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CaveDweller · 13 February 2017, 04:41 AM

Chuckwagon – it’s common-place for the AD to take the watch out of sight in the “back room” in the UK - never figured out if they were checking for “stolen” or condition, but in my dealings with “Watches of Switzerland” since 1988, this is just one of the personal insults we have to bear. Having established that you are not a thief, or a fraud, don’t expect their attitude to immediately change, at least they haven’t with me.

You walk in there feeling pleased you have a Rolex – they just stand there thinking “so” ? – ‘twas ever thus ……

As to the scratch – this was likely “on” the surface, rather than “in” the surface, and I congratulate you on being able to determine this when challenged. Furthermore, there is no way in Hades that the hands will have been damaged after six years on what is effectively a “sealed” watch. In regard to that matter, simply tell Rolex that you are happy with the hands the way they are – you can change your mind in six years time if you so choose.

When my shiny new 1988 DJ was damaged (the crystal was punched through) within a year of purchase, Rolex repaired the watch, and returned it (without comment), still with a tiny nick on the hour hand. That “nick” means that the watch is mine, and as I know its history, it somehow becomes “personal”. These things “grow” on you, and “with” you.

Rolex strive to return a watch to pristine condition, and only if you accept this, should you use a RSC. In your case, perhaps acceptable – in mine, hopefully I will be given the option to retain the hands.

A brief word about service intervals and reliability – the “new” Rolexes have (presumably) improved tolerances, together with changes to the lubricant used on the mechanism. A combination of the two suggest service intervals of ten years, but in your case, unless the watch is behaving badly, I’d take it to seven or even eight. In 1988, the (acceptable) level of time keeping was up to 90 seconds a month. It’s pointless to challenge Rolex over that figure, though an “independent” can often narrow it down for you. Roughly speaking, this equates to + or – 3 seconds a day. As long as this is a constant, it gets certified as “superlative chronometer”. The thing is defined as “constant”, therefore predictable – that’s what counts.

It is recommended that you wind the watch by hand as least once a month, especially if not worn during that period. It just keeps the lubricants moving, and prevents the watch from sticking.

Congratulations on a nice watch – together, you will go far ….

Chuckwagon · 13 February 2017, 10:57 AM

CaveDweller - Thanks for your kind advice and taking the time to write such a helpful post 🙂

I didn't really go in there feeling particularly pleased I had a Rolex - I was just thinking they might offer about £2000 which I think I might have accepted at the time as being a bit better than 50% depreciation. I know better now!

I think you're right they probably were checking if it was fake. He kept asking me if I had the box and 'papers'... I said yes but obviously not with me and he seemed unconvinced as he asked me again more than once. I'm wondering if they weren't interested in it because they thought it was fake or stolen (I am quite young and maybe don't fit their profile of a Rolex owner? And also I made a fuss saying they were not to open it up) and so they didn't want to risk it and therefore claimed there was a scratch as an excuse to reject it? 🤔

But as can be seen from my pics I am the original owner and obviously the watch is genuine otherwise Rolex would not have accepted it. 🙂

Anyway it all worked out well in the end and I am so glad they didn't want it as I almost could have let it go too cheaply!

Chuckwagon · 13 February 2017, 11:14 AM

Oh, and for anyone else looking to get their watch serviced by Rolex in London...

as you can see from my pic, the current turnaround time is 3 months (date received 3 Nov 2016, date service completed 2 Feb '17)

Hope that's helpful to know :)

Nextgenmom · 10 April 2018, 08:51 AM

I was reading this thread because my crystal is so scratched... I can barely read the time. A result of my keys and phone falling next to the driver’s seat... between the belt and center console.

However, someone asked if the hands would still glow if they had them replaced. Sadly, no.

