Questions, Answered

It depends on the part — and we always tell you which is which. We sell three clearly-labelled tiers: Factory Genuine (authentic Rolex factory parts), Custom Refurbished (genuine Rolex bases professionally restored), and Premium Aftermarket (high-quality non-Rolex parts for cases where genuine is impractical or unavailable). Every listing states the tier explicitly. No "Rolex-style" hedging.

Factory Genuine parts are manufactured by Rolex SA. We do not buy from Rolex's official service network — that channel is reserved for Authorised Service Centres. Our genuine parts reach us via the secondary market: new-old-stock pieces that never reached an end customer, parts carefully harvested from genuine donor watches, and direct trade contacts. They are the same components an Authorised Service Centre would fit. Custom Refurbished parts begin as genuine Rolex components and are professionally restored to original specifications — same materials, same tolerances, lower price than NOS. Premium Aftermarket parts are made by specialist horological suppliers (not Rolex) using comparable materials and engineering; we use these where factory parts are unobtainable or where the buyer specifically wants an alternative. Each tier is labelled and priced accordingly.

Yes — we ship worldwide from our Glasgow, UK base. UK delivery typically arrives within 1–2 business days; international destinations within 5–10 business days depending on customs. All shipments are tracked and insured for the full part value. Customs/duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the UK.

Genuine factory parts carry a 30-day return window — unused, in original packaging, return shipping at buyer's cost unless the part was misdescribed. Refurbished and aftermarket parts carry a 14-day return window. We also offer authenticity verification before dispatch: if our independent watchmaker can't confirm a Genuine-tier part, we'll downgrade the listing or refund before shipping.

Factory genuine parts carry consistent hallmarks: precise laser-etched serials on bracelet links, correct font and depth on dial printing, matching reference numbers across components, and weight/tolerances consistent with Rolex specifications. Our team has 20+ years in the trade and authenticates every Genuine-tier listing before it goes live. We're happy to share authentication details on request — email info@therolexlab.com with the SKU you're interested in.

Chrono Curiosity is a trading style of Pinnacle UK Trading Ltd, registered in Glasgow, Scotland (6th Floor Gordon Chambers, 90 Mitchell Street, Glasgow G1 3NQ). We've been supplying parts to independent watchmakers, repair shops, and collectors since 2024, building on 20+ years of prior trade experience. We're also active on Chrono24 and our long-running eBay shop.

Often, yes. Our online catalogue covers stocked items, but we have a much larger network of trade contacts. Email info@therolexlab.com with the reference number, the part you need, and your timeframe — we'll respond within 24 hours with availability and pricing. We never charge a sourcing fee for parts we can't find.

Checkout runs through Stripe — we never see or store your card details directly. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Apple Pay / Google Pay. For larger orders (£500+) we can arrange direct bank transfer with a 5% discount. All transactions are in GBP; the cart shows live USD equivalents for non-UK buyers.