If you actually read what I wrote you will realize we agree on this. I would never send any of mine to a standard service or makeover at Omega. But do you have use of a bag of old movement parts?
As an archaeologist I can assure you that mass produced movement parts are not "historical artefacts" with any historical significance.
I could make the case for 'when does a mass-produced anything become rare enough to be a significant artefact?' but I think we may be slipping down the rabbit hole of rhetorical semantics here....and you did originally say 'old parts' not 'old movement' parts
- and I suspect that there are a large number of WIS members on OF that might disagree with your premise
At least Omega returns old parts. Rolex doesn't.
I did say old parts, but had in mind movement parts,
And what use have you of old parts? I for one never saw the point in that. When they have replaced them I guess they're not usable anymore so I can't sell them either.
That's where you went wrong - movement parts as you suggest are replaced if they are worn out, but that's not the primary concern here obviously.
I return movement parts because they are not my parts, but the watch owner's parts. If they want to throw them out or keep them, that's their business. Years ago I used to toss all the old mainsprings in the garbage, but had one collector ask me to make sure to send the old mainspring back, so I had to dig that one out of the garbage. Why does someone want an old greasy mainspring? I have no idea, but I now send it all back and let the customer decide. Well I send back everything I can - when I have to scrape out the case back gasket because it's turned to black goop, it's difficult to send back:
I'm just waiting for someone to ask me to filter the dirt out of my ultrasonic tank from cleaning the case and bracelet, so they can have the original dirt back that was on the watch. Hasn't happened...yet...😉
Anything cosmetic can have value, so old crowns, pushers, dials, hands, bezels, etc. Rolex does not give you these back, but Omega does. It would be better if they didn't remove them in the first place, but at least you have the opportunity to put the watch back to it's previous cosmetic condition when they give you those back. Rolex can potentially devalue your watch by 10's of thousands, make you pay for the privilege as you have to buy new parts, and then steal your property in the process.
Cheers, Al
Hi Al
Rolex will give you the parts if you ask them to state in the order sheet of service... it's the law!
Have lots of service experiences in Rolex and I always received the parts...
Cheers
We've already been through this once in this thread mate. I can assure you that what you have experienced is not the norm. All parts are sold on an exchange basis in most of the world, and Rolex will not give them back to you. Your country appears to be a very rare exception, but understand it is an exception...
No almost every collector and people that bid at auctions for these watches backs the statement that pleasing original patina is better then a watch with new parts that differ from when the watch left the factory. Otherwise why pay more for a 145.022-68 over a new watch?
