Hello everyone. This is a niche question, but hoping there are fellow Rolex owners on this sub.
I’m thinking about taking in my Submariner or Datejust for service and cleaning by the end of this year. For the Datejust, it would be a complete overhaul since it’s losing accuracy (-5/+5 seconds per day). For the Sub, I just want the 16610 crystal replaced (AR coating).
Is the best method through an AD at the department stores or are there other watchmakers that will service them?
When I lived in Canada, there were no service centres in the country – so Rolex said the watches would have to be sent to the US or overseas to Europe, which was quite a hassle, so I decided to wait before moving to Japan. Taking a quick look at their website, it seems there are three service centres (one in Osaka, one in Kobe and one in Tokyo). I assume the servicing will be done there? (much more peace of mind considering courier speed and service in Japan)
Finally, any ballpark figures of servicing costs? Since the DJ and Sub have less complicated movements and parts compared to say, a Daytona or Sky-Dweller, is it safe to guesstimate ¥100,000 to ¥150,000 per watch? Thanks again and looking forward to any experiences and help in this regard.
13 comments
I took mine to the Rolex store in Yokohama and they shipped it out of the country for servicing (not sure if that’s required for all). They didn’t have the needed parts in Japan – older model. They sent me a quote for the price and that was it. I decided not to proceed because I didn’t want to replace so much of the interior workings. So they just shipped it back and I picked it up at the store. Took a few weeks but it was a painless process.
You can get them serviced at a watch service center for far less than that, like 50k unless there are major issues and you need replacement parts.
Since Rolex are ubiquitous, especially common models like Submariners and Datejust, finding someone to service them shouldn’t be an issue.
Of course, always do your research on the service center and make sure they have good reviews. Unfortunately I don’t have any specific recommendations.
I think Rolex’s model is to ship all watches to a central location. Same thing happened to me in the US. Ship the watch overseas, send you a quote, and return the watch once the repairs are done.
I took my Sub to the Rolex place near tokyo station for a cleaning. It cost about 80,000 yen. Took about 2 weeks. I would be very careful about outsourcing any repairs. I am pretty sure the do repairs on site. I remember seeing 2 guys behind a glass barrier with those big magnifying loupes/lenses for repairing watches.
What ? You serviced them ? Cmon I just buy a new one every time is not accurate .
Expect to pay at least 10万 per watch if you go through an AD, and it might take some time.
I have an older Explorer and when I needed an overhaul I just brought it to a watchmaker at Nakano Broadway and paid around 4万, plus I had the watch back in one week. Rolex parts are widely available and those movements are the bread and butter of watchmakers, so for a simple service like you described I think it would be honestly a waste of money to go official.
My wife“`s sister had it done at a large department store in Kobe and it cost 80,000 yen and took about a month..
If you want an overview of the process for servicing your Rolex through a Japanese RSC, then look for the 9:38 YT video titled ” Servicing your Rolex Watch in Japan ” by “Watch Symposium” dated May 27, 2019.
He mentions certain “policies” such as not returning parts that they replace; it might sound trivial but if doing a bracelet swap or adjustment, you certain *do* want any spare links returned!
Personally I’d go official Rolex (boutique or AD) instead of 3rd party, especially for the overhaul. You might be able to ship the watches directly to the Rolex Service Center yourself.
Depending on when your Datejust was manufactured, -5/+5 might still be in spec I think. But if it’s noticeably worse than before then yeah it’s time for service.
Take good pictures of your watches right before sending / handing them over so you have a clear record of their condition in case of any issues.
Be careful servicing through an AD, I believe they can arbitrarily decide you need a new bracelet and you’ll have no choice but to pay for one.
Most watchmakers should be able to handle an uncomplicated Rolex. Watch Hospital list a sports model Rolex service cost at 27,500 yen.
5 seconds per day sounds like the edge of “Rolex time” but you don’t buy Rolex to keep time. I have both Rolex and Grand Seiko. I can’t wear Rolex in my home country because it is too dangerous now so I wear Grand Seiko when I’m home. I have Sub, Deep Sea, Datejust and GMT and rotate them here in Japan. If they require service I get that done in my home country (USA). Depending on the age and condition I would probably get it serviced here in Japan as it may be cheaper now. Rolex service has inflated much quicker than the price of their watches which is scheduled to increase in September, BTW.
I had a late 1980s Datejust serviced by a watchmaker located in Ginza earlier this year. It was an overhaul for 59k JPY + tax. Additional 12k JPY for polish. The whole process took 1 1/2 months and it was done in Japan. Not sure if linking is allowed here… if not, search for Hakkindo on Google and their info should be on the first page.
Reason for not going with AD: the few ADs I dealt with in Tokyo were unpleasant. Albeit it was on the sales side.
I have had all of mine done at the Rolex service centre near Tokyo station. The service has always been exemplary. They always ask me exactly what I want and don’t argue when I tell them not to replace the dial etc.
My Sub has a patina on the dial and fading on the bezel. They asked if I wanted them replaced and I told them that isn’t required and they respected my wishes.
For an OH on the Sub it was 60,000 yen as it needed a new crown tube. It took about 2 weeks and the watch came back looking and feeling perfect.
Omega on the other hand…..Find a decent watch repair for them, the AD’s are useless.