
Attached Images
 
rkenly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 September 2009, 11:58 AM   #15
sakuraba
"TRF" Member
 
sakuraba's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: Jib
Location: SJ, California
Watch: sun dial
Posts: 8,189
It doesn't look as bad as you described it, but would be prudent to send it in for servicing.
sakuraba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 September 2009, 12:43 PM   #16
Rikki
TechXpert
 
Rikki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Real Name: Rik Dietel
Location: Seminole Fla
Watch: 5512 s/s Sub
Posts: 1,818
Looks like a 16013 I can make it look awesome has an acrylic crystal. drop me a line Rik
Rikki 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

OCWatches

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches


*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.