Servicing a Rolex

[Troubleatmill]

Wife has a steel Lady Rolex. (No date)
Bought it 8 years ago.
It has not been serviced.

I'm thinking it really should be.

Is it worth going the AD route?

Thanks in advance
T

[jimmyslr]

I did some research on this and, not surprisingly, you get mixed views. Using Rolex themselves tends to get it done "their way" and with quite a long lead time. I plumped for an expert independent that got good write ups on watch fora, Genesis Watchmaking. They were quicker, kept me informed and I'd a great job (as far as I can tell). Put "Genesis watch making review" into Google and look at some of the write ups. It's not cheap either way and there are cheaper alternatives, but i opted to err on the side of quality and reputation rather than price.

[rat840771]

If the watch is running fine, then there is no reason why there should be an issue when it comes to servicing. So i would go the independent route and save your self a lot of money and get the watch back in good time.

As a guide Variomatic on here quoted me £140 for a full service on a sea dweller vs Rolex at £550! The only difference being that Variomatic cannot pressure test to stupid depth ratings the seadweller can do. Being that i may reach the deep end of the local swimming pool i'll opt for the £140 option.

Whilst i'm there i will also get my Fortis fixed, now that could be as little as £30 to fix.

[bry1975]

Rat,

Contact Duncan of Tz he can wr WET test down to a MAX depth of 3,000metres if required.

[thebraketester]

Unless its showing signs of time in-accuracy or variation then I would leave it.

[anonymous-user]

After 15 years of dealing with Rolex UK for the servicing of 2 x Datejust's (both bought new) I gave up and sold them. Simply the worst company I have ever dealt with, arrogant, slow and piss-poor quality of work. Your experience (I sincerely hope) may vary.

[bry1975]

Yer MARTINS of Glasgow are good people sent them watch tools for trialing in the past.

[13m]

MercScot said:

After 15 years of dealing with Rolex UK for the servicing of 2 x Datejust's (both bought new) I gave up and sold them. Simply the worst company I have ever dealt with, arrogant, slow and piss-poor quality of work. Your experience (I sincerely hope) may vary.

Sadly, this has been my experience with Rolex too. Both with regard to mechanical and finishing work undertaken. On two different watches.

[rog007]

My oyster has been serviced twice by Rolex and I thought it was an excellent service.

[Zingari]

13m said:

MercScot said:

After 15 years of dealing with Rolex UK for the servicing of 2 x Datejust's (both bought new) I gave up and sold them. Simply the worst company I have ever dealt with, arrogant, slow and piss-poor quality of work. Your experience (I sincerely hope) may vary.

Sadly, this has been my experience with Rolex too. Both with regard to mechanical and finishing work undertaken. On two different watches.

Indeed and that has been my experience. If you're never going to sell the watch an independent is a good route, and if you are you could consider a Rolex service to have some warranty and that it proves its genuine but I doubt you'd recover the full service cost in the sale. Either way only the last service counts at sale time.

If you wear it regularly and its keeping good time, it's smooth on resetting and occasional winding, I'd leave well alone.

I was going to sell and old Rolex ExpII but have it serviced first (as it needs one) but a respected watch dealer advised me not to bother and sell as is. I've not got round to either yet!

Edited by Zingari on Saturday 2nd January 11:10