So much for the police being able to protect us.

Man after my heart. We need to support anyone with balls like this!

JoeA

$1100+ for cleaning etc? Good God. I am all ears regarding alternatives but will bite the bullet if I have to as this watch is important to me. my email is monish at ix.netcom.com, i am not adverse to mailing to phoenix either if it will save me some $$$.

joe

From what I've read on timezone.com (in the Rolex forums) $1100 is way out of line for your average service. It almost sounds like there was significant repair/recondition work done on your piece.

Quite right...

The service on mine was about half that including insurance, but I only have the 18K Date Just. The $1,100.00 bill was a colleague's 18K presidential that required several links (5) replaced -plus he had not serviced the watch since new 10 years prior.

Joe,

For me that happened when I took my President and GMT master into a Rolex shop and had their "10 year" service done to them. Replaced the plastic crown on one, stem on both and cleaned and serviced both. Was around $1000 for the two of them and the last time that they have seen a factory shop. That was in 1989 and both have done very well ever since.

Check what you can find locally and if not then PM me and will get you in touch with my guy here.

Joe

rolex is determined to exclude the independent watchmaker. imagine if porsche only sold it's products to only authorized techs. i had my 5 year spare parts account terminated with no reason. ROLEX SUCKS! still love the watches.
steve

Steve,

Now I know why the prices of used parts on the internet have gone up so fast. Was wondering what was going on but your email confirmed it.

JoeA

i haven't checked prices lately because i'm still able to sneak around by getting product from friends who still have accounts. i'm not sure how long it will last. the field rep is traveling across the country inspecting shops and sending out letters soon after. all the swiss luxery brands are going in the same direction. do yourself a favor and buy an american vintage wristwatch. millions of spareparts are still available at a fair price and most big suppliers have large systems still in house.
steve

Sounds like it may be time to write a letter to Rolex and ask them how they would like it if we stop buying their product?

Trying to force me to go to their factory service center will result in my having only one or two of their watches, and the rest from another maker. I do not react well to any company trying to force me into anything and my pocketbook can shift to another brand very easily.

Joe

i think most people would be outraged by their parts account policy. be careful who you use as an alternative as all the swiss brands will be doing it if not done already. tag is still ok. sorry to say but the local watchmaker will soon be adjusting bands and changing batteries as his only source of income.
steve

Just looked and Rolex does not put an email on their website. Will call their office in NYC tomorrow and give them an earful.

If they do not care what the customers say, then I like other brands. Will never get rid of my President and one GMT master, (and maybe one Daytona!) but can live without the rest...

Joe

might be good to give them alittle headache on monday morning, like when they showed up at my shop unannounced for a surprise inspection.regards
steve

I've found this thread very enlightening. Let's see if I got things straight. You can expect a Rolex to be a minute off per month, and that's okay. For a comparison, a Seiko Quartz analog I bought over 15 years ago is off less than 3 seconds per month, (as checked by WWV) cost less than $200, has never been serviced and is functioning well. An evidently necessary Rolex service costs between $300 and $1,000. Nobody mentioned the possibility of wearing one might be as attractive to a mugger as a jug of Mad Dog is to an alcoholic. Gee folks, things have improved for me financially over the past decade, but damned if I can see one single good reason here for buying a Rolex...not one. I'm getting a bit bored with the face of the Seiko, though...so just ordered a Quartz Hamilton Khaki King for around $200. Figure I'll rotate them for a bit of variety in life. I wish to thank you all, especially you fans of Rolex, for talking me out of buying one. :) (edit) I've never had the Seiko serviced, but I have had the battery replaced 3 or 4 times...does that count?

The only problem with applying pressure to Rolex is that their watches last for decades even without servicing.

If and when I ever decide to get another one, I'll negotiate with the jeweler the first and second servicing. So if I buy one in 2007, I'll get free service until 2017.....

Hey,hey...don't be too hasty...Many folks buy a Rolex because they want to put on a watch and go about their business regardless of what that business is and not worry about the time.

It's home in the garage, in the office, in the water, hunting, fishing, night on the town etc. It weathers the storm.

The Rolex was the first watch that did not fray the edges of my suit pants pockets, has a bit of style and looks and feels good, it's durable and is definitely solid.

It is the last watch you should ever have to buy.

Agree but you should have them serviced every 10 years min. If you need parts and its not at a authorized service center when they find a problem, then YOU have a problem.

My issue is that I own the watch and do not like it when the factory tries to shove it down my throat who I am going to use for service.

agree w/kqw. This watch is absolutely unbelieveable. Was cleaned once in 80s and that's it. Just started slowing down again (it was new in 1964). I wear it every day and it looks great for work, going out and casual affairs (stainless, datejust). I scratched the crystal working on the porsche and then put a big crack (not all the way through) when it hit door striker plate when I was carrying drywall a few years ago. I'm not sure what could kill it?

joe

THere's nothing wrong with your attitude. It's a very practical attitude. The difference between a Rolex and your quartz watches is kind of like the difference between a Toyota and a Porsche or a Z06 and a Porsche.

If you want accuracy and precision get a quartz. If you want mechanical excellence get a mechanical watch.

In addition, the precious metals used to make that Rolex accounts for a good part of the expense of the watch.

There are no sharp edges, no flaws, no seams visible in the bracelets and most importantly, they go UP in value.

If you have insurance riders on your home owners policy, every 5 years or so you should have the watch appraised again and adjust the policy accordingly.

Ever have favorite and fairly expensive suits or dress pants that after 1 year you notice the edges of the pants pockets frayed? Damn, is usually my response when I discover that.

Will a quartz keep more accurate time? yes, of course, but if you want a "Time Piece" that becomes an heirloom and appreciates in value and you can actually wear/use it...the choice is obvious.