When To Service

[The Golden Crown]

Hello,

I know it must have been asked somewhere else.. but couldnt find it..

Can I just wait until my stops keeping good time to get it serviced? By serviced i mean checking the side, oiling, etc.

Some people get it service every year, some once every couple, some even dont for a few decades... Just wanted to know what a good recommendation is.

Thank you!

[Spikedlee]

The recommended time frame is every 5 years but I have seen people with watches that haven't been serviced for 10+ years that still run within COSC standards. I personally wouldn't drop the coin on a service until the watch started to keep poor time.

[FeelingTheBlues]

I don't know who has his watch serviced every year but that person must like to give Rolex some money!

The company suggests you to have your watch serviced every 3-5 years depending on how and when you wear it. However, some people will do it every 5-7 years, some will wait up to 10 years and others will wear the watch until it starts acting crazy. You can do as you please but bare in mind that services with longer intervals shall probably cost more money since they may need to change damaged parts in the movement.

Hope it helped!

[Sebastian78]

The official "rule" is every 5-7 years. But I have head of people going 20 years before servicing. But would you run your car 20 years without service?

I think a good median would be 10 years. It's not that far off from the recommended interval and it reduces the cost of ownership of a Rolex.

Mind you, the rubber seals might dry up and crack, reducing waterproofness and the oils might also dry up increasing mechanical wear. Having a check-up after 5 years and full service after 10 is what I have done.

My main reason for wanting a full service now (it's 7 years since last) would actually be having the case polished and bracelet inspected.

[rms]

Originally Posted by The Golden Crown

Hello,

I know it must have been asked somewhere else.. but couldnt find it..

Can I just wait until my stops keeping good time to get it serviced? By serviced i mean checking the side, oiling, etc.

Some people get it service every year, some once every couple, some even dont for a few decades... Just wanted to know what a good recommendation is.

Thank you!

My plan is to wear them until they stop working completely(or cannot keep reasonably accurate time) before getting them serviced. I have several in regular rotation and I figure most of them will outlast me! Others will say you should get them serviced every 5 to 6 years. To each his own I guess.

[dddrees]

Advise provided by another forum user GeorgeAB.

You can provide the watch to a competent watchmaker to have checked out. The watchmaker will put on timing machine and check amplitude (movement of balance wheel oscillating measured in degrees), timing, and visual internal examination. Generally if you have > 200° of amplitude in all positions, oil in bearing surfaces and no contamination from the rotor hitting the side of the case from a bent rotor axle then you are good to go and do not require a service. Computer technology is a wonderful thing and this is an example of its proper use, as watchmakers did not have this tool 20 years ago.

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by Spikedlee

The recommended time frame is every 5 years but I have seen people with watches that haven't been serviced for 10+ years that still run within COSC standards. I personally wouldn't drop the coin on a service until the watch started to keep poor time.

I usually wait till I have a problem then get a full service. The recommended time is 5-7 years. The biggest concern, in my opinion, is around watertightness. If the watch is running great, but the seals are no longer good, you could have a big problem with moisture. So, if you expect to get your watch wet, you should have an up to date service.

[The Golden Crown]

Thank you all for your suggestion. I will just wait till problem pops up. The watch is old, but its actual use time is only a couple years.

Typically how much is it to get things checked out and oiled? Should I always send to Rolex via AD?

[Dr. Robert]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[benyvitz]

Rolex never used in water could be send to service when power reserve or accuracy decrease performance.

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Advise provided by another forum user GeorgeAB.

You can provide the watch to a competent watchmaker to have checked out. The watchmaker will put on timing machine and check amplitude (movement of balance wheel oscillating measured in degrees), timing, and visual internal examination. Generally if you have > 200° of amplitude in all positions, oil in bearing surfaces and no contamination from the rotor hitting the side of the case from a bent rotor axle then you are good to go and do not require a service. Computer technology is a wonderful thing and this is an example of its proper use, as watchmakers did not have this tool 20 years ago.