Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

[Bootsy]

A fine movement the Cal 11 and better by the time it got to 12

The modern ones are on and I've got a couple of watches with the movement but the chrono module is a bit crude and is usually thrown away at service and just replaced

[Dougieboy1]

i agree, the cal 12 was better, after all you can turn it all the way up to 12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOO5S4vxi0o

[964RS]

Cracking little 1978 Oysterdate Precision just come back for anyone without gorilla wrists...

But suits people with hairy ones

[Mike]

Just thought I'd update my Rolex servicing post, if you remember I was asking for recommendations for an independent.

But first a little about my experience with Rolex themselves Thought that a personal approach would be the best option so drove to the HQ in Maidstone Kent to hand deliver both my Submariner and my wife's bi-metal Oyster Date for service estimates. That was my first mistake as in reception was a dragon of the first order, who from behind her bullet proof glass screen deigned to speak to me as if I'd come to clean the toilets.

"Fill in the form and leave the watches' was her mantra, and it was only after 3 times of asking if I could speak to a technician did she finally give in and lift the phone to speak to a higher authority. Eventually a child in a white coat came down to see me, she was pleasant enough and after putting the watches through the bank teller like drawer, what are they frightened of, she proceeded to tell me how marked they were and how worn the bracelets were, no surprise there as the watches are twice as old as she was. She told me nothing I didn't know all ready, and she obviously didn't know what patina meant, just a blank look there.

A few days later the estimates arrived by email, no personalised greeting, no introduction thanking you for bringing them to Rolex, just a generic two lines saying estimate attached. Here's their analysis of their condition:

- Bracelet scratched
- Case back marked
- Bezel marked
- Crown marked
- Dial marked
- Specks on dial
- Bracelet worn throughout
- Tapering uneven 6 side
- Clasp cracked at hinge
- Case scratched/ digs/ corroded
- Bezel insert marked
- Plexi glass marked
- Hands marked

and the cost to sort it out.......



I'd expected them to bang on about the bracelets, but a new case, give me a break, thought that was hewn from a block of solid steel! At least my wife's case was ok, just the replacement bi-metal bracelet for her as well as servicing so just a measly 2k. The email and estimates contain no detailed explanation of why we needed to spend 6 grand to fix our watches, no breakdown of what they could do and what they don't have to do, no alternatives like do this and don't do that, nothing.

So I ring up and get a technician who explains like this, spend £6000 to do everything and both watches will be guaranteed, just pay the £1000 to service both of them and we won't guarantee them. So £591 + vat to service the Submariner and it's not waterproof! So I say ok just do the service anyway and check over the bracelets to replace any pins and screws to ensure they don't fall off, no he says we can't touch the bracelets as it's not cost effective. We will only charge you £750.00 exchange for the sub bracelet, and £1,225.00 for your wife's as opposed to the £2,100 retail price though...... that's when I gave up.

To say I was pi**ed off was an understatement, the worst customer service I had ever experienced and from a top end company like Rolex. Their attitude was replace everything with no attempt to find a halfway solution. As for the bracelets and saying they wouldn't touch them as not cost effective was a disgrace. Talk about Triggers broom, do they have no understanding of their watches being cherished from a vintage point of view.....

[Mike]

So now the good news, and and a big thank you to hot66 for pointing me in the direction of William Rice!

http://www.williamricewatches.com/

Bill and Heather Rice are a lovely couple who since retiring from their shop, work from home repairing watches. Based just outside of Hull, they understand exactly what watches mean to some people and they particularly care for individual needs and requirements. They laughed as I explained what Rolex had said, and told me how they hear that all the time. Bill has been dealing with Rolex for 40 years and knows them inside out, he was happy to chat at length on the phone about what I wanted, he's a man who knows what he's talking about. Heather's a delight to deal with and runs the office side of things, organising shipping, invoicing and delivery, and the turnaround was 4 weeks as opposed to Rolex's 12 weeks.

Bill rang once he had received the watches and had a look, no problems, all straight forward and both watches would get 2 year guarantees, including the Sub which he would guarantee as waterproof, but it would need a new crystal glass. The bracelets which were a worry he would go over and replace any part he could, pins and small screws which Rolex refused to touch would be changed, and he would ensure their integrity. Finally he offers to refurbish the case and strap, which takes out the scratches and marks and leaves a beautiful polished finish. Some like the aged, marked and knackered look but not for me so he give them the works.

