As part of my expanding need to get birth year watches for my family, and my growing passion for non ceramic Rolex ( I don't like them) I got a 2004 GMT with the full package of papers and boxes and a rolex service stamp from April 2015. Watch could not be in more perfect condition. F serial, first non transitional T models...perfect but...it had the black rather than the coke insert. Following Marks (@Watchguy31) lead I went to rolex to try to get a coke insert ( I have a 69 Pepsi already ) to the Rolex center, except I got into the Torneau rolex center first. First response. No. Second : we can call Rolex but it's not going to happen, 3rd: yes: but it's a repair and maintenance service and will take up to 4 weeks... I actually thought the Rolex at Torneau was the Manhattan rolex....it's not. So I took my watch and went to rolex on 5th about 300 feet up the block. they where very nice and sent me to the 5th floor. Response 1: yes. 2- 30 minutes 3- verified the 2015 service took place by Rolex 4- 45 dollars trade ( they keep the black) 70 dollars I keep both inserts. Smiles, air conditioning, free WiFi... And done and done. Once again Torneau disappoints. 10+ for Rolex though.
Cool! Nevertheless, Tourneau is an awfully fun place to kill a few hours. The location just off 5th ave has a nice selection of used watches to look at, though obviously overpriced. For a year 2000-ish Rolex Explorer I, 36mm, they wanted $5,600. There are many, many out there from reliable dealers at $4k.
For sure, but their staff lacks sone very basic knowledge on what they sell, and yes, overpriced. This said the lady at the Rolex counter and the lady at the service counter at Torneau where both nice, polite and helpful. It's just their policies, knowledge and end result pales in comparison to bother the Rolex and the Onega actual boutiques in NYC. I do stop buy to see the previous owned display but they often mislabel their watches.
also very telling to me. When I am well dressed, or marginally so, Torneau clerks shadow me from door to door. When, like today, I bike there and am wearing shorts, a T some comfy shoes and overall not looking that great they ignore me, I have to chase them, and actually roll their eyes at me. ( except for the counter clerk at the Rolex section who was normal. At Rolex they greeted me, gave me plenty of attention and some water, escorted me through the back so i wouldn't have to walk around the block to the other entrance to the service center and once there on the 5th floor didn't even flinch. So Rolex, actually, is much more laid back and open minded than torneau.
$70. Small price to pay and seeing what some people pay for inserts these days it seems very very reasonable...and that includes the water, insert change, paperwork a polishing cloth and a cute green traveling pouch. Plus they verified the service history and movement Cal etc which Aaron faber will charge 90 bucks to do. So I'm happy.
That same Rolex service center was very helpful to me almost 30 years ago. Wanted to purchase a two tone datejust for my wife. I knew someone who knew someone on 47th st and I was offered an "almost new watch". Brought it to Rolex on 5th Ave first and found out, in 5 minutes and free of charge, that the movement was 10 years older than the case. I guess watch assemblage was been going on for some time. Especially with Rolexs.