RSC - new five digit case?

[Dsmith1974]

Are there any circumstances in which RSC would replace a case for a 16710 or 16610?

Eg it’s been over polished and out of shape or it’s been corroded or damaged beyond repair.

In theory it shouldn’t be too different to replacing any other part of the watch (apart from the engraved serial no).

[HogwldFLTR]

I believe the answer is "yes" they will replace cases if needed.

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I believe the answer is "yes" they will replace cases if needed.

That’s encouraging. I guess they’re not cheap and I wonder if they’d give you the old case back?

But mostly I wonder what they’d do about a serial number, would the new case have a new number or no number?

[csaltphoto]

There was a 14060 on Chrono24 that had been re-cased. New crystal and some other parts. Practically a new watch. Didn't seem to hurt resale as it went fast at close to 8K. I cannot recall if the new case was a brand new serial number or if they modified the old number to indicate a new case. But it was different.

[exador]

If they can still source a case, it will have a 4M serial number and no, you don’t get to keep your old one.

[037]

Originally Posted by exador

If they can still source a case, it will have a 4M serial number and no, you don’t get to keep your old one.

That depends. There's certainly precedent for Rolex shifting from 4.4M/4.7M cases to random serials. Here's a recent example of a 14060M being returned with a random case: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=646363

The above was replaced because RSC directly made the mistake in both polishing and polishing too much away. I don't know their policy on replacing cases that were incorrectly polished/brushed by a third party or over the lifetime of the watch.

I suspect a case that was never engraved (16600, 16710, etc.) will return with a smooth rehaut but watches that were updated to random serials later in their production could be returned with random serial replacement cases.

[Dsmith1974]

Thanks that’s interesting.

I guess a new case would be about the same as a new bracelet?

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

That’s encouraging. I guess they’re not cheap and I wonder if they’d give you the old case back?

But mostly I wonder what they’d do about a serial number, would the new case have a new number or no number?

No. All parts are on an exchange basis. You pay for a new watch case, the RSC keeps your old one. Same with other parts.

[037]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Thanks that’s interesting.

I guess a new case would be about the same as a new bracelet?

The same in terms of cost or in terms of policy? The above was replaced at no charge due to RSC's own error. If voluntary, I believe replacement cases run about $1500-2500 USD for stainless references. But, I don't believe Rolex will replace cases on demand. They have certain criteria that needs to be met.

As mentioned previously, they won't sell cases outright.

[t65tampa]

They will, but it's expensive and changes the serial number of the watch. I had to do that years ago with one of my Oysterquartz Datejust watches. The case couldn't be made to be water resistant, so the RSC did the case swap.

[Dsmith1974]

Thanks. RSC did inspect the watch when they changed the bezel and said they’d be able to improve the shape but not be able to get it correct. So I guess it depends if they’d consider that as serious as being water right or not.

[037]

You could always ask about a case replacement. Rolex UK seems anecdotally less strict than RUSA.

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

That’s encouraging. I guess they’re not cheap and I wonder if they’d give you the old case back?

But mostly I wonder what they’d do about a serial number, would the new case have a new number or no number?

You don't get to keep your old case, and the serial number goes with the old case. The new case has an easily identifiable service case serial number - which kills the value of your watch if you want to sell it to an enthusiast.

The serial change over is all documented with paperwork, and internally with Rolex.

[lawrence1]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

You don't get to keep your old case, and the serial number goes with the old case. The new case has an easily identifiable service case serial number - which kills the value of your watch if you want to sell it to an enthusiast.

The serial change over is all documented with paperwork, and internally with Rolex.

if i was buying it, i would rather have a RSC swapped new case on an out of production watch in lieu of a beat up, polished case. A NIB 16710 would be worth a lot more than a worn 16710, all things being equal, no? This would be documented well to where it should be a non issue.

To each his own though ... i can see some of these "investors" preferring a 20 yr old beat case that's been polished twice because it shows "patina" (i.e. looks like it's been through the ringer).

[Crown & Shield]

I would rather have a new service case than a recut one, that's for sure. Unlike other service parts, a service case will also be virtually identical to the original.

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by lawrence1

if i was buying it, i would rather have a RSC swapped new case on an out of production watch in lieu of a beat up, polished case. A NIB 16710 would be worth a lot more than a worn 16710, all things being equal, no? This would be documented well to where it should be a non issue.

To each his own though ... i can see some of these "investors" preferring a 20 yr old beat case that's been polished twice because it shows "patina" (i.e. looks like it's been through the ringer).

Lucky you, because you’d get a huge discount because very few other people agree with you. Service parts decrease value. I didn’t make up the market.

