rolex datejust - The Watch Buyers Group

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 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…

Watchepedia

It’s Time to Flaunt Your Swag, Buying a Rolex, Part II

Ben / September 3, 2014

Like the last article, Its Time to Flaunt Your Swag, Buying a Rolex Part 1, you have decided to by a Rolex. We talked about the advantages and disadvantages to buy new or vintage, we talked about the best time to buy your watch, and we talked about some changes to a few different models from there last generation to the watches you will find in your favorite jewelry store. Now it is time to choose a model, you may already think you know which one you want but we will talk a little about some of…

Watchepedia

It’s Time to Flaunt Your Swag, Buying a Rolex, Part I

Ben / August 29, 2014

So you’re starting to think seriously about buying your first Rolex. You may or may not be new to this rodeo, the high-end watch rodeo that is. This is a very exciting time that will have you staring at your wrist all day and checking to see just how accurate your new timepiece is. But know that are mistakes that are going to be made. In an interview mega watch collector and world famous rock star John Mayer said when asked that his first twelve watches were a mistake. For the majority of us that won’t be a problem, I…

Before and After

Rolex Customization: Or How Not All Rolexes are Equal

Ben / August 29, 2014

One of the many reasons Rolex owners choose The Watch Buyers Group for the proper repair of their Rolex watch is that, while we only use factory Rolex parts in servicing a watch, we don’t have the same strict rules about working on watches with non-Rolex parts. A Rolex with custom additions is considered a fake watch, in the eyes of Rolex. They won’t service a watch with any custom parts. This presents a major issue for thousands of Rolex owners who have to customized, or personalized, their watch. We feel that taking such a hardline on Rolex repair isn’t…

Watchepedia

Sea, Air, and Land, Three Living Legends

Ben / July 30, 2014

You can’t really love watches and not want to own certain timeless classics such as the Rolex Submariner. These timeless classics have been from the moon to the bottom of the sea and back still ticking. They have been in movies as a representation of cool and you too can share in their mystique. Be the guy that takes a cue from James Bond and wears his Sub on a Nato strap while dressed to the nines, be the guy who wears a probably the most iconic tool watch, the Omega Speedmaster, on a cool leather…