Poll for all: To Sevice on Time or Only Service when needed

[ArtNouveau]

I have had 15 Rolex watches since 1984, the only one that’s seen an RSC was my now six year old BLRO that was sent in at two years under warranty when it started running erratically.
I never kept any of the early ones long enough to warrant a service. I’ve held onto the ones I’ve bought since 2018 and will likely continue to. We’ll cross the service bridge when it comes to it I guess, but I favor waiting for an issue rather than an arbitrary timeframe.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Mainplate is around €650, balance wheel €450, those are the two most expensive single parts for sure. And only need replacing in rare cases like when there's rust.

Definitely not something to worry about

Good to know, thanks again

[Asvn]

When it’s needed

[ChronoZach]

The Rolex 10 year service interval on the newer references is fine and even sooner if you have a problem where you’re are losing too much time or have some other major problems. Sure 100%

With a vintage watch or something with a rare dial only if it has an issue, something’s are irreplaceable and I will not risk sending it to RSC and getting a service dial or it getting lost.

Cheers,

[Cassian739]

Originally Posted by SearChart

10 years for gaskets is about the maximum I'd recommend, I've seen younger watches of which the gaskets had degraded to a point where they were no longer water resistant. UV exposure, heat, humidity of extremely dry environments will speed that process up.

As for my own watch, I am obviously in the luxury position where I can easily check on a timegrapher and/or open it up to see the current state of the movement. So not really a worry of mine.

Great, thank you! Appreciate the response.

Makes sense. Sounds like 8-10 years (for newer watches), based on usage, how the watch is running, environment, etc. is a good guide for a service. As others have said, and I agree with, I'm not a fan of running mechanical items to failure. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

Great, thank you! Appreciate the response.

Makes sense. Sounds like 8-10 years (for newer watches), based on usage, how the watch is running, environment, etc. is a good guide for a service. As others have said, and I agree with, I'm not a fan of running mechanical items to failure. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way.

[ROLEX MAN]

I just can't believe the results!

I wear my watches in a weekly rotation, and they are working spot-on!

[Michael T]

I have had most all of my Rolexes need service at seven years due to rate issues. My 116718 GMT was within a couple seconds at eleven years, and I figured that the seals should be replaced and thus I sent it for a clean, oil and adjust. I also think new lubricants are also a good idea at that service interval. Just like a fine automobile, sometimes time is another variable for service interval.

[vlps]

I treat my watches the same way I do my cars. Service them by recommended intervals before things go wrong.

[JETNASH]

If you can’t afford the maintenance, you shouldn’t buy the product (watch, cars, homes..etc).


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[BiG JeEzY]

I service my watches only when I notice issues with timekeeping or power reserve. I don't swim with any of my watches or submerge them in any kind of water so water resistance is not a deal breaker for me.

I don't think servicing a watch should be compared to servicing a car, they are both done in different ways. When you service a watch, the whole movement gets disassembled and rebuilt, when you service a car its often times, specific worn parts or fluids that get changed and very rarely a whole engine rebuild. So maintenance on both is not the same.

Also, a watch that is running poorly will not leave you stranded on the side of the road like a car would from lack of maintenance.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by BiG JeEzY

I service my watches only when I notice issues with timekeeping or power reserve. I don't swim with any of my watches or submerge them in any kind of water so water resistance is not a deal breaker for me.

I don't think servicing a watch should be compared to servicing a car, they are both done in different ways. When you service a watch, the whole movement gets disassembled and rebuilt, when you service a car its often times, specific worn parts or fluids that get changed and very rarely a whole engine rebuild. So maintenance on both is not the same.

Also, a watch that is running poorly will not leave you stranded on the side of the road like a car would from lack of maintenance.

No, but a Submariner that runs slow could see you depleating your O2 reserves before resurfacing...

[S.Explorer]

I think I'd be up financially with service only when something is wrong, so that's my answer.

[Gearjockey]

Originally Posted by JETNASH

If you can’t afford the maintenance, you shouldn’t buy the product (watch, cars, homes..etc).


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Hmmm??

Good thoughts, but guessing that’s not the issue with the crowd here.






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[dtwer]

Another vote for only when needed.

Every time the watch is handed to a stranger to be opened and worked on, there is an inherent risk of something going wrong. No matter how small the risk may be, it exists. We have all seen posts here about watches being damaged during service. The best way to minimize the risk is to limit the service to only when necessary.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by dtwer

Another vote for only when needed.

Every time the watch is handed to a stranger to be opened and worked on, there is an inherent risk of something going wrong. No matter how small the risk may be, it exists. We have all seen posts here about watches being damaged during service. The best way to minimize the risk is to limit the service to only when necessary.

This is like saying I'm not going to go to the shops today as I may get hit by a plane making an emergency landing on the high street.

Remember, when it comes to servicing work of all kinds, you only really hear about the bad experiences.

[samson66]

I'm planning on 10 years for my SD43. It did go in for the movement issue at 4.5 years though.

I figure by 10 years I'm pretty positive I'm keeping the watch for the long haul, so I might as well take care of it.

[Mystro]

Always when the watch isn’t keeping good time. A regular service replaces all wearable parts anyway so there is no reason to service early nor will the cost be any different.

I detest anyone but me touching my watches anyway and the chance of incidental service scratches or dust on the hands from being opened up is another reason I would not want my watches cracked open unnecessarily.