David
Premium
- 2,732
The Watch Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Silverzone
- 1,460 comments
- 153,700 views
- 30,092
- Thailand
Can’t get a Rolex serviced anywhere.
I’ve had a Submariner for about 15 years and it needs some tlc. Local retailer told me I need to send it to the capital (Bangkok) and there’s a 5 month wait currently.
Nobody else will touch it and I don’t want to go to a small independent because I’m worried they’ll swap out the movement for some cheap crap.
What to do?
I’ve had a Submariner for about 15 years and it needs some tlc. Local retailer told me I need to send it to the capital (Bangkok) and there’s a 5 month wait currently.
Nobody else will touch it and I don’t want to go to a small independent because I’m worried they’ll swap out the movement for some cheap crap.
What to do?
- 24,054
- It/It
- GTP_TheCracker
I had a similar issue when i needed to get my Omega serviced a while back. Local jewellers, even those with the facilities to service a divers watch with a movement, wouldn't touch it. So in the end i took it back to the jewellers where it was bought from and they sent it back to Omega in Switzerland. Perhaps you could contact Rolex themselves, explaining your predicament and ask them for advice on where to take it?
My watch has sentimental value to me, rather than a monetary value, but i still wanted it to retain its worth, if you get what i mean. I'd definately keep on top of its condition if i was you. But just don't expect the servicing to be cheap!
- 30,092
- Thailand
I’ve got the number and address for Rolex over here so I’ll see about sending it off.
I’m expecting it to run me a few dollarydos which is why I’m trying to get it done before I’m broke again.
I don’t even wear a watch but, like you mentioned, there’s sentimental value attached. If I can get it back in functioning condition I would wear it daily. Usually that’s the only way to keep the thing charged anyway.
- 24,054
- It/It
- GTP_TheCracker
Being lazy i can't be arsed to search for my post on this thread about it but i think i did quote how much it cost be for a light repair and service. Don't expect it to be cheep!
I thought i'd wear mine more after getting it running again, but i'm so used to using my phone to check the time that i just clear forget to do so. It largely sits in it's box in a state of being wound down
David
Premium
- 2,732
My understanding is that when it goes back to Rolex they refinish and replace all kinds of stuff and it is not cheap especially with current prices. I wonder if some of the local guys just don't want to risk damaging an expensive watch, or know that they can't get Rolex replacement parts these days.
- 35,498
- Downtown North Dakota
- Cy-Fi
Gotcha covered.
Took my Omega back to the jewellers where i bought it for a service and minor repair (one of the numerals had fallen off the face) No reputable jewellers would touch it as far as servicing and repairs go, so they ship them back to Omega themselves, which i'm fine with. They phoned today having received and inspected it. It's going to be £650...
Just to add to that the nice red leather box it came in, which has spent the last 17 years sat in the corner of a sock-draw, has somehow managed to get scratched up.
Expensive business this watch owning lark.
- 5,503
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
If I recall correctly @W3H5 you got it for your 21st so yes sentimental value as well as the monetary value.
There are some independent watchmakers that will service Rolex but Rolex do a good job of locking down parts to make it difficult for them. Unless you know the independent has an impeccable reputation I'd be wary. Not that Rolex movements are anything extremely special to work on its as you say a trust issues.
Honestly if you want it running the best way is to send it back to Rolex, it will as @TheCracker mentioned cost a small fortune, you'll be lucky if it's only in the hundreds.
As @David mentioned Rolex will change all manner of parts as they see fit because as far as they are concerned they want it coming back to you looking like a brand new watch.
Not saying you but many people don't consider that when owning a mechanical watch that they do need servicing, it's full of moving parts that wear out. We service out cars and other mechanical stuff, this is the same deal.
There are some independent watchmakers that will service Rolex but Rolex do a good job of locking down parts to make it difficult for them. Unless you know the independent has an impeccable reputation I'd be wary. Not that Rolex movements are anything extremely special to work on its as you say a trust issues.
Honestly if you want it running the best way is to send it back to Rolex, it will as @TheCracker mentioned cost a small fortune, you'll be lucky if it's only in the hundreds.
