What would you do? Is it worth it?

[Pop Art Suzy]

Hi guys!

Need some advice. A bit of background. I purchased my Datejust pre-owned on eBay last July. I don't know the exact age, but it's probably pretty old. The seller is wonderful and offered a 1 year warranty with his jewelry/watch repair. He owns a jewelry/watch store in California. I love the watch and wear it daily. However, about a month after I had it, the date wouldn't cycle through. I tried winding it manually, but the date still wouldn't switch over. I told the seller, and he immediately sent me a pre-paid shipping label so I shipped the watch to him to fix. He fixed it within a week (shipped back to me via express) and it worked famously.

Well, about a week ago, the date stopped switching over again. Even when I tried winding it manually, it still wouldn't switch over. This time, he didn't send me a pre-paid label and it cost me $30 to ship ground (would have cost me $120 to ship express). They have the watch now and said it would probably take between 10-15 days to fix.

Since it's a pre-owned Rolex, and I've already sent it to them to fix, obviously RSC wouldn't look at it. I asked them how would it work once the warranty is up and if I could still send it to them for repairs. There isn't an AD where I live as the closest is an hour away.

They said that once the warranty is up, they offer a repair/maintenance service extended warranty for $499/year, which includes repairs, maintenance, whatever it needs for another year.

My question is, is this worth the cost? It seems like it's a good deal, but I wanted to make sure before I spent that for this extended warranty.

Thanks guys! Much appreciated (sorry for the long post).

[tifosi]

RSC will service your watch.

I would not pay any amount for a warranty plan. Take that $499 and apply it to a proper Rolex service and you'll be good to go for 10 years +.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by tifosi

RSC will service your watch.

I would not pay any amount for a warranty plan. Take that $499 and apply it to a proper Rolex service and you'll be good to go for 10 years +.

Oh, I was under the impression that once a third party looks/services your watch, that RSC won't touch it? They still will? Does RSC care that it was purchased pre-owned? I have no idea what the service record is like beforehand.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Oh, I was under the impression that once a third party looks/services your watch, that RSC won't touch it? They still will? Does RSC care that it was purchased pre-owned? I have no idea what the service record is like beforehand.

RSC will take your money no matter how the watch was purchased! Especially outside the Rolex warranty period.

If anyone put aftermarket parts in there, they will just make you replace them.

[Jackie Daytona]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Oh, I was under the impression that once a third party looks/services your watch, that RSC won't touch it? They still will? Does RSC care that it was purchased pre-owned? I have no idea what the service record is like beforehand.

It’s not that won’t service it. But they will not service it with any aftermarket parts or accessories without recommending/advising that the aftermarket components must be changed before it will be serviced.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by tifosi

RSC will take your money no matter how the watch was purchased! Especially outside the Rolex warranty period.

If anyone put aftermarket parts in there, they will just make you replace them.

Gotcha! Good to know. I have no problem driving an hour to bring my watch in for repair. Thanks for the response.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Gotcha! Good to know. I have no problem driving an hour to bring my watch in for repair. Thanks for the response.

If you are close to Denver, Williams Jewelers (on Broadway) is an authorized service center. Their watchmaker, Cory, does great work.

I have also used Right Time on Colorado Blvd for a service on a 50 year old DJ with excellent results as well.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

If you are close to Denver, Williams Jewelers (on Broadway) is an authorized service center. Their watchmaker, Cory, does great work.

I have also used Right Time on Colorado Blvd for a service on a 50 year old DJ with excellent results as well.

Oh, that's great to know. I'm not close to Denver, I live in Ft. Collins so I'm an hour away. I heard there's an AD in Boulder, so I was thinking of going there. But I like that you have that recommendation in Denver. I might go there instead. Thanks!

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Oh, that's great to know. I'm not close to Denver, I live in Ft. Collins so I'm an hour away. I heard there's an AD in Boulder, so I was thinking of going there. But I like that you have that recommendation in Denver. I might go there instead. Thanks!

Why not mail it to one of the only three Rolex owned RSC’s i.e. Dallas.
AD’s might ship it to them as well but doing it yourself you are the customer and nothing will get lost in translation between AD and RSC.
Probably you avoid a surcharge as well

[Motorsport_S65]

My advice is to find a local watch repair that you feel comfortable with. If you have an AD close by see who they recommend. That's what I did.

My story:
I have a 1601 Datejust that was sent from my AD to the Dallas service center. It sat for 2 months until they returned it, with no service being completed. They said its now considered a "vintage" piece and won't be serviced. Its a 1978 I believe.

[hutch300]

As said above, find a good watchmaker and you'll be better off. Don't waste your money on that $499 plan.

[gnardex]

Hi Suzanne,
definitely send it to an RSC!
Not to speak of the fact that it will have a 2 years (worldwide) warranty.
ciao!

[dukie748]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Oh, that's great to know. I'm not close to Denver, I live in Ft. Collins so I'm an hour away. I heard there's an AD in Boulder, so I was thinking of going there. But I like that you have that recommendation in Denver. I might go there instead. Thanks!

The Boulder AD (W&H) is currently building out a dedicated Rolex expansion and plan to add a certified watchmaker to the team - but not until later this year.

[brandrea]

Personally I’d send it to RSC, especially since it’s the same problem acting up again.

I’d go so far as to say you should consider a full service (if the service history is unknown) especially since it’s an older reference.

With RSC you’ll also get the 2 year Rolex warranty

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Personally I’d send it to RSC, especially since it’s the same problem acting up again.

