Rolex

I recently acquired this beautiful full set 1968 Rolex Datejust and asked my Rolex AD to sent it for a movement service. Big was my surprise today to be informed that Rolex is only willing to service my watch if the dial and the hands must be replaced as ...  

How do people preserve their vintage rolex watches with this attitude ?

Patek preserves its watches and consults with the client.

... Rolex service worldwide, so watches of let´s say more than 20/25 years should be sent to an independent watchmaker for service or repairs, except that you are willing to accept the change or original pieces like dials or handset, which of course reduc... 

I'm sure you'll find a lot of similar replies. Only way is to find a local horologist who can get parts keeping the rest original. That's what I did. Think of it as a lucky escape. At least you found out before rather than finding out after. Im sure there... 

Any suggestions are more then welcome, preferably either in Belgium, Holland, Francé, Germany or even Malaysia, Hong Kong or Singapore.

I am sure they must have their reasons and am curious to learn. Thanks.

With a vast market of vintage Rolex watches it is simple beyond comprehension.

And this they simply refuse.

Some years ago I wanted to service my Ebel chrono with its El Primero movement, which had had a replacement dial and hands after a moisture ingress incident many years ago. Both hands and dial were/are in supreme condition. The authorised UK service agent... 

As this is my first vintage Rolex and trust me, my last one too.

The aim of Rolex is to sell new watches. If you have a vintage and want to have it serviced you must have it taken care of by an independent watchmaker.

Rolex cannot even understand the value of their vintage pieces.

--Rolex's new tag line.

That's disappointing to read! Keep your T Tritium Dial at all costs!

The one in San Francisco is a franchised Service Center, meaning it's not directly operated by Rolex.

... the minute hand of your lovely watch has lost part of the lume at least and, as much as I can see, some dots surely have lost the lume too. I am possibly wrong, but there is a tiny scratch on the dial between ten and eleven and who knows what else led... 

About the mentionned defects. I know them and they are part of the experience. If I go for an oil change with my car they don't oblige me to change the bumper because it is scratched right?

but what the company dealer will tell you if you need a new bumper for your 1968 car? This is quite a complicated issue with many questions unsolved. Sometimes I feel they also want to sell unsold, perhaps cheaper parts. Rolex in fact does provide proper,... 

I felt the same when I discovered that there is no consideration from Rolex for their past models going vintage. Yes, you can go to an independent watchmaker etc... but frankly when one is used to deal with Patek and Vacheron Constantin vintage department... 

Yes I agree it is. You need to speak to a different service center!

The reason they insist on changing the dial is because it is not original to the watch. Any time you send a watch to the RSC it must be original or they won't work on it. If you want to keep it in its modified condition you need to find a local watchmaker... 

From a purist point of view, not good at all, as the integrity of the watch has been touched.

Rolex did not mention that at all.