Rolex St James Visit

[jackjack]

I recently visited RSC in London and through I’d share some of the photos I took while getting a Jubilee for my 16710 GMT.

I am really liking the new layout. A lot more spacious with 3 divided lounge areas with lots of natural light. Service is fantastic as always.




You can now looking into the workshop while you wait which I think is very cool. The consultation area is on the far left.



I also noticed they had wireless and wired charging tables which sit flush with the carpet and all of the wiring hidden (yes I know I’m a geek with detail)



This is the counter where you have your consultation. All fitted out with basic examining tools and lights where the reps would give you estimates for service etc.



Finally getting my GMT put onto a Jubilee after a year’s wait. Very chuffed with it. Completely changes the look of the watch for me.





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[tim2012]

Looks good. I might drop by when I am down in London. Do they have a booking system or can you walk in?

[jackjack]

I booked in. Quite easy to call in and get a 1 hour slot. I believe they do take walk-ins too but I would check on that.


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[number2]

It seems Rolex really understand their target market.

[Onelasttime]

It seems Rolex really understand their target market.

Titter

[Hooshabak]

Seems kind of pointless to me all that, looks fabulous but so what, when I buy a Rolex I’m not thinking about how their fancy offices look in fact seeing that kinda stuff puts me off

[Ctam]

Nice set up! Haven’t been in years. Thanks for the photos.

BW,
Chi Kai


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[Itsguy]

It seems Rolex really understand their target market.

Seems kind of pointless to me all that, looks fabulous but so what, when I buy a Rolex I’m not thinking about how their fancy offices look in fact seeing that kinda stuff puts me off

When the ‘target market’ choose to be relieved of £500+ for a service, in return they want to feel they’re living the luxury lifestyle. They definitely don’t want to go somewhere dated and a bit vulgar, that might make them doubt their choices (though I rather liked the old one for exactly those reasons!).

[RAJEN]

As one would expect. Good on Rolex.
Those who have a problem obviously have a choice to buy a $5 no name quartz watch that will keep good time and have the battery changed at a stall in the mall.

Some people will have a problem with anything that Rolex does.

[abraxas]

...

Some people will have a problem with anything that Rolex does.

Really, I wonder why?

[number2]

Some people will have a problem with anything that Rolex does.

Absolutely untrue, but other religions are available.

[snowman]

Absolutely untrue, but other religions are available.

It probably is true, but equally some people will accept anything Rolex do.

Service centre looks very nice.

M

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[GraniteQuarry]

Aesthetically it's gone from gentlemen's club to airport lounge!

[bwest76]

Aesthetically it's gone from gentlemen's club to airport lounge!

That’s what I was thinking,the IWC lounge in contrast is pure class.

[number2]

Aesthetically it's gone from gentlemen's club to airport lounge!

Maybe 'gentlemen's club' wasn't neutral enough for the new breed of Rolex wearer.

[ach5]

Aesthetically it's gone from gentlemen's club to airport lounge!

Couldn’t have put that better myself. It’s definitely a cross between executive airport hotel & airport lounge

[RobDad]

As one would expect. Good on Rolex.
Those who have a problem obviously have a choice to buy a $5 no name quartz watch that will keep good time and have the battery changed at a stall in the mall.

Some people will have a problem with anything that Rolex does.

So predictable. ‘If you’re too poor to buy a Rolex buddy, buy a $5 watch’ - classic. I think this is the issue. Rolex watches have nothing to do with snobbery or one-upmanship, but they are rapidly becoming shorthand for something similar. At the same time the criticism from nowhere is a bit irritating, the ‘leaping to the defence’ crowd is just as bad

[s1wnw]

Looks very impressive. How much was the jubilee bracelet? Was it done there and then? Or did you have to wait for it? Thanks will

[jackjack]

Looks very impressive. How much was the jubilee bracelet? Was it done there and then? Or did you have to wait for it? Thanks will

Paid £950. I called in to check if they had the stock which they did. Got it fitted and resized on the same day.


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[s1wnw]

Paid £950. I called in to check if they had the stock which they did. Got it fitted and resized on the same day.


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great thanks for letting me know. I am a fan of the jubilee

[number2]

I'm reminded of this...

[Caminos]

I'm reminded of this...

Ha ha ha, fantastic, it’s true!. Thanks for sharing.


