I HATE WHEN RSC's SWAP PARTS WITHOUT PERMISSION! To me it's a BIG Issue!

[subtona]

Originally Posted by HL65

Well said Gus and agree! Sadly many people out there don't read forums nor have any idea of what they might have and value. I think this is a good thread and for the person that suggested RSC wouldn't service a watch by OP that is plain silly JMHO. Clearly there is a divide between vintage and modern when it comes to service and vintage collectors will always seek to preserve the value and integrity of what they own.

Ken

[subtona]

Originally Posted by dexvd

Like that guys case who had his dial put back to original, I shipped my GMT back to RSC Toronto after service was completed and they changed the bezel and they put my original bezel back on as they did in this guy's case, that was referenced in the thread you shared http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...=399600&page=2

So they at least hold onto the parts temporarily and seem to have some track of what parts came from whose watch even after a few weeks have passed (the time for my watch to be shipped back to my AD for me to receive).

So would it be unreasonable to believe there is an awareness on the part of RSC when they swap out a part that has some known significance?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Viffer

...What's not crossed your mind with your rant is that you've probably burnt your bridges with any RSC. All it takes is one Rolex technician to read your unfounded allegations on a public forum and I suspect you'll be a marked man for some time. Send any watch in for work and it'll come back looking great but with a quartz movement and a used battery but it'll keep good time, until the warranty is up. I suspect the independents would also be wary, God forbid any issues and it'll be rant time again.
I'd start chatting up the Mods to get the thread deleted but there again you might like quartz movements

That would explain it, among all the millions of customers, RSC must have had a book on me back in 1995 when they really did a number on my watch during its first service..

Seriously I would double down on sharing the information regarding the all too often lack of consideration for the customers watch.

Ok I'm off the rails. I'll sit quietly now.

[Ckci]

Gus, I really appreciate your insight. I will also say that I've received a number of PM's from people who are pillars of this forum informing me of the incredibly bad experiences they have had with the RSC's and it's worse than I thought. I am now less convinced that a form can really help except that maybe fewer beautiful historic dials and bezels will end up in the RSC's trash bins or wherever else they end up. I have a hard time understanding how anyone could purposely erase their own great history to the degree the RSC's seem to. As I said earlier the one thing is does is increase the value of the original pieces I and others have, but honestly I'd trade the increased value to have more fine original pieces around for more people to enjoy!

The swiping of dials that can run into the many thousands of dollars being swaped for cheap white luminova dials that are worth a few hundred is serious. Any of you that don't think so can send me all of your 4 and 5 digit Rolexes with perfect dials with lots of dirty looking patina and I will send them back to you with brand spanking new luminova dials, without your permission of course. You can thank me later. It is great to know none of you would consider that a felony theft.

[beshannon]

Sorry I stopped reading at "dangerous practice"

[ppbskis]

Originally Posted by droptopman

I am with you on this Russell.
I personally use a trusted independent watch smith to do any work on my vintage pieces. I just won't take a chance on RSC. I know many have used RSC for vintage watches and provided instructions that were followed, but we still hear too many stories of when the instructions were not followed.
Before I got into vintage watches and long before watch forums, and really before I knew much about watches, I thought a full RSC service was a great thing...on a fairly modern watch. I remember sending in my beaten up daily wear 16610 and getting back something that looked like new. I thought that was a great deal at the time. But that was not a rare watch and the replaced parts are easily accessible. That was many years ago and the watch is long gone. Thinking back they changed the tritium dial and hands for a lumi dial and hands and a lumi insert...if it was today, I would definitely want to keep all the original parts. I guess my taste has changed over the years.

You nailed it! When a watch is fairly fresh it doesn't matter. If it's a vintage piece that's a whole nother ballgame. As I had posted earlier, I wish I had known that the original face was vital to the originality of my 11800.
It's a different time now, I think many believe that they have acquired future classics and will strive to maintain originality going forward.

[Cimballi]

Originally Posted by Viffer

All the information about Rolex servicing has been available on the forum for years, I found what I wanted to know when I joined in '13 and can make my own mind up on how I want my watch repaired/serviced. Thousands of owners take their watches to RSC's and get them back looking like new, just as they want them. And with a warranty card to boot, the mythical "papers" that everybody wants. If you don't want that there's plenty of independents who can work with your requirements, it's called choice. Perhaps you should have considered this when you bought your collection at the end of last year.
What's not crossed your mind with your rant is that you've probably burnt your bridges with any RSC. All it takes is one Rolex technician to read your unfounded allegations on a public forum and I suspect you'll be a marked man for some time. Send any watch in for work and it'll come back looking great but with a quartz movement and a used battery but it'll keep good time, until the warranty is up. I suspect the independents would also be wary, God forbid any issues and it'll be rant time again.
I'd start chatting up the Mods to get the thread deleted but there again you might like quartz movements

I am the biggest proponent of discussion forums and I consider that there is more valuable information accumulated in a forum like this one that in any other place on the web.
This said, just like ANY service provider, a Rolex RSC must have a contract which indicates very specifically the extent of the service provided and whether or not the replaced parts will be given back to the watch owner or will be recycled.
All one need to do is to request and read the contract before signing the work order.
As for solving a problematics situation after the facts and unless specifically indicated in a contract the owner is entitled to request that the RSC puts the original parts back into the watch and take legal action if things are not done as they should. As a data point a vintage Rolex dial can be worth thousands of dollars.

