Rolex service

spread5150 · Jul 5, 2025

I sent my dads 16803 in to Rolex and these were the findings:

They want to replace the caseback 3000.00.

Also they wanted to replace hands/dial/crystal !

It keeps great time and it was there as a pin had fallen out of the bracelet. Which is why I took it in.

I also noticed that the dial was free spinning. So I figured it it needed a new spring tension thingy. (It didn’t click just around the world loose spinning) 😵*💫

Total cost 6k !

Granted my dad wears this thing. He works outside. It gets used.

ErichKeane · Jul 5, 2025

I presume you mean the bezel, not the dial is free-spinning. If I was you, I'd reject the changes and have Rolex send it back, then find a GOOD local watch maker with a parts account to do a good sympathetic servicing, and fix the bracelet/bezel for you. Then, your dad can wear it another dozen or so years trouble-free.

I can't imagine why, other than Rolex being unwilling to let anything leave service besides 'good as new' (even if, like in this case, it would make the watch decrease significantly in value for being non-original), that anyone would do any of that.

Dial + hands look fine, case back looks fine enough. The case has had an... interesting life it looks with whatever is going on with those lugs, but if you needed metal added there, you'd have to find a watchmaker with a laser welder.

That said, unless they are structural, I'd have a watchmaker just clean/service + repair the bezel + bracelet. It should run you about 1/10th of what Rolex wants.

spread5150 · Jul 5, 2025

Ahhh yes I meant bezel is free spinning.

Well I wanted to give a 2025 update on what is expected when sending off to Rolex.

I sort of feel like it’s a “we don’t want to clean or fix anything. We rather just parts replace “. I feel like it’s not the same watch I would be getting back.

I did decline the work. There was no cost for the assessment.

How would I know if my local repair guy has a parts account ?

ErichKeane · Jul 5, 2025

Well I wanted to give a 2025 update on what is expected when sending off to Rolex.

I sort of feel like it’s a “we don’t want to clean or fix anything. We rather just parts replace “. I feel like it’s not the same watch I would be getting back.

Yep, thats basically how the RSC is going to go unless you somehow end up in their vintage department, which I've heard unhappy folks with. You're better off with a GOOD private watchmaker.

How would I know if my local repair guy has a parts account ?

You can usually just ask them and they will tell you if they are Rolex Authorized to do repairs. That means they've taken a certain number of Rolex official classes, and can order parts directly from Omega.

Depending on where you are, you should be able to find someone local who can suggest a good watchmaker though.

spread5150 · Jul 5, 2025

There was some things I would have liked. But it was an all or nothing deal.

I’m in San Antonio. My sales guy there is great. It ended up being sent to Dallas.

Today I declined and I will be awaiting its return.

The watch held the bracelet fine. It was the pin in this area that fell out that kicked all this off. (See photo). Lucky for me and my dad he had his hand out the window of the truck… brought it in and it fell off at his feet.

Any idea what an authentic bezel spring cost to replace ?

There is a touch of corrosion on the hands. Should I have these cleaned or just leave them alone ?

The watch bracelet as it sits is just dirty. Any darkness in these photos is dirt not corrosion. The hands have the only noticeable spots I can tell.

duc · Jul 6, 2025

I'm a little biased in that I discovered Nesbits from Seattle a few years ago and have had several Omegas, and one 16610 serviced by them (all with outstanding results). Their servicing fee is not out of line with what the RSC would charge (in that it is about the same for a basic service). However, they will respect your desire to maintain as much originality with the watch as can be. That said, if the corrosion on the case back extends into the oring groove, not replacing it may render the watch not as water resistant as it should be. If it's bad enough, it might not seal at all.

Donn Chambers · Jul 6, 2025

S spread5150
There was some things I would have liked. But it was an all or nothing deal.

I’m in San Antonio. My sales guy there is great. It ended up being sent to Dallas.

Today I declined and I will be awaiting its return.

The watch held the bracelet fine. It was the pin in this area that fell out that kicked all this off. (See photo). Lucky for me and my dad he had his hand out the window of the truck… brought it in and it fell off at his feet.

Any idea what an authentic bezel spring cost to replace ?

There is a touch of corrosion on the hands. Should I have these cleaned or just leave them alone ?

The watch bracelet as it sits is just dirty. Any darkness in these photos is dirt not corrosion. The hands have the only noticeable spots I can tell.

There are watchmakers in your area (Austin-San Antonio) that work on Rolex watches - pretty much any major city has at least 2 or 3 because of how popular Rolex watches are. Many long-established jewelry stores have a watchmaker on staff to repair watches (including Rolex)
. Just do a little search, look at reviews, call and ask.

pdxleaf · Jul 6, 2025

S spread5150
Well I wanted to give a 2025 update on what is expected when sending off to Rolex.

Thanks. We hear these stories about RSC but wonder if it's still like this or just how it used to be. Crazy that they still don't get vintage owners. Appreciate you sharing.