As @David mentioned Rolex will change all manner of parts as they see fit because as far as they are concerned they want it coming back to you looking like a brand new watch.
Not saying you but many people don't consider that when owning a mechanical watch that they do need servicing, it's full of moving parts that wear out. We service out cars and other mechanical stuff, this is the same deal.
- 30,092
- Thailand
That’s right. That’s why I’d like to have it functional and at least be able to use it if I wanted to.
I’m wishing I’d taken it for a service long ago but it never occurred to me as I didn’t use it from 1 year to the next.
My plan Z is to find an old German guy who lived in my old neighbourhood. I used to drink with him occasionally and he was a top level watch specialist, he got watches shipped to him from all over the world for repairs and service. No idea where he is now but I could try to track him down.
JER_CREST
Premium
- 1,427
- JerCrest
- 1,961
- Recklinghausen
- n_blkr
Got this beauty today.
Never thought 40 mm would look good on my 19.5 cm wrist, but here we are. Absolutely loving it.
Never thought 40 mm would look good on my 19.5 cm wrist, but here we are. Absolutely loving it.
- 3,043
- The Netherlands
- MarcoM1972
very classy!
- 10,871
- Plymouth, UK
- motorforum
I haven't bought a watch in some time, so I decided I'd like a new one for Christmas. I didn't discuss a budget with my partner, so I looked for watches between £100-200 and at least 20 pages of an online retailer's wares. After looking at a few more closely, I settled on this Skagen. I was aware that I didn't like the tan leather strap with the blue/red dial, so I purchased the steel band from another variant of the Henriksen watch, and after a two week wait, wow, it was worth it. Everything I thought the watch could be with a metal strap has come to fruition and I adore it. My initial reaction to opening it was disappointment, but that feeling has ebbed away entirely.
- 5,082
- Panama City, FL
Browsing a pawn shop, which is something I do from time to time, and came across this. Not an outstanding watch, or anything extremely desirable, but I was struck by its simplicity. The dark color caught my eye, too.
Michael Kors, which are made by Fossil. They offer some hideous watches from what I saw on their website, but I really like this one. Slightly oversize dial, ordinary quartz movement, no extra buttons or dials, not even date. The band fit me right out of the box, which of course was a sign! It's also quit thin and light, no bulk to carry around.
Michael Kors, which are made by Fossil. They offer some hideous watches from what I saw on their website, but I really like this one. Slightly oversize dial, ordinary quartz movement, no extra buttons or dials, not even date. The band fit me right out of the box, which of course was a sign! It's also quit thin and light, no bulk to carry around.
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- 35,498
- Downtown North Dakota
- Cy-Fi
After 9 years with the Seiko, I bought a Samsung Watch 6. I haven't been wearing the Seiko at all and it's been stuck in a drawer. I took it out today to wear it to a wedding and, no surprise, the battery was dead. I put it outside to charge but over an hour later, the second hand still wasn't moving. For reference, Seiko's documentation says that it needs 2 minutes of full sunlight to operate for a day.
A quick search said to try pulling out the crown, pressing the other two buttons and push the crown back down. Sure enough, the second hand started ticking.
Brett
Premium
- 8,632
- Oklahoma
Sometime in the last couple months, the back fell off my Pixel Watch. I tried for a warranty claim, but since I had purchased it on eBay after a Pixel Watch giveaway for free with the purchase of a phone, the warranty was not honored. I have not taken the time to try and glue the back back onto the Pixel Watch, so I have been wearing my Orient Ray.
- 4,767
- Kansas City, KS
- FlyingAGasoline
I'm a machinist, and don't wear watches much anymore if at all. I drove across the country in October 2020 to be my high school bestie's head bridesmaid, and she and her now ex gave me an Omega Seamaster. It looks kinda silly on my tiny frame. I feel like a kid wearing his Dad's shoes. But, over the holidays when I went to see family wearing this watch and my Dad's Coogi sweater, I almost felt like a successful adult.