In conclusion, there is no need to check years of chatter on this forum to handle properly the process with an RSC, although it may help raise awareness of potential issues.

As for "burning bridges" with God...hum..a Rolex RSC, I find this irrelevant at best. I have a few others words for it but I would be allowed this use them here.

[Ckci]

Originally Posted by ppbskis

You nailed it! When a watch is fairly fresh it doesn't matter. If it's a vintage piece that's a whole nother ballgame. As I had posted earlier, I wish I had known that the original face was vital to the originality of my 11800.
It's a different time now, I think many believe that they have acquired future classics and will strive to maintain originality going forward.

Thanks and I agree. Also I'd like to say I consider Droptopman to be a friend from the vintage discussion side. He has some beautiful watches. The pics of his minty 5513 are some of my favorite on TRF. Did I forget to mention it has a gilt dial I also think owners of both old and new Rolex watches should be able to get their watch(es) serviced without the fear of having the original dials and bezels strongarmed away from them.

Originally Posted by Cimballi

I am the biggest proponent of discussion forums and I consider that there is more valuable information accumulated in a forum like this one that in any other place on the web.
This said, just like ANY service provider, a Rolex RSC must have a contract which indicates very specifically the extent of the service provided and whether or not the replaced parts will be given back to the watch owner or will be recycled.
All one need to do is to request and read the contract before signing the work order.
As for solving a problematics situation after the facts and unless specifically indicated in a contract the owner is entitled to request that the RSC puts the original parts back into the watch and take legal action if things are not done as they should. As a data point a vintage Rolex dial can be worth thousands of dollars.

In conclusion, there is no need to check years of chatter on this forum to handle properly the process with an RSC, although it may help raise awareness of potential issues.

As for "burning bridges" with God...hum..a Rolex RSC, I find this irrelevant at best. I have a few others words for it but I would be allowed this use them here.

Thanks for your thoughtful post! You covered a lot of ground in a succinct fashion. I could obviously learn something from you in this regard. Speaking to your last paragraph, I'd like to offer a special thanks and say that anytime someone takes a stand on something meaningful he or she needs to be willing pay accept some costs. I never want to be the person who cowers in the corner because it may cost me something to say what I believe is right.

Originally Posted by beshannon

Sorry I stopped reading at "dangerous practice"

LOL! Atleast you got that far! Clearly this thread is not for everyone but it has received more than 4k clicks in about 3 days even if it means 3,900 of them disagree with me. One of my goals is to let people know there are potential unanticipated costs that may come with sending your watch to a RSC.

[RHJ]

Originally Posted by ckci

does anyone agree?

Sincerely,
russell

100%

[Ckci]

Originally Posted by RHJ

100%

Thanks! I really appreciate it!
Russell

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Ckci

One of my goals is to let people know there are potential unanticipated costs that may come with sending your watch to a RSC.

Does Rolex no longer send an estimate that details the work to be done? Or do they just trash parts without permission and disclosure?

[dexvd]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Does Rolex no longer send an estimate that details the work to be done? Or do they just trash parts without permission and disclosure?

I didn't receive an estimate or any communication between when I sent it in for a 'vintage' service and when I got it back.

[busytimmy]

And this is one of the reasons I'm scared to go vintage. Especially now since it is near impossible for independents to gain access to Rolex parts.

[Ckci]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Does Rolex no longer send an estimate that details the work to be done? Or do they just trash parts without permission and disclosure?

It's a fair question. They should and you would think they would. Btw that's an impressive collection you have there.

Originally Posted by dexvd

I didn't receive an estimate or any communication between when I sent it in for a 'vintage' service and when I got it back.

Thanks Dexvd my friend for answering it based on your first hand experience. Unfortunately this happens at least somewhat regularly it seems.

Originally Posted by busytimmy

And this is one of the reasons I'm scared to go vintage. Especially now since it is near impossible for independents to gain access to Rolex parts.

And that is a shame. Plus very acceptable parts it seems are being destroyed making it that much harder to restore an original dial to a watch that a RSC has slapped a service or some other new dial on in place of the original dial.

[Nso]

I sent in my grandfathers double Red Sea dweller from the 70’s for service and they decided to replace the original vintage dial with a service dial without even asking. I just did a search online to see if this was true or possible and it turns out they are doing that. I have some Paul Newman’s that need service as well and I’m afraid to send them in. This really stinks.