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jaguar11
·A ashu2289I will never send one of my watches to Rolex, They will polish your case, replace your hands, replace your bezel every single part that gives your pieces appeal and value.
Should I Send This To Rolex?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerKing's Hill is the main RSC in the UK. So for me sending an older model with original dial was not an issue. The only caveat being any damage caused by the lume from the dial is excluded from any warranty claim.
I know the temptation is to think that because you asked them to leave these parts alone, and they did, this means that they will accommodate such requests. What this most often means, is that there was no reason for them to replace those parts in the first place.
I'm glad your watch worked out fine, although the entire warranty claim thing seems to be a fast one pulled by them, but if you are happy that's all that matters. I do worry that people saying that Rolex will accommodate these requests, is going to cost someone a lot of money when their vintage watch is devalued by sending it to RSC and they think it won't be...
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Dan S
·I know the temptation is to think that because you asked them to leave these parts alone, and they did, this means that they will accommodate such requests. What this most often means, is that there was no reason for them to replace those parts in the first place.
I'm glad your watch worked out fine, although the entire warranty claim thing seems to be a fast one pulled by them, but if you are happy that's all that matters. I do worry that people saying that Rolex will accommodate these requests, is going to cost someone a lot of money when their vintage watch is devalued by sending it to RSC and they think it won't be...
Indeed, I hear mostly about situations that are ok, where the owner's wishes were accommodated, or at least the owner was given options in advance. But occasionally there is a nightmare story with an original part replaced and not returned to the owner. 😲
Makes me nervous, and I'm not confident that the communication will be smooth.
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SkunkPrince
·I do worry that people saying that Rolex will accommodate these requests, is going to cost someone a lot of money when their vintage watch is devalued by sending it to RSC and they think it won't be...
This is a serious question not just for Al but anyone.
How many people do you think care about what collector values are? We do occasionally get people here who were happy with brand service, but I do wonder what the ratios really are.
Now, mind you, this isn't necessarily a bias of mine. I have a couple of very very good watchmakers I count as friends and won't do the interventions a brand service center might. But I am also not afraid of a case or bracelet refinish, mostly because I know the individuals doing the work are very good at it, not like the time a CMW melted a stainless case to remove the pits.
When I ask the watchmaker to let me have the gold-shell case for hand-polishing while he works on the movement, and he remarks (with some surprise, heh) that the case looks better, I'm a happy guy.
But, to summarize, I suspect many people are happy their watches look like new.
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Stripey
·Bear in mind that we have somewhat more protective consumer laws in the UK - sending a watch off with express instructions NOT to do something and it comes back with it done is a massive headache if you have a litigious consumer.
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Stripey
·Hi, all-- I am well aware of the Do's and Don't's of sending watches into Omega for service, but I have never sent one to Rolex for service. I recently picked up a watch as a gift for my step-mother, and would like to give it to her in "top condition," so to speak. I dropped it at a Rolex Service Center and they gave me the evaluation below and I'm wondering how much to give them the green light on and how much to ask them not to do. It's not a vintage piece (it's from 1996), so perhaps just let them go all the way?
Here's the analysis:
Slow, Bezel Nicked, Bracelet Scratched, Bracelet Worn, Dial Spotted, Hands Spotted, Hands Scratched, Luminous
Worn, Case Scratched, Bezel Scratched, Crown Worn, Case Back With Sticker.
Here are a few pics of the watch:
I would be inclined to ask them to do the movement service and the bracelet work, and leave the rest alone. However, if they could do the other items mentioned without "compromising" the originality or sharpness of the existing parts, then perhaps having them do it all is not a bad idea?
Advice appreciated!
As I'm about to post in another thread, I've just seen a 2011 two tone Datejust back from Rolex, and it was absolutely stunning - it leapt off the wrist at me, and that isn't a watch I would usually give the time of day to.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerThis is a serious question not just for Al but anyone.
How many people do you think care about what collector values are? We do occasionally get people here who were happy with brand service, but I do wonder what the ratios really are.
Now, mind you, this isn't necessarily a bias of mine. I have a couple of very very good watchmakers I count as friends and won't do the interventions a brand service center might. But I am also not afraid of a case or bracelet refinish, mostly because I know the individuals doing the work are very good at it, not like the time a CMW melted a stainless case to remove the pits.
When I ask the watchmaker to let me have the gold-shell case for hand-polishing while he works on the movement, and he remarks (with some surprise, heh) that the case looks better, I'm a happy guy.
But, to summarize, I suspect many people are happy their watches look like new.
To me this is a question of ethics, not what people's preferences are.
Brand service centers are experts, or at least they should be. If you take any possession to an expert for service, would you expect them to devalue it in the performance of that work, without at least telling you that the work they are doing will devalue it? Even if you aren't aware, the onus should be on the expert you are working with to give you the best advice for you, not the best advice for them (which is what brands do).
Let's look at what I think is a very possible scenario - we see it played out here partially pretty often...
