Longest time between service on a Rolex

[greekbum]

I was asked by a friend today how often I service my watches. So I thought I would share this. I have owned a Rolex GMT 16750 for 24 years now.When I bought the watch they told me to get it serviced regularly.I wore this watch almost every day for 23 years.Sure I wore others for a day or so but this was and still is my favorite and main watch.It kept perfect time.Give or take a couple of seconds a day.Along the way I started collecting buying and selling increased my knowledge on watches.I decided after 23 years to get a service so I took it to my good friend who worked for Rolex and now is an independent and he serviced it.He told me its the longest hes seen 1 go without a service and still ran like mine did.He said it was probaly because I wore it every day.Has anybody else had an experience like this?










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[Hamilton Carvalho]

Not with Rolex. My mom gave me my first watch almost 32 years ago, it's an Orient and it has never been serviced. It loose about 1 to 2 seconds a day and it looks brand new. Incredible watch.

[sea-dweller]

I have a 14060 (Sub ND) that I bought in 1994, which I serviced in 1998. I have not serviced it since. It is running well (like your 16750) and it 'winds' very smoothly. It is not a daily wearer though. I wear it probably 10-12 times a year (1-2 days each time) in rotation with my other Rolexes.

[etp095]

my watch just had its first service in 39 years.its a model 1505 tt date from 1969.

[oneillba]

This thread just blows the lid off of all the scheduled maintenance service interval discussions. I think Bo said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

[maverick]

JD found a Rolex that was over 50 years w/o a service and still running fine.
I would say it's an exception but amazing. =) maverick

[XELOR]

My pre-owned mid-80's DJ was serviced for the first time in 2007.

RUSA did the service and no additional parts were required other then the usual parts replaced at service.

[DSJ]

For me, 7 years is MINIMUM unless I detect a significant issue...

[funlab]

knock on wood...

my tt sub is going strong after more than 20 years. i have no plans to service it unless something happens.

[tsmack]

My 1988 L-Serial Sub date was just serviced in december for the first time since receiving it in college....It had some wear and tear and ran $1,200 to make like new.

it looks like NEW!

[sp3000]

Spoke to a very reputable and respected watch maker the other day about exactly this and he said do not service it unless there is something wrong, like unacceptable time loss.
So I said that Rolex told me that even when it's running fine you have to do the 5-7 year service to keep it from causing damage through wear, he said this was rubbish! and that anything that wears when the watch slows down or stops will then be serviced as new, no harm to anything else in just leaving it.

I think Rolex are keeping the marketing team busy selling the idea of the regular service.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by oneillba

(...) think Bo said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Or you could say it the other way around:

If you don't fix it, you'll be broke (....after having paid $$$ for worn out original parts in a Rolex not serviced frequently enough).

[briantheartist]

mmmm....I personally would send it in regularly because I wouldn't ever take it off. Over time I would imagine the rubber gaskets might wear thus making it less water resistant. Plus I would think the jewels might dry.

Better safe than sorry I always say.

[Magik]

Very interesting. I'm so nervous about causing more damage to my watch by not getting a regular service. I have a 9 year old Breitling Chrono Colt Automatic which is still within COSC specs that was never serviced. I hope I haven't gone too long with that watch. Maybe I'll try to get to 10 years on that one.

[GMTJOHNNY]

I have the GMT 16750 and I waited 15 years for the first service. I brought it into RSC NYC and it had stopped and the rotor was making that vibrating (cell phone like hum) when you shook it in your hand. Oils gelled up.
The bezel lost 80% of its color, the bracelet and casse were really scratched up fromsailing and the beach sand, Lume was yellow from all the direct sun exposure.

Got it back and I swore the gave me a new watch. Could not even find any thing wrong with it.

I have been on the 5-7 year RSC plan ever since. Like getting a new watch every time!!

[doc_colton]

My "P" series Sub Date needed service after 7 years. There was no power reserve and it would stop ocassionally. It was a daily wearer as well. I was told by Rolex there was nothing mechanically wrong with it, just needed cleaning and lubrication. Funny some run for 30 plus years while others don't

[vjb.knife]

I had my first SeaDweller for 14 years and had it serviced once at 4 years old. So ten years w/o service and it was fine. And I dove it on a regular basis. I am not advocating that because I think that was pushing the life of the seals, but it had no issues at all.

[fear]

Rolex Power!!!

[oneillba]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Or you could say it the other way around:

If you don't fix it, you'll be broke (....after having paid $$$ for worn out original parts in a Rolex not serviced frequently enough).

Sorry to have misquoted, Bo. My TT DJ is in for service (still). It needed a new "pinion bushing" too. I will post some after pictures.

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by oneillba

Sorry to have misquoted, Bo. My TT DJ is in for service (still). It needed a new "pinion bushing" too. I will post some after pictures.

Brian, how long has that watch been gone? Is it your only Rolex? What are you wearing in the meantime?

[oneillba]

Originally Posted by DSJ

Brian, how long has that watch been gone? Is it your only Rolex? What are you wearing in the meantime?

David, it has only been gone a little over three weeks, but it seems like forever. Yes it is my only Rollie. I have been wearing my Movado and Luminox Navy Seals watches in the meantime. Maybe I will have to steal Justin's Orange Cool Kids watch away from him.

Hopefully, I will get the call from my AD this week that it is back!

Thanks for asking.

[GoldenBear]

Originally Posted by oneillba

This thread just blows the lid off of all the scheduled maintenance service interval discussions. I think Bo said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

It hardly blows the lid off of anything...It's like saying "I haven't been to the Dr. or Dentist my entire life and I am still alive". That doesn't mean that routine maintenance doesn't need to be done. It will cost a lot more as a problem continues to worsen.

[veefour]

I've been wearing my 16800 sub date every single day for the last 22 years w/o a service. It's loosing about 1.5 secs a day, and still looking preety well. Not even those "yellowish" hour marks, hands or dot. Can't ask for more....

[jasper]

I really should send my 16750 in for service. It won'y wind manually and makes more noise when I "shake" it than I would like. Problem is that Bexby wants !12 weeks! to service it and I honestly can't be without it right now for that long. The overdue service will have to wait until July I'm afraid...unless it stops of course.

12 weeks...Brutal .

[watchnut]

I stopped in to my AD last week to see the Milgauss he called me about. In the course of conversation I mentioned something about not looking forward to paying in the neighborhood of $800 to have my Daytona serviced in 7 years or so. He smiled and pretty much said that that was'nt necessary. They are saying around 10 years with the new oils and seals being used. God knows I waste enough money otherwise but a service every 5 years seems ludicrous. I used to change oil in my car so often that the oil coming out looked like the oil going in! Doesn't do anybody any good but the oil companies.

[f16570]

I wish someone could nail this once and for all???????????????????????????????????