This is really disappointing on several levels and smacks of Rolex behavior.
When I was researching the superdome mod for my sub, I read of several people who had approached their independent Rolex service providers asking if they could just replace the crystal with an aftermarket acrylic dome (Rolex does not offer acrylic anymore) and they were told that if it is not a sanctioned Rolex procedure/part then they couldn’t and would risk losing their certification and parts account.
So disappointing.
This is really disappointing on several levels and smacks of Rolex behavior.
Trust me, Rolex is orders of magnitude more controlling than Omega is. Omega really has only a few cardinal rules, and for the most part they are pretty simple for watchmakers to follow. I understand the desire to push back on, or ignore rules that seem to go against what you believe in, but doing so can come with consequences.
So for the sake of understating (since I do not know the nuances of what happened with Lewis)- I get that Omega has rules as to what you can and can’t do as part of a factory service. But if a client with whom you have a good relationship were to send you an aftermarket part they wanted installed (like a third party colored hand, older factory dial or aftermarket crystal), would you be able to install that part outside of a “factory service” or would that still risk running afoul of omega’s policies since you are one of their representatives?
In my line of work there are things I can and can’t do in an official capacity. But off the clock- in my own time (provided it doesn’t conflict with ethics rules) I can do side work that doesn’t conflict with my official duties.
This is really disappointing on several levels and smacks of Rolex behavior.
Coincidentally, and sort of tangentially, this was posted on another forum today...
"While at Knar, I asked their in-house Rolex servicer (who will have an onsite workshop once complete) about obtaining parts for my vintage Seadweller. I figured maybe someone removed from Rolex could have a bit of pull on getting parts, without the hassle of going through the mothership. I learned some interesting things:
- unequivocally, no, they are not able to get ANY parts for older Rolex watches
- any Rolex out of production for more than 25 yrs, meaning the reference of the model (I think I recall that correctly), is not serviced through the "regular" Rolex channel (i.e. RSC), but goes to a special Rolex "vintage restoration unit" in Switzerland.
- the cost at the restoration center starts at 20 000 CHF
- and no, you can no longer (probably temporary but still) buy another bracelet for your Rolex even if the model has the option. So if you got an Oyster or Jubilee and want to buy the other to swap, too bad."
I cannot verify the exact accuracy of this information, but I have heard through the watchmaker grapevine some very similar things. The one I take with the biggest grain of salt is the price for servicing at this special unit - that's sounds absurd and probably isn't real, but this gives you some idea of how bad the world of Rolex is getting (at least in Canada), compared to Omega.
The one I take with the biggest grain of salt is the price for servicing at this special unit - that's sounds absurd and probably isn't real
It sounds very harsh, but I guess it's understandable to a degree if having to resort to using non-OEM aftermarket parts.
Is the mod on 5513/12? Did you have to change the bezel/bezel insert? I'd very much like to see pictures of how it turned out if you get a chance![]()