Rolex choose to not supply parts to anyone except their own service centers. It’s all part of The Rolex Way. It ensures control over the brand. The brand is everything to to Rolex.
I have been the Rolex service center in Kings Hill, Kent a number of times. It’s impressive. Its built like Fort Knox, although that is not immediately obvious, but you then study some of the features to see there is way more than basic security applied to that facility.
There’s no way I’d trust my Daytona to anyone else anyway, if I’m honest with myself. So many parts are made from materials created in their own foundry, that anything else would be far from the oem spec. I’d pay the extra just for peace of mind, or just sell it.
When you buy Rolex or Tudor. You need to be aware of what you are buying into.
Yes, when they swrvice a watch it is more of an overhaul or, dare I say it, a restoration. They bring it back to " as designed". So patina etc is not part of the design, so removed.
William Rice is a top quality man who carried out a fantastic service on my watch a couple of years ago.
Peter
Rolex only supplying their own service centres is a recent development so you wouldn’t be aware of that at the time of purchase in a lot of cases, and certainly with my two buys - 1988 & 2013.
My friend used to have his Rolex serviced in Liverpool and that particular dealer told him it was the last time he’d be able to do it as Rolex were starting to make things difficult. He alleged Rolex had made him buy a special machine (£25K) for pressure testing the seals and then refused to come out and calibrate it rendering it useless. Withholding parts was the next step.
Rolex may think they’re wonderful but between them and the AD I used they managed to lose my watch for three months. Something they didn’t tell me for the first 10 weeks, and then blamed it on Covid and a misdirected email.
Agree. A very deliberate business ( not that they are a proper business) decision.
Their model is one of absolute control. Spares, tools, sales, discounts ( lack of).
Unfortunately it has proved successful for them. Making their products even more desirable to some. Bonkers really.
Omega have, or are trying similar tactics to a lesser degree.
Sounds a bit like Apple.
Brand, Brand, Brand. That is what it is about.
Much more closer to home I think.
Many brands are copying it. An independent jeweler near me is losing one brand after the other the last couple of years as the brands open their own boutiques.
It dismays me that Rolex tend to want to throw everything out and give you back a virtual ‘new’ watch - they must surely understand that owners just want ‘their own’ watch back, albeit with any faults fixed.
[/quote]
Possibly not, I get the impression that many big firms “are too big to listen” , I had the misfortune to work for two .
Surely it’s not beyond Rolex to ask the customer if they want service or refurb and price accordingly.
Only if the customer is to be given a choice, which is - apparently- not the case.
I don’t know if you have seen the Antiques Roadshows where the expert explains how much a Rolex or Omega etc has been reduced in value if original parts and condition are changed, sometimes by tens of thousands of pounds. When my Omega was serviced you are given a little bag with the old hands, crown etc. I would have been happy for them just to be cleaned. Of course perishable items like rubber seals should be replaced.
I have the IWC Portuguese perpetual calendar. Had it fully serviced 3 years ago and it cost me $2,000… Sent it for servicing again 4 months ago as it was no longer giving me time with accuracy. The last I heard from the service centre they had to order a component from Switzerland. No idea when I’ll get it back, and how much lighter my wallet will be, but frankly I’m not impressed. When you pay $40k for a watch you shouldn’t need to have it serviced every 3 years.
My Father sent his 1946 Rolex for a service in about 1970. I remember it looking more than a bit tired. I found a picture online of how I remember it used to look. It came back looking like the recent photo. I now perhaps wish they had cleaned and refurbished it rather than replace the dial, hands, etc. Still gets worn occasionally and wound every day.
My Wife’s Stainless and Gold Omega had a service in the spring, multiple parts change and a full polish.
You are right. But did you not get the 6 year extension of the 2 year international limited warranty? Have a look on the homepage of IWC. If you register your watch it should be possible to get this extension. But perhaps this offer was not given, when you purchased your watch.
That’s a real shame in my view. I much prefer the older style dial and hands and the aged patina tells a tale.
I’ve instructed (almost pleaded with) Russell Talerman not to polish my Omega which is currently there for service.
Wow. That’s like a completely different watch. You’d think they’d at least use replacement parts similar to the original if not identical.
Just thinking about it, I seem to remember there may have been a safety issue with older luminescent materials. May have been one of the reasons for not staying the same.
Edit: I do remember it being bright.