How Much Does it Cost to Service / Repair a Rolex? (Servicing a Rolex: Part II)

I recently had an issue with the Rolex Exlporer 14270 and had to send the watch to Rolex for a repair and service. I figured I would share how much it cost to replace the dial, the handset, and the crown on the watch, and how much it costs to service a 30 year old watch.

00:00 - Introduction
00:27 - How Long Does it Take?
01:31 - What I Received Back
02:34 - Cost to Replace Crown, Handset, and Dial
04:29 - Cost to Service a Rolex Explorer 14270
05:40 - Conclusion

#Rolex #Explorer #WatchRepair

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GEAR I USE:

[WiktorJanM]

This is absolutely amazing, as a jeweler myself, I see so many people tossing away their old or older watches (Yes including Rolex), because they need some work or a service because they'd rather put that money towards geting a new watch, and seeing someone like yourself taking such good care of their watch makes me so happy, I respect your actions so much, good luck and may the watch serve you for another 30 years

[ippocampo]

I took my Explorer 14270 bought in 1997 to an indipendent watchmaker after 24 years(of wich 8 of daily use)...it cost me only 400€ for a total servicing and polishing...now its accuracy is 3 seconds a day (before was 9 seconds)...sounds good for me...in Rolex AD they asked me 650€ plus spare parts to change, i keep all my watches for the memories of the moments i lived with them.Cheers from.Italy

[TheNotoriousKID]

Honestly, for the reliability, movement robustness, brand recognition, and durability of a Rolex, and considering the watch is 30 years old, this is quite reasonable. The only issue I have with this personally is the turn around time. And for those of you bitchin about the price, you should see what Patek charges for just a servicing, not even talking parts replacement and cosmetic overhaul.. I’m a 3 piece Rolex owner and I’m beyond happy to be part of this respected club. I know what I’m paying for.

[stuartclubb]

3 months without the watch.
$1100 for a service, $700 of parts. Ouch.
Most people aren't ready for that kind of ownership experience.

[Xandil]

I wore a 1996 Air King daily for about 12 years before sending it in for service. It was heavily worn with many chips on the sapphire and scratched up case and bracelet. It cost about the same to get it back like new. I bought a new sapphire and a $600 bracelet. It was worth it especially with the appreciated value. Now it sits next to the Kermit, yet another watch that now is rarely worn.

[ACoustaDC]

I live in Phoenix. I took my rolex (which is almost 50 YO) in today to get serviced. I have owned the watch for 30ish years. I had it serviced once when I got it and now. It is the same man who owns a little jewelry store. He is not a "rolex certified" dealer but Most of the ones in my area farm all their stuff to him. I am paying 400 (well 395) for servicing .The great thing about taking it to him and speaking with him... is I know he understands my watch is old and beat up but all original and he is only going to use hand tools on the case for polishing and will not be able to remove the big scratches, but just refresh. I get sending it off, but man, you need to get your old hands... they are worth something.

[billy]

Context for anybody that may be interested:
I had a regular service performed by the Tag Heuer US service center on my modern chronograph in early 2016. Only the standard parts replaced (seals, etc.) and it was $470. I also received a nice service box when it was returned.
Edit: Based on my records I believe that it took approximately 2 months for the service to be completed.

[waterzap]

New Rolex models only gets serviced every 10 years. At $1000, ownership costs are only $100 per year.

[scottbertelson]

Money well spent. Average resale prices appear over $7K, so it was an investment, and then would expect that you’ll get many more years of reliable service and piece of mind of owning a Rolex. I recently had an 80s DateJust serviced and it was about $1K, but it had been serviced before so perhaps didn’t need as much to be done.

[robalexander]

Thank you for that service information, that is a lot of money to service a watch.. I am now having second thoughts with purchasing a Rolex Submariner 😲

[garyboyle]

That's why you never get Rolex to service your watch, they rip you off as your prices show. An independent watch maker could have re-lumbed the hands and dial for a fraction of the cost and you'd still have the original parts on the watch and $1, 100 for the service, a new movement would be have cheaper.

[VanWatches]

With rolex can you request only movement service, no polishing and keep original dial/hands/crown/crystal?

[bigwill]

It's good you did this lots of people get a shock

[bobbwest]

Great informational video! This was a perfect video for me. My 90’s Sub date needs service plus I need hands and dial. I have been wondering about the cost of the dial and hands from Rolex for a while now. I have had the watch serviced a couple of times in the past, but by independent watchmakers: once in London, UK and once in Northern California. The guy in London either relumed or replaced the dial and whatever he did didn’t look quite right ( I suspect he relumed it — the dial looks correct otherwise). Your cost breakdown was very timely and just the information I was seeking. Thank you for relating your experience.

[jhatgotagat]

Honestly when I saw the dial and hands replaced I thought it would be north of 3k so That’s not bad at all honestly! But I wouldn’t know haven’t taken my 04 sub in yet doesn’t need it really

[majedalessa]

I thought the hands and crown (steel) are part of the service cost. It is a bit expensive for a non complicated movement. However, you can sell the dial that you have for a good price.
This watch could have been serviced by a competent watch maker for half the cost. Rolex movements are so good and are relatively easy to work on.

[RiveTheRat]

$1800? You could buy 30 Vostoks with that pack of dough! 🤣 (but in all seriousness, congratulations on getting your beautiful Rolex back after three months!)

[StruanRobertson]

Interesting video. Cost was around what i expected.. with the exception of the dial, no idea what to expect there. Difficult choice re to replace hands, dial and crown. On the one hand (no pun intended), definitely an improvement, on the original..but those are the original parts and part of the character of the watch. Everyone is different, if was me the choice of changing those parts would have been a very difficult decision to make. I would also like to congratulate the author on his character, it's a certain type of person who owns the explorer 36mm, non show off, refined and sentimental. It's such a great watch

[theovanderlugt]

Very informative. I wonder how they justify refusing to send the hands back

[jonnybreakz]

Thanks for the breakdown,
The cost of the replacement parts are actually good. (in watch geek world.) To a normie, it would be crazy but on the second hand or grey market, you could not buy a genuine crown these days for $45 dollars and a service dial and hands are also alot more than you paid. Like someone mentioned earlier, the indices are white gold. so that adds to the value. You're quite lucky You dont hear many stories of people receiving their original dials back. I would put that away for safe keeping because that will certainly add to the value of your watch when/if the day you ever decide to sell it on to .