I also own a few Tags. When my now 20-something children were in grade school, I had to replace the hands on one of the Tags and I could no longer see what time it was when someone woke up. I complained, but the company told me that Congress (in their infinite wisdom - not thinking about midnight and mothers of four) decided that the metal they were made out of was too dangerous and now we have what is essentially solar hands. They supposedly charge in the lights and only glow for a short time. Unfortunately, it’s not when I need to see the time, but when the lights go out.

They will let us continue to consume saccharine, but let’s avoid the next scandal of glowing watch hands. OOH!

John DSSD · 10 April 2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckwagon

UPDATE:

Ok I took it to Rolex St James London, they were really nice and the initial assessment is that there is NO scratch on the glass 🙂

As documented - only scratches and marks on the case and bracelet, as expected from normal wear, also they said the crown and bezel is marked which I've never noticed, but as you can see they have not listed any scratch on the glass.

I'm mighty relieved. The lesson I've learned is that high street secondhand watch dealers are not always to be trusted. I'm not sure why they would deliberately lie about a scratch on the glass? Or maybe they were implying it was a fake and that the glass is scratched because they think it's mineral glass. Or maybe they genuinely mistook a surface mark for a scratch 🤔

The other thing to mention is that Rolex said the standard cost of service for this model of watch is £470. This means the AD surcharges an extra £35 for handling as they quoted me £505. I would recommend taking it to Rolex directly, also they treat you very nice. Anyway they said it will be like new when I get it back and it will come with a fresh 2 year warranty although I doubt I'll need it as I never did for the original warranty when I bought it new 🙂

Goldsmith wanted £575 for sending my cousin's sub date in for service.
I'll tell him to take it down to ST James

Chuckwagon · 12 April 2018, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John DSSD

Goldsmith wanted £575 for sending my cousin's sub date in for service.

I'll tell him to take it down to ST James

Whoa that’s quite a bit more than I paid last year, although mine’s only a sub without date I believe all the sports models are the same price?

Anyway the high street ADs do charge extra for handling and insurance on your behalf, I believe. I definitely suggest taking it to Rolex in London personally. They offer to send it back to you by tracked delivery although i collected it myself as it seems the safest option and you can check it over yourself there and then.

When they give you the definitive quote after further inspection, they do state optional advisory as well as essential... a bit like for your car... so it may be extra on top of the basic service eg for my watch they advised essential to replace crown, and optional to replace hands.

Hope that helps

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wolffram · 12 April 2018, 10:44 AM

My 2015 SubC has a scratch on the crystal. I have no idea how it got there, and am also surprised it happened. Unlike your scratch, mine is here to stay ��, at least until it gets its first service anyway. I’ve learned to live with it ��

wolffram · 12 April 2018, 10:45 AM

Oh, and my Black Bay also has a scratched crystal now too! Something tells me I’m too hard on my watches!!!

mmmmp · 12 April 2018, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onikage

1. It's a preowned watch now.
2. The pawnbroker has no idea what he's talking about. Absolutely none.
3. Rolex wanting to gouge you for a full overhaul + hand replacement on a 6yr old running watch is ridiculous. The 5 year service interval thing is also BS. Authorised Rolex Dealer staff will understandably agree to anything that generates commission. Simple business, and if you agree to that lot then you sir are haemorrhaging £££s.
My advice to you - Find a reputatble prestige watch dealer to get close to market value. scratches and accuracy are negligible when it comes to preowned watches and they'll likely give it a quick refinish and regulating before they sell it.

Bravo! Man, that AD is giving our dear Rolex brother some bad advice indeed.

As for buying a full service, hands, non-existent scratches..and then *not* wearing it, well that's up to the OP.

If it was me, I'd have just ignored the original 'scratch' and enjoyed a fine Swiss timepiece.

But, hey! That's just me.
M

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Onikage · 12 April 2018, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmmp

Bravo! Man, that AD is giving our dear Rolex brother some bad advice indeed.

As for buying a full service, hands, non-existent scratches..and then *not* wearing it, well that's up to the OP.

If it was me, I'd have just ignored the original 'scratch' and enjoyed a fine Swiss timepiece.

