Swapping a Rolex dial...the right way?

Fleet Fox · Jul 16, 2019

Hi Folks,

I have an incoming 15000 OP Date that I am super excited to receive. First things first will just be to get the watch and enjoy checking the time every 30 seconds

I have, however, considered a different coloured dial (the current dial is black). I know how stern Rolex is about aftermarket parts and that makes total sense to me. In my searching I came across a thread on Omega Forums where some people had mentioned that an RSC will actually swap a dial out for you, but it had to be a colour that was period appropriate (age and model of the watch). I am writing to ask if anyone can confirm this? I will call RSC when i'm able to, but any anecdotal experience is welcome!

Thanks anyone, for any help you can provide!

Cheers,

-FF

BundyBear · Jul 16, 2019

Fleet Fox said:
<snip>
I have an incoming 15000 OP Date that I am super excited to receive.
::
I have, however, considered a different coloured dial (the current dial is black). I know how stern Rolex is about aftermarket parts and that makes total sense to me. In my searching I came across a thread on Omega Forums where some people had mentioned that an RSC will actually swap a dial out for you, but it had to be a colour that was period appropriate (age and model of the watch). I am writing to ask if anyone can confirm this? I will call RSC when i'm able to, but any anecdotal experience is welcome!

What you "heard" from that other forum is true. I have asked that same question with my AD and it was confirmed to me that the RSC in my region (Australia) will change the dial for the watch if such a dial was available for that particular reference - I your case, the ref. 15000. Do note also that they keep the old dial.

5959HH · Jul 16, 2019

Dogbert_is_fat said:
What you "heard" from that other forum is true. I have asked that same question with my AD and it was confirmed to me that the RSC in my region (Australia) will change the dial for the watch if such a dial was available for that particular reference - I your case, the ref. 15000. Do note also that they keep the old dial.

I will second what Bro Dog just said but would add that I personally would be reluctant to surrender a black dial which IMO is the most useful of all dials made.

Fleet Fox · Jul 16, 2019

Hey thanks for the prompt responses! Yes, I heard about the dial surrender :/

I'm not totally committed to my idea yet, but it's great to know that this, at least, might be an option. Thanks again for the responses! most helpful. Any sense on a cost associated with the swap? As i understand it it has t be a part of a full service.

Cheers,

FF

BigSeikoFan · Jul 16, 2019

Fleet Fox said:
Hey thanks for the prompt responses! Yes, I heard about the dial surrender :/

I'm not totally committed to my idea yet, but it's great to know that this, at least, might be an option. Thanks again for the responses! most helpful. Any sense on a cost associated with the swap? As i understand it it has t be a part of a full service.

Cheers,

FF

Yep, that's also true. No idea on cost tho.

BundyBear · Jul 16, 2019

Fleet Fox said:
<snip>
I heard about the dial surrender :/
::
Any sense on a cost associated with the swap? As i understand it it has t be a part of a full service.

Won't be cheap, that's for sure.

Okay. Cheap is relative to one's own wealth. Just google sellers on eBay or Chrono24 and see how much are people asking for a dial for your watch reference. It will be at least USD$1k is what I know, and add service costs on top. Like @5959HH said, you are better off keeping the black dial...

Fleet Fox · Jul 16, 2019

Dogbert_is_fat said:
Won't be cheap, that's for sure.

View attachment 14313871

Okay. Cheap is relative to one's own wealth. Just google sellers on eBay or Chrono24 and see how much are people asking for a dial for your watch reference. It will be at least USD$1k is what I know, and add service costs on top. Like @5959HH said, you are better off keeping the black dial...

ahh! and it hurts all the more in CAD dollars. Thanks again gents for the advice. I'll update if I choose to go that route, and perhaps RSC could even just quote me over the phone. I got a steal of a deal on the 15000, and i'm not keen to then just blow it all on unneeded RSC costs.

Fleet Fox · Jul 16, 2019

So I called RSC - just for anyone else considering the same thing. They confirmed that they can indeed do a swap, dial and hands (and of course, restricted to the colour offerings that they actually have available at the time). Expensive, to be sure, but maybe not insane - just under $500 USD ($650 CAD). A little disappointed that they didn't have grey (or Rhodium) but maybe that's a sign to just keep the black dial!

Thanks folks, for the input. Anecdotes still welcome!

-FF

5959HH · Jul 16, 2019

Fleet Fox said:
So I called RSC - just for anyone else considering the same thing. They confirmed that they can indeed do a swap, dial and hands (and of course, restricted to the colour offerings that they actually have available at the time). Expensive, to be sure, but maybe not insane - just under $500 USD ($650 CAD). A little disappointed that they didn't have grey (or Rhodium) but maybe that's a sign to just keep the black dial!

Thanks folks, for the input. Anecdotes still welcome!

-FF

Less expensive than I would have thought but would think carefully before giving up a black dial for anything else. Send us a couple of wrist shots when you have a chance.

limnoman · Jul 16, 2019

On the Swedish watch site I recall a couple of guys having both dials and paying just a small fee to have a watchmaker switch, e.g. white for summer and black for winter. Guess it depends on the AD.

LOoOser in the brotherhood

Kawika · Jul 16, 2019

You know, there's a fairly lively marketplace for Date dials that will fit the 3XXX movement (quickset) on eBay. If you do some studying, you'll be able to differentiate the real from the redone.

Once obtained, almost any good watch technician can do a swap and the end cost to you will be far less that what an RSC install might be, plus, you'll be able to pick out (depending on availability) an 'upgrade' dial (like the 'arab' styles) that an RSC wouldn't allow you to have.