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[DigitalSeb]

I'm reminded of this...

fact



S

[paskinner]

The market has changed, not for the better. But, thats what markets do...change. As far as I can see, the best move is to buy the wat h you most enjoy, and then just wear it. Forget all the nonsense about scratches, values, idiotic nicknames. Just enjoy your watch. And don’t worry what others think. It’s not their watch.

[number2]

The market has changed, not for the better. But, that's what markets do...change. As far as I can see, the best move is to buy the watch you most enjoy, and then just wear it. Forget all the nonsense about scratches, values, idiotic nicknames. Just enjoy your watch. And don’t worry what others think. It’s not their watch.

100% what he said ^^^^^ .

[Mick P]

If you don't like Rolex or the way they operate, just forget about them and buy something else.

[OllieG]

If you don't like Rolex or the way they operate, just forget about them and buy something else.

If only it was that easy. I got on the waiting list at AD, the day after the 2020 releases, as a non preferred customer I could be waiting months-years, I just want to own the damn thing, and not resell, try telling that to Rolex, not cool.


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[Mick P]

If only it was that easy. I got on the waiting list at AD, the day after the 2020 releases, as a non preferred customer I could be waiting months-years, I just want to own the damn thing, and not resell, try telling that to Rolex, not cool.


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You know the reasons for this and you knew it was coming and yet you still moan. Simple answer is to try another brand.

[magirus]

The market has changed, not for the better. But, thats what markets do...change. As far as I can see, the best move is to buy the wat h you most enjoy, and then just wear it. Forget all the nonsense about scratches, values, idiotic nicknames. Just enjoy your watch. And don’t worry what others think. It’s not their watch.

I agree, and of all the associated guff it's the puerile nicknames that amuse/nauseate me in equal measure. There was none of it in 1979 when I bought my first Rolex, or in 1984 when I bought the Datejust I still wear. However since joining the forum I've come to appreciate and own other makes as well. If I had unlimited funds I wouldn't buy a modern Rolex, there's much more interesting stuff out there, and that realisation comes from years of reading and education both here and elsewhere.

[farmkid]

Many folk are critical of Rolex saying that it’s all marketing hype etc - however in terms of producing a quality product I will say that in 25 years of passionate watch enthusiasm and collecting I have never once had to take a Rolex back to be fixed/ serviced under warranty..... every single Rolex has proved bombproof mechanically.
I have purchased a couple of Omega’s in more recent times both of which have been sent back under warranty to be fixed. I have a Rio Olympic Speedmaster going back this week- I bought it in 2017 and it’s already completely packed up working- I’m 100% confident a new Rolex would not break in only 3 years ......some Rolex go decades without even a service.

[RAJEN]

I agree, and of all the associated guff it's the puerile nicknames that amuse/nauseate me in equal measure. There was none of it in 1979 when I bought my first Rolex, or in 1984 when I bought the Datejust I still wear. However since joining the forum I've come to appreciate and own other makes as well. If I had unlimited funds I wouldn't buy a modern Rolex, there's much more interesting stuff out there, and that realisation comes from years of reading and education both here and elsewhere.

Certainly there is a lot of interesting stuff out there. Not necessarily more for me. I enjoy a vast diversity of watches from Steeldive to Patek. Rolex is a small part of it. There are some aspects of Rolex followers that grate but that doesn’t diminish the pleasure I derive from Rolex watches not does it turn me off the brand. Rolex SD/Sub is the most iconic dive watch design/aesthetic for me but is not the only one. I enjoy Omega and Blancpain and evening some of the Seiko/GS divers. I think the push back from Rolex fans comes from the irritating behaviour of a few of the posters who feel obliged to mock or jeer at anything Rolex and their participation in WT is often limited to their snide comments on Rolex threads almost to the exclusion of everything else. Their is no substantial contribution elsewhere in WT from them. Anybody and everybody is within their rights not to like Rolex or even hate them but the constant need to belittle Rolex is somewhat irritating and also to an extent revealing.

[ach5]

I enjoy a vast diversity of watches from Steeldive to Patek. Rolex is a small part of it.

Lucky you; we all remember the ostentatious ‘watch drawer’ photo, but for many, buying *one* Rolex in their lifetime with their honestly and hard earned money would be an enviable dream, and when that becomes a closed club, frustrations ensue. You’d hear none of it if they were freely available.

