Is it cheaper to service your ROLEX at a AD or at a ROLEX SERVICE CENTER?

[naptown airking]

Hello again,
One thing that I notice when ever I take my ROLEX's in for service is that the price for a overhaul at a ROLEX SERVICE CENTER is alot more than going to a typical CERTIFIED ROLEX WATCHMAKER.
I had purchased my first ever preowned mid 80's DATEJUST 11 years ago. This watch had small deposits on dial from water damaged and the movement was rusted out. The watchmaker I took it to was actually a in-house jewerly store CERTIFIED ROLEX WATCHMAKER and he said the watch was in so bad of shape that he could not work on it. So, he sends it to a ROLEX SERVICE CENTER and it took 6 weeks to get it back. I was a little furious that he did not contact me before sending it off, because the complete overhaul for the watch was $650.00. It like it was brand spanking new and was in the all green ROLEX SERVICE BOX.
And now, I had this mid 70's AIRKING fully overhauled by CERTIFIED ROLEX WATCHMAKER and the price for the service was $350.00. ( BUT I HAD TO RETURN IT BACK TO HIM BECAUSE OF THE MOVEMENT HAD A RATTLE TO IT.)

Who can you trust?
Is the overhaul price based on the quality of the workmanship or just because of the ROLEX overhead?

Darrick

[mike]

Well, without seeing the watch(before and after) it sounds like you had a little more wrong than a service could handle. A rusted movement is going to take more to cure(and parts) than an overhaul--usually cleaning service crystal--if acryllic--crown and stem.
Additionally was the dial replaced?

One of the things you get with a Rolex service is a watch that is brought to factory specs for the time period. Also nobody polishes a case like Rolex.

A certified repairman WITH A PARTS ACCOUNT can do a fantastic job on a watch. I have a trusted guy I have used. You do have some controll over what is done to you watch ie....keeping the orginal dial and hands if necessary to maintain the value of the watch.

I've not noticed a great deal of difference in the price of the finished product.

A NORMAL service from RSC is around $450-$500 USD depending on what needs to be done. The use of additional parts will of course up the price.
You do have the advantage of validating the watch by using RSC, and the warrenty.

[naptown airking]

So Mike, do you think it worth of shot to send any VINTAGE ROLEX pieces to RSC--instead of to a CERTIFIED ROLEX WATCHMAKER.
I know you probably read my thread "VINTAGE ROLEX AND WATCH WINDERS" and heard what kind of problem I am having with my AIRKING.

I guess paying alittle more for service at a RSC is well worth it.

Anybody else with some thoughts on this subject.
Thanks again Mike,
Darrick

[mike]

Originally Posted by naptown airking

So Mike, do you think it worth of shot to send any VINTAGE ROLEX pieces to RSC--instead of to a CERTIFIED ROLEX WATCHMAKER.
I know you probably read my thread "VINTAGE ROLEX AND WATCH WINDERS" and heard what kind of problem I am having with my AIRKING.

I guess paying alittle more for service at a RSC is well worth it.

Anybody else with some thoughts on this subject.
Thanks again Mike,
Darrick

I did read that thread. I must say I'd be a bit concerned about being told NOT to put a vintage piece on a winder. Movement is movement whether on a winder or your wrist.

Any CERTIFIED Rolex repairman I would use MUST have a parts account AND a pressure test machine. I don't think one can be certified with out them.
Some guys have been known to use generic parts--be carefull.

Sending to Rolex assures you everything will be square with your watch. Additionally, the watch will be polished as no other place can do. There are 3 polishing machines in the U.S.---One each at the RSCs.
You will also have the warrenty from Rolex and the watch will be regulated.

Rolex will preform NO repair work untill they get the OK from you. They will contact with an estimate before any work is done.

[Gedanken]

MIKE's got THINGS pretty well COVERED, but what's with all the WORDS in CAPITALS?

[mike]

One other point. I use a private guy for watches that I want to keep the hands and dial orginal on. Rolex can be pretty severe when it comes to changing dials and hands.
On certain vintage 80% of the value can be in the dial. The nice thing about a certified watch repair guy is the ability to build a relationship with a PERSON rather than a company.
A good repair guy not only wants your business but takes a lot of pride in what he does.
I'm VERY fortunate to have found a guy that short of polishing can bring a fine old vintage piece up to specs and NOT destroy the value.

[naptown airking]

Thanks again mike,
This is very informative for collectors like myself. Mike, thanks for the tons of info. Thanks again TRF.

Gedanken---Is there a rule on no CAPS. Sorry if I offended anyone. Did not think it was a rule. Just put caps on words to explain. Not yelling.

Darrick

[Gedanken]

No, there's no rule against it and no offense either, NA. It's just a bit awkward to read sometimes.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by naptown airking

Thanks again mike,
This is very informative for collectors like myself. Mike, thanks for the tons of info. Thanks again TRF.

Gedanken---Is there a rule on no CAPS. Sorry if I offended anyone. Did not think it was a rule. Just put caps on words to explain. Not yelling.

Darrick

Hi Darrick,

Looks like Mike just about covered everything. He did bring out one very valid point...and that was with regards to generic parts being used by certified watchmakers other than Rolex.

At Rolex, you are not only guaranteed the original genuine parts which come from Rolex all blister packed in their own little packs, but also when the servicing is carried out, all replaced old and worn parts are fed into a "crusher" and destroyed which ensures that these old parts will never fall into the wrong hands.

JJ

[padi56]

Got to agree with Mike.