Servicing a Rolex - Intervals

[Kingair]

Rolex says 5 years . . . and how long did you wait between both ?

Just curious . . .

HAGS

[springbar]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Rolex says 5 years . . . and how long did you wait between both ?

Just curious . . .

HAGS

I have my watches serviced every 30 years whether they need it or not.

[GradyPhilpott]

I was told by my AD at the time I bought my first one that Rolex recommended a service at seven years and five years thereafter.

That Explorer was purchased four years ago and hasn't gotten as much wear since I bought my DJ three years ago and even less since I bought my Sub last year.

In talking with my watchmaker recently he suggested that the Explorer might not be ready to be serviced at seven years, if I continue to leave it in the drawer as I have, but there's no guarantee that my Sub honeymoon will last forever and history suggests that it won't.

At any rate, I personally think that a watch should be serviced at intervals guided by the recommendations of the manufacturer with the actual use of the watch taken into account.

In two years, I'll discuss the issue with my watchmaker and we'll decide then what is the best course.

[beetleything]

Originally Posted by springbar

I have my watches serviced every 30 years whether they need it or not.

I have been on here about a month and this seems to come up a lot...

i agree with the car analogy --- regular maintenance is best.

[TSW]

Every fifth year.

[kilyung]

As needed regardless of interval based on what my timegrapher tells me.

[OysterDavid]

This is one of those questions that ignites a lot of answers ranging from 'preventive service every five years' to 'let it run until it doesn't', and on this forum there have been postings supporting each extreme.

I've settled on around 7 years based on my own experiences. When I acquired my first Rolex back in 1976, I sent it off for routine service every three years. Two or three of those journies involved sending it back to the mother ship in Geneva and other servicings during the first 10 years went to local watch repair people.

Now I've developed a relationship with a local guy and I trust his judgement...if he says it's time for servicing, I leave it there. If not, I take it back home with me. He knows I'll be back on a regular basis and he's my go to guy for emergencies, so I have the feeling he's giving me the straight story and isn't hustling for a quick sale.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by kilyung

As needed regardless of interval based on what my timegrapher tells me.

^^^ ^^^ This one.

[Brushpup]

I'm not saying it's right, but there are lot's of folks that wait 10-20 years before they do it. I think 7-8 is a good number myself unless you run into trouble before then. I would say if I exposed one to extremes like deep diving or was just extra hard on a watch, then sooner would be prudent. I know the debate is never ending, but this is my .02.

[withthesword]

i usually do every 5 years, unless it's rarely worn. then i go every 7.

[caryyee]

All my watches are brand new and bought no more than 7 months ago so it's not something I need concern myself at the moment.

But given that I intend to wear my watches on a monthly rotation, and only wear them in a relaxed environment (ie they won't be subjected to salty sea water, desert like temperatures, high altitude (apart from on a plane lol) or deep water), I would probably not consider getting them serviced till perhaps the 10-12 year mark unless they start misbehaving.

[handsfull]

7-8 depending on usage.

[Michael T]

Seven years for three of mine. One was still spot on at eight years.

[77T]

If you want to minimize risk of a big repair bill, I would take the watch in every 5 years for a pressure check, amplitude check, visual inspection and regulation. If anything looks amiss, then have it serviced.

[SkyKing31]

My mom had one of her Rolex watch for about 20 years without service .. That was with daily use .. Only down side to that was her watch service was very expensive when she sent it in to RSC NYC because of the extensive work that needed to be done .. Expensive lesson to learn .... You should have the watch serviced within factory guidelines while considering the amount of use your watch gets.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by SkyKing31

My mom had one of her Rolex watch for about 20 years without service .. That was with daily use .. Only down side to that was her watch service was very expensive when she sent it in to RSC NYC because of the extensive work that needed to be done .. Expensive lesson to learn .... You should have the watch serviced within factory guidelines while considering the amount of use your watch gets.

The watch she had was also probably beating at 21,600 as well. Watches with higher rates need service sooner that those with lower rate. Today's Rolex beat at 28,800, and I think you'd be hard pressed to find one that will still be ticking after 20 years of constant daily use.


Now, I'll digress....The best guage of whether a watch needs service or not, is to first put it on a timegrapher to check the error and amplitude, and check the general condition of the movement with a quick once over.

With today's modern oils, a watch needs service based more on WEAR, than time. Saying that a watch will need service based simply on time is not possible. For instance, a watch worn every other week that sits static for every other week in between will suffer half the wear as a watch running steady all the time with no rest. This, generally will mean that the watch that's getting to sit out on break for half the time will have an extended interval between needed service. For this reason, I'm not a fan of watch winders. Will a watch on a winder wear out faster? The answer is yes. It's simple physics. If the parts in the movement are constantly turning for two weeks while you don't wear that Rolex of yours while it's on the winder, it's wearing out faster than mine that's sitting for two weeks resting in the box while I don't wear it and will need the attention of a watchmaker sooner.

The manufacturer makes their "time interval based" recommendation based on the assumption that the user is a regular user that will be running the watch 24/7, as well as other "considerations".

[George Ab]

When needed. When needed can be easily discerned with a computer running the right algorithm and an acoustic pick-up (watchmaker's timing machine). A watchmaker's timing machine can determine amplitude (the distance the balance wheel travels measured in degrees). A new or freshly serviced watch will be between 270 and 310° and when it decreases to 220° you are going to need a service within the year as the timing will start to become erratic. A competent and ethical watchmaker will use his experience and the timing machine to make a recommendation. He/she will also look for other issues such as contamination from the rotor striking the side of the case from bent rotor axle, if there is lubrication in the bearing surfaces. There are other problems that can be seen which I won't go into. That said, my experience is 8-10 years is when a service is required based on actual analysis. I have a 2008 M serial SD currently in for service as it had low amplitude, 220°. The point is it varies.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by kilyung

As needed regardless of interval based on what my timegrapher tells me.

X2

[brokenchains]

I have no problem getting a watch serviced within the time recommended,
I hear so many horror stories of late from RSC doing a sloppy job, dust is my
concern.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Your Rolex should easily be able to wait being serviced with 8 year intervals... however, if you're diving with your Rolex, you should have the seals tested every second year or so.

[kdub]

How about if the watch doesn't get worn much at all and just sits in a watch winder most of it's life. Would it still need servicing even after say 9 years?

Do parts/oil inside still age over time without weather/outside world exposure?

My Explorer II is approaching 10 years old, but it has extremely low mileage. I am contemplating on whether it's worth sending it to the RSC. I am visualizing the service person open the watch up and see how there is no work needing done and just send it back and charge me a few hundred dollars.

[BNA/LION]

HUMMM? Clean=Service or Complete Rebuild?

All my watches were Rebuilt in the last year so I guess I will not need a "Service" for 5-7 years. http://www.dstimeservice.com/index.html

[gwalker]

I try to service around 5 years but its usually pushed to 6-7. If I noticed a change and it was close to the 5 years I'd service then. My mother waited about 20 years to service her DJ she got for my sisters birth until it stopped. Ended up costing 3x more to service than what my father paid for the watch. Now she has all 3 serviced as suggested. I'm not saying if you don't service every 5 years your watch will explode but pay a little every 5-7 years or a lot when it breaks. Either way luxury, mechanical watches need service every now and then are are generally expensive. Also make sure whoever you chose to work on your watch is qualified and has a Rolex parts account.

[Time2time]

5 years.

Rolex recommends 5 years.

So it should be. ...... 5 years.

Why would it be anything else?

[Rikki]

5 To 7 I believe now is the norm and every other year have it watertested till next service. IMO. Rikki

[FiguredMaple]

My Dealer told me that it used to be every 5 years, but with the new synthetic oils that are in the new models every 7 is recommended. I was told by the Rolex SC that this interval is for an overhaul while every couple years they recommend a cleaning and checkup.

[Annan]

Originally Posted by 77T

If you want to minimize risk of a big repair bill, I would take the watch in every 5 years for a pressure check, amplitude check, visual inspection and regulation. If anything looks amiss, then have it serviced.

X2