Opinions on Rolex watches

[WFMartin]

Years ago, I received from the lithographic company for which I worked for 20 years, a Rolex wristwatch. I believe that it is some version of an “Oyster”. I wore it with pride for several years (not very many, actually), until it began to not tell the correct time, As I recall, it runs “slow”. It is a “self-wnder”.

So, needing a watch that actually displayed the correct time, I bought a Timex, for probably no more than $80 or $100, at the most. This Timex has lasted me years, and years, and has displayed the correct time throughout its term on my wrist.

One day I took the retired Rolex to a jeweler, and asked what he could do to cause it to tell the correct time, once more. I also mentioned to him that I was aware that a Rolex wristwatch should only be serviced by an authorized Rolex dealer. My jeweler considered that claim to be nonsense, and claimed that the tools required to service Rolex watches are literally owned by most jewelers, and that the Rolex Company had no particular “hold” on the servicing of their watches. In short, any competent jeweler, or watch repair company could service a Rolex watch. I don’t know whether that claim is true, or not, actually.

So, I then asked what he’d charge me to make my useless Rolex display the correct time, once more, and his estimate was something a little over $700 ! As my jaw dropped, I said, ” WHAT?…….Seven Hundred Bucks ? ! ? ! Do you know how many Timex, or Seiko watches I could purchase for $700, each of which would likely function correctly (tell the time of day) for years, and years? Basically, I told him, “No way!” I could purchase a lifetime of Timex, or Seiko watches that would pay for such a “service price”!

My question to you all is have any of you had similar experiences with Rolex watches, and if so, how did you deal with the problem(s)?

My Rolex is probably valued at a sizable amount, but …….what good is a stupid, piece of crap watch that doesn’t tell the correct time of day?? Seems to me another Timex watch would be well worth the investment, at whatever the inflated price of it may be, today, rather than have someone poke around my Rolex , trying to make it tell the correct time, to the tune of $700 or $800 !

Opinions, please?………..

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[John humber]

WFMartin wrote:

what good is a stupid, piece of crap watch that doesn’t tell the correct time of day??

Because it makes a comforting tick-tock sound? I stopped wearing a wristwatch many years ago, long before we could get the time from a mobile phone. It was a rather pathetic gesture (although an important one for me) towards being controlled by time.

However, at home I have two mantle clocks, both from around the 1920s. One was given to me by a next-door neighbour years ago and was a wedding present from the other girls in the wollen mill where she worked in 1923. That one runs slow. The other one is of similar vintage and runs fast. They are both pendulum regulated and I could adjust them, but I’ve never bothered to do that. I just like the comforting sound of the tick-tock. I don’t really need a separate device for the time—the laptop I’m typing this on shows me the time, as will the radio I’m listening to if I press the button. The car shows me the time…the microwave shows me the time. Everything, it seems, shows me the time. The only reason for an expensive watch is as a jewellery item and if you’re not interested in that then a Timex is fine.

My only expeience of Rolex watches is of the fake ones on sale in many tourist cities in South East Asia. A friend I was with in Malaysia once bought one—knowing it was a fake—and it stopped the next day. The little dot of whatever it was on the number two was so big the hand couldn’t get past it.

PLEASE how do I make these dreadful yellow things go away?

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[Yorky Administrator Ormskirk]

Watching Antiques Roadshow, it appears that Rolex aficionados like to see certificates by accredited agents. I would consider keeping it as a memento bearing in mind it could be quite valuable. My watches cost £7, and last a couple of years before the battery runs down and then I buy another one.

Doug

We must leave our mark on this world

[JulioSaphire]

Whoa, what a journey with your Rolex! That’s a tough spot to be in, especially when faced with a pricey fix.

[JulioSaphire]

And the question is, do you really need all the Rolex glam if it’s not doing its primary job – telling the time accurately?

Your jeweler’s claim about servicing sounds interesting, though. I’d be curious to check out more insights on this. Maybe there’s a community or forum where folks share their experiences with Rolex servicing and alternatives. You might want to open website or join a discussion to gather more opinions before making a decision.

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