re: Is Rolex Authorized Service Actually Necessary? What’s a Fair Price?

Yes it was a Day-Date with a presidential bracelet.

The band did not have any Rolex branding like the crown you have pictured. It just resembled a presidential band. It was much lighter than mine. He was too stubborn to even think that he got ripped off after he was rejoicing that he was not getting ripped off by the real jeweler. He believed what he wanted to believe.

Adding instead of editing my previous post...

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Watchmakers International in the DFW area is also very good.

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I agree with this, guys name is Bob Ridley and he does excellent work - high end on price though. If you talk to him on the phone you will want him to do your work until you find out his time frame is about 10 months. His son is in Phoenix (same last name, can't remember his first name) and also has a very good rep, not as expensive and not as long. I had him do something for me on a complicated IWC piece back before COVID and his time frame was much more reasonable, but still on the higher end. I think the son's outfit is Ridley watchmaker or something mundane like that.

My recommendation is to not take it to an AD - you are going to cost yourself more time and quite likely more money. Now, you are close to Lee Michaels (if you live in Squire Creek), who has an in-house watchmaker (they send the North Louisiana work to Jackson, MS) they have a Rolex account, but this is not a Rolex Service Center - I know people that swear by them, but they are high on prices. They may send Rolex watches to RSC, I would check, but I know they do other brands in-house.

If you want it to go to Rolex, either take yourself (just take a day trip over to Dallas, the RSC there is easy to get to (edge of downtown), and you can walk right in and they will get you going set up for what you need with a quick on the spot assessment and estimate). If you can't make the time to drive it there, I would send to Rolex yourself instead of going through an AD - Rolex will only accept packaging a certain way (they will send you a box to send them, box has to be sealed with brown kraft tape, and has to be sent by Registered US mail). It comes back quicker via overnight FedEx, but sending it is a little cumbersome, but very secure.

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Watchmakers International in the DFW area is also very good.

I agree with this, guys name is Bob Ridley and he does excellent work - high end on price though. If you talk to him on the phone you will want him to do your work until you find out his time frame is about 10 months. His son is in Phoenix (same last name, can't remember his first name) and also has a very good rep, not as expensive and not as long. I had him do something for me on a complicated IWC piece back before COVID and his time frame was much more reasonable, but still on the higher end. I think the son's outfit is Ridley watchmaker or something mundane like that.

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The last time I used him was 2019 when he serviced my 5070G. I would trust him with anything. I, however, did not know he was 10 months out now, I think mine took ~4 months which was significantly shorter than Henri Stern in NYC at the time. Many of the really good indys have long waitlists, it is like Archer Watches in Ontario which is the best for Speedmasters and Omega in general but half the time he isn't even taking new business.

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If this is a "forever watch" and going to be passed down, then if you want it touched up, get it touched up, just make sure you have it in the hands with someone that has esoteric knowledge of the particular reference and serial range you are sending it to, so that it can be polished without changing the intended contour of the lugs, erasing the chamfers or rounding out the case edges

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This is why when you definitely want some like Hui (Rolliworks), Ku (LA Watchworks), or Young (Classic Watch Repair).

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The last time I used him was 2019 when he serviced my 5070G

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Ok, I'm hijacking, but Obtuse (or anyone else here) do you have an opinion on 5035R vs 5146R for an annual calendar? There is a price delta between the two, but not a gulf. I like the 37 mm size of the 5035, but don't love Roman makers, and there is something about the date window execution that I can't wrap my head around, but dont' think I love it. I think the 5146 dial is beautifully executed on pretty much every point, but am not sure I love the 39 mm size for this type of watch. Perhaps that's a little silly as most days you'll find a 40 mm chunk on my wrist (either a Sub or one of my GMTs). I just like the way dress watches look on a smaller scale. Thoughts? (still procrastinating on that purchase we were talking about some months ago, my 126711CHNR did come in last month though).

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I have a 1991 Submariner that hasn’t been worn in at least 25 years;

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Why?

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do you have an opinion on 5035R vs 5146R for an annual calendar

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I shopped the annual calenders a few years ago (didn't buy) so I do have an opinion.

Movement: they may have the same 315 but the 5146 may have the 324. I would prefer the 324 if it is a later production with the Patek Seal vs the Geneve Seal. I would also prefer the 324 for the faster beat rate with a full length seconds hand. In terms of reliability they are both typical Patek workhorses.

Price: I didn't look them up but I thought the delta would be fairly significant but if you aren't seeing that I think it is a pro for the 5146

Metal: obvious wash

Size: all of what I consider my true dress watches are larger 38.5/40/41/42 but I tend to like larger watches though I do have 2 37mm watches. Just for me I would prefer the 4126 size because it makes the dial seem more balanced but size is such a personal thing

Dial: you mentioned the date window of the 5035, for me it seems like it is just floating and untethered because it has no beveling or frame a definite con in my book. I am not a huge fan of Romans but at least none of them are chopped off also Patek didn't use a watchmaker's 4 which takes away a little conversation piece. I think the Arabics look better on most watches and like the 12/3/9 on the 5146. I prefer the moonphase to the 24hr subdial, not that I ever use a moonphase but I think it adds interest and some color to the dial. I also like the 5146's power reserve display though not nearly as useful on an automatic compared to a manual wind but you still don't want a annual calendar to stop so it does have use. Patek has stepped on their phallus a few times with dials but I think these are both excellent AC dials with the lone detail exception being the date window on the 5035. I also think the 5146 has the advantage on complications having 1 more and IMO a more useful one and a more aesthetically pleasing one.

For me, the 5146 is the clear winner but the 5035 has the price advantage and size advantage (for you). The size difference may loom large for you and if the price difference is near what I think it is that represents a very nice piece you could get for the difference or taking a lot of the sting out of the 3 handers you are looking at.

ETA: 126711CHNR Some days I wish I had sold my BLNR at the height of the market and just waited for a BLRO from my dealer but I have a very hard time letting go of anything because I tend to covet it later and have to rebuy

Shameless bump for a watch thread,

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Was always more practical for flying.

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Get a Breitling Navitimer Chronograph and learn to use a sliderule. The most practically impractical wrist-borne flying instrument ever devised. Was probably a modern marvel for pilots in 1952. Plus how many Swiss watches were designed by a man name Willy

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Get a Breitling Navitimer Chronograph

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Great watch, a classic. I really like what Breitling have done with the Premier line.

Very interested to see where they go with the Universal Geneve IP and name purchase. Sorry to see it looks like we'll have to wait a couple of years to see. Promising though.