Is there anyway to check if a watchmaker is Rolex certified?

[hsfrank]

Went to the mall.Met with a watchmaker who said he was Rolex Certified and had a parts account. Any way to check? Will Rolex verify?

[Rikki]

I believe the way it works if you're cw21 and work at an AD you are Rolex certified the minute you walk out the door you're not. Rikki

[watchnut.com]

I have not been able to obtain that information from Rolex US.

I can give you one experience that relates to your question.

I use a watchmaker who has a Rolex parts account, but has his own non-dealer operation. He serviced a watch for me last year that really needed a new bezel. Parts account holders who are not part of an AD operation cannot buy certain parts, like bezels, dials, and some other things.

Rolex told me they would replace (exchange) the bezel without a full service if I sent them proof (the invoice in this case) that the watch had been serviced by an authorized Rolex watchmaker in the previous twelve months.

I sent the watch and the invoice from my watchmaker to them and they replaced the bezel as per my request. So they obviously have a listing, but do not seem to want to share the information publicly.

[hsfrank]

Thank you all for your responces. I did see that there is a listing of CW certified persons.

[Rikki]

Bingo

[Fergus01]

Visit Rolex website, check list of AD's and bingo!

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by Rikki

Bingo

Well, you can start here although their search could be improved. Some watchmakers do not show up, but maybe they did not pay their dues?..
http://directory.awci.com/search_res..._search=Search

[eieio11]

Does anybody know a Lititz Watch Technicum graduate that services vintage Rolexes in the east?

[Robbby]

Originally Posted by watchnut.com

Rolex told me they would replace (exchange) the bezel without a full service if I sent them proof (the invoice in this case) that the watch had been serviced by an authorized Rolex watchmaker in the previous twelve months.

.

They want to force the people to have the watch serviced at an authorised dealer?

This is a total sass.

In the moment you buy a something, it is your property. You can do with your property what you want.
You can bring it to any watchmaker in the World. You can even do the service yourself, if you want.


Imagine your car needs a new bumper and the car company tells you that they will sell you only a new bumper, if your car had a service at an authorised (overpriced) repair shop in the last 12 Month.

Just my 2 cents

[Lt.Arclight]

I agree 100%. In reality, as a watchmaker I personally think the Rolex movement is one of the easiest to service. Even the 4130 movement in the Daytona or the old Zenith based movement isn't a big deal. Generally very straight forward. This whole "Rolex Certified" title doesn't say anything about the individuals bench skills. Unfortunately, there is no other way to maintain the parts you need to do what I consider a proper service. ie, new mainspring,hands and any other part that looks worn.

It is much easier to place a new mainspring into the barrel. It takes skill to remove an old spring without damaging the bridal,then clean and rewind it. Back when AD's were plentiful, if they felt you were qualified- you were "certified". When the dealer was no longer an AD-you don't have access to parts. And then you are.....

There have been lawsuits- but none have been successful. The watch industry has changed across the board and its just not Rolex that wants to MAKE you use their after sales service. This is not going to change.

It is SAFE to say that if your watchmaker is CW21 certified-they are competent to work on your watch. The question is-after all the work and expense to prepare and pass the exam given by the AWCI and maintain your certification-WILL Rolex and other top tier brands actually allow you to have a parts account?

I have a very precious stash of parts for my watches and a VERY select few clients. I would much rather work on a back log of Sub's,GMT-II and DJ's than one complicated movement from..........

Rolex runs a tight ship and as a result, that is why the value remains very high. They dictate price and if you want to play-you have to pay.

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by Robbby

They want to force the people to have the watch serviced at an authorised dealer?

This is a total sass.

In the moment you buy a something, it is your property. You can do with your property what you want.
You can bring it to any watchmaker in the World. You can even do the service yourself, if you want.


Imagine your car needs a new bumper and the car company tells you that they will sell you only a new bumper, if your car had a service at an authorised (overpriced) repair shop in the last 12 Month.

Just my 2 cents

They're their parts - they can do whatever they want!

[Lt.Arclight]

Originally Posted by zeuloa

They're their parts - they can do whatever they want!

But its YOUR watch. Imagine not even being able to buy an oil filter for your car. On the other hand if you don't mind being held hostage by RSC- buy all means.....I'm not talking about buying a complete case or movement-just routine service parts.

Not everone can afford $700+ services-especially if you own more than one.Not to mention WAITING a month or so while you are getting "serviced"

Sooner or later an ANTI-Trust suit may change things.

[Silvio Mosiello]

Lie detector test

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by Lt.Arclight

But its YOUR watch. Imagine not even being able to buy an oil filter for your car. On the other hand if you don't mind being held hostage by RSC- buy all means.....I'm not talking about buying a complete case or movement-just routine service parts.

Not everone can afford $700+ services-especially if you own more than one.Not to mention WAITING a month or so while you are getting "serviced"

Sooner or later an ANTI-Trust suit may change things.

A Rolex is not a necessity, like say some type of medical equipment. Nobody is forced into buying a Rolex, therefore no one is being "held hostage" by Rolex. I'm glad they control their parts and guard the brand so tightly - its their brand and their parts and they have every right to sell to whomever they choose.

