Your Rolex watch is covered by a warranty that backs the quality and defect-free operation of the watch for a full five years from the date of its original purchase. Normal wear and tear is not covered, nor is misuse, but if certain components of the watch fail during the warranty period, the watch is covered and backed by the guarantee issued. It’s important to have your Rolex watch serviced to keep it in good running order. Here are some things that you should look for in a Rolex watch repair service.
Make sure that the watch repair service is an Official Rolex Service Center if it’s still under warranty
Any work that needs to be done on your Rolex watch must be completed by a certified and official Rolex service center. Staff and technicians have been trained to inspect and clean Rolex brand watches. If any repairs need to be made, this is the only type of service provider that is recognized under the warranty. If you have repairs made by a third party, the warranty will be voided. It’s not worth losing your warranty by going with a different repair shop.
Rolex watches not under warranty
If your Rolex watch has passed the warranty date of 5 years, or if you’re not the first owner, you can save money by going with a competent watch repair service. The cost of servicing a Rolex through the factory is around $800 for the basic cleaning and servicing. Other jewelers who use the same methods of servicing may charge as little as $200-$300 for the same service. With this in mind here are some things to keep in mind and what to look for in a Rolex service provider not affiliated with the Rolex Service Center.
Compare pricing
Before you agree to have your Rolex serviced, it’s a good idea to get a few price estimates. Some providers may charge higher prices than others. Get the best possible deal you can on a reputable watch repair service.
Check the reputation of the service
It’s best to go with a Rolex watch repair service that has had prior experience in servicing Rolex brand watches. Explore the reputation of the company to ensure that it has high marks for providing quality inspections. One of the best ways to do this is to read any consumer reviews and learn about the experiences that others have had in getting their Rolex watches serviced through the business.
Ask about the repair process
Inquire about the methods of cleaning that the provider uses when servicing Rolex watches. The recommended method is to disassemble the watch and the movement and to use ultrasonic cleaning. The components should be inspection for corrosion and fiction fatigue. It should be lubricated and have all gaskets and seals replaced. The service should also include a water-pressure test, timing calibration, along with an official COSC timing test. Finally the service should include a thorough polish of the case, the crystal, and the band.
Compare warranty programs
Not all watch repair services provide a warranty on the work that is performed. Look for a repair service that backs the work with a warranty of at least one year on the work that is performed. This can save you money if your Rolex is getting older or having issues. Your servicing agent should find any issues or signs of wear and make all the necessary replacements on the first visit. If the watch doesn’t hold up for at least a year after the servicing, it could mean that the inspection process wasn’t thorough, or that the correct replacement parts were not used when repairs were made.
Genuine Rolex replacement parts
While it’s a matter of preference, it’s best to go with a watch repair service that uses genuine Rolex replacement parts to perform any necessary repairs. Aftermarket components may not be the right size or they may not be made of the same quality in materials. Rolex watches that have been repaired with aftermarket parts that have another branding may actually lose value. This is especially true if your watch is a special edition or if it is somewhat rare, or vintage. Rolex are expensive high-end luxury watches and changing some of the components can interfere with the authenticity of the piece.
The work area should be clean
When choosing a watch repair service, it’s important to go with a business that maintains a clean work space. Some services are fly by night and the are that is used for making watch servicing and repairs can tell you a lot about he provider. Not everyone who performs watch servicing does so with quality equipment and tools. If the provider doesn’t care enough about customers to maintain a clean office space and work area, the odds are that they’re not going to care about the servicing and repair processes either. You can judge the integrity of the processes that the technicians observe by the surroundings of the shop.
Look for moderate pricing
We’ve already talked about getting the best possible deal for getting your Rolex watch serviced, but the cheapest option may not necessarily be the best. Make sure that you compare pricing, but don’t forget to factor in the reputation of the business along with the cost. When a jeweler or other certified watch repair professional charges extremely low prices for the service on high end watches, there is a strong likelihood that aftermarket components are used to make any needed repairs or in maintenance alterations. While it’s great to save money by going with a repair service outside of the Rolex Service Center, it’s just as important to make sure that you will receive the same level of attention to the details of servicing your watch. The better companies may charge fees as high as $400 to $600 on the low end.
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