Reply With QuoteRolex accredited Rocco Manfredi at Watchworks in Bristol did a very good job on my 5513
Hi all,
I purchased a 1970 5513 from Tropical Watch (Jacek Kozubek) back in August
https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/jyq8
Unfortunately when it arrived, I noticed that despite an invoice from True Patina showing an Axle Rotor replacement before sale, the watch had a significant rattle signifying a loose rotor. The auto winding was naturally affected.
Jacek offered a full refund or to contribute to it getting repaired.
I opted for the latter and dropped it off at Rolex HQ last week.
I specifically stated that I didn’t want anything changed, just a full service and to fix the rotor issue.
The quote was sent today and under the “Necessary work” they have quoted for a full service, autowork, insert and hands replacement.
Why have they listed hands replacement when I’ve specifically told them not to?
As you can see from the photos, there is a slight bit of lume which is flakey but I don’t want them to replace the hands at all.
Will call them tomorrow to see if they would proceed without hands replacement but any advice is appreciated.
Another option is to get the watch back and use a Rolex vintage specialist repairer but I have no personal dealings with any of them.
Rolex accredited Rocco Manfredi at Watchworks in Bristol did a very good job on my 5513
You're not alone in getting that response judging by other threads on here. After spending time on this forum, I won't even bother sending in my 16610 to Rolex as they'll want to do a dial and hand replacement, when I purchased it precisely because the hands and dial have aged in a lovely way!
It'll be going to an indie when the time comes, but like you, I'm not sure of the most reliable ones for a service.
I sent a 1968 GMT 1675 to these and they did a superb job.
https://www.prestigetimeservices.co....ex-accredited/
You can talk to them and discuss exactly what you want doing.
Removing 1970 tritium hands and replacing them with glow in the dark Luminova will completely destroy the Watch.
Sent mine to Duncan last year and great service.
1970 feet first.
Duncan at Genesis.
Great service and reasonable prices compared to some.
He actually communicates with you.
Dropped off and collected my 5513 from Prestige too. Great service and a sympathetic ear to your requests - I only had mechanical work done and nothing cosmetic changed down to keeping the Crystal which was lightly scratched but still functional.Originally Posted by Wallasey Runner
Ant
From here the lume in the hands appears to be cracked. I'd guess that'd why they've quoted "necessary".
If they did the work without replacing hands, as you have asked, and say a week after you get it back the lume fell out leaving debris all over the dial and a nasty looking set of hands - what would you do then?
I don’t get involved with stuff like this, but there are ways to stabilise aged brittle lume and prevent it dropping out. Doesn’t work every time, but it usually does. I’ve done this on cheap old watches but I won't touch old Rolex, owners won’t accept the risk if anything goes wrong. The whole vintage Rolex Sub/ patina/ don’t spoil the lume scenario isn’t for me, I won’t touch them, but there are people who will.
The silly part about the vintage Sub thing is the value attached to the flaky old lume and patina......crazy!
Thing is, the lume could drop out just removing the hands! For all the grief these owners give Rolex for quoting to replace knackered old parts, I doubt many would cut Rolex any slack if the lume did fall apart in their care.
Getting a loose watch serviced by Rolex is beneficial IMO as it does then provide the Rolex service cert and an official Rolex doc would generally be considered a plus. I used to do this routinely without any problem on vintage watches and instructions around retaining original parts would be adhered to, although these were generally listed a recommended rather then necessary.
A chat with Rolex to perhaps get the work agreed to your requirements may be the way forward, although policy may well have changed since my last encounter some years ago. Even so, you might well have a nervous wait and what is actually done cannot then be undone.
Any of the Rolex accredited independants will be flexible and do a good job, my choice has always been Genesis Watchmaking for second services or services on watches already with papers. I have never had any damage or problems but if the hands are particulary fragile Duncan will no doubt give advance warning of what might happen.
Thank you for the helpful replies so far.
I’ve just spoken to Rolex and stressed that I’m very keen for them to carry out the service but don’t want them to change the hands.
He said that he’ll get one of the senior technicians to look at it again and see if they can safely remove the hands during disassembly without any tritium falling out (from a safety perspective to the technician)
Let’s see what they come back with.
If not, I’ll ask for the watch to be returned and seek an alternative accredited Rolex repairer.
Could you not have Rolex fit new hands and return the old ones (I know they don't normally return parts)? You could then have the old hands touched up buy James Hyman and refitted
Currently quoting £800 for a 5513 service, or £100 less if polishing not required.
They have confirmed that they’re not going to service it unless they change the hands too. I’ve asked them to send the watch back to me.
Jacek has accepted to issue me a full refund, so will be sending it back to him.
Last edited by Hasan; 22nd December 2020 at 18:56. Reason: Update
Be careful when sending the watch back to the States. I had to send a watch back to Micheal Morgan once and it was impossible to find a courier that would cover a watch at a substantial value. I ended up having to wait until a family member was going to the US on holiday and having then send it internal mail.
I also have experience of sending a much cheaper watch to the USA this year during Covid and it. took almost two months with USPS
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