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greygirl · 16 May 2010, 11:24 PM

I'm in the process of buying a pre-owed Rolex, circa 2001. The seller has no service history information, but says that it's running great and is in excellent condition.

I know that they're supposed to go in for service (what, every 5 years or so, right?). So, should I send it off pretty soon for a service? How does that work since I won't have the original paperwork?

There is a local guy who works on/makes/sells watches here that I know does service Rolexes, and I know he's certified as a watch repairer/maker (a horologist maybe?) but I don't believe he's a certified Rolex repair person. He's a very nice guy, but I have no experience as to his quality of work. However he does have several pre-owned rolexes he's rehabbed and is selling (he is not the person from whom I'm buying this one, though).

Anyway, that was a lot of blah blah for a short question:

What would you do upon receipt of a 9 year old watch with no service history??

Thanks
M

Jason71 · 16 May 2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greygirl

I'm in the process of buying a pre-owed Rolex, circa 2001. The seller has no service history information, but says that it's running great and is in excellent condition.

I know that they're supposed to go in for service (what, every 5 years or so, right?). So, should I send it off pretty soon for a service? How does that work since I won't have the original paperwork?

There is a local guy who works on/makes/sells watches here that I know does service Rolexes, and I know he's certified as a watch repairer/maker (a horologist maybe?) but I don't believe he's a certified Rolex repair person. He's a very nice guy, but I have no experience as to his quality of work. However he does have several pre-owned rolexes he's rehabbed and is selling (he is not the person from whom I'm buying this one, though).

Anyway, that was a lot of blah blah for a short question:

What would you do upon receipt of a 9 year old watch with no service history??

Thanks
M

Hopefully you factored-in the extra $600 dollar discount in the buying price because the watch honestly needs a service. I would probably send it in for service as soon as I got it.

rmcarlton · 16 May 2010, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jclevoy

Hopefully you factored-in the extra $600 dollar discount in the buying price because the watch honestly needs a service. I would probably send it in for service as soon as I got it.

X2

Lion · 16 May 2010, 11:37 PM

I would definitely get the watch serviced with a Rolex trained watchmaker after you buy it. It's better to error on the side of caution!!!
Melissa, BTW welcome to the Forum.....

hooliganhooker · 16 May 2010, 11:55 PM

Negotiate with the seller that you'll buy it at the asking price if he/she sends it in for service first. He/she messes with that hassle (you don't have to send your new watch away to limbo right after you get it) and the service gives you piece of mind that it is a genuine Rolex. My $0.02USD

greygirl · 17 May 2010, 12:26 AM

Well, I'm buying this from a TRF fellow who is listed as a "good guy" on several watch forums (TRF included). So, I don't think authenticity is the issue. I just sent him a link to this thread. We'll see. . .

I am walking the line of not wanting to foolishly get into a newbie bad deal (For example, if in this situation it's normal for the buyer to ask the seller cover part or all of a service, but I don't know enough to ask) but also not wanting to be a jerk if the price is low enough that he has already "figured in" the fact that it needs service.

$2,195 for a 2001 SS Oyster Perpetual Date. . .thoughts?

nauticajoe · 17 May 2010, 12:35 AM

Send it in! It will look like NEW when you get it back.

sakuraba · 17 May 2010, 12:36 AM

I don't have an opinion on the price, but I would strongly suggest having it serviced at an RSC. The one in Dallas would be convenient since you're in Texas.

I had my mom's Lady DJ serviced by a local (very friendly) watchmaker who promptly screwed up her watch. He charged $350 compared to the RSC's $550 quote. Undoing the damage done cost me another $800.

Wish I found this forum earlier.

bewithabob · 17 May 2010, 12:39 AM

send it to RSC for full service. you will be happy!

Traveler · 17 May 2010, 12:46 AM

Send it to RSC for service..not only will the watch get the care it needs, it will have a 1 year warranty as well.

Tools · 17 May 2010, 01:47 AM

You don't need any paperwork to send a watch in to Rolex for service.. All they want is the watch...