You'll not be breaking any rules, Rolex will not refuse to service the watch at some later date and you can keep the existing dial should you wish to revert back to what was original to you.

Check out the offerings, have patience and persistence, and the world of unattached authentic dials will be yours.

Fleet Fox · Jul 16, 2019

5959HH said:
Less expensive than I would have thought but would think carefully before giving up a black dial for anything else. Send us a couple of wrist shots when you have a chance.

Hey thanks, and I definitely will. I was hoping to get my hands on the older grey dial, but after going back and forth with RSC about it, they've told me that the dials are just straight up unavailable. I did find one on Chrono24 (not sure if i'm allowed to link outside but i'll try anyways [mods please forgive me if i'm not allowed!]: https://www.chrono24.ca/rolex/dial-...x/dial-vintage-gunmetal-dialhands-for-date-1500015010-quick-set--id10758609.htm) It looks decent, but a few rough edges here and there. Not sure I love the colour enough to dive in for the $$$. Anyone's assessment of the dial in question would be welcome!

-FF

Fleet Fox · Jul 16, 2019

Kawika said:
You know, there's a fairly lively marketplace for Date dials that will fit the 3XXX movement (quickset) on eBay. If you do some studying, you'll be able to differentiate the real from the redone.

Once obtained, almost any good watch technician can do a swap and the end cost to you will be far less that what an RSC install might be, plus, you'll be able to pick out (depending on availability) an 'upgrade' dial (like the 'arab' styles) that an RSC wouldn't allow you to have.

You'll not be breaking any rules, Rolex will not refuse to service the watch at some later date and you can keep the existing dial should you wish to revert back to what was original to you.

Check out the offerings, have patience and persistence, and the world of unattached authentic dials will be yours.

Hey thanks for the encouragement! I had a scan of Ebay and didn't see too much to my liking. I did link to one I found on Chrono24 below, but am just mulling that one over. The black dial it has is already a service dial, and quite nice from what I can tell. I'll keep poking around on the Bay and see if anything comes up!

FF

5959HH · Jul 16, 2019

Fleet Fox said:
Hey thanks, and I definitely will. I was hoping to get my hands on the older grey dial, but after going back and forth with RSC about it, they've told me that the dials are just straight up unavailable. I did find one on Chrono24 (not sure if i'm allowed to link outside but i'll try anyways [mods please forgive me if i'm not allowed!]: https://www.chrono24.ca/rolex/dial-...x/dial-vintage-gunmetal-dialhands-for-date-1500015010-quick-set--id10758609.htm) It looks decent, but a few rough edges here and there. Not sure I love the colour enough to dive in for the $$$. Anyone's assessment of the dial in question would be welcome!

-FF

If I were you I would simply keep what is now on the watch and forget attempting to reinvent the wheel.

Fleet Fox · Jul 17, 2019

That's a fair point - i know the more I fiddle with things usually the more disappointed I become. Part of my interest is just to get a more period correct dial on the watch instead of the black service one currently on there. Pictures to come...

Kawika · Jul 17, 2019

Fleet Fox said:
That's a fair point - i know the more I fiddle with things usually the more disappointed I become. Part of my interest is just to get a more period correct dial on the watch instead of the black service one currently on there. Pictures to come...

One of the Rolex attributes, admired by many owners, is the fact that the case and bracelet remains classic in design and function...timeless I might propose. So, when you mention 'period correct', please keep in mind that for the Date and Datejust series in five number models, the only customization was the dial and perhaps two tone or solid gold as opposed to stainless steel.

There are some number of people, myself included, that find that the ability to 'date' certain models of Rolex is cloudy at best, is considered an attribute and not a fault. If you like the black dial and wish to wear it as such, then stop wondering what other's might think. If you desire variety, then there are opportunities to acquire and install other dials to make the watch more of what you want to display. There's no right or wrong here. You are now armed with the knowledge that a dial change can be effected at the Rolex Service Center level, or at a more local level with you searching out and acquiring a different dial and having it installed by a worthy watch technician.

Fleet Fox · Jul 18, 2019

Kawika said:
One of the Rolex attributes, admired by many owners, is the fact that the case and bracelet remains classic in design and function...timeless I might propose. So, when you mention 'period correct', please keep in mind that for the Date and Datejust series in five number models, the only customization was the dial and perhaps two tone or solid gold as opposed to stainless steel.

There are some number of people, myself included, that find that the ability to 'date' certain models of Rolex is cloudy at best, is considered an attribute and not a fault. If you like the black dial and wish to wear it as such, then stop wondering what other's might think. If you desire variety, then there are opportunities to acquire and install other dials to make the watch more of what you want to display. There's no right or wrong here. You are now armed with the knowledge that a dial change can be effected at the Rolex Service Center level, or at a more local level with you searching out and acquiring a different dial and having it installed by a worthy watch technician.

I really appreciate this response, thank you! I do want to keep the classic sense of this OP Date, and so am really in no way opposed to the black service dial. In a lot of ways, it's an incredibly strong watch. The watch arrived today, and i'm pleased to post the first 'on-the-wrist' shot!

View attachment 14318853

My wrist is a 6.25"-6.5", and as many already know the 15000 is a 34mm watch. I've always a "classic" size, especially for my first Rolex. Thanks everyone for weighing in on the process!

Swapping a Rolex dial...the right way?

Fleet Fox

BundyBear

5959HH

Fleet Fox

BigSeikoFan

BundyBear

Fleet Fox

Fleet Fox

5959HH

limnoman

Kawika

Fleet Fox

Fleet Fox

5959HH

Fleet Fox

Kawika

Fleet Fox

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