Reply With QuotePlenty of recommendations for Duncan at Genesis here and he did my wife's Oysterquartz.
R
Hi all
I have an early Rolex Oysterquartz 17000 bought on here last year - from the late 1970s. Recently stopped so I dropped into Rolex St James for a replacement battery.
Needless to say the issue isn't battery. Rolex have quoted me ~£330 for full service, which I'm fine with HOWEVER...
The watch is original - dial, hands, case etc. Rolex are happy to agree not to refinish the case or replace glass etc, but they say: 'we cannot make any guarantee’s to the security of your dial as it has started to deteriorate.'
Any recommendation for independent specialist servicing who might do a better job or not just replace the dial without at least trying to preserve it?
I have searched back on the forum and found recommendations (from some years ago) for:
Genesis watchmaking http://www.genesiswatchmaking.co.uk/
Watch works http://www.watchworks.co.uk/servicing.html
William Rice http://www.williamricewatches.com/index.php
Views or recommendations on any of these please?
Many thanks in advance for input.
Plenty of recommendations for Duncan at Genesis here and he did my wife's Oysterquartz.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
If it is indeed more than just the battery, Rolex must intend to replace the movement, so if you want someone else to do it, you’ll need to ascertain if they can do the same.
Why must they be replacing the movement and not servicing it?Originally Posted by Si
Rocco serviced and refinished mine, last year I think the price was higher that your Rolex quote but I can't remeber now.
Anyway it came back as good as new.
Also are you 100% it's not just the battery? Threads on here haven said Rolex has been known to strongly advise a service every 2nd battery change or the first time they have the watch in after some time.
Even as I typed it, I knew someone would pick me up on the word “must”. Can I go for “probably” instead? If it is not the battery, unless there is some mechanical issue, my guess is that something has burnt out.
There are quite a few replaceable parts, I really doubt that they would replace the movement have a look.
http://www.oysterquartz.net/images/5...tzmovement.jpg
Perhaps I am wrong.
On another tack, did Rolex say if they would return the original dial?
You will be lucky to get them to return bits.
I presume if their intention was to replace the movement in its entirety, the price for the "service" would be higher though.
Did you send it through your local AD or direct? I had mine serviced last year (think it was £500 or so - quoted same as Rolex direct) because it had stopped. AD called to say that rolex wanted to replace the dial, I said no and they didn't. I've never heard of them unilaterally deciding to replace a dial as there is so much value in the original dial.
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Because it is easier for them than faffing around with an old movement and it gives the customer a watch that is as good as new. Not a watch with a movement that has been mucked around with and had some worn parts replaced and others not. I would have the watch serviced by Rolex in a heartbeat and if they can replace the old movement with a new one I would be delighted.
The movement is rarely replaced as it is very expensive, and very servicable, just as the mechanicals. Let the RSC do the work to make sure all worn parts are replaced properly.
Thanks for all the replies. I'm not 100% sure, no, but I am taking Rolex St James word as honest when they say they have tried a new battery and its not running. No way of being completely sure (unless I do it myself or get a second opinion).
I've contacted Duncan at Genesis.
Get a grip on yourself, man, Rolex is offering to do it for 330 quid. Accept it! A mate of mine is having his old sub serviced and he was quoted 2000 pounds (He was told he might be better off selling it as it is, but he will be keeping it for sentimental reasons and having the work done). You should be grateful.
More complete rubbish from GrandS. Rolex would never replace an entire movement unless it was damaged. The cost of a movement runs to over £1000 and is passed on directly to the owner. The 5035/5055 is one of the easiest calibres to service.
Totally agree. The warranty on service is now a decade (on my oysterquartz anyway) so just pull the trigger.
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My point about replacing the movement was badly expressed. What i meant was that amongst the many serviceable parts and components that do not need any action taken, there will be electronic modules that are not economically repairable. Would an independent have access to these parts? Maybe they do.
As an aside, until this thread I was under the mistaken impression that most quartz watches fail due to electronics failures. Not so apparently - more likely to be debris or wear-related mechanical issues. That swings things slightly in favour of the independents.
Nevertheless, for the cost quoted, Rolex all the way.
eastsider, is the dial that you have particularly nicely aged?
Really?
You only get five years on a new Rolex, I find it hard to believe they are offering double that or five times the length of warranty for services they quote on their website.
Balls! Just checked and it's 2. Lord knows why I thought it was 10. My mistake!
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Thanks all for the replies. Have taken advice and Rolex are servicing.
Special mention and thanks to Duncan @Genesis who gave me loads of good advice over the phone whilst not getting any work out of it himself! Top man - will definitely use in the future.
Collected from Rolex a week ago and all is well - no cosmetic changes to the watch and back up and running superbly with the Rolex service warranty now in place, for the quoted sum. Impressed to be fair.
Re the dial - it is aged, some light spotting and overall faded, its not 'remarkable' but the whole watch looks like a 35 year old watch which has been worn and cared for, its all 'even' if you see what I mean. I think a new dial would have looked far too 'clean' and at that point might as well have the whole thing polished etc.
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