If you really like what you are buying, then the 600 bucks to get it looking like new and a fresh Rolex 2 year warranty is money well spent. It will look and function like new...........

slcbbrown · 17 May 2010, 02:59 AM

If you're close to Dallas, you can find lots of decent watch guys who can do nice work. Nothing wrong with RSC except the price and the fact that you'll be dealing with the epitomy of a bureacracy.

I usually don't service a Rolex unless it isn't working properly. However, if I were you, I would want to know that the watch is waterproof.

scottjb411 · 17 May 2010, 09:37 AM

I agree with the others. After purchasing a couple rolex without knowing the service history ( and learning my lesson) I started purchasing preowned estate pieces from my local AD who services each watch before it goes in the display case. In fact I have been able to speak with the gentleman who services the estate watches. And he is usually able to give me background on what kind of shape the watch was in when it arrived. For this reason I will only purchase a rolex that has been serviced by him.

mike · 17 May 2010, 10:38 AM

As stated at that age the watch would benefit from a service. Watches can run great right up untill the time they eat themselves up due to breakdown of the oils etc...

Additionally how well the seals have held up is a question should you take the watch into the water.

I would send it to Dallas--at least the first time.

Why?

Get service papers. You have now started a service history that you can document (might be important down the road.

Not all watch repair guys are the same. Does he have pressure equiment to test the watch?

An RSC service gives you peace of mind and time to research who might be caring for your watch in the future.

Yeah, RSC will be the most expensive--and the safest.

t e x · 17 May 2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmcarlton

X2

+3

HL65 · 17 May 2010, 11:15 AM

It is a good investment for a watch you are going to own for many years!! Send it in!!

Mystro · 17 May 2010, 11:40 AM

I wouldn't nessesarily say to send in a perfectly good running rolex in for service. My serti Sub is now 12years old and is still keeping the same +3 seconds it did when I purchased it new. A lot of very knowledgable owners, AD, and watch shops I have talked to recomends not to service a watch that is running fine and is keeping good time. A used watch without knowledge of it's history might be a different matter. A watch bought new and treated well seems like a Rolex scare tactic to send it in for no issues. I would never tear down my motor in my car at 20k miles without reason to. Given Rolex service, I think there is less chance of my perfectly running watch to stay that way staying away from Rolex service centers.

16 May 2010, 11:24 PM	#1
greygirl Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Melissa Location: East Texas Watch: you talkin bout? Posts: 22	Advice on service for pre-owned rolex I'm in the process of buying a pre-owed Rolex, circa 2001. The seller has no service history information, but says that it's running great and is in excellent condition. I know that they're supposed to go in for service (what, every 5 years or so, right?). So, should I send it off pretty soon for a service? How does that work since I won't have the original paperwork? There is a local guy who works on/makes/sells watches here that I know does service Rolexes, and I know he's certified as a watch repairer/maker (a horologist maybe?) but I don't believe he's a certified Rolex repair person. He's a very nice guy, but I have no experience as to his quality of work. However he does have several pre-owned rolexes he's rehabbed and is selling (he is not the person from whom I'm buying this one, though). Anyway, that was a lot of blah blah for a short question: What would you do upon receipt of a 9 year old watch with no service history?? Thanks M

16 May 2010, 11:37 PM	#4
Lion "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Leo Location: Midwest Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI Posts: 21,461	I would definitely get the watch serviced with a Rolex trained watchmaker after you buy it. It's better to error on the side of caution!!! Melissa, BTW welcome to the Forum..... __________________ SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#) THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!! MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!

17 May 2010, 12:36 AM	#8
sakuraba "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Jib Location: SJ, California Watch: sun dial Posts: 8,189	I don't have an opinion on the price, but I would strongly suggest having it serviced at an RSC. The one in Dallas would be convenient since you're in Texas. I had my mom's Lady DJ serviced by a local (very friendly) watchmaker who promptly screwed up her watch. He charged $350 compared to the RSC's $550 quote. Undoing the damage done cost me another $800. Wish I found this forum earlier. __________________ F 14000 AirKing black F 16710 GMT Pepsi F 16570 Explorer II white T 16600 SD D 16610 LV "fine quality is remembered long after the pain of spending money" -Steve Mulholland

17 May 2010, 12:39 AM	#9
bewithabob "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Bob Location: Dallas, Texas Watch: Daytona Meteorite Posts: 3,417	send it to RSC for full service. you will be happy! __________________ meteor flying to Earth onto my wrist... 116509 Daytona Meteorite, 116520 Daytona Black, 116710 GMTIIC, 16013 DATEJUST, CARTIER SANTOS 100 W20090X8, IWC Big Pilot, IWC Top Gun "Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end."

