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Why a Sapphire Crystal Will NOT Work on an Older Rolex Watch

Posted on January 5, 2023 by The Watch Buyers Group

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.…

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Not All Rolex Repair Stories Have Happy Endings

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

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…

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Why your Rose Gold Watch May Now Look Yellow

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

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…

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Why Your Rolex Watch Does Not Glow in the Dark Anymore

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

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…

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Repairing Rolex’s Proprietary 18-Karat Gold

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

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…

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Moisture Damage and Rolex Watches

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

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. …

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The Overhaul & Refinish of a Ladies Rolex Yacht-Master

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

The Yacht-Master is unique in the Rolex sport watch lineup. It, alone, has a bezel entirely made of either 18k yellow gold, like the above ladies watch, or platinum. Most polishers will not attempt to restore one to “like new” condition, nor should they. We constantly receive Yachts that have been over polished and, in…

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Extending the Lifespan of Your Rolex Is As Easy As O.E.M.

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) refers to replacement parts that are manufactured by the manufacturer of the original part or component. When we say that we only use factory OEM parts, we mean that only parts manufactured and distributed by Rolex are used in the repair of your Rolex. Rolex has spent millions of dollars on…

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This Rolex Saved A Colonel’s Life in Battle. This is the result.

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

Some watches tell a story of the owner. This couldn’t be more true of the watch we received for repair from Col. Smith. The internal repairs and cosmetic damage proved too much of a financial burden for him, so we started discussing the option of a trade, which presented some difficulties. The watch, you see,…

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Rolex Customization: Or, How Not All Rolexes are Equal

Posted by The Watch Buyers Group

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…

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