Recent Rolliworks reviews?

[dakotap]

My dad’s 16613 sub bracelet is beyond worn out and he needs to have it repaired/tightened as well as clean up the case at the same time. I was intending to use Rolliworks out of Miami. They have only ever used RSC’s for anything they needed but he is wanting to avoid the steep cost of a two tone bracelet replacement from an RSC. Anyone have some recent reviews of Rolliworks or have other recommendations stateside before I pull the trigger and ship it to Miami? I have heard of Michael Young in HK but there’s no way they would agree to shipping it out of the country.

[Flypanam]

There are probably other places, but Rolliworks and Michael Young are the two that I frequently hear positive things about, not just recently, but for a long time now. It's a painstaking process to repair a stretched bracelet, and I'd fear that some places would just try to stick in some shitty aftermarket pins or something, rather than straightening the originals or using OEM pins.

[fskywalker]

Rolliworks did a refurbish on my gone DD 18239 president bracelet and was very pleased with the end result. Below before and after picture:




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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Rolliworks did a refurbish on my gone DD 18239 president bracelet and was very pleased with the end result. Below before and after picture:




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That looks fantastic

[BBRAYS]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That looks fantastic

This job is nicely done! I'm supper impressed.

[EvelynWaugh]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Rolliworks did a refurbish on my gone DD 18239 president bracelet and was very pleased with the end result. Below before and after picture:




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Thats fantastic work. I wonder if there any downsides to doing bracelet restoration on president bracelets. Like are there markings or signs that appears unoriginal once you get it tightened like that?

[johnliley]

Check out Zimmerman watch repair as well. He refurbed my Exp II

JL

[norcalgt3]

I trust rolliworks more than RSC

[espanol]

Originally Posted by norcalgt3

I trust rolliworks more than RSC

Why is that? I’ve had Rolex watches serviced through RSC USA and Dubai over the last 15 years with absolutely no problems. In fact, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences both with vintage and modern. I’d only trust RSC in some cases.

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by espanol

Why is that? I’ve had Rolex watches serviced through RSC USA and Dubai over the last 15 years with absolutely no problems. In fact, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences both with vintage and modern. I’d only trust RSC in some cases.

You can find lots of negative RSC stories on this forum, have never heard of one from Rollieworks, IMHO they are cheaper and better. My one experience with them was positive, taking the stretch out of a 1984 DJ

[77T]

Originally Posted by espanol

Why is that? I’ve had Rolex watches serviced through RSC USA and Dubai over the last 15 years with absolutely no problems. In fact, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences both with vintage and modern. I’d only trust RSC in some cases.

I think the context matters. This thread is discussing refurbishment of the bracelet.

The RSC does not do that work.

Thus, someone saying Rolliworks is superior to the RSC in bracelet refurbishment is automatically accurate.


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[espanol]

Originally Posted by East of Eden

You can find lots of negative RSC stories on this forum, have never heard of one from Rollieworks, IMHO they are cheaper and better. My one experience with them was positive, taking the stretch out of a 1984 DJ

Originally Posted by 77T

I think the context matters. This thread is discussing refurbishment of the bracelet.

The RSC does not do that work.

Thus, someone saying Rolliworks is superior to the RSC in bracelet refurbishment is automatically accurate.


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Got it, thanks to you both.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by espanol

Why is that? I’ve had Rolex watches serviced through RSC USA and Dubai over the last 15 years with absolutely no problems. In fact, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences both with vintage and modern. I’d only trust RSC in some cases.

I agree with this. Kinda funny how people just sheepishly follow along with notions about RSC being bad. I have no problem with independent watchmakers, but people really are silly sometimes

[espanol]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

I agree with this. Kinda funny how people just sheepishly follow along with notions about RSC being bad. I have no problem with independent watchmakers, but people really are silly sometimes

Totally agree. The sheepish behavior spans so many aspects of this 'hobby.' I consider myself to be heavily interested in quite a few hobbies, but have found the echo chamber in watch collecting is the loudest, by far.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by norcalgt3

I trust rolliworks more than RSC

/\ This /\

[IgCarr]

Rolliworks just refurbished a two-tone jubilee bracelet for me for a vintage Turn-O-Graph that was stretched beyond belief. They did an incredible job. The stretch is completely gone and they added three links to get it back to standard. I don't have pictures to share but I highly recommend them.

[joli160]

RSC’s don’t repair but just replace so for a bracelet refurb they are useless.
From what I have seen here on TRF Rolliworks do a solid job.

