Servicing Tudor Submariner

[PeterBali]

I own several (3) Rolex watches and a Tudor Submariner from about the year 1980, which I really like.

I live and work in South East Asia and brought my Tudor Submariner watch to the Rolex service center in Bangkok.
After a few days they called me and said the watch had to be send to Geneva, which I approved.
A few days later they called me again and said that Geneva told them that they cannot service the watch because of spare parts that are not available.

The watch works fine, the only problem is that the date sometimes jumps 2 or 3 days in 1 day.

Can you please inform me how I can get this repaired, as I find it strange that a reputable company such as Rolex cannot service a 30 year old watch.
I really don't want to bring the watch to a third party repair facility.

[padi56]

Well any good high street watchmaker could service your watch as it has a ETA movement and even a 30 year old watch ETA parts are still available.The only problem would be case,bracelet, dial hands parts as they are from Rolex. But seals crown tubes etc could be sourced from any good watchmaker so no need to go to Rolex.

[PeterBali]

Thank you for your answer. I still find it ridiculous for a big name like Rolex to not be able to service one of there own products.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by PeterBali

Thank you for your answer. I still find it ridiculous for a big name like Rolex to not be able to service one of there own products.

I agree but even now with some vintage Rolex movements Rolex will not service because they state they do not have parts.Rolex are supposed to be watchmakers and would expect to have the schematics for all the movements produced over the years. So being watchmakers why cannot they make parts if necessary for there vintage movements. But today Rolex are no longer watchmakers but mass movement factory assemblers.

[kilyung]

I believe Rolex says that they may not be able to service their watches over 25 yrs old due to parts availability.

[Blue Lantern]

I ran into a similar problem recently with my Tudor Submariner from 1978. I brought it to Rolex in New York City and returned later that afternoon only to be told that the watch was too old to be serviced by them. They gave me some paperwork showing that the watch had last been serviced by them in 1999, along with some info on finding a local nawcc-member watchmaker, which was nice.

Next, I took the watch to a Rolex dealer in the Philadelphia area that has a good service operation. They took the watch in, and they were able to order from Rolex all the parts they needed (including new hands). It seems to me that Rolex COULD service these older watches if they wanted to, and they CAN source the necessary parts, but it's more of a philosophical/business decision not to.

If anything, Rolex forced me to spend my money locally, which is okay with me! So anyway, I'd suggest taking your Tudor to a local watchmaker, especially one that's attached to an authorized dealer, and seeing what happens. I'd say they'll almost definitely be able to help you.

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I believe Rolex says that they may not be able to service their watches over 25 yrs old due to parts availability.

:(

[powerfunk]

RSC NY just overhauled an AK of mine from 1966. And got a new dial. I hadn't heard of Rolex refusing to service a vintage watch since 2011. Maybe they're not making as much effort to stock old Tudor parts. That's a shame.

[PeterBali]

Thank you all for your feedback.
The good thing is that I found this forum.

[218225]

Mercedes keeps spare parts on stock for all models they ever made. So no problem to get your gullwing of Grosser serviced with original parts.

So why can't Rolex? Mercedes is also in the business of selling NEW cars...

[jatco]

..Since Rolex is unable (or unwilling) to service your Tudor, you'll need to source out a local reputable watchmaker in your area. I would think there would be..and probably more than 1.
Let us know what happens..!

[Stellite]

my understanding is that Rolex keeps spare parts for all it's watches for at least 50 years. So servicing a 50 year old Rolex should not be a problem. However, Tudor being based off of Eta, Rolex probably figures why spend the space to stock eta parts. Kinda makes sense.

[jatco]

/\ ..Yeah, I guess stocking ETA movements (not parts..as one would probably change the whole movement..) ..would take up A Lot of space... uh, Duh.>!! - All the other 'parts' are Rolex parts..arent they?

[Kobayashi]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I believe Rolex says that they may not be able to service their watches over 25 yrs old due to parts availability.

I wonder if I can use that as a reason to justify the purchase of a second 16710, a second set of inserts for the 16710 and a second set of bracelets for it as well. You know just in case :).

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Kobayashi

I wonder if I can use that as a reason to justify the purchase of a second 16710, a second set of inserts for the 16710 and a second set of bracelets for it as well. You know just in case :).

I guess we all better start to 'stock pile' parts..you know, as Kabayashi suggests...!!

[johanhej]

Bumping this thread.

I'm having a small tudor sub itch and was wondering as for service for these pieces. I'm mostly interested in the rose dialed ones from around 68 and back.

Would I be correct assuming the 7016 small rose gilt dial came with 2483 movement? The ETA 2483 seems rather uncommon, hence my question:

Would the 2483 be really expensive to service? Any idea what I'd be looking at for standard maintenance?

[jatco]

Originally Posted by johanhej

Bumping this thread.

I'm having a small tudor sub itch and was wondering as for service for these pieces. I'm mostly interested in the rose dialed ones from around 68 and back.

Would I be correct assuming the 7016 small rose gilt dial came with 2483 movement? The ETA 2483 seems rather uncommon, hence my question:

Would the 2483 be really expensive to service? Any idea what I'd be looking at for standard maintenance?

.
Not a 100% sure..
Im sure I have reference sites, somewhere, - but here's what I've found at the moment that may help...!!
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ight=Tudor+sub
.
There's lots of discussion via that thread and posts/referals..- I just cant put my finger on them ....!!