Datejust - where to send for service?

[wendells101]

Hi, New member here and owner of a 1993 OP Datejust (my favorite), also 2004 Green Submariner and SS White Daytona. Hoping I am not asking a question that has been rehashed over and over but new to forums in general.

The Oyster Datejust just showed signs of fogging. I left it in a bag of rice and it went away but is now running way slow. I did not ever find it with the crown unscrewed after swimming but...

The local and only Rolex dealer in Vermont wants "we allow $1,000" to service it but would not be specific as to the cost. Another dealer where I bought the later watches in CT wants $800. I see on the internet full services by "CW21 certified" watch repairers running in the $300-500 range by places like watchrepair dot net and The Watch Buyers Group. I am suspicious about sending my watch out, 1. because they have some good yet some terrible Yelp reviews, 2. the time it may take to repair, and 3. they will actually end up quoting much higher repair numbers once they have it in the shop and perhaps I should have gone to the dealer after all.

Can anyone recommend an honest and reasonable repair service and what should this service cost?

Thanks in advance.

[Michael T]

Send it Rolex Watch Service Center in Dallas. If you had water in it, even a little, you will likely have some corrosion. Hard to say on cost, depends on the damage.

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[Tools]

Originally Posted by wendells101

. . .

Can anyone recommend an honest and reasonable repair service and what should this service cost?

Thanks in advance.

Rolex has a basic service of around 650 bucks, and there is no reason why a Datejust would need much more than this.
Closest to you is NY RSC. Give them a call and they will send you shipping information. If you don't mind a bit longer shipping distance, Rik Dietel in FLA may be able to fit you in cheaper.

It's unlikely that a bag of rice is very effective on a watch.

The most likely cause of any moisture is a deteriorated or dislodged crystal/case gasket, not forgetting to screw down the crown.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex has a basic service of around 650 bucks, and there is no reason why a Datejust would need much more than this.
Closest to you is NY RSC. Give them a call and they will send you shipping information. If you don't mind a bit longer shipping distance, Rik Dietel in FLA may be able to fit you in cheaper.

It's unlikely that a bag of rice is very effective on a watch.

The most likely cause of any moisture is a deteriorated or dislodged crystal/case gasket, not forgetting to screw down the crown.

Good advice.

[Michael T]

FWIW, I would expect New York to be more backed up due to their shut-down relative to Texas.

[wendells101]

Thanks. Thinking of Rik. He seemed honest and forthright on the phone.

Dallas called me back but was looking like over $1,000.

Anyone familiar with Tulsa Time? Offered for $495. I'm a bit worried about it being much different once they get the watch.

Thanks again for the advice.

[wendells101]

Opted for RUSA in NYC. They quoted $700 for service and 8 weeks, Dallas quoted $850 and 3 months. The AD in-house repair shops varied from $800 to $1,000 at our local VT dealer. And they used the words, "we allow $1,000". When I asked what that meant she repeated, "we allow $1,000". Wondering why this all seems so shady and inconsistent.

Had a recent bad experience at Village Watch in Boston with my Ti Omega Seamaster. Quoted one price, then with every text kept raising prices and constantly trying negotiating upwards, ultimately refusing to include the polish. A week after it was fixed the bracelet broke at the hinge which I noted in my first contact with them. Griped about re-repairs though did do for free, but the final repair was not well done and the clasp won't close properly. Had he done it right and been more honest I would have sent the DJ to him.