[worldofoyster]

Originally Posted by joli160

RSC’s don’t repair but just replace so for a bracelet refurb they are useless.
From what I have seen here on TRF Rolliworks do a solid job.

this^

[HHIslander]

If there’s a negative review about Rolliworks bracelet work, I’ve never seen it. I’d trust them completely.

[skipstar]

I recently used Rolliworks for a PCL polish only and no physical repairs. I was very pleased with the end results.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I sent a sacked-out 14060m bracelet to Michael Young in HK pre-Covid. It came back flawless and communication was excellent. I’ve never read anything other than glowing reviews for Rolliworks here on TRF. I’ve read fewer reviews for Michael Young but also positive.

[rockmastermike]

to add another data point I have had Rollieworks do both 1) refurb my jubilee and 2) service my 1680 sub about 18 months apart and the consistency and work and service was and is outstanding

[dg8dg7]

My personal experience was pretty mixed for my vintage rolex riveted bracelet and case polish if I'm honest. I was quoted an amount far below the final cost despite my initial inquiry specifically talking about a T-bar that would likely need replacing that I later found out would be an additional $175. I would have just sourced one myself before hand had I known or been told that cost up front.

There also were some parts replaced without first inquiring with me, such as a crown tube that didn't need to be done (my watchmaker had serviced it prior and made no indication that the tube had an issue), and I just felt a bit mislead from the initial response to my inquiry. My final amount was nearly $400 more than the quote.

The finished case and bracelet was excellent, but if I'm honest I wouldn't have done it in the first place for the final price. I think their work is excellent, I just wish they were more detailed on their quotes, or checked in with repairs during the process - they are just so busy that they make the judgement call but that doesn't work for everyone.

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[Pepperjack]

Originally Posted by dg8dg7

There also were some parts replaced without first inquiring with me, such as a crown tube that didn't need to be done (my watchmaker had serviced it prior and made no indication that the tube had an issue)

Obviously I can't know what the exact scenario was, and this by no means absolves them of anything else, but I just want to say that crown tubes can have a variety of issues. It's uncommon, but they can snap when removing them, snap when installing them, and the ridges inside (for engagement with the installation key) often wear down over time. Crown tubes are more-or-less consumables. That said, I'm surprised they would charge you for a tube, especially since it wasn't estimated for in the first place. Maybe I'm spoiled, but my shop throws those things away like they're nothing.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Pepperjack

Obviously I can't know what the exact scenario was, and this by no means absolves them of anything else, but I just want to say that crown tubes can have a variety of issues. It's uncommon, but they can snap when removing them, snap when installing them, and the ridges inside (for engagement with the installation key) often wear down over time. Crown tubes are more-or-less consumables. That said, I'm surprised they would charge you for a tube, especially since it wasn't estimated for in the first place. Maybe I'm spoiled, but my shop throws those things away like they're nothing.

Rolliworks doesn't have a Rolex parts account so some things that are super cheap at an AD/RSC can end up costing quite a bit on the aftermarket. They are careful to only use genuine Rolex parts. So something like an aluminum bezel insert will cost market price not RSC price. They do excellent work though. They serviced my sub and 5 years later still at +2 spd. As near as I can tell they are among the best for rebuilding trashed cases and bracelets.

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

Rolliworks doesn't have a Rolex parts account

I think they do

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by East of Eden

I think they do

They don’t. A crystal that costs $130 from an RSC is over $400 from Rolliworks. For serving I’d definitely use an RSC.

[pandrew6l]

Did a quick search this morning on Rollieworks, came up with a " Permanently Closed " message. Anyone knows the story? Thinking about bring an Explorer II Polar in for service.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by pandrew6l

Did a quick search this morning on Rollieworks, came up with a " Permanently Closed " message. Anyone knows the story? Thinking about bring an Explorer II Polar in for service.

Probably was the old location in California. BTW Rolex service centers across the globe are rolling out laser welding as an option. Not sure if ones in the States have it yet but many in Europe do.

[Xelor5513]

I had RSC service my Abuelo’s 1966 5513 last year. It came back with a caution note suggesting that its 93150 service bracelet was pretty worn and weak and a potential liability.
After receiving many positive recommendations for Rolliworks, I sent the 93150 bracelet to them in August. The work took about 3 weeks and cost me around $375USD. Mike did an amazing job restoring it. They also let you decide if you want it polished, and if so how much on a scale of 1-5. The in-house jeweler at my AD commented on how impressed he was with the like new restored tolerances.
I give Rolliworks 5 stars and