My battery powered Quartz Rolex needed a battery change. With a Rolex this simple operation can be performed only by an Official Rolex Dealer because all Rolex need a special key to be opened and this key is only in the hands of the Official Rolex Dealers who can be found only in Bangkok. For me, living upcountry between Khon Kaen and Korat, this meant to go to Bangkok to deliver the watch in Wireless Road,

to return in Isaan, then to return to Bangkok after one week or ten days to collect the watch and finally to return back home. It is approx 2000 kilometers in total, time and money. Yes because the Rolex dealers never change the battery on the spot, but always “impose” a watch overhaul and keep it for minimum one week. In April 2006 I was charged 8420 by the Rolex Headquarter in Wireless Road only for this, plus the time and the trips costs.

I have found a small watch shop in Korat which, the owner says, is the only one in possession of the Rolex key and for this fact the shop counts several foreigners among its clients. He opened the watch with that special key and changed the battery. All this immediately, in my presence and for 400 Baht.

I have to stress that all I needed was the watch opened and the battery changed and this is all I got. I have no experience for a more serious Rolex repairing work.

Hoping the above can be of some help to Isaan Rolex owners, I attach herewith the shop’s business card. The handwriting reads as follows when translated:

“Rolex-battery-Korat-September 22/08”

Kind Regards

anybody could buy a special key to open his rolex,but ofcourse it may have effect on your warranty

http://www.jewellersequipment.co.uk/item.rwbo.html

but isnt rolex give a lifetime free batterie?

bc

...anybody could buy a special key to open his rolex,but ofcourse it may have effect on your warranty but isnt rolex give a lifetime free batterie?

But isn't it the case() that if getting the watch to a Rolex dealer, waiting a week, then getting it back too difficult/expensive then finding someone that will change the battery locally a good deal - one hopes that a good non-leaking battery has been used.

Mods might consider merging with this thread as it's the same subject and same OP.

Any watch seller these days will have the rolex keys, the 3dr floor in MBK is full of them and will do it while you wait /look for a fraction of the cost,.