Hull-based jewellers Hugh Rice is proud to secure a prestigious Rolex accreditation which means it can now service Rolex watches in-house at its Authorised Service Centre. The achievement recognises the high standards set by the family jewellers and its partners at Rolex.
The procedure to achieve the accreditation is an exacting process. With workshops needing to be equipped with the latest in Rolex tooling, watchmakers also need to be trained to strict excellence criteria.
To secure the accreditation, Hugh Rice watchmaker Joe Rice completed two years at the British School of Watchmaking, before undertaking another 18 months of training with Rolex to gain the knowledge and expertise required to deliver the highly detailed service.
Joe said of the achievement: “To be awarded this accreditation is a huge honour. To know Rolex has recognised the standard of work I’ve achieved, and for them to guarantee my work is a huge motivation to continue to progress and work to the highest possible standards.”
Paul Rice, managing director at Hugh Rice, said: “We are hugely proud and excited to be named a Rolex Authorised Service Centre.
“This means that we can offer our customers an in-house service for their watch that meets the exceptional standards a Rolex watch requires, with customers receiving the same two-year international guarantee as would be achieved at the Rolex headquarters in central London and Kings Hill.
“Customers can also benefit from added peace of mind that their timepiece will remain on site for the length of the process.”
The Rolex service procedure is designed to ensure that every timepiece leaving a Rolex workshop complies with its original functional and aesthetic specifications.
A detailed process, the service starts with a total disassembly of the watch, inspecting each component for functionality and wear, before replacing any part that is found to be worn or not functioning correctly.
Following this, each watch undergoes an ultrasonic clean, before being reassembled, oiled and regulated to perform within tolerance. The process for the case and bracket also involves totally disassembling them, followed by the refinishing and cleaning of all metal components.
The final process involves waterproof testing of the case, before fitting the dial and hands to the movement, fitting the movement to the case, and final quality control and performance tests.
Paul continued: “To enhance customer experience and showcase the dedication and expertise we now have in store, our watchmaking area is also now visible to the public within our showroom in St Stephen’s Shopping Centre.”
The accreditation means that the jewellers can now also offer an interim service, clean and polish – which could previously only be offered as part of a full service.
Watches can also be refinished between 10-year service intervals for the very first time, with Hugh Rice able to undertake work on watches under the five-year international sales guarantee.
For more information, or to book an appointment at the Rolex Authorised Service Centre at Hugh Rice, call 01482 329 449 or email rolex@hughrice.co.uk