I’d go so far as to say you should consider a full service (if the service history is unknown) especially since it’s an older reference.

With RSC you’ll also get the 2 year Rolex warranty

Oh I never thought of that. What does RSC typically charge for a full service? Does it matter if it's an older watch, or is the cost the same across the board? So once Rolex services the watch, there's an automatic 2 year warranty on it?

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by dukie748

The Boulder AD (W&H) is currently building out a dedicated Rolex expansion and plan to add a certified watchmaker to the team - but not until later this year.

Good to know! I'll have to look out for that expansion. I've never seen the location or been there before, just googled AD's in Colorado.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Oh I never thought of that. What does RSC typically charge for a full service? Does it matter if it's an older watch, or is the cost the same across the board?

I believe a full service runs around $800 give or take.

It does not matter how old the watch is.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I believe a full service runs around $800 give or take.

It does not matter how old the watch is.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Awesome! Not as much as I thought it was. Thanks!

I love this forum. You guys are such a wealth of knowledge. I have learned so much about Rolex just being a member here. I love it!

[atxwatch]

This seller sounds borderline like they are executing a business model...

- sell used Rolex that has an Achilles heel
- offer 1yr warranty where they fix stuff for free
- then sell $499 annual repair plan to keep working on your watch

In all seriousness...send to Rolex via AD and pay full service. That should be the end of it for 5-10 years and will be WAY cheaper than the OG seller's "plan".

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by joli160

Why not mail it to one of the only three Rolex owned RSC’s i.e. Dallas.
AD’s might ship it to them as well but doing it yourself you are the customer and nothing will get lost in translation between AD and RSC.
Probably you avoid a surcharge as well

Originally Posted by gnardex

Hi Suzanne,
definitely send it to an RSC!
Not to speak of the fact that it will have a 2 years (worldwide) warranty.
ciao!

Originally Posted by brandrea

Personally I’d send it to RSC, especially since it’s the same problem acting up again.

I’d go so far as to say you should consider a full service (if the service history is unknown) especially since it’s an older reference.

With RSC you’ll also get the 2 year Rolex warranty

Follow this advice. There are many good independents you could use but since it has unknown service history send it in to RSC. It may cost a little more but will be well worth the dollars. What you'll get back will be a watch that will look and run like new and a 2 year warranty. Don't even think about it. Just do it. By the way you'll also find out if your watch is full of aftermarket parts.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by atxwatch

This seller sounds borderline like they are executing a business model...

- sell used Rolex that has an Achilles heel
- offer 1yr warranty where they fix stuff for free
- then sell $499 annual repair plan to keep working on your watch

In all seriousness...send to Rolex via AD and pay full service. That should be the end of it for 5-10 years and will be WAY cheaper than the OG seller's "plan".

Oh, I definitely plan on sending to RSC from when the warranty ends in July. I am so glad I posted here before I renewed and paid $499 for another year warranty (of having to ship it back and forth), with the hopes that nothing goes wrong. Not happy that the same thing happened twice, which tells me they clearly didn't fix it properly the first time. RSC will get it done for sure, if it in fact happens again.

[amh]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Oh, I definitely plan on sending to RSC from when the warranty ends in July. I am so glad I posted here before I renewed and paid $499 for another year warranty (of having to ship it back and forth), with the hopes that nothing goes wrong. Not happy that the same thing happened twice, which tells me they clearly didn't fix it properly the first time. RSC will get it done for sure, if it in fact happens again.

Plus you get a little Rolex felt pouch and a 2yr official factory warranty. That watch will be like new. You'll sleep well at night!

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Follow this advice. There are many good independents you could use but since it has unknown service history send it in to RSC. It may cost a little more but will be well worth the dollars. What you'll get back will be a watch that will look and run like new and a 2 year warranty. Don't even think about it. Just do it. By the way you'll also find out if your watch is full of aftermarket parts.

So what will happen if they find there are aftermarket parts? Will they refuse to service it or make me replace it?

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

So what will happen if they find there are aftermarket parts? Will they refuse to service it or make me replace it?

They will replace the parts at your cost. If you refuse to let them replace them, they will refuse service.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by tifosi

They will replace the parts at your cost. If you refuse to let them replace them, they will refuse service.

Perfect. I guess that's what I would be worried about, because like I said, I have no idea of the service history of this watch.

Thank you!

[Stevec14]

Yep, just let RSC sort it and out all the right bits in. Will be good to go for years. I wouldn’t bother waiting until the end of the warranty period. I’d just get it sent in sooner rather than later, so you can have it back perfect sooner.

[Nodzex]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

It’s not that won’t service it. But they will not service it with any aftermarket parts or accessories without recommending/advising that the aftermarket components must be changed before it will be serviced.

This!

[yankeeromeo]

RSC eve. If it costs £1000 it'll be perfect for years

[Harry-57]

If it was mine I would send it into the RSC.

Regardless, I certainly wouldn't be paying a yearly premium to an independent watchmaker. If you get three plus more years of good running out of your DJ, what you would have paid to the watchmaker would cover a RSC service with a two year Rolex warranty. They will work on it, although any non OEM parts will need to be replaced.

[pentaquark]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Oh, I was under the impression that once a third party looks/services your watch, that RSC won't touch it? They still will? Does RSC care that it was purchased pre-owned? I have no idea what the service record is like beforehand.

If it was in warranty a third party intervention would void that warranty.

If it is out of warranty and been serviced elsewhere its fine. They won't tolerate non genuine parts and will insist on changing them. They likely will never do a quick fix instead requiring you to commit to a full service which is a good idea.