DRSD Service costs

[daveycrawford]

Hi
I recently took my '73 Double Red into Rolex for a quote for a general service with no polishing to be done or parts replaced. There is some dust on the dial I would like removed and a general light check/service completed.
The estimate came back from Rolex Switzerland as Rolex UK cannot do it.
The price was in the range of £1600 to £5000.
What does the forum think about that price for that level of service?

[lee fowler]

Wow! Drop Graham a message at Superlative Time he did my DRSD for a fraction of that.

[daveycrawford]

Will look him up. Don't mind charging but they had it over a month just to look at it!!!

[colpol]

I was thinking of putting my DRSD in next year
That’s a eye watering sum especially as my 2005 SD done for £475 last year

[05carbondrz]

That’s insane! And guess which price it will be? Always the expensive one!

[R!$]

sounds awfully high

[ianmcg]

Originally Posted by daveycrawford

Hi
I recently took my '73 Double Red into Rolex for a quote for a general service with no polishing to be done or parts replaced. There is some dust on the dial I would like removed and a general light check/service completed.
The estimate came back from Rolex Switzerland as Rolex UK cannot do it.
The price was in the range of £1600 to £5000.
What does the forum think about that price for that level of service?

Not sure what went on there with yours or where you took it but I did exactly the same recently and it was all done (including a new crystal) for £700.

And a new bracelet for a very reasonable £900.

Ian

[scooba]

Originally Posted by ianmcg

Not sure what went on there with yours or where you took it but I did exactly the same recently and it was all done (including a new crystal) for £700.

And a new bracelet for a very reasonable £900.

Ian

Hi Ian,

I hope you are well , would you mind putting some pics up of the DRSD after service,

May I ask was you worried about the dial chipping around the edge or am I being overly cautious , I would love to have my MK 4 serviced

TIA

[Styles Bitchley]

Somethings off with your estimate. About four years ago I had my 1680 in for a full movement service and new crystal in Geneva and it came to about CHF1,100. Perhaps they’ve referred you to that little talked about heritage service Rolex Switzerland does? Sounds like those kind of numbers...


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[harry in montreal]

That is an insane quote

[watchmaker]

Please don't hesitate to drop me a message if you are looking for Rolex servicing in London or generally just have any questions

[eton97]

I’m quite surprised by this. My drsd was serviced by Rolex st James as was my maxi mk1 and 1675. I’m sure all of them cost under £1k and I’m almost 100% certain they were all serviced in London. I also had zero issues and each experience has been perfect.
I’ll check my receipts but please feel free to dm me and I can give you the details of the person I always deal with.

[eton97]

Originally Posted by scooba

May I ask was you worried about the dial chipping around the edge or am I being overly cautious , I would love to have my MK 4 serviced

TIA

I don’t think you are being overly cautious. I freak out every time I hand it over. I’m yet to have a chip on my mk4.

[Vincent65]

Rolex Geneva don't do "a general light check/service " and they will replace worn parts as necessary. It's a thorough overhaul ('revision') but if you have specific requests, they'll be open to discuss, I believe.

[rootbeer7]

RSC St James will do this £5-600

[ianmcg]

Originally Posted by scooba

Hi Ian,

I hope you are well , would you mind putting some pics up of the DRSD after service,

May I ask was you worried about the dial chipping around the edge or am I being overly cautious , I would love to have my MK 4 serviced

TIA

Hi Paul,

All good sorry for the delay but here it is. I wasn't that worried about chips they're practically a badge of authenticity. It already had a service crystal so it basically looks exactly the same as it did before the service. Ignore the rain drops - happily of course the upside of the service crystal is it's waterproof!

Cheers

Ian

[SearChart]

15×× calibers are generally higher cost as they are more labour intensive and parts are a not as cheap as 31×× calibers. But that is indeed outragous.

I find it odd that Rolex UK can't service this.

[ianmcg]

You may want to read the whole thread....

We don't know where the OP went to but Rolex UK can do it, they do do it and they do it for 700 or so. So, less than than a few % of the watch's value. Independents in the UK have charged similar amounts so what's not to like??

[betterwatchit]

Having dropped off a SD for a service at St James recently, I understand their new policy is to send all ‘reds’ to Genève. Whites they’ll still do in the U.K.

[ianmcg]

Originally Posted by betterwatchit

Having dropped off a SD for a service at St James recently, I understand their new policy is to send all ‘reds’ to Genève. Whites they’ll still do in the U.K.

Bizarre. They seem to be all over the place. St James's did my red in February without a question. And of course for service purposes there is no difference between whites and reds.

Ian

[Tools]

It's a 30 to 40K watch and is likely being estimated by Rolex special vintage division.

It's expensive but you can't question the pedigree.

[116710er]

I recently called RSC Beverly Hills (in the past month) and this is what they told me for vintage pieces: the watch gets sent to their vintage specialists in Pennsylvania. There is a $500 NON-REFUNDABLE inspection/estimate fee. If you opt for service, the $500 is applied towards the service cost which is $2000 and covers any INTERNAL part and replacement crystal. Crown/Tube, if needed, are extra.

The person I spoke with also mentioned that they would replace the dial if necessary..on a Red Sub...gee, thanks? I said "No thanks" to all of it.

[betterwatchit]

The policy seems different in different service centres. St James is actually very good with vintage, will never change anything if you don’t want, will always try to keep the watch as original as possible. And, they’ll never make any changes against your preference without first asking. If you don’t want the changes, they’ll return the watch reassembled.

[scooba]

Originally Posted by ianmcg

Hi Paul,

All good sorry for the delay but here it is. I wasn't that worried about chips they're practically a badge of authenticity. It already had a service crystal so it basically looks exactly the same as it did before the service. Ignore the rain drops - happily of course the upside of the service crystal is it's waterproof!

Cheers

Ian

Thank you for sharing , it looks lovely 😊 have you bought anything else recently

[116710er]

Originally Posted by ianmcg

That insert...

[daveycrawford]

It was took to a rolex AD in Newcastle. They sent it to Rolex UK they said it was all genuine and not stolen etc but provide no paperwork to back that up. Rolex uk said it needed to go to switzerland due to its value. Again the 1600 to 5000 was verbal at the dealer. So they charged me £50 and i have no proof its been to rolex. Dont get me wrong the AD in question are second to non. They got me the new red sea dweller. I just cant seem to get any paperwork from anyone to say its genuine and what its value might be. It does not need a service just want it checked that all parts are original and genuine.
Like i say the dealers are 100% great and service second to non but Rolex uk? Wont touch it? Has to go to switzerland? And then that price

[roh123]

You don’t have an independant watch maker you trust? That is worth so much these days when collecting. Try to find someone decently close to you and build a relationship. That is worth a ton. Try asking fellow collectors if you don’t know where to start.

Really no point in sending it to Geneva. They won’t do a better job than anyone else. Best of luck!