[wileeeeeey]

How did a thread with pictures of the Rolex St James refurb turn into nonsense about scratches, waiting lists, and how a fancy head office puts you off buying one of their watches? I'm guessing a few of you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Maybe if their head office was under some railway arches in Bermondsey or on an industrial estate in Slough you'd be happy to buy ten of their watches.

[RAJEN]

How did a thread with pictures of the Rolex St James refurb turn into nonsense about scratches, waiting lists, and how a fancy head office puts you off buying one of their watches? I'm guessing a few of you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Maybe if their head office was under some railway arches in Bermondsey or on an industrial estate in Slough you'd be happy to buy ten of their watches.

Some people feel obliged to come and crap on every Rolex thread. A lot of these haven’t posted a pic of a watch in years.

[Christian]

To be fair, as a Rolex owner and fan of the brand, I found that scratches meme funny.

[Emilio]

To be fair, as a Rolex owner and fan of the brand, I found that scratches meme funny.

Haha same here :-)

[Itsguy]

Time to get over Rolex being popular I think. It’s a bit like a sport, sometimes one team dominates for a while. When Mercedes and Hamilton win every race you could say it’s a bit predictable but that’s the nature of the game. A while ago it was Omega and IWC and some others who caught the zeitgeist, currently there are some interesting microbrands emerging, while some other brands are becoming super premium. It’s in a constant state of flux. Without doubt though Rolex have become incredibly dominant and won the luxury brand battle, or at least the recognition battle, and there’s no point in fighting it or being surprised or upset when there’s a thread about them. In time something else will happen, and until then if you find something else more interesting then start a thread about it.

[theancientmariner]

Some people feel obliged to come and crap on every Rolex thread..

I’m not keen on Rolex but I started reading this thread and thought what a nice revamp, very tastefully done and the Rolex watches shown were actually quite nice, not desirable for me but still nice. Then I read the negativity further down the thread and agree with your comment.
That said, there are some Rolex owners who do exactly the same to other brands, one poster in this thread regularly ‘craps’ on another brand without any justification. If people are going to bait a dog then they can expect it to bite

[Billy4389]

How did a thread with pictures of the Rolex St James refurb turn into nonsense about scratches, waiting lists, and how a fancy head office puts you off buying one of their watches? I'm guessing a few of you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Maybe if their head office was under some railway arches in Bermondsey or on an industrial estate in Slough you'd be happy to buy ten of their watches.

That’s exactly what I was thinking! It’s like a thread within a thread, looks like some people get upset about a bit of new carpet haha


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[watchlovr]

So many haters.

[oldoakknives]

So many haters.

Not really, just the same few who pop up on all Rolex threads.

I thought it just looked like a fairly modern, clean, waiting area. Hardly the last word in opulence, so I wonder what some people are used to!

[gerrudd]

Rolex have always been about the intersection between luxury and adventure. Or to put it more succinctly, and mis-quote Kingsley Amis, the thin line between berks and wankers.

[MartynJC (UK)]

Thanks OP for showing what the insides of St James looks like now. Has the outside changed at all or is it still the inconspicuous self?

[jackjack]

Thanks OP for showing what the insides of St James looks like now. Has the outside changed at all or is it still the inconspicuous self?

It’s pretty much the same outside. Slightly tinted glass with no signs. I almost walked past and missed it which is funny as I’ve been there before.

[jukeboxs]

Thanks for posting, I don't get the chance to visit (not being local). Such a handy resource to have on your doorstep.

[boring_sandwich]

Nice to be able to see the watchmakers working on the watches now in the recently refurbished St James.

[Low-Key]

Hi

Good to know they are open again - I think I will now take up their Operations Managers offer to be shown around the premises, put on hold last time I stopped by to pick up a serviced piece.

L-K

[gerard]

Rolex have always been about the intersection between luxury and adventure. Or to put it more succinctly, and mis-quote Kingsley Amis, the thin line between berks and wankers.

Yup...these are the ones I remember



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[MartynJC (UK)]

Yup...these are the ones I remember



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This is what I remember:

[Aimforthebushes]

Great to see pics of the RSC, how long in advance did you have to make an appointment? Got a few things that need looking at that I’ve been putting off