Service Question - has anybody ever heard of this?!?!

[JChow]

Was wondering if I could get some input from the members.

Last week I dropped my RO15300 off at the AD for a service. It's been about 7 years since the watch was last seen by AP. The watch was keeping good time but the power reserve was down to 6-10 hours, hence the service. Once I noticed the power reserve issue, the watch went straight into the safe and didn't see a wrist again. Watch has never seen water or been dropped. Was worn in rotation pretty evenly with 5 other watches.

When I dropped the watch off at the AD they said that the service would run approximately $1300 CAD ($1000 USD). Sounded about right to me.

Yesterday, the AD called me back and said that they had received an estimate from the APSC in Canada at $4000 CAD ($3100 USD)!!!

I was told that the watch required a CTR - Complete Technical Revision. I had never heard the term before and can't even find too much about it online.

I have submitted a contact request on the AP website but while I wait for a response, I thought I'd see if this sounded strange to other collectors. The 3120 is supposed to be a robust and easy to service movement - I have friends who have had a complete overhaul on a Lange chrono movement for less!

Would love to hear others thoughts.

Thanks,
Jon

[Al1969]

Hi Jon,
Why don't you call APSC yourself and confirm? It sounds excessive, I'd definitely speak to them directly, so they can explain to you exactly what your watch needs.

[Daryl]

Originally Posted by Al1969

Hi Jon,
Why don't you call APSC yourself and confirm? It sounds excessive, I'd definitely speak to them directly, so they can explain to you exactly what your watch needs.

+1

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[texex91]

Call APSC directly in Clearwater. You can still use your AD to send in (since you're in Canada), but get a direct quote from AP (they will list out everything line by line and associated pricing).

[Speed]

I'm sure he'll call on a weekday...He's just asking if anyone has heard of this situation.

Afraid I have not Jon, but I am keen to learn. My 15300 is an H serial (so a fiar bit "younger" than yours.

It has supposedly had a full service when I sent it in to Clearwater, FL last year with the datewheel sticking issue. I got my 3rd year warranty stamp and presumably have another 2-years as a result of the service.

[bayerische]

Perhaps you AD is pulling a fast one on you...

[Nyquist]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Perhaps you AD is pulling a fast one on you...

I sure hope so! $4K CAD is not exactly pocket change. I'm curious to hear what they say at the service centre.

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Perhaps you AD is pulling a fast one on you...

If so that AD should no longer sell the brand

[lapince]

WOW, that's crazy, hope it's not what you will pay...

[Daryl]

How much is the usual service cost? How many years from date of purchase? Thanks

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[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Hairdude1

If so that AD should no longer sell the brand

Indeed, but I can't understand why the service would be this much. I'd understand if the watch lost it's water integrity, with ruined dial, hands and say neglected for awhile meaning rust on movement with a lot of parts needed to be changed.

[improviz]

If AD received an estimate, which should be in writing, then they should have provided this to you. If not, demand it and one received you can post it here, then we'll all have a clearer picture.

I agree with Andreas: I'd think it must have suffered some sort of internal calamity to require this level of repair costs.

[Defiancekofb]

Service should be $1,200-1,300 max. Unless you need a total bezel replacement which is about $1,100 to replace alone.

[improviz]

What's your source for that figure on the bezel? APSC had quoted singe89 $670 for a replacement question on his Diver, I'd think a 15300 would be similar, probably a bit less as its a less expensive piece.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....0&postcount=12

[eal15]

The new Canadian location is out of Ottawa. I've spoken with and visited the individual in question and he is quite knowledgeable. He is also authorized to service many hug end brands and has the certificates hanging form the brand themselves. However, when I tried to prove parts for my 15710 diver he quoted crazy prices and stated he gets parts directly from Switzerland. He does speak to Clearwater but when I expressed concern on my watch possible being magnetized a second time he took it up with Switzerland. That said, I'd still prefer Clearwater myself and one of my contacts there stated they are working on some things and I've sent a direct message to the op with a couple other options. The Toronto ad told me 895 cad to send to Clearwater which got overturned in the end. Now to send to Ottawa, it's a brink struck for 300 cad. Ad told me that, so did the guy in Ottawa and so did Clearwater. For a pricing comparison, from memory, Clearwater told me plots were 49 each 196. Ottawa was charging 600 and change. A hornback was 603 at Clearwater while Ottawa was over 1k. Clearwater prices were in us but still.


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[improviz]

OP, any updates??

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Perhaps you AD is pulling a fast one on you...

I find it hard to imagine anything other than this would be the case

[Passionata]

4k is a big pile of dough ,i guess either the movement need non standard replacement parts or they want to sell you a new bracelet.Let s see how ll they clarify the estimate

[JChow]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to loop back and update everyone.

SOOO - it looks like this was a case of miscommunication from a service center and an AD trying to put a RIDICULOUS markup on a service. I'll lay out the series of events with pricing (all in Canadian dollars).

$1600+tax - estimate for a routine service on a caliber 3120 given to me by the AD. In addition to the $1300 service, they tacked on an extra $300+tax for shipping (an obvious money grab but I was okay with it)

$4000+tax - estimate the AD delivered to me. No details provided. Nothing from the service center.

$2300+tax - contacted the service centre directly. They instructed me that the 3120 has had some parts upgraded and AP suggests that people have their movements updated. This adds another $1000+tax to a service.

$1300+tax - cost of a routine service (if done directly with the service center) without changing any parts

$1900+tax - after raising a stink, the AD offered to 'waive the shipping fee' and charge me ONLY $1900+tax.

Long story short, I will NEVER be dealing with this particular AD again. I get the need to make money and run a business, but adding 70%+ to a service cost is unreasonable.

[singe89]

$1000-1200 USD sounds about right. Wonder what they wanted to upgrade in the 3120 for an additional $1k. Wonder if it had to do with early 3120 movements and the rebanking issues.

[speedfighter]

Originally Posted by JChow

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to loop back and update everyone.

SOOO - it looks like this was a case of miscommunication from a service center and an AD trying to put a RIDICULOUS markup on a service. I'll lay out the series of events with pricing (all in Canadian dollars).

$1600+tax - estimate for a routine service on a caliber 3120 given to me by the AD. In addition to the $1300 service, they tacked on an extra $300+tax for shipping (an obvious money grab but I was okay with it)

$4000+tax - estimate the AD delivered to me. No details provided. Nothing from the service center.

$2300+tax - contacted the service centre directly. They instructed me that the 3120 has had some parts upgraded and AP suggests that people have their movements updated. This adds another $1000+tax to a service.

$1300+tax - cost of a routine service (if done directly with the service center) without changing any parts

$1900+tax - after raising a stink, the AD offered to 'waive the shipping fee' and charge me ONLY $1900+tax.

Long story short, I will NEVER be dealing with this particular AD again. I get the need to make money and run a business, but adding 70%+ to a service cost is unreasonable.

Sorry to hear about your grief. Was this AD Royal de Versailles in Toronto?