17 May 2010, 01:47 AM	#11
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	You don't need any paperwork to send a watch in to Rolex for service.. All they want is the watch... If you really like what you are buying, then the 600 bucks to get it looking like new and a fresh Rolex 2 year warranty is money well spent. It will look and function like new........... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

16 May 2010, 11:55 PM	#5
hooliganhooker Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Robert Location: Iowa Watch: Rolex MilGauss Posts: 513	Negotiate with the seller that you'll buy it at the asking price if he/she sends it in for service first. He/she messes with that hassle (you don't have to send your new watch away to limbo right after you get it) and the service gives you piece of mind that it is a genuine Rolex. My $0.02USD

17 May 2010, 12:26 AM	#6
greygirl Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Melissa Location: East Texas Watch: you talkin bout? Posts: 22	Well, I'm buying this from a TRF fellow who is listed as a "good guy" on several watch forums (TRF included). So, I don't think authenticity is the issue. I just sent him a link to this thread. We'll see. . . I am walking the line of not wanting to foolishly get into a newbie bad deal (For example, if in this situation it's normal for the buyer to ask the seller cover part or all of a service, but I don't know enough to ask) but also not wanting to be a jerk if the price is low enough that he has already "figured in" the fact that it needs service. $2,195 for a 2001 SS Oyster Perpetual Date. . .thoughts?

17 May 2010, 12:35 AM	#7
nauticajoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: PA Posts: 14,774	Send it in! It will look like NEW when you get it back.

17 May 2010, 12:46 AM	#10
Traveler Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 374	Send it to RSC for service..not only will the watch get the care it needs, it will have a 1 year warranty as well.

17 May 2010, 02:59 AM	#12
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,689	If you're close to Dallas, you can find lots of decent watch guys who can do nice work. Nothing wrong with RSC except the price and the fact that you'll be dealing with the epitomy of a bureacracy. I usually don't service a Rolex unless it isn't working properly. However, if I were you, I would want to know that the watch is waterproof.

17 May 2010, 09:37 AM	#13
scottjb411 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Scott Location: Indiana Watch: Sub & Explorer II Posts: 119	I agree with the others. After purchasing a couple rolex without knowing the service history ( and learning my lesson) I started purchasing preowned estate pieces from my local AD who services each watch before it goes in the display case. In fact I have been able to speak with the gentleman who services the estate watches. And he is usually able to give me background on what kind of shape the watch was in when it arrived. For this reason I will only purchase a rolex that has been serviced by him.

17 May 2010, 10:38 AM	#14
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	As stated at that age the watch would benefit from a service. Watches can run great right up untill the time they eat themselves up due to breakdown of the oils etc... Additionally how well the seals have held up is a question should you take the watch into the water. I would send it to Dallas--at least the first time. Why? Get service papers. You have now started a service history that you can document (might be important down the road. Not all watch repair guys are the same. Does he have pressure equiment to test the watch? An RSC service gives you peace of mind and time to research who might be caring for your watch in the future. Yeah, RSC will be the most expensive--and the safest.

17 May 2010, 11:15 AM	#16
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	It is a good investment for a watch you are going to own for many years!! Send it in!! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

17 May 2010, 11:40 AM	#17
Mystro 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: The Mystro ;) Location: Central Pa. Posts: 15,510	I wouldn't nessesarily say to send in a perfectly good running rolex in for service. My serti Sub is now 12years old and is still keeping the same +3 seconds it did when I purchased it new. A lot of very knowledgable owners, AD, and watch shops I have talked to recomends not to service a watch that is running fine and is keeping good time. A used watch without knowledge of it's history might be a different matter. A watch bought new and treated well seems like a Rolex scare tactic to send it in for no issues. I would never tear down my motor in my car at 20k miles without reason to. Given Rolex service, I think there is less chance of my perfectly running watch to stay that way staying away from Rolex service centers.

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