[glamorama]

I got a quote for my 16570 during service (just for curiosity) and it was €1800 if I remember correct.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by lawrence1

if i was buying it, i would rather have a RSC swapped new case on an out of production watch in lieu of a beat up, polished case. A NIB 16710 would be worth a lot more than a worn 16710, all things being equal, no? This would be documented well to where it should be a non issue.



To each his own though ... i can see some of these "investors" preferring a 20 yr old beat case that's been polished twice because it shows "patina" (i.e. looks like it's been through the ringer).

Service cases make a big difference in price. Yes a NIB 16710 would be worth more. But only New old stock. Not technically new with a service case dial hands etc.


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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by 037

The same in terms of cost or in terms of policy? The above was replaced at no charge due to RSC's own error. If voluntary, I believe replacement cases run about $1500-2500 USD for stainless references. But, I don't believe Rolex will replace cases on demand. They have certain criteria that needs to be met.

As mentioned previously, they won't sell cases outright.

Actually I once had the option presented to me of replacing the Mid-case at my specific request due to fairly severe accidental damage.
As it was at my request, i naturally took the option.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by glamorama

I got a quote for my 16570 during service (just for curiosity) and it was €1800 if I remember correct.

Was this recently?
That price point makes me feel pretty good about the steep cost of mine back in 1999

[Dsmith1974]

Thanks all. I intend to keep it long term so the resale value is definitely of secondary importance to the cases ability to be watertight in 20 or 30 years.

To be honest I struggle to see the problem with my own eyes but I’m assured the shape is wrong - so wondering if I should bite the bullet now or whether there’s enough metal there to just not worry about it?




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[lawrence1]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

Service cases make a big difference in price. Yes a NIB 16710 would be worth more. But only New old stock. Not technically new with a service case dial hands etc.


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i get the concept but have yet to see any evidence of a desirable 20 year reference with a brand new, pristine, replacement case documented through a RSC selling for significantly less than the same comparable watch that looks like your typical 20 yr old Rolex watch (i.e. been polished at least once, if not twice, and likely ready for another refinish if you want something that you can actually wear and don't want it to look like you just found it in the dumpster).

I understand why a NIB/NOS watch of the same may be worth more, and part of it is because it has a pristine, unpolished case.

Anyhow, if I ever look for a 16710 again, I hope I run across one with a new service case and leave the "patina'd" beaters to the "investors".

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Thanks all. I intend to keep it long term so the resale value is definitely of secondary importance to the cases ability to be watertight in 20 or 30 years.

To be honest I struggle to see the problem with my own eyes but I’m assured the shape is wrong - so wondering if I should bite the bullet now or whether there’s enough metal there to just not worry about it?




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That doesn't really look bad. As long as you're wearing it and it's water proof I wouldn't drink the hemlock. Wear it as long as you can. It's not as sharp as a new case would be but then again, it's not new.

[037]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Actually I once had the option presented to me of replacing the Mid-case at my specific request due to fairly severe accidental damage.
As it was at my request, i naturally took the option.

That makes sense since it's easier for RSC to replace a case than mess around with laser welding. Heavy damage isn't a scenario I mentioned since the OP's case situation sounds to be purely from polishing.

Although, after seeing the photos, I'm not convinced RSC will replace his case since it appears to be good enough to polish correctly. Hard to call with most shots out of focus. All he can do is ask.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by lawrence1

i get the concept but have yet to see any evidence of a desirable 20 year reference with a brand new, pristine, replacement case documented through a RSC selling for significantly less than the same comparable watch that looks like your typical 20 yr old Rolex watch (i.e. been polished at least once, if not twice, and likely ready for another refinish if you want something that you can actually wear and don't want it to look like you just found it in the dumpster).



I understand why a NIB/NOS watch of the same may be worth more, and part of it is because it has a pristine, unpolished case.



Anyhow, if I ever look for a 16710 again, I hope I run across one with a new service case and leave the "patina'd" beaters to the "investors".

I cant remember the numbers exactly but i bought a 1680 at one point with a service case from HQ Milton. It was considerably less, a few thousand less than other 1680s i was looking at.


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[joli160]

If you want it looking pristine have it cut at LAWW

[sillo]

OP got any better pictures of the case you're considering replacing?

[RJRJRJ]

Not very good pics, but it looks like they should be able to get it back into top shape without replacing it.

[ronricks]

I would have it serviced and polished by LAWW. A service case destroys the value of the watch.

[importstunna]

Your pics don't look that bad. A good polish job should make it OK. That said, did they recommend the case b/c it's no longer waterproof for some reason? If not, I would just service/polish by RSC. As others have mentioned, changing the case = changing serial number. That devalues the watch and a new case is expensive. Good luck.