Nice watch. Your Dad's lucky, and not just about the window and bracelet. That gunk will corrode steel. Happens. Good idea to get that cleaned.

Sorry, no watchmaker contacts in your area. Good luck.

winndixie · Jul 6, 2025

Maybe I'm just different, but a new Rolex Submariner with date is just $10,650. The differential doesn't seem all that high.

pdxleaf · Jul 6, 2025

winndixie
Maybe I'm just different, but a new Rolex Submariner with date is just $10,650. The differential doesn't seem all that high.

Even if you could get one at retail, there's still the issue with the 3235 amplitude time bomb. Plus some people prefer tritium lume and vintage. But if someone actually paid 6k to get new parts that would negate (destroy) a vintage watch, then a newer reference would be better. Still, they won't need to pay 6k of they just go for a non-rsc service, so it's a much bigger delta.

Davidt · Jul 6, 2025

Is that a typo? $3000 for a new caseback?

spread5150 · Jul 6, 2025

Davidt
Is that a typo? $3000 for a new caseback?

I think case. Not caseback

YVR785 · Jul 6, 2025

Davidt
Is that a typo? $3000 for a new caseback?

$3,000 sounds right for a case. Caseback is usually a few hundred dollars.

OP, you can always negotiate. Pushback on the case replacement. It’s your watch and your money. Be tactful and see how far you can get.

I don’t recommend going to a RSC for this watch. An independent watchmaker would bring that thing back to life for a fraction of the cost.

ErichKeane · Jul 6, 2025

YVR785
$3,000 sounds right for a case. Caseback is usually a few hundred dollars.

OP, you can always negotiate. Pushback on the case replacement. It’s your watch and your money. Be tactful and see how far you can get.

I don’t recommend going to a RSC for this watch. An independent watchmaker would bring that thing back to life for a fraction of the cost.

Agreed about going to RSC on this one. Nesbit, Rollieworks and a bunch of others are capable of doing whatever repair needs doing (I'm guessing it is whatever happened to the back of the lugs), or leaving it imperfect.

IMO that damage is part of the Watch's story, so as long as it wasnt functionally problematic, I'd have it left that way.

But the above two could very well laser weld the case and grind it back.

spread5150 · Jul 9, 2025

Well my watch is back from Rolex Dallas. I will just replace the pin that fell out and the click spring. I haven’t been able to find a 3rd party with a parts account locally. How big a deal is an after market click spring. I’m thinking if it’s not a huge deal of a replacement I’ll go that route and if it says fails in a year or more it’s an easy replacement. Since it’s not part of the movement I don’t mind it being sourced elsewhere. Any thoughts ? …..

bassem abadan · Jul 10, 2025

S spread5150
I sent my dads 16803 in to Rolex and these were the findings:

They want to replace the caseback 3000.00.

Also they wanted to replace hands/dial/crystal !

It keeps great time and it was there as a pin had fallen out of the bracelet. Which is why I took it in.

I also noticed that the dial was free spinning. So I figured it it needed a new spring tension thingy. (It didn’t click just around the world loose spinning) 😵*💫

Total cost 6k !

Granted my dad wears this thing. He works outside. It gets used.

Go to laser welding.

spread5150 · Jul 10, 2025

I’m eager to get it back. I don’t remember the lugs being such a big deal. I’ll post better pics. I don’t know how those lug marks /damage could have even occurred???? I’ll update with the work

Knebo · Jul 10, 2025

I honestly couldn't care less if it's just the lugs. It's part of its history and has no functional risks.

Avoid RSC, for sure. Overpriced and they'll destroy the originality.

Find a good independent watchmaker. But not just anyone (any watchmaker will do Rolex, but not everyone does it well). I'm not in the US, but I'm sure there are recommendations here on the forum. If nobody local is recommended/reputed, send it somewhere.

Larry S · Jul 10, 2025

When you send a watch to Rolex, their default is to bring it back to new(ish) with a 1 year warranty. If you go to an authorized dealer this is usually discussed before hand. It’s unfortunate that this discussion apparently didn't happen and they wasted your time. This watch is pretty beat up and most definitely outside their basic service parameters. As said, find a service shop that has access to parts and knows how to properly service a Rolex.

spread5150 · Jul 10, 2025

Larry S
When you send a watch to Rolex, their default is to bring it back to new(ish) with a 1 year warranty. If you go to an authorized dealer this is usually discussed before hand. It’s unfortunate that this discussion apparently didn't happen and they wasted your time. This watch is pretty beat up and most definitely outside their basic service parameters. As said, find a service shop that has access to parts and knows how to properly service a Rolex.

They told me 2 years. I didn’t anticipate them telling me they would be swapping parts. I figured they would keep what was serviceable. Probably takes much less time to replace then service. Time is money. I’ll get it back today.