Reply With QuoteRocco did my 5513.I was very happy with the whole process,it was clear they listened to what I wanted and all done in reasonable time scale.
Okay, after a bit of advice here. My 5513 has gone the best part of ten years without a service and it's now running slightly faster than I'm comfortable with. I've ascertained that neither of the Duncans are in a position to service it, and our Olli can't do it either at the moment. To my mind that leaves Bill Rice and Rocco; both can take it on and complete the work within 2/3 weeks but one is 40% more expensive than the other. Is it fair to say that both are equally capable, in which case I'll make a decision based on cost? (I don't want to send it back to the mothership for a variety of reasons, btw.)
One other question - when I bought the watch it came fitted with a NOS Tropic 19 Superdome which I'd obviously like to retain. What are the chances of it getting the all clear to be reinstalled post-service (it's been on the watch for about 7/8 years)?
Rocco did my 5513.I was very happy with the whole process,it was clear they listened to what I wanted and all done in reasonable time scale.
Bill Rice did a great job with my 5513 around 10 years ago - didnt touch the case etc as requested purely the movement and seals etc. I was quoted less than Rolex quite recently for another service (but not by much) however he will treat the watch with care. Looks like the feedback on Rocco is equally positive...££ comes into the fore.Originally Posted by learningtofly
Cheers Keith
Steven Hale is the go to man for vintage Rolex
SHWR in London
Can't compare like for like in terms of ability or price as have used neither. But in regard to the superdome I asked Bill ( he lives not far away from me) about relacing the service crystal on my 5513 with a Sternkreuz superdome that I had purchased a few years ago and he said the best option was to bevel the edges off a Rolex crystal so it looked like a superdome, something he could do. There is quite a lot of concern on Rolex forums about using generic crystals as rather a lot of them crack after a while, so chamfering a genuine one seems to me a reasonable result.
Hiya Tony
Have you tried Graham at Superlativetime ?
See: http://www.superlativetime.com/servicing-information
Best Neil
I got a quote from Bill Rice recently but felt it was excessive and I'm not sure if he is still Rolex accredited if that matters to you.
Steven Hale is a more realistic price but quote a time of 26wks with a 4 wk service available at a 50% premium.
Surprised Duncan at Genesis can't take it.
Regards the crystal they would be able to refit but possibly not guarantee it as waterproof.
Last edited by Hood; 5th January 2021 at 20:53.
Thanks all. I’ll make a few more enquiries, and I’d forgotten that Stephen Hale is only about 10 minutes from me.
Regarding Genesis, Duncan tells me that he can no longer service “flat sided” Rolex models without buying and being trained on the requisite lapping machine. “Our” Duncan is in post-COVID recovery, and is clearly feeing it.
+1 on Graham @ Superlative Time - Vintage specialist.
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What constitutes a "flat sided" Rolex?
I wonder if you wanted no casework on it whether Genesis are then able to do it.
Basically, Subs, GMT and Exp II. This has been the case with Genesis for a while now, I asked about my 14060M about 3 years ago and was told the same. He can't do Tudor Subs either. An instruction not to touch the case makes no difference in my experience.
It should be noted on the website IMO because he does great work otherwise.
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I quote: “Some time ago Rolex changed their policy on models with flat case sides (eg. Submariner, Explorer, GMT models) This was due to the introduction of an improved case finishing system – a lapping machine specifically designed for finishing the flat sides of these cases. This policy change coincided with a restriction of casing parts to all workshops that have not yet invested and trained on the new equipment.”
My assumption is that Duncan is now unwilling to disassemble a case from these models.
Have you considered a truedome replacement?
From reviews they seem to be an exact match for the discontinued Rolex and being new they would give me greater confidence in water resistance.
I'll be buying one in near future but since I don't own yet take what I say with a pinch of salt.
Well, I've just had a very pleasant chat with Rolex's service manager at Kings Hill. The cost for a full service has just gone up to £900, and I'd have to expect that the superdome would be replaced as a matter of course with a standard service crystal (not domed, sadly) and that they'd probably end up putting a new monoblock crown on it too. There's no chance of getting the original crown back (elf & safety, cos "it's pointed"!) and there's a good chance that someone will make the mistake of throwing the T19 away even if I asked for it to be returned with the watch.
Interestingly, it transpires that any Rolex accredited watchmaker should be quoting me the same cost, but it also means that I'll be guaranteed that only genuine parts will be used. Of the four well-established watchmakers I've approached for prices only one of the three who've responded (and who is indeed accredited) has complied with that, with one more price (again from an accredited watchmaker) to come in. Of the two cheaper quotes one of those also confirms Rolex accreditation on the website, so the parts issue would be worth pursuing for the purposes of comfort. The other doesn't mention Rolex accreditation on the website, so I'll assume there isn't any.
This is a lot less straightforward than I assumed it would be.
Have you tried these Tony:
https://www.prestigetimeservices.co....ex-accredited/
They serviced a 16600 and a 1675 for me last year. The guys name is Paul and they were very helpful.
I spoke with watchworks a couple of years ago and the cost of a service was around 850 so it sounds about right. With them you could be sure you’d get your parts back though.
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Sorry for reviving this thread!
I was curious to see who you went for in the end?
I have decided to keep my 5513 and get it serviced. (It needs new autoworks)
I got a quote from Rolex HQ, who assured me that they wouldn't change anything, but they insisted on changing the hands incase some tritium fell out.
So I requested for them to send it back to me.
I decided to go with Stephen Hale on the basis that he's within dropping off/collection distance as much as anything else. He can also work some magic on any replacement crystal I might want fitted, such that I'll end up with a dome again.
Once lockdown is over I'll be making the necessary arrangements.
Thank you, I'll contact them and see what their lead time is.
Mine came with the Truedome crystal and they are so good, Rolex didn't remark that it was an aftermarket crystal in their estimate of service works.
I’ve mentioned on another thread that I had my sub serviced recently with Steven Hale. It took about 5 weeks and they were flexible on the work that I wanted done. If you’re on the fence about polishing (like I was) I think they did a great job of mine and I am fussy! I’ve not got the watch with me so can’t take a photo...
Steve is one of the best, he done all my watches for past 10 years, never been disappointed with the quality of work, and polishing he has done.
I use William Rice for my Daytona 16520.
I dropped off my 5513 this morning at the Bushey workshop and spoke to Steve.
Lovely guy...
He will send me a proper estimate early next week.
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