Independent Watch Maker Doing a Better Job than a Rolex RSC?

[mrmahdi]

Greetings,

Last year, I had my Datejust 41 serviced TWICE at the Rolex Service Center in Beverly Hills. The reason why I had it serviced because it was running too slow, out of spec. When I got it back, it was running right at two seconds a day, sometimes a little slower and other times a little faster. Then later it was faster out of spec so I returned back to the RSC and got it back again. I didn’t notice any improvement.

Recently, I went to an awesome watchmaker in Pasadena and he regulated my watch. Now it runs less than a second a day slow and almost to 0 seconds a day. I couldn’t be any more happier.

Has any here had their watch serviced at an RSC to only later on be corrected or improved by an independent watchmaker?

Thanks in advance.

[Joearch]

Sounds like LAWW?

[DadsSub]

Originally Posted by mrmahdi

Greetings,

Last year, I had my Datejust 41 serviced TWICE at the Rolex Service Center in Beverly Hills. The reason why I had it serviced because it was running too slow, out of spec. When I got it back, it was running right at two seconds a day, sometimes a little slower and other times a little faster. Then later it was faster out of spec so I returned back to the RSC and got it back again. I didn’t notice any improvement.

Recently, I went to an awesome watchmaker in Pasadena and he regulated my watch. Now it runs less than a second a day slow and almost to 0 seconds a day. I couldn’t be any more happier.

Has any here had their watch serviced at an RSC to only later on be corrected or improved by an independent watchmaker?

Thanks in advance.

Interesting. I was just singing the praises about the BH RSC.

Coincidentally, my dad was just telling me today that he'd had Ben Bridge in Bellevue, WA send his presidential in for service twice. It first came back and stopped ticking after not wearing it for one day. When it used to have a three day reserve. So he sent it in again - got it back and it still stops after one day of no use. I think BB sent it in to Dallas RSC. Maybe I should direct him to an independent watchmaker.

[kegan]

After some poor results from Rolex service I use Nesbits in Seattle and have been extremely happy with their work

[mrmahdi]

Originally Posted by DadsSub

Interesting. I was just singing the praises about the BH RSC.

Coincidentally, my dad was just telling me today that he'd had Ben Bridge in Bellevue, WA send his presidential in for service twice. It first came back and stopped ticking after not wearing it for one day. When it used to have a three day reserve. So he sent it in again - got it back and it still stops after one day of no use. I think BB sent it in to Dallas RSC. Maybe I should direct him to an independent watchmaker.

As far as an independent watchmaker is concerned, I definitely recommend reading reviews of potential watchmakers in your area. I got a real cool, fair and honest watchmaker who has a shop in Pasadena.

A also good things about the Dallas RSC. My experience at the Beverly Hills RSC was subpar.

One way you know you’re doing with an honest watchmaker is if he is willing to regulate your watch as opposed to doing a full overhaul. A regulation can take just a few minutes while an overhaul can take weeks. Of course an overhaul is a lot more money while a regulation just can be a few bucks or even free.

[mrmahdi]

Originally Posted by Joearch

Sounds like LAWW?

Actually it is Shant’s Clock and Watch Repair.

[Finslayer83]

Rik and Rolliworks....

[mrmahdi]

Originally Posted by kegan

After some poor results from Rolex service I use Nesbits in Seattle and have been extremely happy with their work

Which RSC was your watch serviced at?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Finslayer83

Rik and Rolliworks....

Both great !!!


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[Virologist]

I've had very good experiences with the RSC. I would consider a very good private operator if I wanted something done that Rolex was resistant to do.

[mrmahdi]

Originally Posted by Virologist

I've had very good experiences with the RSC. I would consider a very good private operator if I wanted something done that Rolex was resistant to do.

It might be a hit or miss with a RSC. I’m not saying I had bad service, it was just mediocre. If a person went in a RSC and asked for a simple regulation, I doubt he will get one, even for a fee. To be fair, I went to several watchmakers in the LA area and all but one were willing to do a regulation. The money is doing an overhaul. A regulation can take less than 5 minutes to do while an overhaul takes weeks. Some watchmakers might even do it as a courtesy because it’s so simple and quick.

[Zack1978]

I can't speak about the service from RSC, however I have nothing but praise for Rik at Time Care, Inc. The quality of his work is unsurpassed.

[Bxtek]

Sometimes this is the case with auto repair shops. Lots of people feel that going to their brand of dealership for service, that those are the experts upon experts on their car. Might be true in some cases, but there are a lot of independent shops that will do just as good of job, or sometimes better than the dealership!

I think you have to keep in mind that no matter what, there are people that work at these places and on your watch/car. Some are good and meticulous and some are not so much. Problem with the RSC/car dealership is that it's a bit of an "assembly line" and you are not guaranteed to the get the same person each time. Sure, the standards of the product at the end should be the exact same high quality no matter who worked on it, but that obviously doesn't always happen.

If you can find a good indy with a good watchmaker that will work on your watch each and every time.....I would say stick with them!

[StanGMT]

Many years ago (in the 1980s) I stopped using the Rolex Service Centre here in the UK after a number of 'howlers' in servicing my 1675 GMT. I started using a local independent and used them for 25 years until they had a change of staff and couldn't offer to service a Rolex. I've yet to find another watchmaker, but am reluctant to go back to the RSC.

Stan.