Price wise the servicing worked out pretty much the same as Rolex's basic service cost without the extra parts. I feel Bill did a fantastic job even on the straps which Rolex wouldn't touch, so I'm really happy and can't recommend him enough. Picture of the finished Sub below, not bad for a watch nearly 40 years old!

Thanks again James, top recommendation!

[Tosh]

Oof, that's a result and it looks great!

I've found St James' Square very friendly/helpful (note I didn't say cheap). Must be a bunch o' Kents down there

[coolaking]

As I said (and recommended) I have used Bill on a red sub and others - always a great job - and you get photos along the way and your old parts back if you swap a bezel (unlike rolex)

[hot66]

Great news

when I got my GMT serviced by bill I popped over to see him and his wife ... and as you say loverly couple who know what they are doing and appreciate what the customer wants

[964RS]

do they have no understanding of their watches being cherished from a vintage point of view.....

Nope and they could care less, they are only interested in new sales.

Bit like Porsche were a few years back if you had something over 5 years old...

[Dammit]

Rather annoyingly I noticed a crack in the Hesalite crystal of my Tintin Speedmaster yesterday - which I imagine I'll have to have changed by Omega to preserve the warranty. Would anyone know (roughly) what this is likely to cost?

[swift911]

So now the good news, and and a big thank you to hot66 for pointing me in the direction of William Rice!

http://www.williamricewatches.com/

Bill and Heather Rice are a lovely couple who since retiring from their shop, work from home repairing watches. Based just outside of Hull, they understand exactly what watches mean to some people and they particularly care for individual needs and requirements. They laughed as I explained what Rolex had said, and told me how they hear that all the time. Bill has been dealing with Rolex for 40 years and knows them inside out, he was happy to chat at length on the phone about what I wanted, he's a man who knows what he's talking about. Heather's a delight to deal with and runs the office side of things, organising shipping, invoicing and delivery, and the turnaround was 4 weeks as opposed to Rolex's 12 weeks.

Bill rang once he had received the watches and had a look, no problems, all straight forward and both watches would get 2 year guarantees, including the Sub which he would guarantee as waterproof, but it would need a new crystal glass. The bracelets which were a worry he would go over and replace any part he could, pins and small screws which Rolex refused to touch would be changed, and he would ensure their integrity. Finally he offers to refurbish the case and strap, which takes out the scratches and marks and leaves a beautiful polished finish. Some like the aged, marked and knackered look but not for me so he give them the works.

Price wise the servicing worked out pretty much the same as Rolex's basic service cost without the extra parts. I feel Bill did a fantastic job even on the straps which Rolex wouldn't touch, so I'm really happy and can't recommend him enough. Picture of the finished Sub below, not bad for a watch nearly 40 years old!

Thanks again James, top recommendation!

That's lovely. I've been on the lookout for a Sub for a while and seeing yours has really spurred me on.

[Mike]

That's lovely. I've been on the lookout for a Sub for a while.....

Check your inbox, I'm sure there will be someone here along in a minute........

[trdking]

Decent refinish. I for one am the patina guy but this look good.

[richkaz]

This is the respect Gallet shows to the custodians of their vintage watches.
It's worth noting that their service is primarily for complex chronograph and rattrapante movements
that most watchmakers charge between 60 - 100 % more than non chrono's.
They even throw in a new strap.
Using Rolex as a guide to service pricing, Gallet should be quoting £ 6000 for a service ?


http://www.galletwatch.com/gallet_watch ... epair.html

[Tosh]

Was just in Watches of Switzerland on Regent St and was told a story about the conflict between old and new. When they opened this massive shop they had a Paul Newman Rolex. Provenance, papers and everything and plonked it in the window to help generate noise and footfall. Rolex called and said "Take the old watch out of the window. New only please"

So Aston, Porsche, Merc, Bentley etc are making hay out of their "classiche" cars but the watch folk generally want nothing to do with it: Patek has vintage watches for sale in their museum.