I would confidently say most Rolex owners can afford a $700 service every 5-7 years. And with all due respect if you own more than one and can't afford to service you need to downscale your collection. These are LUXURY items - no one needs a Rolex to survive! These are things you should buy with disposable income after buying everything essential for your well being, specially if you have more than one.

[DCgator]

Originally Posted by zeuloa

A Rolex is not a necessity, like say some type of medical equipment. Nobody is forced into buying a Rolex, therefore no one is being "held hostage" by Rolex. I'm glad they control their parts and guard the brand so tightly - its their brand and their parts and they have every right to sell to whomever they choose.

I would confidently say most Rolex owners can afford a $700 service every 5-7 years. And with all due respect if you own more than one and can't afford to service you need to downscale your collection. These are LUXURY items - no one needs a Rolex to survive! These are things you should buy with disposable income after buying everything essential for your well being, specially if you have more than one.

What he said.

[z32turbo]

Originally Posted by DCgator

What he said.

X2!!!

[bobbipiazza]

Originally Posted by Robbby

They want to force the people to have the watch serviced at an authorised dealer?

....


Imagine your car needs a new bumper and the car company tells you that they will sell you only a new bumper, if your car had a service at an authorised (overpriced) repair shop in the last 12 Month.

Just my 2 cents

Coming late to the party - Sorry!

To me, this is an interesting question. I believe that Rolex controls crucial components like dials/bezels as a anti-fraud security measure. Do high-end auto companies similarly control access to their signature components in order to prevent "franken - autos"?

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Lt.Arclight

Sooner or later an ANTI-Trust suit may change things.

Absolutely.

Selling a product with a known mechanical life span and prohibiting the sale of parts to fix that product to those who you deem "not worthy" is poking the lion. It's one thing if your selling nuclear reactor components and you need to vet the recipient as to assure they are being used properly. It's another thing when it's wristwatch parts.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by Lt.Arclight

But its YOUR watch. Imagine not even being able to buy an oil filter for your car.

I'm late to this party too; interesting argument. However, you can get an oil filter made by anybody. Similarly, you can easily get aftermarket bracelets, bezels, or whatever that fits your Rolex at any time; you don't have to get genuine Rolex parts. We just happen to be a community with a strong, healthy distaste for aftermarket components. I can understand them being tight with their dials, etc. out of fear of franken'ing.

No one's ever told me, "Dude, you put a generic brand oil filter in your car? You just decimated the value!"

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

I'm late to this party too; interesting argument. However, you can get an oil filter made by anybody. Similarly, you can easily get aftermarket bracelets, bezels, or whatever that fits your Rolex at any time; you don't have to get genuine Rolex parts. We just happen to be a community with a strong, healthy distaste for aftermarket components. I can understand them being tight with their dials, etc. out of fear of franken'ing.

No one's ever told me, "Dude, you put a generic brand oil filter in your car? You just decimated the value!"

I get your analogy but it's not quite the same. No vehicle manufacture makes their own oil filter (or most of their own components), some other company makes it for them. Rolex makes their own components, they source out VERY little of their work.

[PcarSBA]

Car makers control parts classified as TRD (theft relevant devices) tightly. You will only get access codes for these if you can verify you own the car. For some you have to be a dealer. Period. Stuff like the immobilizer and key codes fall into this category.

Further, when servicing a modern car you pretty much need special diagnostics tools that initially were only available at the dealership. Recently, anti-trust laws forces them to make these tools available to independent shops as well (albeit at a hefty penny).

I can see why Rolex keeps parts under tight control as one way to discurrage third-party service. Wouldn't you if you owned the brand?

[Rikki]

I have 2 Johnson 200 hp ocean runners on my proline and if i need a fuel pump the part is proprietary and have to buy Johnson because no one makes it or sells it but Johnson. 500 dollars for the part. Parts are parts it is what it is. Rikki

[mr500cm]

Originally Posted by Rikki

I have 2 Johnson 200 hp ocean runners on my proline and if i need a fuel pump the part is proprietary and have to buy Johnson because no one makes it or sells it but Johnson. 500 dollars for the part. Parts are parts it is what it is. Rikki

Understood, I'm a photographer and a few years ago Hasselblad in Sweden announced they will no longer repair certain shutters due to age and lack of parts. In the photo market there is no outside source for parts. When they are done you start buying beaters for spare parts. Thats the way it is. Wasn't it a few years ago Rolex was turning away watches that were 10-15 years old saying they were too old to fix?

[ludicree]

Originally Posted by bobbipiazza

To me, this is an interesting question. I believe that Rolex controls crucial components like dials/bezels as a anti-fraud security measure. Do high-end auto companies similarly control access to their signature components in order to prevent "franken - autos"?

I would bet the parts of a car that you can buy freely are only a small amount of the whole car itself.

For various reasons, including safety.

[Israguard]

I called Rolex Canada in Toronto last week to verify/confirm if a very reputable jewler in Montreal who sold Rolex watches was not only a authorized AD, but that the service man in the back was Rolex certified. She said "please hold let me check".. after 30 seconds she came back, asked me for the AD's name again (as if she was checking in a book) and said "100% Rolex certified".