Someone inherits a valuable vintage watch, and they are not a watch guy, and sent it to the brand service center (for many the "obvious" best place to send something) and they service it, removing 50% of the value in the process. When they get it back they take it for an insurance appraisal, maybe intending to sell it something. They tell the person doing the appraisal what was done, and they are now informed that the watch has lost significant amounts of money due to the work performed.
Would you be happy? If you would, good for you, but I suspect most people wouldn't be.
We all know you have preferences that lean towards restoration. But that really isn't why I make this point over and over again. It's because brands have a duty of care, and in my view they violate that duty on a regular basis, again for their own reasons and not to the benefit of the watch owner. If they would inform people that by changing the dial and hands the watch will lose significant value, and the owner agrees to it, that would be fine with me. But this is clearly not how these brands operate, and Rolex is particularly bad because they do not return replaced parts, which are your own personal property. They take them from you under some ridiculous guise of anti-counterfeiting, making this problem even worse than it for other brands like Omega, who at least give you your property back. You at least have the opportunity to refit those parts should you wish to. Rolex doesn't give you any such option.
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SkunkPrince
·We all know you have preferences that lean towards restoration.
I have a preference for people to make up their own minds, given the excellent information you just shared, and if collectors don't like it, screw the collectors.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerWell let's put it this way, you like to make this very point and show your disdain for "collectors" often, when it comes to this subject...
screw the collectors.
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SkunkPrince
·Well let's put it this way, you like to make this very point and show your disdain for "collectors" often, when it comes to this subject...
And that's fine, because the world does not revolve around me.
Also, collectors are the minority. Who ordained them to rule the vintage watch wearing world?
People deserve to like what they like and not have some random person "shouting" DON'T DO THIS!
If you have truly followed my postings, you will see that I frequently give good advice about "this choice you can make but I do not recommend it." I try to respect the motivations of the new people who come by and I ask, what is your goal? Do you want this outcome or that?
It's all about education. I have no motive other than to share what I have learned based on my successes and failures, and yes, I have some pretty big failures. But I don't demand they make one choice or another like some will, because what do I care? It's their property, not mine.
I just dislike people who say don't send your watch to brand service. Sometimes that's the smart thing to do. Sometimes not. Again, educate.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerPeople deserve to like what they like and not have some random person "shouting" DON'T DO THIS!
As they should, because the brands will not. It’s up to us to educate people who come here, and although people stating their preferred option bothers you to no end, it’s not going to stop.
You are always free to post your contrary views, as you do regularly. No one here is forcing anyone todo anything, so you really don’t need to act as if that is happening...
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SkunkPrince
·You are always free to post your contrary views, as you do regularly. No one here is forcing anyone todo anything, so you really don’t need to act as if that is happening...
In my history, I have sent only two Omega watches for brand servicing. Both of them came back completely out of spec multiple times. I no longer send watches to Omega US service centers becase they have consistently shown they cannot be trusted.
You are free to vilify, but I encourage you to actually read what I have written, rather than assume the worst.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerYou are free to vilify, but I encourage you to actually read what I have written, rather than assume the worst.
You are vilifying people for expressing their opinion...
if collectors don't like it, screw the collectors.
Also, collectors are the minority. Who ordained them to rule the vintage watch wearing world?.
Again, no one here is forcing anyone to send a watch anywhere, so there’s no need for you to take the tone you often do. You know, the message might be fine but the way it is delivered...that sort of thing...
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cineaste
·Yes, because collectors are out for themselves, and don't consider that non-collectors like me can enjoy a watch that they disdain.
And that's fine, because the world does not revolve around me.
Also, collectors are the minority. Who ordained them to rule the vintage watch wearing world?
You are on a watch collecting forum and you brand yourself as a non collector?
🍿
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SkunkPrince
·
Only collectors think this is a collector's forum. I think of it as an enthusiast forum.
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cineaste
·I wear all my watches regularly and I still consider myself a collector, is this allowed?
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SkunkPrince
·I wear all my watches regularly and I still consider myself a collector, is this allowed?
I have an accumulation of Omega watches. I think about 12? I didn't acquire them for any other reason than to wear then because yay Omega! I also have watches that are not Omega.
All I care about is that I like them and I like wearing them.
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Davidt
·Collectors aren’t shouting “don’t do this”, nor are they in it for themselves. What does that even mean?!
Most voices on the forum are simply giving the counter point around devaluation that as @Archer says, people do not receive from brand service centres. Once people are fully aware of the facts they can make an informed decision about how to proceed.
Unless members of forums such as this advise people what a polished case, repainted/service dial can do to value, how can novices possibly have all the facts?
Most voices on the forum are simply giving the counter point around devaluation that as @Archer says, people do not receive from brand service centres. Once people are fully aware of the facts they can make an informed decision about how to proceed.
Unless members of forums such as this advise people what a polished case, repainted/service dial can do to value, how can novices possibly have all the facts?
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dennisthemenace
·Unless members of forums such as this advise people what a polished case, repainted/service dial can do to value, how can novices possibly have all the facts?
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Davidt
·Maybe non-collectors don't worry about value, they just want their watch to look as new as possible.
I’m sure some do.
But some non collectors don’t want to keep a watch at all and want to sell it on to use the money for other things.
