Servicing vintage at RSC London

[rootbeer7]

I've posted this here so that it gets more exposure, but please feel free to move if it should be in Vintage.
I've just bought a 1971ish 1675. It came watch and bracelet only, ran slow and with a rattling rota. It looked pretty untouched and genuine and the fact it may never have been serviced didn't bother me.
It's been interesting reading the 'papers or no papers' debate and with this in mind, had it had original papers it wouldn't have made it run any better!
I took it to RSC St James yesterday and although I trust the seller, I was pleased to hear it has never been reported stolen!
Before I even mentioned keeping all the parts original, the young lady said that it looked wonderful and that she would advise that no external parts are changed and a movement service only would be perfect. In fact, they now have a specialist vintage service aimed at treating these type of pieces with care and sympathetically replacing only where necessary.
She mentioned the word polish and must have seen me grimace! She said that with great care and attention they can give it the lightest polish to bring it back to perfection as it looked unpolished in her opinion.
The cost is appproximately £700 and some will baulk, but, I got the watch at a good price and will now have paperwork that does add value and a guarantee as well.
I will get an email confirmation next week of any further work required and it should be ready for collection in around 8 weeks.
I'll update as I get more information. I hope this is helpful

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

I've posted this here so that it gets more exposure, but please feel free to move if it should be in Vintage.
I've just bought a 1971ish 1675. It came watch and bracelet only, ran slow and with a rattling rota. It looked pretty untouched and genuine and the fact it may never have been serviced didn't bother me.
It's been interesting reading the 'papers or no papers' debate and with this in mind, had it had original papers it wouldn't have made it run any better!
I took it to RSC St James yesterday and although I trust the seller, I was pleased to hear it has never been reported stolen!
Before I even mentioned keeping all the parts original, the young lady said that it looked wonderful and that she would advise that no external parts are changed and a movement service only would be perfect. In fact, they now have a specialist vintage service aimed at treating these type of pieces with care and sympathetically replacing only where necessary.
She mentioned the word polish and must have seen me grimace! She said that with great care and attention they can give it the lightest polish to bring it back to perfection as it looked unpolished in her opinion.
The cost is appproximately £700 and some will baulk, but, I got the watch at a good price and will now have paperwork that does add value and a guarantee as well.
I will get an email confirmation next week of any further work required and it should be ready for collection in around 8 weeks.
I'll update as I get more information. I hope this is helpful

Thanks for posting, I'm starting to think about servicing my 1680, that I've had for four years and equally have no idea of previous history. It would be great to see updates and photos when you get it back. A specialist service by Rolex for Vintage that is more sympathetic to keeping things original, is great news

[Shaky]

Good to see that they are now giving it a class of its own, as opposed to people almost having to untick the options sheet in case they replace hands, dial etc.

Will be interesting to hear your views on the service when you get it back. Remember to take before and after shots

[Richard Carver]

Very interesting, thanks!

[scooba]

Thanks this is interesting ,I have three vintage Rolex between 40 and 50 yrs old and would love to know how this finishes up.

[Lol-x]

It is great to hear Rolex servicing these vintage pieces and doing so with sympathy to the provenience and antiquity of the timepiece.

[rootbeer7]

A small update: I received the quote which is £710 and which will not rise. Again I discussed the replacement of parts and again the centre assured me that nothing will be replaced (bezel insert, hands, dial, datewheel). I then mentioned a gentle polish. He assured me that had a watch been polished previously which left the case thin, then Rolex would not repolish, even if it was a customer request. It's now in their hands.

[Amex4711]

very interessting information, I'm curious

[penguin78]

Very good news that RSC would now service vintage watches, from what I read a few years ago the policy was to advise the owner to buy a new watch if they present a vintage that is over a number of years old?

[Rebel]

Can't wait to see the finished pics.

[brettpaul]

St James is awesome - nothing but good experiences with them.

[sutats]

That's terrific news. They've always recommended Steven Hale for vintage pieces which is around the corner from them.

Originally Posted by penguin78

Very good news that RSC would now service vintage watches, from what I read a few years ago the policy was to advise the owner to buy a new watch if they present a vintage that is over a number of years old?

Be mindful that the good news may only apply to London for the moment. As for the recommendation of buying a new one, I've never encountered such a suggestion. It would seem like a great way to trash their vintage collector's market and brand value.

[stevedssd]

Nice update, look forward to the photos when you get it back

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by brettpaul

St James is awesome - nothing but good experiences with them.

