Not an Authorized Rolex Repair Center

Sometimes customers will ask if we are an “Authorized Rolex Repair center” or “Certified Rolex Repair Center.” Do NOT say that we are a Certified Rolex Service center because we technically are not. Some watch guys are crazy and we have to be careful with how we word things.

We are not an Authorized Service Center for Rolex. There are only two (2) Authorized (or “official”) Rolex Service Centers in the United States. They are all owned by Rolex, and are as follows… Rolex New York and Rolex in Pennsylvania. Rolex Beverly Hills used to be a Service Center but are not anymore, but they will take in watches for repair, then send them to PA for the actual work to be done. Rolex also has an affiliation with another service center in San Francisco (often called Rolex San Francisco), but it is not owned by Rolex.

Furthermore, the ONLY “Certified Rolex Watchmakers” are those individuals working at the aforementioned Service Centers, and their “certification” expires the second they stop working for these facilities.

Therefore, if any independent watchmaker (on the Internet or elsewhere) tells you that he is a “Certified Rolex Watchmaker,” or that his company is an “Authorized Rolex Service Center,” it is a falsehood.

What you can say to customers is something like this: “Our watchmaker worked for Rolex for several years as a Certified Rolex Watchmaker at their factory, is currently CW21 Certified*, and has a Rolex Parts Account with Rolex so he is able to service, repair, and order parts directly from Rolex.”

Do not ever tell a customer the name of our watchmaker (Nam Van Do or Swiss Time Technical Center). He must remain anonymous in order to preserve his parts account with Rolex.

*CW21 Certification: “AWCI is the only organization to provide industry recognized certification for watchmakers and clockmakers. An updated AWCI certification process and examination was implemented in 2005. All titles earned as a result of this updated certification have the suffix of “21” (meaning “of the 21st Century”).” One of these titles for watchmakers is CW21™ – Certified Watchmaker of the 21st Century.

“A Certified Watchmaker (CW21) services primarily watches of modern and recent production, where spare parts are available, according to manufacturer specified service procedures and requirements. He/she is capable of making basic components and able to modify replacement parts in order to fit them properly into a movement or watch. He/she must model AWCI’s code of ethics in all of his/her dealings.”

“The 21st Century Certified Watchmaker, in the performance of his/her horological skills and knowledge, must meet or exceed all industry requirements for repair and parts replacement, meet all technical specifications, and demonstrate the highest standards of workmanship stipulated by AWCI.”