A winder question...

[VICI]

Thought synthetic oil should prevent 'wear'

From a non-watch expert perspective - if an object that is meant to be oiled is let to 'dry up' then that object will need to get re-oiled --- so why then should one be left in a state to get dry? Wouldn't that cause more wear while the parts are getting re-oiled?

I'm trying to understand this logically and specifically rather than a 30,000 ft view.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Alex_NYC

Thought synthetic oil should prevent 'wear'

From a non-watch expert perspective - if an object that is meant to be oiled is let to 'dry up' then that object will need to get re-oiled --- so why then should one be left in a state to get dry? Wouldn't that cause more wear while the parts are getting re-oiled?

I'm trying to understand this logically and specifically rather than a 30,000 ft view.

The synthetic oils in a Rolex won't prevent wear and aren't meant to. They only reduce the wear that would be experienced without benefit of lubrication. In this sense it is similar to the engine oil in your car (though obviously engine oil is subjected to greater forces, thus the more frequent need to change it).

As Padi explained, today's synthetic oils do not experience any significant drying up between service intervals. I think what is more likely to happen is the oils will break down with perpetual usage. Now, they won't break down to the point of being useless in that time but it stands to reason they will gradually break down from usage and become less effective as a lubricant as time goes by. Personally, I'd rather not run my watch when I don't need to for this reason.

Let's face it, this whole winder/no winder debate is a matter of degrees. But it does seem to me that usage causes wear. Rolex recommends service at about 5 years, in large part to clean and relube the movement with fresh oil because of usage. As far as I know Rolex does not require ADs to send in any BNIB units that have gone unsold for 5 years to the service center for service.