Ben - The Watch Buyers Group

The Cost of Rolex Repair: How much does it cost to fix a Rolex?

Ben / March 5, 2023

Fixing a Rolex watch can be expensive. There are less expensive service options available but is truly cheap Rolex repair possible? Or even a good idea? Answering these questions requires an understanding of the complex nature of watchmaking… [sell_rolex_ad] The world is moving ever toward “planned obsolescence” and disposable technology, a “throw-away” culture favoring replacement over repair. Automatic timepieces stand in stark contrast to this notion. The art of watchmaking has changed very little over the past 100 years. Many impressive advancements have been made, though these have primarily been advancements in materials, the manufacturing process, and in lubricants. The fundamental systems of an automatic timepiece…

Rolex Repair, Stories, Watch Service

Rolex Bracelet Tightening: To Tighten or Not to Tighten

Ben / January 12, 2023

These two bracelets are identical… [sell_rolex_ad] Actually, from these clasp codes, you can see that bracelet in the upper portion of the photo, which was manufactured in 1990, is actually 4 years older than the bracelet in the lower portion of the photo… So what happened here? Why does one of these bracelets look 2 years old while the other looks 100 years old? And, more importantly, what can you do about it if your bracelet looks like the lower bracelet here… The only difference between the upper and the lower bracelet is how the wearer wore their watch. It…

Before and After, Stories, Watchepedia

Why a Sapphire Crystal Will NOT Work on an Older Rolex

Ben / January 5, 2023

Many of our customers with older Rolex watches ask if we can replace their acrylic crystals with synthetic sapphire crystals, like the ones that Rolex uses on their new watches. Although every watch in Rolex’s current catalog is now fitted with a sapphire crystal, Rolex does not manufacture sapphire crystals for use on older watches. Instead, they will only replace a worn or damaged acrylic crystal with another acrylic crystal. [sell_rolex_ad] The shape of the crystal is different… The outer diameter is the exact same on comparable acrylic and sapphire crystals. However, quite literally every other aspect of the two…

Before and After, Stories, Watchepedia

Not All Rolex Repair Stories Have Happy Endings

Ben / July 19, 2018

Simply put, some Rolex watches are too damaged to repair in a practical and cost-effective manner. Depending on what has happened to a watch and the extent of the resulting damage, some Rolex watches may require extensive repairs and a large number of replacement parts. In some instances, the cost of repairs may exceed the total value of the damaged watch. Consequently, not every Rolex repair story has a happy ending. Every watch is different, and the art of Rolex watch repair is not a “paint-by-numbers” craft. However, the following rules should always be followed – and if properly followed,…

Before and After, Stories, Watchepedia

Why your Rose Gold Watch May Now Look Yellow

Ben / June 5, 2018

As an element, gold is naturally a soft and malleable, yellow-colored metal. Pure gold (24 karat) is too soft for most watch and jewelry applications, so other metals and/or elements are added to the gold to increase its hardness and durability. 18 karat gold is a concentration of 75% gold, and 25% other metals/elements. The 75% gold content ensures that the gold alloy will have all of the desirable properties of pure gold, while the other 25% allows the metal to be strong enough to retain its shape and survive the rigors of everyday use. Depending on what other metals/elements…

Before and After, Stories, Watchepedia

Why Your Rolex Does Not Glow in the Dark Anymore

Ben / April 25, 2018

One of the questions that we frequently get asked by our customers is, “why doesn’t my Rolex glow anymore, and is there anything that can be done to make it glow again?” In most instances, an older watch no longer glows due to limitations of the manufacturing materials that Rolex was using at the time of production. [sell_rolex_ad] Contemporary Rolex watches (like the one pictured below) use a photo-luminescent material on their dials and hands, which means that modern watches will glow in response to light exposure. The intensity and duration of glow is directly proportional to the amount of…

Before and After, Stories, Watchepedia

Repairing Rolex’s Proprietary 18-Karat Gold

Ben / December 13, 2017

Recently, we overhauled a vintage Rolex Day-Date President for a customer who had accidentally reached a bit too close to an active grinding wheel while working in his tool shed. As you can see in the photograph that was taken before service, the top, left lug of the watch received a substantial gouge in the metal that required a significant amount of gold to be resupplied. The enlarged photo below shows the extent of the damage, and just how much metal had been ground away from the upper left lug on the case of the watch. Rolex is unique among…

Before and After, Stories, Watchepedia

Moisture Damage and Rolex Watches

Ben / October 18, 2016

One of the few things that can render a Rolex movement beyond repair is moisture. Unlike electronic devices, moisture damage in mechanical watches is not caused by the instantaneous presence of a conducting liquid. Rather, the damage results from the rust and corrosion that takes place after the movement has been exposed to a liquid. [sell_rolex_ad] Most contemporary watches have cases made from highly corrosion-resistant materials; however their delicate movements inside do not share this quality. Even a small amount of moisture inside a watch case can cause significant levels of corrosion if left unattended. Corrosion can quickly spread from…

Stories

Now Offering In-House Insurance Appraisals

Ben / September 15, 2016

We are happy to announce that we are now performing in-house insurance appraisals! Many Rolex and other high-end watches become separated from their original paperwork over the decades. Protect your timepiece and increase its value by getting an appraisal and certificate of authenticity performed by one of our in-house NAJA-certified appraisers! Click HERE to order your appraisal today!…

Watchepedia

Why Do Some People Wear Wrist Watches?

Ben / December 19, 2014

Your first answer to the question “why do some people still wear wrist watches?” might be “do they?” The short answer is yes, yes people still wear wrist watches, just a lot fewer of them do. In the days gone by, we wore watches to tell the time, to always be in the present and to know what was going with the sun and the earth. But now we have smart phones, so those who wore watches simply to tell the time have left this last vestige of simpler times at the last rest stop as they proceed down the…

Author name: Ben