Question about sending to Rolex?

[WatchFeen]

So I am wondering what your thoughts are about this..

I have a vintage explorer 2 and want to send it to rolex..
It has all original parts and is a tad beat up, including the bezel.

My question is this: If Rolex asks to replace the entire case of the watch, how would that affect the value?

Am i better off keeping the original case as far as value?

Any info helps, thanks a lot!

[mannyv11]

don't send it to RSC. Send it to one rikki (i think thats his name experts will chime in)
He is famous on these forums for working with vintage watches and restores them beautifully.

I would stay far away from RSC on this one, they will just end up replacing things that don't need to be replaced and take value away from that wonderful wonderful EXPII you have.

[MonBK]

Agree, send it to Rikki.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

don't send it to RSC. Send it to one rikki (i think thats his name experts will chime in)
He is famous on these forums for working with vintage watches and restores them beautifully.

I would stay far away from RSC on this one, they will just end up replacing things that don't need to be replaced and take value away from that wonderful wonderful EXPII you have.

Rikki has serviced several of my watches and he does great work.

However, RSC is also a perfectly good option. They will not simply replace parts left and right; they've always been very good about letting me choose exactly what they replace. If you request a movement-only service, they'll respect your decision. RSC service papers are also nice to have if you think flipping might occur at some point.

If you don't care about the papers I'd call Rik. But RSC is not the vintage-crushing devil it once was.

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[Cc1966]

Love your 1655: If it does go to RSC (service movement, gaskets, crystal), send it yourself and provide your instructions in writing and have them confirm. I myself give importance to getting the factory service docs...

[Tools]

As it sits your watch is worth 10 grand..

If you send it to the RSC and anything is changed, you will lose thousands

[MitchSteel]

But RSC is not the vintage-crushing devil it once was.

That's good to hear, it seems us vintage lovers been told to go to the back of the bus for a while.I wonder what Canadian RSC is like with vintage service.....

All I gotta say, is, We Want the After Photos

Awesome Exploder

[RolexJNJ]

For vintage pieces, I prefer a good local Rolex certified watchmaker. They typically offer better pricing and turnaround and are able to do custom work that RSCs may not be able or willing to do (i.e. preservation and restoration vs. replacement).

RSCs are bound by Rolex's strict guidelines on what they can and cannot do, which is fine for modern pieces, but not necessarily for vintage.

Just my humble opinion!

[CrownMe]

Abc Watchwerks gets my vote. They work wonders on vintage pieces...and there prices are much cheaper then Rsc and others.

[RolexJNJ]

Originally Posted by CrownMe

Abc Watchwerks gets my vote. They work wonders on vintage pieces...and there prices are much cheaper then Rsc and others.

I have heard good things about ABC, particularly their technique for building cases back up by laser welding...pretty impressive!

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by RolexJNJ

I have heard good things about ABC, particularly their technique for building cases back up by laser welding...pretty impressive!

There also very good with polishing. There chamfer edges are perfect.

As for the laser welder. I think i would only use the laser welder for a nick. I'm wondering what cases will look like 20 years down the road after having them built back to being thick cases strictly from the welder.

[southtexas]

I recommend Rik. He does great work, excellent light polish with great chamfers.

Plus I think his "papers" also prove authenticity for many of us in the exact same way as RSC papers. To be clear, I am referring to those of who know Rikki and his work. If you tried to sell it to someone who didn't know him, the paper would be all but worthless worthless. On the other hand, fake RSC papers are out there.


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