Rolex question for DF

[kenny]

Here's my steel and gold, midsize watch.
Yes they made a size between the man's and the woman's, maybe they still do.
Since the size is not quite a man's and not quite a woman's, I like to think of it as the gay size.
I bought it new from an authorized Rolex dealer around 1988.

I want to change the hands to black instead of gold.
Black would be easier for my old eyes to make out at a glance in all lighting when not wearing my glasses.

Does Rolex even make black hands?
I won't let anyone but Rolex touch the watch and do not want non-Rolex parts.



Here's the model number:

 

[Dancing Fire]

Here's my steel and gold, midsize watch.
Yes they made a size between the man's and the woman's, maybe they still do.
Since the size is not quite a man's and not quite a woman's, I like to think of it as the gay size.
I bought it new from an authorized Rolex dealer around 1988.

I want to change the hands to black instead of gold.
Black would be easier for my old eyes to make out at a glance in all lighting when not wearing my glasses.

Does Rolex even make black hands?
I won't let anyone but Rolex touch the watch and do not want non-Rolex parts.

Kenny...i don't remember seeing black hands on any Rolex. how about changing the dial to a darker color like black or blue?

 

[Kaleigh]

Not DF but used to sell them. I would go with a dark blue dial, as DF suggested.

 

[JaneSmith]

I just did a GIS for rolex black hands and got these two pictures. They came from the rolex forum but I couldn't access the threads.


And this is what your watch would look like with a blue dial.

 

[kenny]

Thanks guys.
Yeah I think a dark blue dial would be cool though now I wish I got all steel instead of steel and gold.
I think the blue and gold kind of clash, but function is more important to me than appearance.

 

[pregcurious]

I think blue and yellow gold look okay together. What about black?

 

[kenny]

Yeah I think I like the black better than the blue, plus the contrast would be better.
Hmmmm.
I think I need to get out and see them in person now.

I have to take it in for service and I just found out that authorized Rolex dealers are no longer allowed to change out dials.
Rolex has to do that.

They apparently have hands of different widths so maybe I can request the widest hands if I don't have them already.




Thanks all.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I just did a GIS for rolex black hands and got these two pictures. They came from the rolex forum but I couldn't access the threads.


And this is what your watch would look like with a blue dial.

not sure if they made any black hands for kenny's older model...

 

[kenny]

I just did a GIS for rolex black hands and got these two pictures. They came from the rolex forum but I couldn't access the threads.


And this is what your watch would look like with a blue dial.

Whoa, thanks Jane.
I'd much rather change the hands and keep my dial.
The local authorized Rolex jeweler from whom I bought the watch said his watchmaker can paint my hands.
I said, but I want to keep it 'all Rolex'.
He insisted it would be all Rolex since they are a dealer and his watchmaker is approved by Rolex.

Hmm.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Yeah I think I like the black better than the blue, plus the contrast would be better.
Hmmmm.
I think I need to get out and see them in person now.

I have to take it in for service and I just found out that authorized Rolex dealers are no longer allowed to change out dials.
Rolex has to do that.

They apparently have hands of different widths so maybe I can request the widest hands if I don't have them already.




Thanks all.

Kenny...there are many Ex watchmakers in the LA area whom can work on your Rolex. IMO,your biggest challenge would be finding a dial for your mid-size watch.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like the blue with the yg and steel. I think it looks colorful and fun, which seems in keeping with you gay watch Actually, gold and blue are contrasting colors on the color wheel so they do work together.

Wider hands would help to see them, too.

Do you have a local place where you can see your watch with the blue dial?

 

[Dreamer_D]

I just did a GIS for rolex black hands and got these two pictures. They came from the rolex forum but I couldn't access the threads.


And this is what your watch would look like with a blue dial.

Whoa, thanks Jane.
I'd much rather change the hands and keep my dial.
The local authorized Rolex jeweler from whom I bought the watch said his watchmaker can paint my hands.
I said, but I want to keep it 'all Rolex'.
He insisted it would be all Rolex since they are a dealer and his watchmaker is approved by Rolex.

Hmm.

Painting the hands seems a good option to me. If it was not mind clean then you could replace them with the standard gold tone hands, so its an easy switch, no?

 

[kenny]

Thanks DF, but only Rolex will touch my watch.
I'm not sophisticated or knowledgeable enough to trust myself to find an independent watchmaker I'd trust.
I don't mind paying to keep the Rolex all-Rolex.

Plus if I ever sell it I'll have documentation that only Rolex touched it and installed Rolex parts.
I think this preserves its value even though it's only worth a few thou, not a few ten-thou.

This probably does not matter to those in your rarefied world of the best of the best watches on the planet, but I'm way down here with the unwashed masses down in lowly RolexLand.

