Say you want to purchase a new Rolex watch, or service the one you currently own. Your best bet for a quality service is without a doubt an official Rolex affiliate.

True, you won't find a Rolex affiliate at every corner in the same way you'd find a Starbucks. But the company has a network of 3,000 accredited watchmakers in 25 countries, so there is a good chance you will find one near you. If not, the Rolex website lists its major affiliates in all regions of the world who can tell you where the one nearest to you is. Rolex currently has affiliates in:

• Athens, Greece
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Brussels, Belgium
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Caracas, Venezuela
• Cologne (Köln), Germany
• Hong Kong, China
• Johannesburg, South Africa
• London, United Kingdom
• Madrid, Spain
• Manila, Philippines
• Melbourne, Australia

The answer is, you don't have to. Any competent watch specialist will likely provide a high-quality service (after all, they too have a reputation to uphold). Basically, a company telling a customer to go to a dealer accredited by the company is good marketing and good business for the company and the dealer

But if you feel that that you are spending a lot of money on a watch and you want to buy it from someone who Rolex says is reputable and knowledgeable (by means of an official certificate), by all means do so. By the same token, if you already own an expensive Rolex but need to have it serviced, you might feel more comfortable entrusting it to a skilled and experienced Rolex affiliate.

In addition to the main international affiliates listed above, Rolex maintains a list of other locations offering "official" after-sales service:

• Beijing, China
• Beverly Hills, California, USA
• Dallas, Texas, USA
• Jakarta, Indonesia