Reply With QuoteIf you are that worried I would pass on the watch you are interested in and buy from someone reputable.
Hello everyone,
Have a question around how Rolex knows if a watch caseback is opened (and hence voids the warranty of a watch). I’m asking because, sometimes when purchasing a watch, I’d like a watchmaker to take a look at the movement to verify everything is in order (unless there are ways to verify without opening the caseback, but I’m quite certain with super fakes/clones around, the only way is to open the watch).
And from speaking to a Rolex AD, this apparently voids the warranty. So my question is, what is the difference between a watchmaker/Rolex opening the caseback themselves? And how are they able to tell? Are they always able to tell, or does it depend on the watchmaker that opens the watch?
If you are that worried I would pass on the watch you are interested in and buy from someone reputable.
Other than any visual damage caused by the removal tool - or some internal evidence - then I say there's no way Rolex could tell.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
Correct! However, they’re not the easiest caseback to open, a good quality caseback opener is essential to avoid leaving marks. When inspected under a strong loupe its quite common to see marks on the serrated surface.Originally Posted by ralphy
You’d be surprised how many reputable dealers open casebacks to verify the authenticity of watches. When I’ve bought off dealers who have done this I’ve asked them to confirm (in writing) they will cover the warranty if Rolex deem it voided due to case back opening. Reputable dealers have no problems providing this. Very small risk that Rolex will know it has been opened, and it will ever need to go to them at all, but good to have the assurances just in case.
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This..
If a watchmaker opens caseback with correct tools and don't leave marks I don't see how would any manufacturer tell it's been opened. Unless they spray invisible dust after closing watch in factory, of course :)
DNA microdot technology + database of EXACT case back positions.
Does it explicitly say in the Rolex warranty documentation that removing the back voids that warranty?
Because if it doesn't, I don't see any way that Rolex could enforce that exclusion. I suspect that the AD was making things up.
Close, but not quite.
Rolex own special gasket grease has embedded smart technology (like Smart Water, but greasier!).
It used to be that the tiny amount of air within the case had to match the Rolex HVAC records for day of manufacture, but technology has moved on...
______
Jim.
Thanks for this, made me smile =)
Just look for the tiny footprints the Swiss elves leave in the Rolex fairy dust sprinkled into every Rolex in the magic factory
So for those wondering, one of the reputable traders I’ve spoken to says there is a “case seal” of some sort that breaks when you open the case back, but it can be replaced when closing the case back and if done properly, won’t be noticed.
Only way you find out is when you send it into Rolex. I won’t be surprised if most of the watches that’s been to a trader already has the Rolex warranty voided without the current owner knowing.
Slightly off topic , how are Ebay verifiers completing their assessment if not by case back removal. I trust they have bought a few copies of Haywoods guides. :)
They are telling you lies.
The case back has a seal yes, like all water resistant case backs, but it is not a tamper proof/evident seal.
Providing it was done by a competent watchmaker who checked the water resistance after and not the manager out the back with a case tool, Rolex will not know.
So how exactly would this seal work? Assuming it’s internal, as soon as you open the watch to check the seal, surely you’ve broken it again?? Confused
So you mean to say that the most reprehensible authorised dealers of any dealer network in any industry the world over, aren't being honest?
I would say I'm surprised, but given the incredibly poor reputation ADs have on here and watch forums across the planet, I'm most definitely not.
Do you think warranty will cover a drop? A week old Submariner fell on wooden floor. Crystal flat down from about a meter hight or so.
No dents at all. Absolutely no visual damage still like new, but it now runs about five minutes slow a day.
Will they know there’s been an impact and refuse warranty repair?
Schrödinger's seal.
Depending on damage inside they could know it’s had a serious knock.
Won’t mention I dropped it. And hopefully they will turn a blind eye considering the natural slowing down on those 3230 calibres.
Agree - complete fiction.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Really don’t think they would
I once lamped a Rolex off a door frame so hard it moved the cyclops off centre while running inside the house and when I told the AD and they not to say anything and just sent it back over warranty
New glass and service free of charge
Good to know thanks. Watch stopped working now. Fully wound it at 10am. It had stopped at 6:30pm.
If RSC say anything I’ll remind them about the previous one they had to adjust like three times!
They’ll cover it. Had a mate who did far worse, dropped it on stone gym floor. Broke the crystal, lost the Pearl, watch running super irregularly. Repaired as new within a few weeks under warranty, no charge.
The king for a reason.
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The king of bollocks
Depends if it is normal wear and tear or damage due to misuse, it’s excluded. Quote from the Rolex website about warranty cover.
The Rolex guarantee excludes normal wear-and-tear (notably the wear-and-tear of non-metal bracelets and straps), loss, theft, or damage due to misuse.
Last edited by MartynJC (UK); 8th April 2023 at 22:08.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Who is this “reputable trader”?
He is either a fool or a liar.
Rolex types are usually both!
No warranty will cover you for ‘accidental damage’. It’s to cover manufacturing defects. Nothing else. And as a company Rolex aren’t exactly known for their cheap service costs and transparent pricing structure are they??
My guess is they'll say that if a warranty claim looks expensive.
M
Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
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