The Watch Appreciation Thread - Part two (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre,

[dfwcowboy]

Any recommendations for mail order watch repair for a Rolex? I have a his/her pair of Date models in SS that haven't been worn for a decade or so. Both were working at the time they were mothballed, but certainly need servicing. One needs a part for the band and the dial face replaced as it no longer glows in the dark.

 

[dddrees]

Sometimes it's easier to choose one's knife than it is to choose one's watch.

 

[Dino944]

Any recommendations for mail order watch repair for a Rolex? I have a his/her pair of Date models in SS that haven't been worn for a decade or so. Both were working at the time they were mothballed, but certainly need servicing. One needs a part for the band and the dial face replaced as it no longer glows in the dark.

Yes, mail it to Rolex's authorized service center in Dallas or NYC. Rolex doesn't sell parts to outside vendors so if your watch needs a part, and you go to an independent shop, at best you are getting used parts from someone else's watch or aftermarket parts. Furthermore, I've seen some real hack jobs done on watches, especially when it comes to polishing and refinishing, since most indies just just a dremel tool and don't have the actual die used by the factory or authorized service centers. In addition, your watch will come back from Rolex with service paperwork that includes a warranty for the work they do on the watch. IMHO, having Rolex do the work is worth it.

 

[Dino944]

Sometimes it's easier to choose one's knife than it is to choose one's watch.

Definitely tough choices...but that is truly a very handsome knife! My dad collects them and he as quite a few interesting designs. I only have a more basic one that he gave me a long time ago. Its a basic lock blade was one of his first nice knife purchases.

 

[dddrees]



Definitely tough choices...but that is truly a very handsome knife!  My dad collects them and he as quite a few interesting designs. I only have a more basic one that he gave me a long time ago.  Its  a basic lock blade was one of his first nice knife purchases. 

Thank you sir. I probably don't have as many as your father and It hasn't been very long since I started collecting them but there certainly are some real nice ones out there.

 

[dfwcowboy]

Yes, mail it to Rolex's authorized service center in Dallas or NYC. Rolex doesn't sell parts to outside vendors so if your watch needs a part, and you go to an independent shop, at best you are getting used parts from someone else's watch or aftermarket parts. Furthermore, I've seen some real hack jobs done on watches, especially when it comes to polishing and refinishing, since most indies just just a dremel tool and don't have the actual die used by the factory or authorized service centers. In addition, your watch will come back from Rolex with service paperwork that includes a warranty for the work they do on the watch. IMHO, having Rolex do the work is worth it.

Thanks for the tip. Dallas is a short drive away so I think I'll carry them over.

 

[Belligero]

^
I would advise you to keep the original dial; a replacement one is costly, yet it devalues the watch.

I'd also say that DJ dials don't really have enough luminous material in the first place to make it worth the bother, either — you won't be missing much night time legibility with the Luminova that's now used in place of the original tritium.

 

[tifosi]



^
I would advise you to keep the original dial; a replacement one is costly, yet it devalues the watch.

I'd also say that DJ dials don't really have enough luminous material in the first place to make it worth the bother, either — you won't be missing much night time legibility with the Luminova that's now used in place of the original tritium.

I disagree. This isn't a double red Sea Dweller we are talking about here. The OP just wants his watch to work and be readable in all conditions. If the dial isn't readable when the OP wants, then no point in servicing it.

 

[dfwcowboy]

I disagree. This isn't a double red Sea Dweller we are talking about here. The OP just wants his watch to work and be readable in all conditions. If the dial isn't readable when the OP wants, then no point in servicing it.

The watches are early 80's models and there is absolutely no night readability left. I have no intention of selling them in my lifetime. My kids might, but that's their problem. That being said I'm not going to spend a huge outlay just to gain night functionality, so I'll just have to see how much that adds to the repair.

 

[Belligero]

^
I meant sentimentally devalue.

Also, I'm pretty sure that service dials run north of five hundred bux these days; Rolex just hiked parts prices in Norway and now they're close to a grand for a basic dial.

Regardless of cost, if it's meant to be an heirloom, then I'd even more strongly favour leaving the original dial alone.

 

[Dorian J.]



Quote:With the catalogs its fun to see what the companies were offering years ago. Two of my favorite catalogs I got when I was a kid (lets you know how deep the watch addiction runs). One of them is an old Rolex catalog that's at least 30 plus years old...it has watches in it that were completely undesirable back in the day, but today are considered valuable classics...watches like the 1655 Explorer II, the 6263/6265 manual wind Daytonas, and the 1019 Milgauss. I also have an AP RO catalog from 1986/1987 which has some odd variations like the not very attractive rectangular RO (Seems that sort of style was a failure for all of the big three -PP had a very elongated version of the Nautiuls, and VC had a rectangular version of their 222 sport watch). Also have a PP catalog that's about 20 or so years old showing a few of their failures like the Neptune sports watch and the 1st Nautilus design on a strap which had roman numerals. Anyway, its always fun to see which watches have turned around and become sought after and which thankfully remain largely forgotten. Cheers!

Dino, awesome and fantastic collection. I am envious of such a great library. The books make even more meaningful the owning of the watches themselves. Happy holidays. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Dorian J.]

EDIT: Double post. Oops!

 

[Dorian J.]



Always walk your own road! Congrats

Mimo, wise words. Thank you!

 

[Dorian J.]



Gorgeous, don't see those everyday

Thank you, Rirakuma!

 

[Dorian J.]



I'm not usually a fan of steel and gold watches, or the Yatchmaster, but that is a really handsome watch!  The chocolate dial is very cool!!!  Enjoy it and congrats!   

Dino, thank you. Yeah, I walked into the AD wanting a new Sub, but saw this and had to have it, despite the TT. Funny how seeing a watch in person can make you feel a bit crazy.