Importance of Warranty

[joroz001]

Why does everyone worry so much about the Rolex warranty. The AD's offer extra warranty as an incentive, etc. It seems to me that any real workmanship issues will arise soon after purchase and I buy a Rolex with the expectation of it lasting generations, 2, 3 or 5 years do not really seem meaningful over the expected life of the watch.

Does any one else feel like the warranty extension to 5 years is a marketing gimmick more than a meaningful benefit?


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[Mr. K]

I'd take the two extra years if it were free, but what will they cover?

[watchwatcher]

I don't take it so much as gimmicky as their confidence in their product. And who am I to argue with that?

Kind of reminds me of the maytag repairman commercials when I was a kid...

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I don't take it so much as gimmicky as their confidence in their product. And who am I to argue with that?

Kind of reminds me of the maytag repairman commercials when I was a kid...

X2

[AK797]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I don't take it so much as gimmicky as their confidence in their product. And who am I to argue with that?

Kind of reminds me of the maytag repairman commercials when I was a kid...

Yes, and even Breitling now offer 5 years with their in houses so why shouldn't Rolex match them esp when they are historically so much more reliable.

[Racerdj]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I don't take it so much as gimmicky as their confidence in their product. And who am I to argue with that?

Kind of reminds me of the maytag repairman commercials when I was a kid...

I agree.

[mkw]

a 5 yr warranty would have been nice some years ago when the jump hour hand on my then 4 yr old GMT II started malfunctioning and not lining up properly

I would be less worried about warranty duration on 2 or 3 hand models , but on the ones with complications like GMTs or Daytonas, it would be a plus on a new watch.

[Old Expat Beast]

Rolex is supposed to be increasing the warranty to five years from July 1, and that will be better than an AD in-house extension, and generally welcome all round. Gimmick? No, but good marketing, yes. It was a bit lame to only warranty Rolex in house movements for as long as Tudor ETA movements.

[parnelli]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Rolex is supposed to be increasing the warranty to five years from July 1, and that will be better than an AD in-house extension, and generally welcome all round. Gimmick? No, but good marketing, yes. It was a bit lame to only warranty Rolex in house movements for as long as Tudor ETA movements.

Does this mean I should wait until July 1st to buy a Rolex ? (I am in the market to buy right now).
\\

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by parnelli

Does this mean I should wait until July 1st to buy a Rolex ? (I am in the market to buy right now).
\\

I certainly would. It's not been officially confirmed yet, but several very reliable people here have said they have heard about it or confirmed it privately with their AD.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by parnelli

Does this mean I should wait until July 1st to buy a Rolex ? (I am in the market to buy right now).
\\

Until it is announced by Rolex it is just a rumor.

You have to decide if you want to base your purchase on a rumor.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Rolex is supposed to be increasing the warranty to five years from July 1, and that will be better than an AD in-house extension, and generally welcome all round. Gimmick? No, but good marketing, yes. It was a bit lame to only warranty Rolex in house movements for as long as Tudor ETA movements.

If it happens this would be cool.

[brandrea]

The warranty is a sign that Rolex has confidence in their product as mentioned. I'm curious if their recommended service intervals might become longer.

[RollieVerde]

There's still no confirmation about the warranty increase. However, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they did in fact extend it. As I've said before, over the last couple of decades while other companies are loading up their watches with "innovations" Rolex has been spending a fortune on upgrading their production facilities all in the interest of quality control and efficiency. Will they sell more watches if they have a longer warranty? Perhaps, but I think they're doing it because they are comfortable that extending the warranty won't mean a substantial increase in warranty claims. They learned long ago their key selling points are quality and durability, accented with classic style. Besides, a longer warranty is always better; all you have to do is be the guy with the broken watch who needs it.

[JRolex]

Piece of mind, really. It's one of those things were its "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."

[Tools]

Originally Posted by joroz001

. . .
Does any one else feel like the warranty extension to 5 years is a marketing gimmick more than a meaningful benefit?

Of course it's marketing; it will do two things..

1. It will entice potential buyers who see other watches with a lesser warranty.

2. Since manufacturing defects usually show up in the first year it really won't affect their bottom line during the out years of the warranty, but since they recommend a service at ~5 years, more folks will be conscious of that 5 year point and send their watch for a service at that time..

See, no real up-front cost; potential longer term service up-tick..