Posted: 9/15/2026 11:58:30 AM EDT
[Last Edit: AccelR8][Edited]
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Wife’s watch. 9 years old. She has hardly worn it and it looks like new. It lives it’s life on a winder. It no longer runs reliably, it is stopping frequently. Nearest authorized dealer/service center quoted minimum 1300 bucks. Wife balked. I told her, you don’t own a Rolex and want to try to save money. But, I understand I guess. So I took it to our local jeweler whom I have done business with and trust. They have a watch maker whom the say is “Rolex Certified.” He says he’ll replace the movement with a genuine Rolex movement at 650 bucks. Does that even sound right? I thought a service, as in disassemble, clean, properly lube and reassemble would be in order. Any advice? |
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STOP!!!! He is scamming you. At that price they would have to use a knock off movement and there is no reason to replace a movement unless it had water intrusion and rusted. Not likely on a watch that lives on a winder. Get a second quote from another watchmaker. You are correct, it most likely just needs a cleaning. I have heard good things about Watch Hospital NY |
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I'm with everyone else. That doesn't sound right to me at all. Here is the link to the Certified Rolex Service Centers.. Is he on that list? Service at 9 years is lube and maybe a spring or two. Not the movement. |
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While I have spoken with the watchmaker a number of times in previous years when he did things for me on other watches, I did not speak to him on this visit. I spoke with the lady up front, who went between me and the watchmaker. After I left I thought I should have asked if it's the same guy or someone new. There was no misunderstanding, between she and I anyway. I asked if he would use a genuine movement, she said yes. I told her I did not want a knock-off, non genuine movement. She reaffirmed that it would be genuine Rolex. I brought it back home with me as this just wasn't what I was expecting and seems off. Someone here asked, no he's not on the official Rolex website. I knew that before going there but I would be happy with a good independent to service it. The nearest authorized is about an hour away, they're the one that quoted 1300 min. They quoted 3000-plus for my Milgauss which runs flawlessly but is a "user" and while not abused shows signs of being worn. They said it would be returned to new condition which would not be a thing for me, because I'd just go right back to wearing it! |
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There are a handfull of off hand Rolex service houses. Do not take it to some random jewler. Pay rolex or pay one of the trusted service houses found on rolex forums. I sent mine to rolex - came back looking like brand new. No regerts. Personally the extra money is worth knowing rolex did it - you also get a warranty when it returns. |
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You are getting good advice from this thread. Many watchmakers can service Rolex. Most have secondary market parts access. Most of these parts are not fake. That said, Rolex does not sell to those guys. Rolex can do it. I would ask more Rolex dealers how much to send to Rolex. I’m guessing a clean & lube is like $700 plus parts which may run $1000 total in a bad case. Those official Rolex watch repair places too can do it with genuine parts. A local guy you trust is probably better than 50/50 getting genuine parts. That said, there seem to be a shit ton of mixmaster Rolex watches out there, so beware. If you bought it used, you may have some level of mix. Good luck. Rolex is not meant to be cheap. They are great watches with a shady surrounding market! |
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I spent $800 to have my watch serviced by the OEM and it was not a Rolex…. If you don’t want to send it to Rolex, take it off the winder and leave it in the safe. When she is ready to wear it, send it in to Rolex - it will be more in the future than it is now. Don’t trade out your original movement - bad idea. |
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Did the clock guy tell you that the movement would need to be replaced, or did you suggest that to him? That don't make no sense. And why is it sitting on a winder? Just let it run to a stop. It will last longer. |
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Well she was told when she bought it to keep on a winder. I don't know. I seriously never heard winders were bad. I need to get out more :) Anyway she's going to Hong Kong soon and will take it to the place she bought it, which is here: https://www.rolex.com/en-hk/watch-care-and-service/service-locator/hongkongsarchina |
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Originally Posted By 5thLegion: Also - winders are notoriously bad for watches. I personally don’t use them, knock on wood no issues with my autos. This I use a winder, but i only keep my current rotation on it. Usually 5 days or so at night. Introducing constant undo wear just isnt a good idea for any mechanical device. |
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Originally Posted By gotigers: This I use a winder, but i only keep my current rotation on it. Usually 5 days or so at night. Introducing constant undo wear just isnt a good idea for any mechanical device. Originally Posted By gotigers: Originally Posted By 5thLegion: Also - winders are notoriously bad for watches. I personally don’t use them, knock on wood no issues with my autos. This I use a winder, but i only keep my current rotation on it. Usually 5 days or so at night. Introducing constant undo wear just isnt a good idea for any mechanical device. Yeah. If you wear it maybe at least once a week or so and want to keep the time and date and such current, they make a lot of sense. "Storing" a watch on a winder just strikes me as crazy. But even posting in this forum causes me hesitation. Watch people can be... special. |
History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which Trump is always right.
Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired