How times have changed.. up until 10 yrs ago, Rolex dealers would practically beg you to buy their inventory - below retail 5 -10% Now they treat customers like crap. Their stores are practically useless showrooms.
Rolex's approach to customers reminds me of Mark's and Spencers over here in the UK 20 years or so ago. M&S was THE department store with the vast majority of the UK buying their clothes from them. Right from underwear to suits. Because they had cornered the market they forced you to use their credit card - they refused to accept any other mainstream card. Then people started leaving M&S and buying elsewhere. And they left in a big way leaving M&S on the brink (which was unthinkable at the time). They did what Rolex are doing right now - forgetting that the customer has the money and a company should do everything they can to improve the customer experience. I believe the downturn in the perception of Rolex has already started and it won't be that long before we see Rolex struggling to win back their customer base as people turn their backs on the "brand".
Fellow UK subscriber here Hubris indeed played a large part in M&S fall from grace. The restrictions on using only M&S credit cards, occurred when cash was more widely used in retail. The founder of M&S apparently used to check on staff from being too snobby by buying clothes whilst dressed scruffy & blacking out his teeth! The bezel swap restrictions is another onerous process, like reports of refusal to sell Jubilee bracelets if the watch was originally sold with an oyster one Rolex is moving away from the enthusiasts/collectors towards the one off purchaser. I encounter few SA’s who at the time of purchase of a Rolex, ask what reference I’d like next.
Rolex have treated me abysmally. I took my Coke in to an AD to get it serviced. I asked them what the cost was for a service intervention and they got really offended and refused to answer my question. They then just handed me a glossy booklet about the Rolex service experience and walked off to do nothing. The booklet they gave me was just about what the watchmaker does in the full service. No mention of pricing. I'm selling all my Rolexes now, I'm not giving them another cent.
Not apples to apples. Rolex sells their annual inventory no problem. The people who refuse to buy are not meant to be Rolex customers. Rolex will easily ship all their product in Asia if they have to. But they don't. I can walk into any AD any buy anything I want on the spot. And I earned that. You do not get the same access unless you earn it, that's the definition of a luxury product. There is no shortage of people willing to earn that.
I read somewhere that their goal is to make every man and woman own one piece. I respect that. I own a 116600 and that will be it for me. To most of the hobbyists out there: Just pick one you like the most, pay retail or grey market price, and move on. There are so many other watches worthy of our attention.
I don't run with that statement. If they want everyone to own a Rolex, why are they making it so difficult to buy them at an AD? I think more like LV want everyone to own a piece
I think Rolex disallowing these changes largely comes from the sharp practices grey dealers get up to in Western markets. During the madness for example grey dealers were swapping the coloured OP dials out for aftermarket fake dials with the more valuable colours, and telling customers they were original. My impression of Japan and its dealers is that business integrity is still a thing there, so there is much less sharp practice. I can see why these changes are a pain for enthusiasts though. It's a pity.
I can walk into a Tiffany Shop and look at a $500 necklace and they treat you like royalty. Beautiful box and a nice ribbon/Tiffany blue bag. Rolex interrogates you, insults you and tells you to leave. Not quite sure how they can sustain a business model of pissing off their buyers.
I recently bought a lovely Tiffany makers rose gold 63g bracelet with ebay authenticity for £3600. The person who sold it to me paid £11300 that's a 68% loss. I have several rolex watches but could never justify Tiffany savage depreciation.
Rolex may be overpriced, but Tiffany is just a complete joke. Paying a premium for the name, and that little box with a bow on it. No matter they treat you so nicely.
4:02 (I am in Switzerland so policies are different and ahead) Actually policies about bracelet change constantly. I was told to call before making a decision as it may have change, temporarily suspended or reverted. So never take them as definitive. For example with the new GMT, it was impossible, then only jubilee to oyster, then possible for both. Last time I checked (2024), it was again impossible for both. Also remember that exchange (you are not allowed to keep the old) or buy (you can keep it) are different! You are always obliged to show the watch when exchanging/buying the bracelet. No service is required. If you want a complicated topic: dial exchange/buy for Day-Date.
@@ronaldnixon8226 Unfortunately the few second market dealers where I live do not care about that. They focus on high-end pieces. I tried to get a box for a sub 5digit and a bracelet for 6 digit gmt, they just told me to go on Internet... RCS is super nice here and always willing to find a solution.
I got a Pepsi bezel for my coke back in 2019 at the Tokyo service center thanks to your recommendations! Tried to do it in 2023 when I came back after the pandemic but found out the Tokyo service center closed down.
I bought my prev rolexes in Heathrow. You could walk in, walk out with a watch. This was about 2009-2010. I tried to buy my wife just a datejust during covid, not knowing about the hysteria. Rolex is pretty close to dead to me after that experience. I bought her a nice Cartier, and form JLC & Omega pieces for me. Too much of a stigma around the rolex brand in my view now
For years I use to walk my Rolex watches into the RSC in Dallas. Beautiful building with amazing lobby. You could check your watch in and get an estimate before you left it for service. They’ve closed this one too. Now you have to mail it in…smh. I was told by Rolex that they used that space to increase the number of “watch makers” as well as train new ones there. The only good news was I got my 116710LN turned around and back to me in 19 days about 3 months ago after full service ($850) and crown/stem ($48) plus $50 shipping $948 all in...
That crazy expensive for a mass-produced watch. $2K I understand for hand-assembled and finished timepieces but a Rolex service shouldn’t cost more than $500.
@@Greysprunkiyay Not sure anyone would argue with that but...Servicing a Richard Mille watch can cost between $6,000 to $7,400 and they recommend every 3 years - Silly toy watch, silly price...silly service cost IMHO. I serviced a Breitling Cosmonaute recently and the bill was $720.80 which I thought was reasonable for a chronograph...but then they charged me 356.07 for a crystal! But ultimately if we have to worry about the service cost we probably shouldn't own the Porsche or the watch...
I bought a TAG when living in Japan. When it needed servicing in Osaka the chap from the shop came to my house with white gloves on to take it to Heuer for servicing! White gloves! I was amazed.
Here’s one-Purchased a new 16710 from AD with oyster bracelet from AD in ‘97. Sent it in for service last year and they wouldn’t touch the bracelet because the serial # said it came with a jubilee. 😑
The fact that they are pushing this for rolex japan, then it is likey that they will be pushing for this change in other areas from RSC. Its honestly easier to change the bezel yourself believe it or not. Absolutely disgusting that they want to keep the old bezel when if you go to ANY grey market dealer, they can change it out for close to nothing - and still give you back the old one.
In Paris my Citizen Promaster Titanium was moving forward a lot then stopped. Problem dealt with under warranty and watch returned 2 months later. Watch now super accurate, waterproof and working perfectly. I have another "pepsi" in steel that works very well that only cost me a few peanuts. All my compassion and solidarity with the unfortunate owners of Rolex.
I went to a few Rolex stores in Japan last year and although they were polite, I could tell that they wanted me to get out just by their body language. And I was with a native Japanese person who could translate for me. They really didn’t want to spend any time with me. Horrible experience
I think by now one should realize that you should contact a LOCAL AD and not on vacation. Trying this in Japan where they are even more obscure with treating foreigners should be a pretty obvious shitty experience.
@@Greysprunkiyay and still 99% of the population cant or wont have a Rolex type of watch. Thats like saying a Porsche is not elitist because it has machine made processing.
If this continues I’m afraid they will just be a legacy brand where only older people would care. The younger gen would just see it as an old brand that didn’t really care. It will just be down to pure enthusiasts that would still like Rolex. They even pulled out of F1 w/c has an increasing prescence among the youth. The world keeps on changing esp. with tech and legacy brands shouldn’t just relax and think they will still be relevant in the next 20 years.
I've bought several Rolex over the years for myself and loved ones. With the waiting lists created by many AD's selling off product to the Grey market gougers and the piss poor treatment of the consumer I have been put off from ever buying another Rolex.
I don’t think Rolex does anything to specifically make it hard for its clients. I think these spare parts are probably all they have or Rolex has decided to cease production so in order to preserve spare parts availability they want to make sure these are going towards truly restoration. You see Rolex isn’t an enthusiasts brand and what happens to resale values or how the client likes to have options is not their concern. All they know is they sold a watch and they want to be able to restore that watch to the best condition possible for as long as possible. So it’s unfair for someone who just wants to get a new insert years later but is told no because all these “enthusiasts” have hoarded them and they had been depleted. Also I am surprised Japan still allows the Jubilee bracelet on 126710s, in the USA you can’t get the Jubilee bracelet if you originally got yours on Oyster but the vice versa is allowed. And again, this isn’t to annoy people, they were getting a ton of orders for the Jubilee bracelet and Rolex couldn’t supply them causing a lowered output of watches with that bracelet so they had no choice to ends that (for now).
Hmmm. I had the insert on my root beer swapped out here in the States a few months back and got the old ghosted one back (don’t let a servicer hypersonic clean an aluminum insert). Not sure if I got lucky or if that new protocol is a Japan only change.
You don't have a 16710, Rolex is just letting you use theirs. (Sorry - I couldn't help myself!) If you take it to RSC, they'll check the serial number, search their internal database, and tell you.
Rolex appear to be on a self destruct mission, with a severe lack of respect for some of their customers. If they were "the best" I could understand it but, they're far from that. They have a massive portion of the market but, does that give them the right to be so arrogant ? Well done for highlighting this latest show of disrespect for the paying public. Thanks Austin. 👍🏼
Everything Rolex does to make their watches more exclusive makes them more valuable. It means I trust them more. I will buy more. Every single one of these people saying they won't buy a Rolex doesn't own more than five. Collectors LOVE these policies.
I used to work for a Rolex AD and the demand for Rolex is massive, they also want to protect the brand from fraudsters, and flippers who spoiling the confidence in buying their brand. Also some non authorised watch dealers are servicing Rolex and other prestigious brands with non genuine parts which i have experienced 1st hand with BQ watches who admitted they dont use genuine parts so when your watch goes direct to Rolex for service they reject it and I support them for that as it protects the customer. I bought my Rolex over 40 years ago and as instruments go they are one the best. For example the Submariner is a tough all rounder and is water proof where a Nautilus or Aquanaut are only water resistant. Rolex servicing is excellent where your watch comes back as new unlike Cartier who have had 5 of my watches through years have sent them back scratched and case screws not fully tightened.
Steve. Very valid points. Rolex get bad press (some what deservedly) but their number one priority is to protect the brand so fraudsters and amateur repairers don't ruin the ownership experience. However they could go about it better. If you want a different bezel they should encourage you to customise using their parts. Make it a reasonable price. If they don't want old bezels on the grey market give a good trade in price on your old one or insist the local dealer keeps the bezel for the time you want it swopped back. Even insist the watch is serviced at the same time so people build up to doing it. rather than on a whim. There are ways to extract money from customers (who quite frankly are happy to spend it) and make it a pleasant and personal experience.
...and they are going to magically make the coke/pepsi waiting list longer so that people buy their jewelry or Tudors in the hopes to move up the list, or go Gray and pay more. Sounds familiar? the same game, all over again.
Rolex have ruined the ownership experience everywhere. And interestingly ruined their watches too.they clunky overpriced jewellery now.too expensive to wear as tool watches and lost the understated aesthetic of 50 years ago.add into that the fact that Rolex is a trust nor a business and thus doesn't care about selling watches just branding means the customer isn't a priority, and boy do you feel it.i had a single experience few years ago buying a submariner. Was so unhappy with the ownership experience I sold it less than a year later and wouldn't buy a Rolex again if you paid me to do it.
Man, the other day i was asking u about the rsc in japan cos it moved off from tokyo station. Was thinking of switching it in japan cos sg wouldnt do it. They would take the old bezel in sg. I didnt mind paying full or whichever.
Just stop buying . They will go thru crisis someday and changes will be made. It’s all part of any corporate cycle , getting cocky when times are good .
you think that is bad?? Have an old REF 6263 daytona (non-fancy dial Paul Neuman).....their service personnel are guaranteed to break the bezel. And they don't make them anymore. So they return it broken, and have a full disclaimer on the damage.
Bro, they have ruin ownership experience since early 2000s with all sorts of dumb policies. With regards to the bezel inserts, Rolex Singapore already disallowed different bezel change since more than 5 yrs ago.
Austin why you are such a Rolex fan boy when Rolex is not anymore the cool brand that it used to be few decades ago... Rolex is not interested to support old true tool Rolex pre ceramic pieces and the reason is crystal clear: TUDOR. They want you to buy Tudor as a current tool wacht in 2025. 💙 Breguet forever 💙 JMB
Have always enjoyed your channel. Miss Japan so much. if I am lucky enough this year maybe hit you up to purchase a Nice Rolex there since you know all the good juicy spots.
Yes it's bad luck but it sounds like Rolex should be supplying all bezel colours as a collection when you buy a new GMT so you can swap them out if you want to. They charge enough for the watches so why not, a few bezels more won't hurt Rolex!
Austin, this is kinda fake news. You have had it too good for too long in Japan. The rest of the world never had bezel changes as an option at RSC. They won't even allow part swaps on Tudor. 10 years ago I asked to swap bracelets on my Black Bay, which they refused. Their response was that it would compromise the design of the watch. You're also lucky that RSC is still in Tokyo. They use to have 2 RSC in my country. Now there is only one. Now I'm forced to go through an AD to get my watch serviced. Not only don't I trust those wankers but they charge a $200 inspection fee. There's always more costs dealing with the middleman who is imo more crooked than the taxman! Moreover what really sucks more, is that the watch the wanker refused to sell to you and you had to buy on the grey market now has to be taken into their snobby boutique to get serviced🤔 Is that not poetic injustice 😡 My theory on why Japan RSC was allowed to continue this practice for so long is because the culture of being ripped off is shameful to Japan. RSC were afraid to offend the Japanese consumer by adopting rip off standards the rest of the world was use to. But now it seems being ripped off is universally accepted 😩👎
Awful news. Rolex is making such awful decisions all the time. In theory, could you put a cheap aftermarket insert in your rolex and send it to RSC to be sacrificed and they put a nice genuine on in instead? Effectively swapping a fake for a genuine?
It matters because it impacts both choice of watch and valuation. Previously you could buy the black bezel watch at a discount and swap for a pepsi. Now the black bezel watch will lose value and the original pepsi watches will be more valuable as they become rarer. (few people buy a pepsi and ask to change it to the all black).
How times have changed.. up until 10 yrs ago, Rolex dealers would practically beg you to buy their inventory - below retail 5 -10% Now they treat customers like crap. Their stores are practically useless showrooms.
Rolex's approach to customers reminds me of Mark's and Spencers over here in the UK 20 years or so ago. M&S was THE department store with the vast majority of the UK buying their clothes from them. Right from underwear to suits. Because they had cornered the market they forced you to use their credit card - they refused to accept any other mainstream card. Then people started leaving M&S and buying elsewhere. And they left in a big way leaving M&S on the brink (which was unthinkable at the time). They did what Rolex are doing right now - forgetting that the customer has the money and a company should do everything they can to improve the customer experience. I believe the downturn in the perception of Rolex has already started and it won't be that long before we see Rolex struggling to win back their customer base as people turn their backs on the "brand".
Nice analogy but I don't think M & S is a big status symbol unlike Rolex...
Fellow UK subscriber here
Hubris indeed played a large part in M&S fall from grace. The restrictions on using only M&S credit cards, occurred when cash was more widely used in retail. The founder of M&S apparently used to check on staff from being too snobby by buying clothes whilst dressed scruffy & blacking out his teeth!
The bezel swap restrictions is another onerous process, like reports of refusal to sell Jubilee bracelets if the watch was originally sold with an oyster one
Rolex is moving away from the enthusiasts/collectors towards the one off purchaser.
I encounter few SA’s who at the time of purchase of a Rolex, ask what reference I’d like next.
Ratners Treat your customers badly and eventually they will say enough is enough..
Rolex have treated me abysmally. I took my Coke in to an AD to get it serviced. I asked them what the cost was for a service intervention and they got really offended and refused to answer my question. They then just handed me a glossy booklet about the Rolex service experience and walked off to do nothing. The booklet they gave me was just about what the watchmaker does in the full service. No mention of pricing. I'm selling all my Rolexes now, I'm not giving them another cent.
Not apples to apples. Rolex sells their annual inventory no problem. The people who refuse to buy are not meant to be Rolex customers. Rolex will easily ship all their product in Asia if they have to. But they don't. I can walk into any AD any buy anything I want on the spot. And I earned that. You do not get the same access unless you earn it, that's the definition of a luxury product. There is no shortage of people willing to earn that.
I read somewhere that their goal is to make every man and woman own one piece. I respect that. I own a 116600 and that will be it for me. To most of the hobbyists out there: Just pick one you like the most, pay retail or grey market price, and move on. There are so many other watches worthy of our attention.
I don't run with that statement. If they want everyone to own a Rolex, why are they making it so difficult to buy them at an AD? I think more like LV want everyone to own a piece
I think Rolex disallowing these changes largely comes from the sharp practices grey dealers get up to in Western markets. During the madness for example grey dealers were swapping the coloured OP dials out for aftermarket fake dials with the more valuable colours, and telling customers they were original. My impression of Japan and its dealers is that business integrity is still a thing there, so there is much less sharp practice. I can see why these changes are a pain for enthusiasts though. It's a pity.
I’ve never known otherwise for the past 20 years. Surprised that you could still do this in Japan, actually.
I can walk into a Tiffany Shop and look at a $500 necklace and they treat you like royalty. Beautiful box and a nice ribbon/Tiffany blue bag. Rolex interrogates you, insults you and tells you to leave. Not quite sure how they can sustain a business model of pissing off their buyers.
I recently bought a lovely Tiffany makers rose gold 63g bracelet with ebay authenticity for £3600. The person who sold it to me paid £11300 that's a 68% loss. I have several rolex watches but could never justify Tiffany savage depreciation.
Rolex may be overpriced, but Tiffany is just a complete joke. Paying a premium for the name, and that little box with a bow on it. No matter they treat you so nicely.
I purchased a few Rolex before COVID but since then Rolex and the AD experience has been abysmal.
4:02 (I am in Switzerland so policies are different and ahead) Actually policies about bracelet change constantly. I was told to call before making a decision as it may have change, temporarily suspended or reverted. So never take them as definitive. For example with the new GMT, it was impossible, then only jubilee to oyster, then possible for both. Last time I checked (2024), it was again impossible for both. Also remember that exchange (you are not allowed to keep the old) or buy (you can keep it) are different! You are always obliged to show the watch when exchanging/buying the bracelet. No service is required. If you want a complicated topic: dial exchange/buy for Day-Date.
Just buy an aftermarket bracelet
@@ronaldnixon8226 Unfortunately the few second market dealers where I live do not care about that. They focus on high-end pieces. I tried to get a box for a sub 5digit and a bracelet for 6 digit gmt, they just told me to go on Internet... RCS is super nice here and always willing to find a solution.
I got a Pepsi bezel for my coke back in 2019 at the Tokyo service center thanks to your recommendations!
Tried to do it in 2023 when I came back after the pandemic but found out the Tokyo service center closed down.
Rolex is a joke. They used to be great. Great video! Thank you sharing!
I bought my prev rolexes in Heathrow. You could walk in, walk out with a watch. This was about 2009-2010. I tried to buy my wife just a datejust during covid, not knowing about the hysteria. Rolex is pretty close to dead to me after that experience. I bought her a nice Cartier, and form JLC & Omega pieces for me. Too much of a stigma around the rolex brand in my view now
For years I use to walk my Rolex watches into the RSC in Dallas. Beautiful building with amazing lobby. You could check your watch in and get an estimate before you left it for service. They’ve closed this one too. Now you have to mail it in…smh. I was told by Rolex that they used that space to increase the number of “watch makers” as well as train new ones there. The only good news was I got my 116710LN turned around and back to me in 19 days about 3 months ago after full service ($850) and crown/stem ($48) plus $50 shipping $948 all in...
That crazy expensive for a mass-produced watch. $2K I understand for hand-assembled and finished timepieces but a Rolex service shouldn’t cost more than $500.
@@Greysprunkiyay Not sure anyone would argue with that but...Servicing a Richard Mille watch can cost between $6,000 to $7,400 and they recommend every 3 years - Silly toy watch, silly price...silly service cost IMHO. I serviced a Breitling Cosmonaute recently and the bill was $720.80 which I thought was reasonable for a chronograph...but then they charged me 356.07 for a crystal! But ultimately if we have to worry about the service cost we probably shouldn't own the Porsche or the watch...
Austin holding his phone up for hours with ease. :-)
I bought a TAG when living in Japan. When it needed servicing in Osaka the chap from the shop came to my house with white gloves on to take it to Heuer for servicing! White gloves! I was amazed.
That's the best customer service I have ever heard!
@@antsfur Yeah, it was a trip! And he bowed!
Here’s one-Purchased a new 16710 from AD with oyster bracelet from AD in ‘97. Sent it in for service last year and they wouldn’t touch the bracelet because the serial # said it came with a jubilee. 😑
The fact that they are pushing this for rolex japan, then it is likey that they will be pushing for this change in other areas from RSC. Its honestly easier to change the bezel yourself believe it or not. Absolutely disgusting that they want to keep the old bezel when if you go to ANY grey market dealer, they can change it out for close to nothing - and still give you back the old one.
Where would someone get the other 2 insets now if they had a 16710?
In Paris my Citizen Promaster Titanium was moving forward a lot then stopped. Problem dealt with under warranty and watch returned 2 months later. Watch now super accurate, waterproof and working perfectly. I have another "pepsi" in steel that works very well that only cost me a few peanuts. All my compassion and solidarity with the unfortunate owners of Rolex.
That one shop run by the ojisan at Nakano has just hit the jackpot. Grey market aluminum bezels are about to rocket to the moon!
Thank you for the video
I went to a few Rolex stores in Japan last year and although they were polite, I could tell that they wanted me to get out just by their body language. And I was with a native Japanese person who could translate for me. They really didn’t want to spend any time with me. Horrible experience
F them
I think by now one should realize that you should contact a LOCAL AD and not on vacation. Trying this in Japan where they are even more obscure with treating foreigners should be a pretty obvious shitty experience.
@ Depends probably. Big US cities are really bad. Smaller european towns are easy (if you are from that town).
@Hellocali1Rolex is elitist? lol since when? They’re not even handmade or assembled
@@Greysprunkiyay and still 99% of the population cant or wont have a Rolex type of watch. Thats like saying a Porsche is not elitist because it has machine made processing.
If this continues I’m afraid they will just be a legacy brand where only older people would care. The younger gen would just see it as an old brand that didn’t really care. It will just be down to pure enthusiasts that would still like Rolex. They even pulled out of F1 w/c has an increasing prescence among the youth. The world keeps on changing esp. with tech and legacy brands shouldn’t just relax and think they will still be relevant in the next 20 years.
Yeah unfortunately that is the policy at RSC in Australia too.
That Really Bites Dude!
Where can i get original bezels for my all black gmt 16701?
I've bought several Rolex over the years for myself and loved ones. With the waiting lists created by many AD's selling off product to the Grey market gougers and the piss poor treatment of the consumer I have been put off from ever buying another Rolex.
I kept my old bezel from my 91 RootBeer and put in an aftermarket and it doesn’t bother me in the least
I don’t think Rolex does anything to specifically make it hard for its clients. I think these spare parts are probably all they have or Rolex has decided to cease production so in order to preserve spare parts availability they want to make sure these are going towards truly restoration. You see Rolex isn’t an enthusiasts brand and what happens to resale values or how the client likes to have options is not their concern. All they know is they sold a watch and they want to be able to restore that watch to the best condition possible for as long as possible. So it’s unfair for someone who just wants to get a new insert years later but is told no because all these “enthusiasts” have hoarded them and they had been depleted. Also I am surprised Japan still allows the Jubilee bracelet on 126710s, in the USA you can’t get the Jubilee bracelet if you originally got yours on Oyster but the vice versa is allowed. And again, this isn’t to annoy people, they were getting a ton of orders for the Jubilee bracelet and Rolex couldn’t supply them causing a lowered output of watches with that bracelet so they had no choice to ends that (for now).
It’s easy buy separate and find a trustworthy watchmaker
With Rolex you buy the watch but it's never 100% yours
interesting video AUSTIN . Q- what state are you from ? how long in Japan ? thanks AD . ~ JDS/CT
I'm originally from Virginia, but have been in Japan for over 20 years.
@@watchsymposium thanks- didn't know that . interesting life AD ~. JDS/CT
Hmmm. I had the insert on my root beer swapped out here in the States a few months back and got the old ghosted one back (don’t let a servicer hypersonic clean an aluminum insert). Not sure if I got lucky or if that new protocol is a Japan only change.
F Rolex and especially their ADs!
I will change it myself.
That really blows. Having lived in Tokyo many years I can really imagine how that call must have went!
I happen to me to !, I have a GMT 2 root Beer two tone !.😢
With Rolex, customers are just a necessary evil…
Oh no! Sorry to hear! But one day the capricious hand of fortune shall turn and the Crown shall tilt under its weighty arrogance
How can I find out what the original bezel was on my 16710? Its currently a Pepsi - and I brought it as such, but not sure it was born as one...
You don't have a 16710, Rolex is just letting you use theirs. (Sorry - I couldn't help myself!)
If you take it to RSC, they'll check the serial number, search their internal database, and tell you.
i avoid this problem. thank you. C.K.
Rolex appear to be on a self destruct mission, with a severe lack of respect for some of their customers. If they were "the best" I could understand it but, they're far from that. They have a massive portion of the market but, does that give them the right to be so arrogant ?
Well done for highlighting this latest show of disrespect for the paying public.
Thanks Austin. 👍🏼
Everything Rolex does to make their watches more exclusive makes them more valuable. It means I trust them more. I will buy more. Every single one of these people saying they won't buy a Rolex doesn't own more than five. Collectors LOVE these policies.
I used to work for a Rolex AD and the demand for Rolex is massive, they also want to protect the brand from fraudsters, and flippers who spoiling the confidence in buying their brand. Also some non authorised watch dealers are servicing Rolex and other prestigious brands with non genuine parts which i have experienced 1st hand with BQ watches who admitted they dont use genuine parts so when your watch goes direct to Rolex for service they reject it and I support them for that as it protects the customer.
I bought my Rolex over 40 years ago and as instruments go they are one the best. For example the Submariner is a tough all rounder and is water proof where a Nautilus or Aquanaut are only water resistant. Rolex servicing is excellent where your watch comes back as new unlike Cartier who have had 5 of my watches through years have sent them back scratched and case screws not fully tightened.
Steve. Very valid points. Rolex get bad press (some what deservedly) but their number one priority is to protect the brand so fraudsters and amateur repairers don't ruin the ownership experience. However they could go about it better. If you want a different bezel they should encourage you to customise using their parts. Make it a reasonable price. If they don't want old bezels on the grey market give a good trade in price on your old one or insist the local dealer keeps the bezel for the time you want it swopped back. Even insist the watch is serviced at the same time so people build up to doing it. rather than on a whim. There are ways to extract money from customers (who quite frankly are happy to spend it) and make it a pleasant and personal experience.
...and they are going to magically make the coke/pepsi waiting list longer so that people buy their jewelry or Tudors in the hopes to move up the list, or go Gray and pay more.
Sounds familiar? the same game, all over again.
Austin, don’t think you should have your watch serial number on display in the video (the service card).
Rolex have ruined the ownership experience everywhere. And interestingly ruined their watches too.they clunky overpriced jewellery now.too expensive to wear as tool watches and lost the understated aesthetic of 50 years ago.add into that the fact that Rolex is a trust nor a business and thus doesn't care about selling watches just branding means the customer isn't a priority, and boy do you feel it.i had a single experience few years ago buying a submariner. Was so unhappy with the ownership experience I sold it less than a year later and wouldn't buy a Rolex again if you paid me to do it.
Man, the other day i was asking u about the rsc in japan cos it moved off from tokyo station. Was thinking of switching it in japan cos sg wouldnt do it. They would take the old bezel in sg.
I didnt mind paying full or whichever.
Just stop buying . They will go thru crisis someday and changes will be made. It’s all part of any corporate cycle , getting cocky when times are good .
If only people were smart enough.
With many businesses.
You don't know about Asia do you?
...that's just naive thinking. The non-watch enthusiasts will just snap them up
Why does Rolex hate it's customers ? Like this is real, why would you do this ? Why ? Why ruin the experience ?
I love my Pepsi. Should it come to the unthinkable: to swap to a Coke, I will swap it myself…
Obviously they needed a way to make some more money. You want variety…buy another watch.
