DJ is off to "camp" for a few weeks...

[Wooddog44]

My DJ went from gaining it's normal 4 or so sec./day to approx +10 sec./day in a one month span so I boxed it up and sent off to Rik at Time Care for a check up.

Said over the phone that his turnaround time right now is about six weeks but told me that last spring when I sent my Sub and did a great job on that and had it back to me in exactly four weeks so I'm hopeful for a sooner return!

Above pic is Sub, after service, below is DJ before.

It arrived there today so the clock is running, will send pics when I get it back...

[ejvette]

How come you didn't send it in to a Rolex service center just curious.

[h20addict]

I've got my 1680 attending the same camp right now. Excited to see Rik's makeover.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by ejvette

How come you didn't send it in to a Rolex service center just curious.

It seems that through all of the back and forth over service on this forum there has been, in my unofficial "poll", about a 50/50 split between those who've had great experience going the RSC route and those with horror stories. That may be skewed by those in the "middle" who may have had a satisfactory experience but weren't pleased "enough" to comment.

On the other hand, prior to sending my Sub to Time Care last year, I read nothing but great comments from those who had Rik work on their watches so I decided to give him a try. He did a great job on my Sub, it came back quickly (4 weeks exactly door to door compared to the reported 8 plus weeks going the RSC route) , looking great, running at +.25 sec/day and at a fair price in comparison to RSC.

After the great job he did on my Sub I decided that when my DJ needed service there was no question it would also go to Rik. My wife's is the newest of the three but in a couple of years (hopefully no sooner) when hers needs service that will go to Rik as well. He really does a great job, calls you to patiently discuss the work, and gets them turned around much more quickly than what I've heard about the RSC's.

[MickCollins1916]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

It seems that through all of the back and forth over service on this forum there has been, in my unofficial "poll", about a 50/50 split between those who've had great experience with the RSC route and those with horror stories. That may be skewed by those in the "middle" who just had a satisfactory experience but weren't pleased "enough" to comment.



On the other hand, prior to sending my Sub to Time Care last year, I read nothing but great comments from those who had Rik work on their watches so I decided to give him a try. He did a great job on my Sub, it came back quickly (4 weeks exactly door to door compared to the 8 plus weeks going the RSC route) , looking great running at +.25 sec/day and at a fair price in comparison to RSC.



After the great job he did on my Sub I decided that when my DJ needed service there was no question that it would also go to Rik. My wife's is the newest of the three but in a couple of years (hopefully no sooner) when hers needs service that will go to Rik as well, he really does a great job, calls you to patiently discuss the work, and gets them turned around much more quickly than what I've heard about the RSC's.

I'm a Rik devotee myself. He'd worked on two prior watches for me, and both were excellent experiences in every respect. The third he's working on now, and it is slated to be returned to me late next week.

He's not kidding about the backlog right now - he's had my 16600 since April 20th. It's not his fault, since I understand there to be some problems with Rolex parts distribution at the moment holding up the show for him.

Great dude, and I am going to send a Tudor Sub to him at some point in the next few days.

[ejvette]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

It seems that through all of the back and forth over service on this forum there has been, in my unofficial "poll", about a 50/50 split between those who've had great experience going the RSC route and those with horror stories. That may be skewed by those in the "middle" who just had a satisfactory experience but weren't pleased "enough" to comment.

On the other hand, prior to sending my Sub to Time Care last year, I read nothing but great comments from those who had Rik work on their watches so I decided to give him a try. He did a great job on my Sub, it came back quickly (4 weeks exactly door to door compared to the reported 8 plus weeks going the RSC route) , looking great, running at +.25 sec/day and at a fair price in comparison to RSC.

After the great job he did on my Sub I decided that when my DJ needed service there was no question it would also go to Rik. My wife's is the newest of the three but in a couple of years (hopefully no sooner) when hers needs service that will go to Rik as well. He really does a great job, calls you to patiently discuss the work, and gets them turned around much more quickly than what I've heard about the RSC's.

Just curious I see you also live on LI and I've always taken my watch to London jewelers I just assumed they were sending it to the RSC but then again they may have an in house service dept I never actually asked but my most recent experience with them is a real horror story so I may try your guy for my next service.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by ejvette

Just curious I see you also live on LI and I've always taken my watch to London jewelers I just assumed they were sending it to the RSC but then again they may have an in house service dept I never actually asked but my most recent experience with them is a real horror story so I may try your guy for my next service.

