RSC: San Francisco or Dallas

[Wooster]

I live close to the RSC in San Francisco, so come service time, I can easily take it in and pick it up, upon completion. That being said, should I be concerned that the SF RSC is not actually owned by Rolex? I've heard their work is outstanding, but is it recognized by Rolex as an official service? Is the warranty honored by Rolex RSC's elsewhere?

I realize a full service costs some money, and I am willing to pay for quality work. So, apart from the fact that I wouldn't have to ship my GMT IIc to Dallas, should I use San Francisco instead of Dallas?

Please share your thoughts and experiences?

Thanks!

[ndsleep612]

Yes their work is honored by Rolex. They originally were like 1 of a very small handful of independent RSCs from back in the days. The guys that work there are knowledgeable and friendly. You can do a search on the watch forums and there are many positive experiences in dealing with them.

[texex91]

Either will be fine, but I personally would go with Dallas.

[Tools]

If I could walk it into San Fran, that is where I would take it..

You have a watchmaker there who does all the work, and it is an OFFICIAL ROLEX SERVICE CENTER... whether it is owned by Rolex or not is irrelevant - it works to the same standards...

If you send it to the big Centers in Dallas or New York, and likely Beverly Hills, the work is done by machines and technicians in an assembly line fashion and the watchmaker only tunes it up at the end...

So, who would you rather have working on your watch

[glimmer]

I have taken my watches to RSC SF three times and have only been met with positive experiences...

[z32turbo]

Sounds like SF is the best option for you considering you can walk right in.

[Dr. Robert]

I'd heard that Giovanni (he is 2nd owner, bought it from orig. owner & founder, a guy named Bernecker, who retired) was selling the RSC SFO????? Anyone know?????

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I'd heard that Giovanni (he is 2nd owner, bought it from orig. owner & founder, a guy named Bernecker, who retired) was selling the RSC SFO????? Anyone know?????

I haven't heard that, but if it's true, he can only sell his business as a shop, not the RSC status. The new owner would have to meet the qualifications and standards that Rolex sets to be a Service Center..

Further, if true, I might just go with the Beverly Hills RSC... it's just down the coast a few hundred miles..

[ndsleep612]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I'd heard that Giovanni (he is 2nd owner, bought it from orig. owner & founder, a guy named Bernecker, who retired) was selling the RSC SFO????? Anyone know?????

Do you mean Ludwig? He was a good guy but very professional.

[MoBe]

Walk in or shipping expense?

I think walk in meets the requirement of the KISS method.

[Scary Hat]

The current owners name is Giovanni, and is a great guy and I just got back my Sub overhauled there. It needed it- 35 yrs is never worked better now!
This is the the first time I had the watch polished ( it truly needed it- it had road rash from a bike accident ) and it looks awesome.

[roger0770]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I'd heard that Giovanni (he is 2nd owner, bought it from orig. owner & founder, a guy named Bernecker, who retired) was selling the RSC SFO????? Anyone know?????

giovanni is selling the shop? for real?

[esspee1200]

sf rsc is a great place. never had a problem there. the staff is always helpful and willing to spend time with you talking about your watch. i talked to giovanni (the owner) and joe. great guys!

[psv]

A word of caution: I talked to Giovanni/SF about getting a regular overhaul on a SD 16600. They refused to give me even a ball park estimate, I decided to try them out because of all the great things I've heard and overnighted my watch to them. They had promised an estimate within a couple of working days. After pinging them twice, I finally got an estimate 10 working days after the watch arrived and it was 20-25% more than what RSC Dallas had quoted me (hence, nothing wrong with the watch, just a simple cleaning and lub).

So there I am, having to pay them to release the watch back to me, I spent $100 on shipping back and forward, I wasted 2-3 weeks and I had nothing to show for.

I can only speak from personal experience but I am never using them again. RSC or Ridley.

[Wooster]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate hearing the personal stories and experiences. It is what I was looking for. Keep 'em coming.

[RolexguyinSF]

I took my 16610 sub to RSC in SF, and they do EXCEPTIONAL work. When you call Rolex and tell them you need servicing, they will tell you "why not go to the RSC near you in SF"? They tell me it's officially certified as a Rolex repair facility. My watch looked fantastic when it was done. Perfect polishing, and they have a very nice staff as well. Took about 1 1/2 weeks. Not bad!

[springbar]

Originally Posted by Tools

Further, if true, I might just go with the Beverly Hills RSC... it's just down the coast a few hundred miles..

You have to take your watch there in person, though. They aren't taking shipments at the moment.

[Htab]

I would pick sf

[dligg72]

I had a nightmare experience with SF. They are not an official RSC. Send to Dallas

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by dligg72

I had a nightmare experience with SF. They are not an official RSC. Send to Dallas

Will you provide details? Thank you.

[ufboy73]

Originally Posted by dligg72

I had a nightmare experience with SF. They are not an official RSC. Send to Dallas

some clearly state that they are an 'official rsc' and now an indication they are not.

anyone know 'officially' if they are an official rsc? what does that even mean? that they are certified by rolex? how could there be ambiguity about that?

[snowbird]

Originally Posted by ufboy73

some clearly state that they are an 'official rsc' and now an indication they are not.

anyone know 'officially' if they are an official rsc? what does that even mean? that they are certified by rolex? how could there be ambiguity about that?

From what I've read on here, I believe SF has certification from Rolex and access to parts.

However there are only three US service centers listed on rolex.com - New York, Dallas, and Beverly Hills.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by RolexguyinSF

I took my 16610 sub to RSC in SF, and they do EXCEPTIONAL work. When you call Rolex and tell them you need servicing, they will tell you "why not go to the RSC near you in SF"? They tell me it's officially certified as a Rolex repair facility. My watch looked fantastic when it was done. Perfect polishing, and they have a very nice staff as well. Took about 1 1/2 weeks. Not bad!

1 1/2 weeks, wow, I like that