But, hey! That's just me.
M

Sent from my SGH-I547C using Tapatalk

Yeah I remember this. You're aware this was a couple of years back? Looking to sell a nice Subby and some a-hole pawnbroker trying to buy it for peanuts then an AD shaking the change from his pockets - I was fuming! I hope everything worked out for the guy.

Chuckwagon · 12 April 2018, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolffram

Oh, and my Black Bay also has a scratched crystal now too! Something tells me I’m too hard on my watches!!!

That’s unlucky to scratch the glass on both your watches. Do you wear a diamond ring or work with tools, perhaps?

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Chuckwagon · 12 April 2018, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onikage

Yeah I remember this. You're aware this was a couple of years back? Looking to sell a nice Subby and some a-hole pawnbroker trying to buy it for peanuts then an AD shaking the change from his pockets - I was fuming! I hope everything worked out for the guy.

Thanks it did and I still have the watch. I didn’t resurrect the thread btw, I only came back to respond when I got a notification someone had posted something and it seemed only polite to reply

The other thing to mention is that Rolex London did a part-service subsequently when I dinged the side of the case. They polished out the case ding for £50 and it was a 2-week turnaround.

I mention this because I read somewhere before that Rolex always insist on a full service even if you have minor cosmetic damage. But they did a polish-only job for me. (And if anyone doesn’t believe me I have the Rolex invoice as proof)

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Onikage · 12 April 2018, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckwagon

That’s unlucky to scratch the glass on both your watches. Do you wear a diamond ring or work with tools, perhaps?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And here he is. Bet you're a happy bunny with the Sub now eh? I'd go back to the jeweller with all the Rolex gear if I were you, and tell the prat what a favour he did you and the incompetent fool he is for not buying your watch for under market value. Which you'd have been quite happy with at the time, had his idiocy not compelled you to look further into it.

Chuckwagon · 12 April 2018, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onikage

And here he is. Bet you're a happy bunny with the Sub now eh? I'd go back to the jeweller with all the Rolex gear if I were you, and tell the prat what a favour he did you and the incompetent fool he is for not buying your watch for under market value. Which you'd have been quite happy with at the time, had his idiocy not compelled you to look further into it.

Thanks O.

Yes... i had expected about 60% residual or about £2000 for it, I’m surprised how strong the demand is for the prices even for a used watch, i’m wiser now...

I did think about going back there and showing them the Rolex invoice confirming no scratch on the glass but I’m not one for one-upmanship lol...

I still have the sub but must admit I don’t really wear it much as i still find it too heavy & uncomfortable at times...hence why I don’t visit this forum a lot ...

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10 April 2018, 08:51 AM	#64
Nextgenmom "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 1	No More Glowing Hands I was reading this thread because my crystal is so scratched... I can barely read the time. A result of my keys and phone falling next to the driver’s seat... between the belt and center console. However, someone asked if the hands would still glow if they had them replaced. Sadly, no. I also own a few Tags. When my now 20-something children were in grade school, I had to replace the hands on one of the Tags and I could no longer see what time it was when someone woke up. I complained, but the company told me that Congress (in their infinite wisdom - not thinking about midnight and mothers of four) decided that the metal they were made out of was too dangerous and now we have what is essentially solar hands. They supposedly charge in the lights and only glow for a short time. Unfortunately, it’s not when I need to see the time, but when the lights go out. They will let us continue to consume saccharine, but let’s avoid the next scandal of glowing watch hands. OOH!

