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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
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#151 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,530
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King Harald of Norway has a 1675 allegedly purchased in 1962 and worn daily. I follow him on IG and he still wears it. Nobody seems to know for sure, but it seems like it's never been serviced. Everything seems original including the completely faded bezel and he doesn't seem like a watch guy that would want to keep all original parts for the sake of it. Not to mention the bracelet doesn't even seem like it's been through an ultrasonic, with how much gunk there is.
Having said that, I'm not sure even a Rolex (or any mechanical) is capable of running for 60!!! years without service. But if it has been serviced, it appears it's been a VERY long time since that happened. https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2018/0...g.html#/page/1 |
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#152 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Far far away!
Posts: 309
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My DateJust from 1996 has only been serviced twice. It went about 10 years before its first service.
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#153 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Moscow
Posts: 16
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TT Bluesy
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#154 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2023
Real Name: David
Location: Socal
Watch: Patek 3970
Posts: 323
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I have Daytona around 20 yrs old that I wear on occasion that still runs fine
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#155 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: NJ
Posts: 3
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Quote:
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#156 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Miami
Watch: me lose count.
Posts: 5,676
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I went 15 years, from 1999 to 2014 without servicing my Daytona Zenith. The watch was finally serviced since it would stop. It tuned out to be the bearings in the autowind pendulum that were shot. The watch kept perfect time throughout that whole period.
My Exp II owned between 2009 and 2021 was never serviced and was traded in 2021. Where watches are concerned I’m of the “if it ain’t broke” school of thought.
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♛ 116689 ♛ 116500LN Blk ♛ 116500LN Wht ♛ Sky Dweller 326934-003 ♛ 126710BLNR ♛ 126710BLRO - ♛ 126610LV ♛ 16520 ♛ 16523 ♛ 16610 ♛ 5513 Birth Year - ✠ Patek Philippe 5980/1A-001 - AP 26331ST Panda - Panerai Fiddy 127, Bronzo 671, 687, 111, Ω Speedmaster 1957 Broad Arrow, Daniel Roth Endurer Chronosprint, Cartier Santos XL - ✿ Tudor Black Bay 58 Bronze M79012M, Montblanc TimeWalker Chrono 41 |
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#157 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Real Name: Knackers
Location: NI/Aust/USA
Watch: and wait
Posts: 3,229
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My 16613 bought in 1999, never serviced still keeps COSC time.
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The educated often only know what they have read or been lectured on. |
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#158 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2023
Real Name: David
Location: Socal
Watch: Patek 3970
Posts: 323
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With the exception of vintage pieces that I acquired not running. The remainder haven't needed servicing.
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#159 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: London
Posts: 10
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I own a 34mm tt datejust midi owned since 1989 never serviced and still works fine.
Could be a winner in this one. |
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#160 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: -
Watch: Too Many
Posts: 150
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Daydate bought it in 2001 still working
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#161 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Philippines
Posts: 98
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Still have an E serial hand me down Date Date 36 still working 🫡
Winding feels harder tho but still working fine Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk |
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#162 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: somewhere else
Watch: one I'm wearing
Posts: 471
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1999 PP 5066 never serviced .....time keeping is not the best...but I'll send it in when it stops.......or my family will if I stop before
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#163 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: New England
Posts: 1,815
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2004 16613 went 18 years. Only reason I had it serviced is because I regularly used it in salt water and was concerned about the state of the gaskets…
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#164 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Brian
Location: Nashville
Watch: 16750
Posts: 6,412
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My 16750 went from 1982 to around 2012 before it was serviced. Kept terrible time up until that service.
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16750 | 6516(wife’s) | 126334 | 16570 | SBGA413 | SRPE33 | 126610LV |
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#165 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2015
Real Name: Mitch
Location: UAE
Watch: Big Ben
Posts: 2,451
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This is actually a curse for Rolex.
Watches are well built, reliable and keep good time for decades....but there is a downside to that. While the movement keeps going.....the gaskets dry up, crumble and only small amount of moisture/sweat is needed get through to start eating up the case. I see a lot of vintage watches that have not been serviced in decades and the case is heavily pitted. Especially for watches made before 1985 when Rolex started to use 904L steel which is more resistant to corrosion. If the watch looses time, stops or has low power reserve....its time to service. Even if it does not show any of these signs, Id service a watch after ten years of daily use. I personally send out for service any vintage watch that I buy without any history of servicing. I also do not buy watches that have pitted cases as this cannot be sorted out without replacing it which defeats the purpose of buying a vintage piece.
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IG: @watch_idiot_savant |
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#166 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: US
Posts: 23
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20 years… this thread has shamed me into thinking I need to take it in soon…
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#167 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,530
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Quote:
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#168 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: ByDawns Earlylite
Watch: 16800
Posts: 3,578
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20yrs, perfect time.........not that I put it on a timer.
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#169 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bay Area
Watch: DD 40RG Olive dial
Posts: 4,427
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I have a BLNR that is 10 years old and never serviced. Running just fine. Has some scratches and dings but doesn't bother me.
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#170 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Asia
Posts: 453
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I’m in the wear it until it stops running accurately camp.
Preventive maintenance on contemporary luxury watches seem rather pointless since they are often over engineered mechanical marvels. Case in point. I took my Rolex in for a warranty service and RSC replaced one of the wheels because it showed just the tiniest sign of wear. And that’s after 4 years and 8 months of 24/7 non stop running. Everything else inside was in perfect condition according to RSC. Seems like the byword for service at RSC & Omega is “replace, replace, replace”. Wonder if they work under some sort of time constraint. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#171 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Chicago
Watch: explorer
Posts: 2,218
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I have a Trex that’s 13 years old and hasn’t been serviced. Runs great.
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#172 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: .
Posts: 351
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Quote:
If your watch sits in a dark box and you wear it in rotation with other watches, the gaskets should last a longer time. As a general rule, I do not swim with my luxury watches (that is a job for Casio's), and I store them in a dark box in a moderate temperature room. As for serving, since I have too many watches that I wear in rotation, I would only service when something is broken. I have a TT Daytona for 20 years, and it has never been serviced since I bought it new from the AD. It keeps a great time 4 sec+ per 24 hours and still has long power reserve. Servicing a watch on some occasions (I hope rare) might not be all that good, as mistakes do happen from watchmakers with misuse and scratches on the movement, dial, or hands. I'm an advocate of if it ain't broken don't fix it, but if one is a must, a 10 year interval is more than sufficient with modern movements and lubrications. Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk |
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#173 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Gotham City
Posts: 143
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18038 1984 working great never serviced
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#174 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,530
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Quote:
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#175 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: nevada
Watch: 1655,exp
Posts: 113
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29 years on my 1655
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#176 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: EARTH
Watch: What is "watch"?
Posts: 1,089
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Some mid-century pieces have never been serviced, and many won’t ever be.
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“UNpolished or I’m not interested” 😎 ![]() |
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#177 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: europe
Posts: 141
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Can Rolex refuse to service a watch when its not been serviced for too long? Or does it get ridiculously expensive?
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#178 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 613
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I've not had my 116710BLNR serviced since I bought it back in April 2018. It keeps perfect time so I don't see the need to, before the 10yr recommendation at least.
However, last November I did send the watch off to the RSC for warranty work, due to the rotor rattling (apparently common?) It arrived back repaired about 3 weeks later, with no details of any work carried out. Perhaps it was serviced, I don't know.. |
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#179 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: .
Posts: 351
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Here are my 4 simple rules if a watch needs service which you do at home:
1- Accuracy (+/ - 10 seconds a day) especially for older models/ movements 2- Power reserve test based on movement specs 3- Amplitude test also based on movement specs 4- Cosmetic inspection of all external parts If ALL is good then no need for service |
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#180 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Dustin
Location: San Antonio, TX
Watch: Subs, GMT, DJ, PAM
Posts: 148
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I have a NOS 16610LN that was manufactured in 2002. I purchased in November 2023 and it still had almost all the original factory stickers on it including case back sticker. It has never been serviced and runs about +5-6 seconds per day. I will probably have it serviced later this year, as I'm more concerned about water resistance than anything else as the power reserve and accuracy seem fine.
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126613LB | 126710BLNR Jubilee | 16610LN | 126200 Blue Jubilee | Cartier Santos Medium | Panerai 1272 | Tudor Black Bay 58 |
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