You look like one of those foreign headhunters in Japan.
you think that is bad?? Have an old REF 6263 daytona (non-fancy dial Paul Neuman).....their service personnel are guaranteed to break the bezel. And they don't make them anymore. So they return it broken, and have a full disclaimer on the damage.
They wouldn't service a watch that old anyway, that's been policy a while. Whiffs of BS here.
51 weeks for my vintage Rolex restoration. 51 weeks !!!!! It's a joke ...
Send next time to wrist watch revival channel
what if you took your bezel insert off at home and then told RSC that it got banged and lost or something.
That would work, but probably only once.
Bro, they have ruin ownership experience since early 2000s with all sorts of dumb policies. With regards to the bezel inserts, Rolex Singapore already disallowed different bezel change since more than 5 yrs ago.
Does Omega treat everyone like crap as well?
Austin why you are such a Rolex fan boy when Rolex is not anymore the cool brand that it used to be few decades ago...
Rolex is not interested to support old true tool Rolex pre ceramic pieces and the reason is crystal clear: TUDOR.
They want you to buy Tudor as a current tool wacht in 2025.
💙 Breguet forever 💙 JMB
Conspiration theory: Rolex keeps the old parts so they can use them for their watches in their CPO program. ;)
Rolex is a horrible elitist brand and people shouldn’t support the brand given its sub-par service overall.
Just dont buy Rolex,buy a Wise watch.
i love Wise.
Rolex held Austin down and SHAVED HIS MULLET.
All you Rolex fans love the abuse from Rolex. You keep coming back for more.
Have always enjoyed your channel. Miss Japan so much. if I am lucky enough this year maybe hit you up to purchase a Nice Rolex there since you know all the good juicy spots.
Cost cutting
I am so-o-o sick of hearing about the Rolex Pepsi.
Have some cheese with that whine?
Instead of cheese, can I get a few bezel inserts?
Just a small part of the reason I’m done with Rolex now and forever.
what u doin in jp? :)
Yes it's bad luck but it sounds like Rolex should be supplying all bezel colours as a collection when you buy a new GMT so you can swap them out if you want to. They charge enough for the watches so why not, a few bezels more won't hurt Rolex!
Austin, this is kinda fake news. You have had it too good for too long in Japan. The rest of the world never had bezel changes as an option at RSC. They won't even allow part swaps on Tudor. 10 years ago I asked to swap bracelets on my Black Bay, which they refused. Their response was that it would compromise the design of the watch. You're also lucky that RSC is still in Tokyo. They use to have 2 RSC in my country. Now there is only one. Now I'm forced to go through an AD to get my watch serviced. Not only don't I trust those wankers but they charge a $200 inspection fee. There's always more costs dealing with the middleman who is imo more crooked than the taxman! Moreover what really sucks more, is that the watch the wanker refused to sell to you and you had to buy on the grey market now has to be taken into their snobby boutique to get serviced🤔 Is that not poetic injustice 😡
My theory on why Japan RSC was allowed to continue this practice for so long is because the culture of being ripped off is shameful to Japan. RSC were afraid to offend the Japanese consumer by adopting rip off standards the rest of the world was use to. But now it seems being ripped off is universally accepted 😩👎
It's ok, Austin. Ceramic is better, anyways 😊
Thank God I never got myself a role experience just so much old s*** to go through just to get a watch that doesn't even tell you at your time
Take your money elsewhere.
Awful news. Rolex is making such awful decisions all the time. In theory, could you put a cheap aftermarket insert in your rolex and send it to RSC to be sacrificed and they put a nice genuine on in instead? Effectively swapping a fake for a genuine?
Swap? No (lol). You can *buy* a new one from them, plus pay for a full service, and they’ll confiscate and destroy the fake one.
Who cares? I know that you do, but why?
It matters because it impacts both choice of watch and valuation. Previously you could buy the black bezel watch at a discount and swap for a pepsi. Now the black bezel watch will lose value and the original pepsi watches will be more valuable as they become rarer. (few people buy a pepsi and ask to change it to the all black).
Sounds fine to me but I guess it sucks if you are used to doing. It.
Swapping bezel colours sounds childish to me. Something more Swatch than Rolex.