12 April 2018, 10:44 AM	#67
wolffram "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Tony Location: Melbourne, Aus Watch: 114060 Posts: 289	My 2015 SubC has a scratch on the crystal. I have no idea how it got there, and am also surprised it happened. Unlike your scratch, mine is here to stay ��, at least until it gets its first service anyway. I’ve learned to live with it �� __________________ Rolex SubC 114060 Tudor BB Red 79230R Tudor BB 58 79030N

12 April 2018, 10:45 AM	#68
wolffram "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Tony Location: Melbourne, Aus Watch: 114060 Posts: 289	Oh, and my Black Bay also has a scratched crystal now too! Something tells me I’m too hard on my watches!!! __________________ Rolex SubC 114060 Tudor BB Red 79230R Tudor BB 58 79030N

13 February 2017, 04:41 AM	#61
CaveDweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Gogland Watch: Timex Posts: 267	Chuckwagon – it’s common-place for the AD to take the watch out of sight in the “back room” in the UK - never figured out if they were checking for “stolen” or condition, but in my dealings with “Watches of Switzerland” since 1988, this is just one of the personal insults we have to bear. Having established that you are not a thief, or a fraud, don’t expect their attitude to immediately change, at least they haven’t with me. You walk in there feeling pleased you have a Rolex – they just stand there thinking “so” ? – ‘twas ever thus …… As to the scratch – this was likely “on” the surface, rather than “in” the surface, and I congratulate you on being able to determine this when challenged. Furthermore, there is no way in Hades that the hands will have been damaged after six years on what is effectively a “sealed” watch. In regard to that matter, simply tell Rolex that you are happy with the hands the way they are – you can change your mind in six years time if you so choose. When my shiny new 1988 DJ was damaged (the crystal was punched through) within a year of purchase, Rolex repaired the watch, and returned it (without comment), still with a tiny nick on the hour hand. That “nick” means that the watch is mine, and as I know its history, it somehow becomes “personal”. These things “grow” on you, and “with” you. Rolex strive to return a watch to pristine condition, and only if you accept this, should you use a RSC. In your case, perhaps acceptable – in mine, hopefully I will be given the option to retain the hands. A brief word about service intervals and reliability – the “new” Rolexes have (presumably) improved tolerances, together with changes to the lubricant used on the mechanism. A combination of the two suggest service intervals of ten years, but in your case, unless the watch is behaving badly, I’d take it to seven or even eight. In 1988, the (acceptable) level of time keeping was up to 90 seconds a month. It’s pointless to challenge Rolex over that figure, though an “independent” can often narrow it down for you. Roughly speaking, this equates to + or – 3 seconds a day. As long as this is a constant, it gets certified as “superlative chronometer”. The thing is defined as “constant”, therefore predictable – that’s what counts. It is recommended that you wind the watch by hand as least once a month, especially if not worn during that period. It just keeps the lubricants moving, and prevents the watch from sticking. Congratulations on a nice watch – together, you will go far ….

13 February 2017, 10:57 AM	#62
Chuckwagon "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: UK Watch: Seiko,Casio,Rolex Posts: 147	CaveDweller - Thanks for your kind advice and taking the time to write such a helpful post 🙂 I didn't really go in there feeling particularly pleased I had a Rolex - I was just thinking they might offer about £2000 which I think I might have accepted at the time as being a bit better than 50% depreciation. I know better now! I think you're right they probably were checking if it was fake. He kept asking me if I had the box and 'papers'... I said yes but obviously not with me and he seemed unconvinced as he asked me again more than once. I'm wondering if they weren't interested in it because they thought it was fake or stolen (I am quite young and maybe don't fit their profile of a Rolex owner? And also I made a fuss saying they were not to open it up) and so they didn't want to risk it and therefore claimed there was a scratch as an excuse to reject it? 🤔 But as can be seen from my pics I am the original owner and obviously the watch is genuine otherwise Rolex would not have accepted it. 🙂 Anyway it all worked out well in the end and I am so glad they didn't want it as I almost could have let it go too cheaply!

13 February 2017, 11:14 AM	#63
Chuckwagon "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: UK Watch: Seiko,Casio,Rolex Posts: 147	Oh, and for anyone else looking to get their watch serviced by Rolex in London... as you can see from my pic, the current turnaround time is 3 months (date received 3 Nov 2016, date service completed 2 Feb '17) Hope that's helpful to know :)

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