Same here

[GMT Aviator]

This is my fathers 1971 Datejust, worn every day since it was purchased and serviced every 7-9 years (approx) by Rolex RSC UK.
Still keeps great time and looks great. He also has the original box and papers.
Just let them service it. You won't be disappointed...

[Bigsykedaddy]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

I've posted this here so that it gets more exposure, but please feel free to move if it should be in Vintage.
I've just bought a 1971ish 1675. It came watch and bracelet only, ran slow and with a rattling rota. It looked pretty untouched and genuine and the fact it may never have been serviced didn't bother me.
It's been interesting reading the 'papers or no papers' debate and with this in mind, had it had original papers it wouldn't have made it run any better!
I took it to RSC St James yesterday and although I trust the seller, I was pleased to hear it has never been reported stolen!
Before I even mentioned keeping all the parts original, the young lady said that it looked wonderful and that she would advise that no external parts are changed and a movement service only would be perfect. In fact, they now have a specialist vintage service aimed at treating these type of pieces with care and sympathetically replacing only where necessary.
She mentioned the word polish and must have seen me grimace! She said that with great care and attention they can give it the lightest polish to bring it back to perfection as it looked unpolished in her opinion.
The cost is appproximately £700 and some will baulk, but, I got the watch at a good price and will now have paperwork that does add value and a guarantee as well.
I will get an email confirmation next week of any further work required and it should be ready for collection in around 8 weeks.
I'll update as I get more information. I hope this is helpful

Thanks for posting the info Congrats on the new pickup too!

Do you have a Root Beer GMT (hence the username) if so do you have any pictures of it?

Thanks again

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by Bigsykedaddy

Thanks for posting the info Congrats on the new pickup too!

Do you have a Root Beer GMT (hence the username) if so do you have any pictures of it?

Thanks again

I did. It went a couple of flips back! Look up my old posts

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by penguin78

Very good news that RSC would now service vintage watches, from what I read a few years ago the policy was to advise the owner to buy a new watch if they present a vintage that is over a number of years old?

Definitely great news!

[rootbeer7]

Got the email today. The watch is ready for collection. I'll pick it up on Thursday when I'm back in the City. Photos to come then.

[colpol]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Got the email today. The watch is ready for collection. I'll pick it up on Thursday when I'm back in the City. Photos to come then.

Must have missed 1st time round. Really interested to hear final report as looking to get my 1680 serviced later in year.

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Got the email today. The watch is ready for collection. I'll pick it up on Thursday when I'm back in the City. Photos to come then.

Great...looking forward to the pics

[Sky21]

Awesome news, looking froward to the results. Ready quicker than their estimate of 8 weeks as well!

[rootbeer7]

All I can say is "wow"! It looks amazing. Case, lugs and guards still thick. Chamfers clean and in my mind looks as good as in 1971ish! Btw they still carry the Admiralty Grey NATO straps, but you need to bring the watch in as they will not sell any parts/straps etc without the watch and logging the serial number. They are around £60. Here's the pictures on an iPhone. I can get better ones later with the clip-on lens I have. Interestingly they put the NATO back in a different way and it strapped up under my wrist.

[Golf&Watches]

Congratulations! The watch is looking fantastic. Knowing that the RSC are offering a more specialized service for vintage pieces should help to preserve these great watches. I'm looking forward to the additional photographs.

[Jeffwb65]

It looks GREAT. I'm curious, though. Did the service include replacing all the seals to ensure the water resistance? Not that You'll go diving with it, but occasional immersion without worry (child or pet bathing, washing dishes, etc.) would be good.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by Jeffwb65

It looks GREAT. I'm curious, though. Did the service include replacing all the seals to ensure the water resistance? Not that You'll go diving with it, but occasional immersion without worry (child or pet bathing, washing dishes, etc.) would be good.

When I dropped it in, I asked them not to replace crystal. For that reason, they said they could not guarantee it's water resistance. I forgot to ask when I picked it up. Truthfully it will be kept as a weekend watch for gentle pastimes rather than an every day, or moved on if it doesn't get worn enough.

[stevedssd]

They have done a great job, it puts RSC London/Kent back in as an option for Vintage Servicing........thanks for starting this thread

[dysondiver]

nice to see a great looking job done
great result

[rootbeer7]

Thank you all. I'm really delighted. Just waiting on Michael Young for my 7836 bracelet to be returned. HAGWE