Servicing my Rolex

[6263forlife]

Here is my dilemma.....I was in Geneva so I parted from my beloved 6263 for service at the factory.
They tell me my bezel is broken.
I knew it had a hairline on it I could not see anymore as I am getting older....
I have had the watch serviced only once 14 years ago and I feel it still looks like new after 36 years of ownership since new.
Rolex tells me the bezels changed through the years and mine is the same as the ones available.
I dislike the fact they keep the old one.
Should I live it along or refuse to change it which can effect the service?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[greekbum]

I would get the service one and keep your original 1. if they don't agree keep your old 1 as a service 1 can be bought on the forums.

[andromeda160]

Just demand they don't change it, and buy one on the forums. No telling if it's original or not, but a slightly damaged original would sell for far more than a service replacement

[6263forlife]

Thank you all for your responses and advice.
I am not a collector neither did I ever bother to learn a fraction of the great knowledge so many members have here.
I always loved this watch since new so much to the point I never found my self purchasing another newer Rolex because I never had one on my hand and felt it looked as charismatic as this one.

It upsets me to no end why would Rolex themselves would try to impose rules in service that would take originality out of their own product.

Not being able to use the watch in original shape and keep it waterproof also, takes away my satisfaction of being able to enjoy wearing it as I always did.
I have been looking at others on the web and I learn in the process seeing photos of similar watches with the wrong parts as I can see small differences in pretty much all of them.
I live in the USA and I made it a point while being in Greece to fly to Geneva in order to make sure nothing will go wrong with servicing this watch that has been part of my life for 36 years.
I was always amazed at the quality and proud of the fact that I am the kind of person that I kept this watch looking like new while I was using it for so long.
I really can not understand the reason why they do not change the bezel and let me have my watch back with the replaced part.

I have already made it clear to them that it will stay with out polishing as it looks as good as new to me and anyone that has ever seen it.

I have been trying to find and purchase another older Rolex as I am reading various posts here that has the looks of the older watches, and at the same time can function as when made new....open to opinions... please.
I am wearing an old mechanical water proof Tag as I am writing this, that I got new fifteen years ago but it never can do what the Daytona always did for me even back in the days that no one was looking at the Daytonas as they do today.

Thank you all again and please excuse the novel

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by 6263forlife

Thank you all for your responses and advice.
I am not a collector neither did I ever bother to learn a fraction of the great knowledge so many members have here.
I always loved this watch since new so much to the point I never found my self purchasing another newer Rolex because I never had one on my hand and felt it looked as charismatic as this one.

It upsets me to no end why would Rolex themselves would try to impose rules in service that would take originality out of their own product.

Not being able to use the watch in original shape and keep it waterproof also, takes away my satisfaction of being able to enjoy wearing it as I always did.
I have been looking at others on the web and I learn in the process seeing photos of similar watches with the wrong parts as I can see small differences in pretty much all of them.
I live in the USA and I made it a point while being in Greece to fly to Geneva in order to make sure nothing will go wrong with servicing this watch that has been part of my life for 36 years.
I was always amazed at the quality and proud of the fact that I am the kind of person that I kept this watch looking like new while I was using it for so long.
I really can not understand the reason why they do not change the bezel and let me have my watch back with the replaced part.

I have already made it clear to them that it will stay with out polishing as it looks as good as new to me and anyone that has ever seen it.

I have been trying to find and purchase another older Rolex as I am reading various posts here that has the looks of the older watches, and at the same time can function as when made new....open to opinions... please.
I am wearing an old mechanical water proof Tag as I am writing this, that I got new fifteen years ago but it never can do what the Daytona always did for me even back in the days that no one was looking at the Daytonas as they do today.

Thank you all again and please excuse the novel

Rolex aren't collectors, neither are they in the collector business.

Rolex are only interested in making the best watch they can according to their own criteria.
Then servicing them to their own standards, over what they deem to be the reasonable service life of the components that go into it.

All while maintaining profitability at levels that facilitate their existence.

[soundserious]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Rolex aren't collectors, neither are they in the collector business.

Rolex are only interested in making the best watch they can according to their own criteria.
Then servicing them to their own standards, over what they deem to be the reasonable service life of the components that go into it.

All while maintaining profitability at levels that facilitate their existence.

Exactly! They reasonably think you to be an idiot for wanting to keep an obviously broken part on your watch.

[6263forlife]

So why is it that they do not change original parts with ones that look exactly as original.
Can anyone convince me they do not care how their watches look like?
I look at other watches like mine with different looking lenses ,push buttons longer and different looking than original,bezels with the same issues etc.
When I talk to dealers selling a watch like mine they tell me they look different because of service......so service changes the appearance and beauty of a watch
I agree with them not caring about collectors and look at service for function but why not service with original parts that maintains appearance also?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by 6263forlife

So why is it that they do not change original parts with ones that look exactly as original.
Can anyone convince me they do not care how their watches look like?
I look at other watches like mine with different looking lenses ,push buttons longer and different looking than original,bezels with the same issues etc.
When I talk to dealers selling a watch like mine they tell me they look different because of service......so service changes the appearance and beauty of a watch
I agree with them not caring about collectors and look at service for function but why not service with original parts that maintains appearance also?

Unfortunately Rolex don't have a restoration division that's totally focused on maintaining originality.

If one wants to keep reference pieces.
At this point in time, it's advisable to purchase 2 watches.
Wear one and enjoy it, then keep the other in the safe for prosperity.

Perhaps you could instigate a petition to Rolex to push for a dedicated restoration division to be established in Geneva.
I'll sign it

[Andad]

Hi Mario,

Welcome to the Forum.

Very nice Rolex.

I saw your pix on an earlier thread. Do you have any more? - we like pix.