Here's the watch box. When my dog was a puppy, she chewed up my favorite bulova and my nixon. I had left both on the nightstand. That bulova was a dead-ringer for the one kevin spacey wore in LA confidential. I miss that watch. I apologize for photo quality. Am machinist. Have severe eczema. My camera is potato.
Starting top right and going clockwise:
Top right is a hamilton railroad watch I inherited from a friend. I'd rather have Dave still around. The watch needs a new stem. I might have parts somewhere.
Below that is my Dad's Seiko. I'd rather have my Dad around. He wore a Raymond Weil so long past the gold plate rubbing off that the bracelet links started to erode. While the Seiko was Dad's watch, That battered round faced Raymond Weil is, in my mind, THE watch.
Below that is a 1957-58 Bulova 23 jewel 10BPAC, a movement that might be my favorite. I have a few complete watches and some parts movements, but if I get another running it seems like the others are in agreement that it's highlander and there can only be one. I wore it to the junkyard a few too many times. I can't have nice things.
Next is a 50s Mido multifort super-automatic.
Bottom left is a 1941 Mido bumper. This one's my favorite. I have a really small frame that stays small regardless of how large my shoulders or biceps get. I had a very similar watch with a center second hand, but put it in my pocket doing work, and forgot to remove it before laundry. This one has a sub second hand but the same copper dial I loved about my old one. Place a bottle cap on top of it, and the watch is hidden.
Next, an hmt pilot 17 jewel with devangiri script. crystal cracked because I can't have nice things.
After that, an hmt pilot with arabic script. It's PURPLE!
Here's the watch box. When my dog was a puppy, she chewed up my favorite bulova and my nixon. I had left both on the nightstand. That bulova was a dead-ringer for the one kevin spacey wore in LA confidential. I miss that watch. I apologize for photo quality. Am machinist. Have severe eczema. My camera is potato.
Starting top right and going clockwise:
Top right is a hamilton railroad watch I inherited from a friend. I'd rather have Dave still around. The watch needs a new stem. I might have parts somewhere.
Below that is my Dad's Seiko. I'd rather have my Dad around. He wore a Raymond Weil so long past the gold plate rubbing off that the bracelet links started to erode. While the Seiko was Dad's watch, That battered round faced Raymond Weil is, in my mind, THE watch.
Below that is a 1957-58 Bulova 23 jewel 10BPAC, a movement that might be my favorite. I have a few complete watches and some parts movements, but if I get another running it seems like the others are in agreement that it's highlander and there can only be one. I wore it to the junkyard a few too many times. I can't have nice things.
Next is a 50s Mido multifort super-automatic.
Bottom left is a 1941 Mido bumper. This one's my favorite. I have a really small frame that stays small regardless of how large my shoulders or biceps get. I had a very similar watch with a center second hand, but put it in my pocket doing work, and forgot to remove it before laundry. This one has a sub second hand but the same copper dial I loved about my old one. Place a bottle cap on top of it, and the watch is hidden.
Next, an hmt pilot 17 jewel with devangiri script. crystal cracked because I can't have nice things.
After that, an hmt pilot with arabic script. It's PURPLE!
- 4,763
- SoCal
- GTP_MooCow
Love watches since little... But in my over 40ish years, I have never bought anything more than $150....
I can see myself being a watch collector, if I have the means.... But I also know this could be a severe deep deep rabbit hole that you can hardly recover.... So I try to not follow Alice to the wonderland...
But The other day went to one of the desirable watch stores at the fancy mall with my daughters, and just was looking around for fun, just for the experience....
Browse through the whole B store, and only found this,
Really love this:
Can only dream...
technically I could get it if I count all my pennies, but it would definitely put a dent on my skinny piggy bank....
I can see myself being a watch collector, if I have the means.... But I also know this could be a severe deep deep rabbit hole that you can hardly recover.... So I try to not follow Alice to the wonderland...
But The other day went to one of the desirable watch stores at the fancy mall with my daughters, and just was looking around for fun, just for the experience....
Browse through the whole B store, and only found this,
Really love this:
Can only dream...
technically I could get it if I count all my pennies, but it would definitely put a dent on my skinny piggy bank....
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