Thanks for that Tony. Seem to recall reading that his prices were eye watering but can't remember where I saw it.Originally Posted by learningtofly
Rolex charge big numbers now for vintage stuff
I was going to send a 1675 last year and I’m sure it was going to be about £1300 before anything else was done
For non vintage I’d go Rolex but you can get a real person to talk to when you go Indy.
Pity Duncan at Genesis stopped doing them.
For me the problem with Stephen Hale was going to be turnaround time though they offer a quicker turnaround for a 50% premium
I'm looking forward to seeing the results, I have a couple coming towards service time and looking to use Steve.
There won't be much to see as I'm barely touching the case. I've just asked for a light refinish to the graining on the top of the lugs but that's about it. The watch only has a few light hairlines and I didn't think it was worth losing metal from a full polish over.
image-2021-09-19-17:19:28-981.jpgimage-2021-09-19-17:19:28-981.jpg
I looked into this last year for my SD. The accredited specialists I asked couldn’t do it because of the pressure testing required takes some specific equipment. I sent it to st James and was happy with the result. It was around £600. I think if your selling on the future people prefer a Rolex service history so it’s likely worth it in the long run. Came back like new.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Those 5513’s are gorgeous. I had my 1680 serviced by Brendan. It was a great job and a great deal compared to the quote I had from Rolex. I get the feeling there perhaps not keen on the vintage work?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I should probably bring this thread up to date, given that I now have the watch back in my possession. So...
Steve returned the watch to me around about the time expected, fully serviced, pressure tested and apparently running at +2spd. I collected it without winding it, only to get home and find that the mainspring had broken. Off it went to Steve again, a new mainspring was fitted and it was returned to me; however, somewhere along the line the timekeeping went a fair bit off, so it was returned once again for regulation and longer-term testing. It's now on my wrist, and running sweetly at +2spd again; the tops of the lugs were lightly regrained (and look great) and the watch has been pressure tested to 100m. (A full 300m test would have meant a new crown and tube, and as it'll never see water that seemed like a pointless exercise to me.)
I think Steve dealt with everything professionally and without complaint. The problems were just unfortunate and no fault of his, and I'd certainly both recommend him and use him again. All in all, I'm delighted with the result.
Took my 1970 Rolex GMT Master Model 1675 to Stephen Hale South Moulton Street yesterday ... service estimate £600 plus parts ... could be 6 months wait but offered an 'express service' for a £premium ... no hurry so happy to wait. Their service manager confirmed Rolex St James send all their vintage Rolex to Stephen Hale for servicing ... I'm very happy to go 'direct' to S Hale :). I had considered consulting two other well known (to TZ UK) watchmakers but neither offer a full properly printed service receipt showing all the work completed and parts fitted. Both very competent watchmakers and one I used last last year for servicing 3 watches. If they can't be bothered to buy a decent computer printer and print off a proper receipt on 'headed' paper I'm no longer interested in using their services. One offered to 'sign' a receipt if I printed it myself ... a daft suggestion. So simple to invest in a computer printer and he's likely losing business by not using same. No way would I send a potentially £12K + value watch to a watchmaker who cannot be bothered to issue a proper receipt on headed paper ... regardless of their watchmaking skills.
BTW ... Stephen Hale's website shows an illustration of case restoration where an Omega case had been lapped ... and they offer watch case laser welding ... and do not insist on movement servicing when a case restoration is required ... https://www.shwr.co.uk/polishing
Last edited by sundial; 12th November 2021 at 12:42.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Right up there with one of the most ridiculous posts I've read on here.
Probably a good thing there's guys like you discounting old school watchmakers on that basis so that it let's them get on with normal people not obsessed with a printout.
Quite 'reasonable' to expect a proper printed receipt for any repair job ... be it a watch, clock, car, camera etc. ... it's a professional tradesman's seal of quality
And your 'old school watchmaker' comment speaks volumes ... 'cos I've heard it before ... your phrase ... not mine!
Last edited by sundial; 13th November 2021 at 02:40.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Whether it's printed or hand written doesn't matter a damn.
I'm interested in his care and skill in servicing my watch and finishing it if I feel I want that done.
Received the official estimate today from Steven Hale for the 1970 Rolex GMT Master Model 1675... Emailed as a PDF document ... Requires vintage Rolex parts costing £350 plus VAT which will all be documented on a proper headed receipt.
I'm happy with the estimate and the final printed receipt will be an important part of the vintage Rolex's history / provenance.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Ignore - posted on wrong thread
Last edited by ODP; 5th July 2022 at 17:21.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote