Submariner Problems

[roxnwater]

I've owned a Submariner for a little over 5 years now. Recently it started to lose time and I noticed it was randomly starting and stopping to the point I couldn't count on it anymore. I took it to the shop where they told me it was time for its 5 year service hence the starting and stopping. As in "Of course it's starting and stopping, it's time for the 5 year service." The "service" amounts to a $665 charge. Needless to say I was highly disappointed. I'm not a diver, but I will say it gets occasionally wet from the Seattle rains. Is this common to Rolexes or am I just getting a line of crap from the shop? I thought Rolex meant a quality build. Not something where I have the "privilege" of paying them $665 every 5 years just to say I wear a Rolex. Anybody else have this issue?

[train-time]

Rolex recommends service every 5 years or so, although many people have gone considerably longer. I guess it depends on how old the watch was when you bought it and wearing habits. Full facory service from RSC costs $555 + return shipping. Some AD's will charge shipping to RSC as well bringing the total up a little. You can send it yourself and RSC will send you instructions and a shipping box. I would recommend calling the Dallas RSC.

[Megalobyte]

There isn't a mechanical watch made that doesn't need periodic service, 5 years is the norm. Some more expensive watches have service prices in the thousands.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by roxnwater

I've owned a Submariner for a little over 5 years now. Recently it started to lose time and I noticed it was randomly starting and stopping to the point I couldn't count on it anymore. I took it to the shop where they told me it was time for its 5 year service hence the starting and stopping. As in "Of course it's starting and stopping, it's time for the 5 year service." The "service" amounts to a $665 charge. Needless to say I was highly disappointed. I'm not a diver, but I will say it gets occasionally wet from the Seattle rains. Is this common to Rolexes or am I just getting a line of crap from the shop? I thought Rolex meant a quality build. Not something where I have the "privilege" of paying them $665 every 5 years just to say I wear a Rolex. Anybody else have this issue?

I would say that you are getting a boat-load from the shop.. No Rolex should be starting and stopping just because it is five years old..

I've got over a dozen and I don't service until about 10 years and none of them have ever had any indication of erratic performance ahead of time..

[RJK]

In my experience what your watch was doing prior to service is not indicative of Rolex or any other decent mechanical watch brand. Sure every watch will need service, but if I'm reading your post right, it should not start malfunctioning every five years, just because it's time for service.

IMO that's like your car not running because you were late getting an oil/engine tune up at your next service interval.

One thing I learned a while ago when it comes to most watch/jewelry stores is that most of the sales folks don't know jack about watches, beyond model names and what's listed in the catalogues. I tend to take what they say with a grain of salt.

Did you get it fixed yet?...I'm curious what is/was wrong with it.

[Dr.Brian]

I'm not sure what you expected from a mechanical watch. They can malfunction and, like your car, require routine maintenance to keep in top shape. People generally recommend a water resistance check every 2 years and a complete service every 5-7 years. The BS they were shoveling about the "of course..." was a little over the top though.
If you want low cost and low maintenance, look to another brand and quartz.
BTW, sorry yours had trouble at only 5 years, but that's not the norm.

[anemonedoves]

Hey Friend,

The good news is you don't have to use "Rolex" per se to fix your issue. There are several watchmaker's in your area that could service the watch for $200, but that may affect your warranty. Remember, from a salesman's point of view, all a lifetime warranty guarantees is that you will be coming back to them and not someone else for a lifetime.

[AJMarcus]

Sounds like BS to me. Starting and stopping sounds like a problem beyond routine 5 year service.

[chillviper]

5 years sounds definitely too soon for those kind of issues. I went 13 years on my Date without any problems and it went in every form of water I did, although I would NEVER recommend waiting that long. Sometimes, things just break, either in the first 90 days or in year 5.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by anemonedoves

Hey Friend,

The good news is you don't have to use "Rolex" per se to fix your issue. There are several watchmaker's in your area that could service the watch for $200, but that may affect your warranty. Remember, from a salesman's point of view, all a lifetime warranty guarantees is that you will be coming back to them and not someone else for a lifetime.

Who offers a lifetime warranty? Not Rolex.
2 years and out. Than around 30 years down the line they won't even service it anymore.

[tgoose1]

Sounds like symptoms of a watch in need of servicing, but typically does not occurr in Rolex watches purchased new that are only 5 years old. Did you buy new or used, and what is the first few numbers, including the alpha character, of the serial number?

[never2late]

Originally Posted by Tools

I would say that you are getting a boat-load from the shop.. No Rolex should be starting and stopping just because it is five years old..

I've got over a dozen and I don't service until about 10 years and none of them have ever had any indication of erratic performance ahead of time..

As always the voice of reason and common sense.

[drockadam]

My Seiko 6139-8020 from 1971 has never been serviced. And it runs, and keeps time perfectly!

[mgsimmer]

While it may, or may not need service at 5 years, the problem you describe would be solved via a service since it would be completely disassembled and rebuilt.You may want an experienced watchmaker to look at it. There are several listed on this forum. It may be something that can be addressed without a service if it looks good upon inspection.

[Numismatist]

Agreed, it [I]could[I] start and stop at the fifth year, but it won't just because it's been five years...

[bondtoys]

I agree, that the stopping has not so much to do with the service interval.

Problem is to find the mistake, they have to disassemble the movement and even if they find the mistake, it's uncertain, if the movement will work perfect after assemblage.

After this time, noone really wants to give a warranty on a partly-repair, so that's why a complete service may be the right thing to do.

However, there are many watchmakers, who will service your watch for less than the mentioned prices.

[689maple]

Originally Posted by roxnwater

I've owned a Submariner for a little over 5 years now. Recently it started to lose time and I noticed it was randomly starting and stopping to the point I couldn't count on it anymore. I took it to the shop where they told me it was time for its 5 year service hence the starting and stopping. As in "Of course it's starting and stopping, it's time for the 5 year service." The "service" amounts to a $665 charge. Needless to say I was highly disappointed. I'm not a diver, but I will say it gets occasionally wet from the Seattle rains. Is this common to Rolexes or am I just getting a line of crap from the shop? I thought Rolex meant a quality build. Not something where I have the "privilege" of paying them $665 every 5 years just to say I wear a Rolex. Anybody else have this issue?

Every person has a different experience. I have a 24 year old TT Datejust that just keeps ticking away just as fine as when I bought it in 86. I am sending it in for a service on its birthday in August. Sending it myself to the RSC as I have no AD within a comfortable drive. Generally I don't do anything unless I have a problem largely because of my location but I figure 25 years is long enough. It has never been opened but as they say I guess its time.

[dligg72]

Servicing your watch is not unique to Rolex mechanical watches it is required for all mechanical watches. They are built with high quality. Anything mechanical has to be served even watches regardless of the build quality. Ferrari's and Range rovers have to be serviced also.

I will also add that Rolex service is quite impressive. The entire movement is completely overhauled and all worn parts replaced, the case and bracelet will look as new again.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by tgoose1

Sounds like symptoms of a watch in need of servicing, but typically does not occurr in Rolex watches purchased new that are only 5 years old. Did you buy new or used, and what is the first few numbers, including the alpha character, of the serial number?

Or someone not wearing there watch enough to top power reserve up, or not giving it a ocastional full manual wind.

[besview]

No 5 year old Rolex should behave that way.My 10 year old sub still runs like a dream without a service

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Tools

I would say that you are getting a boat-load from the shop.. No Rolex should be starting and stopping just because it is five years old..

I've got over a dozen and I don't service until about 10 years and none of them have ever had any indication of erratic performance ahead of time..

X2!!

[springer]

I just brought a GMT II to my watchmaker suffering from the same symptoms. His initial examination indicated that the oils were dried-up which was probably the main culprit for the malfunction. I haven't received the watch back yet, so it will be interesting to see if there was anything else internally causing the movements erratic behavior.

[R.G]

Originally Posted by Tools

I would say that you are getting a boat-load from the shop.. No Rolex should be starting and stopping just because it is five years old..

I've got over a dozen and I don't service until about 10 years and none of them have ever had any indication of erratic performance ahead of time..

TRUE.

Why do so many AD's talk absolute ?!

[paddy_crow]

I'm just guessing, but the starting and stopping could just be because you aren't wearing it enough to keep it wound. Another possibility is that your rotor has a bad bearing and it's rubbing. That can result from an impact.

Five years is a bit soon for a new watch to need service, I've usually gone ten on my watches.

[vukotab]

Like other members already said, Rolex (and every other well built mechanical watch) should be expected to work flawlessly for many years.
I had Rolex Date from seventies bought from original owner who NEVER serviced it! And watch was in great condition and it was my most accurate mechanical watch to date.
What am I saying is that it`s obvious that your watch needs servicing, but it`s because it have some problems and not because it`s five years old. My AD recommends servicing in seven to ten years intervals, but it`s proven that Rolex can work perfectly well for much, much longer time.
I hope that service will solve your problems and that you`ll keep enjoying your great watch!

[Danand]

Originally Posted by drockadam

My Seiko 6139-8020 from 1971 has never been serviced. And it runs, and keeps time perfectly!

If you want your seiko to last another forty years you should get it serviced. Oils do deteriorate and stop working. Your watch may keep great time until something catastrophic happens. There are a few good pics on the net of damage to watch mechanisms over time due to lack of servicing.
Btw my AD refers to it being "advisable to service every 5-7 years or so". Seems more reasonable to me. And given how much I spent on it in the first place I think it reasonable to pay to ensure it stays in good shape.

[lortap]

Originally Posted by Danand

If you want your seiko to last another forty years you should get it serviced. Oils do deteriorate and stop working. Your watch may keep great time until something catastrophic happens. There are a few good pics on the net of damage to watch mechanisms over time due to lack of servicing.
Btw my AD refers to it being "advisable to service every 5-7 years or so". Seems more reasonable to me. And given how much I spent on it in the first place I think it reasonable to pay to ensure it stays in good shape.

Good call, I recently sent my seiko 6105 in for service' sent through local trusted jeweler, to seiko. The cost, 1st one it ever had ( it's a early 70s vintage), was a ........gasp........$129.......just crazy huh

[joker01]

Either way you need to get it fixed. I guess you eally don't have a choice. My watch is over 5 years old and has never been serviced although I rarely put it on other than special occacions. I usually rely on my cell phone to let me know the time and date.

But from what I understand the complete service is very thorough and when you do get your watch back it looks like showroom condition. I guess just bite the bullet and have an authorized Rolex Service Center do the job.