 

[kenny]

I like the blue with the yg and steel. I think it looks colorful and fun, which seems in keeping with you gay watch Actually, gold and blue are contrasting colors on the color wheel so they do work together.

Wider hands would help to see them, too.

Do you have a local place where you can see your watch with the blue dial?

I can drive to Los Angeles or Beverly Hills.

 

[Dancing Fire]

i think there are 3 Rolex service centers in the U.S., LA,Dallas and NYC. they do not sell watches they ONLY service Rolexes.

 

[kenny]

Thanks.
The Los Angeles Rolex service center is actually in Beverly Hills, not far from LA.
I called them last week.
The service charge for standard maintenance is $600.
The authorized local Rolex dealer, where I bought the watch, charges $650 plus shipping and insurance to Rolex in Beverly Hills.

I plan to save $$$ and drive it directly to Rolex BH, where I'll ask about swapping the dial with a blue or black one.
It would be nice if they could install my 10 pt natural red or my 0.08 ct Fancy Intense Greenish Blue pear diamond at 6:00 but the rocks are probably too deep and it would cost a zillion bucks.
I'd almost certainly have the only Rolex in the universe with a real natural colored diamond.
This would no doubt make everyone near me kneel and bow to me in awe and reverent silence.
I'd tell the unwashed masses that they could get up, but only IF they kissed my feet after wiping their lips with one of those disposable Isopropyl Alcohol pads in the paper package

Rolex BH warned me that the crown (the 18 kt gold winding knob) will probably need replacing (at additional charge) to get the watch to meet the water-tight seal specs.
I asked if I get to keep the old 18K crown.
They said no, the price is based on them keeping the old crown.
So, I assume they'd also keep an old dial too.
I assume they'll "sell" it to someone who wants to swap a blue dial for a gold, (excuse me ... CHAMPAGNE) one.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Thanks.
The Los Angeles Rolex service center is actually in Beverly Hills, not far from LA.
I called them last week.
The service charge for standard maintenance is $600.
The authorized local Rolex dealer, where I bought the watch, charges $650 plus shipping and insurance to Rolex in Beverly Hills.

not cheap,but it'll look brand new after service if you have the case and the bracelet polished.

 

[pregcurious]

I wouldn't have anyone paint the hands; it looks like you already came to that conclusion. Send us pics after the dial change.

You can also ask questions over on Timezone. I used to be part of that forum, and they are very helpful.

 

[iLander]

Here's my steel and gold, midsize watch.
Yes they made a size between the man's and the woman's, maybe they still do.
Since the size is not quite a man's and not quite a woman's, I like to think of it as the gay size.
I bought it new from an authorized Rolex dealer around 1988.

I'm confused, I thought this was the Gaywatch . . .

 

[kenny]

Hahaha!

 

[PS34one]

Hi Kenny,
I worked for an official Rolex Jeweler for several years, and here is what I can tell you.
You are wise to only want Rolex to service your watch. I have seen many horrific repairs by so called "certified" watchmakers that ended up going to Rolex anyway to have the bad work fixed.
Rolex will not put a dial on your watch that was not available on the watch when it was sold originally. Blue and Black were both available so those are good choices!
You are required to do an overhaul/service on the watch when you change the dial. Because of the age of your water you will definitely need a new Crown. They will not let you keep the old crown or dial under any circumstance because Rolex does not want their parts out there

 

[PS34one]

I didn't hit send... any way
they don't want their parts being resold. If your watch has an acrylic crystal (some of the older ones do) you will get a new crystal included, it will not be a Synthetic sapphire crystal and they will not put this on even as an option. Again, they want the water to stay original. If you have a sapphire crystal already you can get a new one for addition charge. I don't think its needed unless yours is chipped or scratched-
Dont paint the hands unless you want just that. Painted hands. Not very Rolex.... Painted 18k gold hands? I hope this helps!

 

[PS34one]

me again... I'm sorry I don't know why I kept typing water.... You know I meant watch.... ok Im done now....

 

[kenny]

Thanks for the info.
I really appreciate it.

I also have to watch what I type now that I'm in my "declining years", as they say.

 

[iLander]

Hahaha!

 

[kenny]

Hahaha!

Actually, I'm getting so old I should be starring in, 'Graywatch'.

 

[iLander]

Hahaha!

Actually, I'm getting so old I should be starring in, 'Graywatch'.

Don't give me that, you know you were checking out that poster pretty closely . . .

 

[kenny]

I'm old, not dead.

 

[iLander]

I'm old, not dead.

Touché!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Well that all sounds pretty good! Oh please do ask about putting one of your diamonds in there I want you to WEAR them and that is such a great idea!

If rolex won't do it then don't service this watch and put the money to buying a new watch were you CAN install a diamond!