Gotcha, was just in Southampton yesterday. I have used Rose Jewelers in the past. They have (had?) an in house watchmaker and he's not bad, but Rik has done what I would call really exceptional work.

[Mystro]

Rikki is the only one that touches any of my watches. Rolex, Panerai, etc... Where Rikki is superior to RSC is he is THE only one that handles and works on the watch. His work is outstanding and he puts a bit more time and care into regulating. Too many people in the RSC that doesn't need to take responsibility for their work. They are also hidden behind a cloak of anonymity. Rikki's is the only one responsible and I can speak directly to the hands that open my watch. I value and would pay more for that personalization.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Rikki is the only one that touches any of my watches. Rolex, Panerai, etc... Where Rikki is superior to RSC is he is THE only one that handles and works on the watch. His work is outstanding and he puts a bit more time and care into regulating. Too many people in the RSC that doesn't need to take responsibility for their work. They are also hidden behind a cloak of anonymity. Rikki's is the only one responsible and I can speak directly to the hands that open my watch. I value and would pay more for that personalization.

Not exactly true. Up until just recently, his son did all the refinishing work. If you opt for no case/bracelet refinishing, then what you said is true.

That his work is exceptional.....now that is 100% factual.

[h20addict]

Im excited to be picking up my 1680 from Rik tomorrow morning. Separate post to follow with pics.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by h20addict

Im excited to be picking up my 1680 from Rik tomorrow morning. Separate post to follow with pics.

It's a bit of a haul from Tampa, but still nice to have him local, isn't it?

[Wooddog44]

"I'm excited to be picking up my 1680 from Rik tomorrow morning. Separate post to follow with pics."

Please say hello to my DJ while you're there and don't do too much chatting with Rik, he's got work to do...

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by h20addict

I've got my 1680 attending the same camp right now. Excited to see Rik's makeover.

When I called him about sending my DJ Rik cautioned that, with the present Rolex parts "issue", he may be a bit behind in getting work out, please indulge a question, what was your total turnaround time?

[h20addict]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

Please say hello to my DJ while you're there and don't do too much chatting with Rik, he's got work to do...

Rik has a wealth of horological knowledge and it was definitely a privilege to get to chat with him for the short time I had.

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

When I called him about sending my DJ Rik cautioned that, with the present Rolex parts "issue", he may be a bit behind in getting work out, please indulge a question, what was your total turnaround time?

As for my lead time, I dropped it off at the post office April 18th and Rik called me to say it was ready on June 2nd.

[sea-dweller]

Let us know how it turns out!

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by h20addict

Rik has a wealth of horological knowledge and it was definitely a privilege to get to chat with him for the short time I had.



As for my lead time, I dropped it off at the post office April 18th and Rik called me to say it was ready on June 2nd.

Thanks for that info, he said it would likely take him 8 weeks to get any needed parts, do the work and get it back to me, and it looks like he got yours back in about 7 weeks, so we'll see... How did it look?

[Karlig]

Don't forget Vanessa CW 21, J.O.T. jewelers, Newport Beach Ca. She just serviced my 16618 several months ago and it came out perfect. General service and light polishing job made the watch look like new. Very quick turnaround and a reasonable price. She's been mentioned many times on the forum for a good reason.

[h20addict]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

Thanks for that info, he said it would likely take him 8 weeks to get any needed parts, do the work and get it back to me, and it looks like he got yours back in about 7 weeks, so we'll see... How did it look?

Looks as new as an almost 40 year old can look, in a word amazing. I'm very impressed with how it came out.

[MickCollins1916]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

When I called him about sending my DJ Rik cautioned that, with the present Rolex parts "issue", he may be a bit behind in getting work out, please indulge a question, what was your total turnaround time?

Just received my 16600 from UPS. Rik had it from April 20-now, but worth the wait for his excellent work, and money spent with him is well spent.

For those who've worked with Rik before, he also mentioned to me last week he upgraded his business software, so the invoices look a little different than they used to.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

Just received my 16600 from UPS. Rik had it from April 20-now, but worth the wait for his excellent work, and money spent with him is well spent.

For those who've worked with Rik before, he also mentioned to me last week he upgraded his business software, so the invoices look a little different than they used to.

Looks fantastic, great pics!!
Rik has done a COA on both my watches, Sub last summer and DJ last month, and I highly endorse his work.
Can't post pics of my recently finished DJ but it looks like a brand new watch and is running at approx +.5 sec/day.