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Rolex service bracelets: parts-bin or freshly made?
A friend recently received his Rolex 5512 Submariner from a Rolex service...Rolex replaced the moth-eaten bracelet with a brand new 93150/580 bracelet; do you think Rolex has a large supply, albeit finite, of these bracelets or does Rolex make a new bracelet?
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Rolex service bracelets: parts-bin or freshly made?
A friend recently received his Rolex 5512 Submariner from a Rolex service...Rolex replaced the moth-eaten bracelet with a brand new 93150/580 bracelet; do you think Rolex has a large supply, albeit finite, of these bracelets or does Rolex make a new brace...
My guess, based upon absolutely nothing, is both.
There are so many 93150s out there, and they're so recent, that Rolex probably has spares in stock, and will replenish that stock with new ones for as long as this remains a profitable endeavor.
I wonder how collectors view this.
Perhaps it doesn't matter, but if Rolex is doing this with other parts too, collectors' focus on all-original parts (i.e., not newly manufactured, even if Rolex is the source) will cause yet more obsession.
Similar question regarding Luminova service dials for 5512 Submariner?
It seems if Rolex was pulling 30+ year old 5512 Luminova service dials out the parts-bin, the Luminova would be diminished, is that correct or does Luminova last forever? I have seen Luminova service dials on 5512s and 1680s and the dials look brand new a...
I'm not sure if luminova lasts indefinitely (say, stored away in a dark place).
Not sure it matters from a collectors' point of view, a 30 yo Luminova service dial vs. a new Luminova service dial -- they both are non-tritium and not original.
Both are probably right.
The real answer is to look at your service bill. Getting one made will cost an arm and a leg. I know this because Omega charged me an unfathomable amount for a new bezel made of aluminum, just for my watch. If I had asked them to re-make the bracelet it c...