If it ain't broke....

[Alcan]

...don't fix it.

How many times have I read that here regarding sending a Rolex (or any other watch) in for periodic service. My 1630 was probably the most accurate time keeper in my collection, but I sent it in to Bob Ridley recently for a major overhaul. He sent me back this shot. The dry red dust used to be a lubricated synthetic ruby in the auto wind mechanism.

More pix to follow.......

[cdweller]

So the moral is... if it ain't broke... FIX IT ANYWAY!!! I guess it makes sense - you need to upkeep your car, why not your watch? Both have mechanical moving parts that will wear out. I just wish servicing wasn't so expensive!! Especially at RSCs!!! Let us know how it turns out!

[GradyPhilpott]

It's called "preventive maintenance," or at least it used to be.

I'm not sure why some watch enthusiasts don't understand that. It's so simple.

Maybe some people suggest neglect of expensive watches because it's the internet and you can give advice that is outrageous without personal consequences.

[f-du-27]

It proves "Rubies are not for ever" !

I am sorry, won't do it again.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by f-du-27

It proves "Rubies are not for ever" !

I am sorry, won't do it again.

[Route 66]

Thanks for sharing Al.

Hopefully this will settle the debate for some people.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Alcan

...don't fix it.

How many times have I read that here regarding sending a Rolex (or any other watch) in for periodic service. My 1630 was probably the most accurate time keeper in my collection, but I sent it in to Bob Ridley recently for a major overhaul. He sent me back this shot. The dry red dust used to be a lubricated synthetic ruby in the auto wind mechanism.

More pix to follow.......

You mean: If it ain't broke....Fix it?

[MortgageGuy]

Yes, thanks for sharing, I would agree sending a watch in for a service say every 5-7 years is a good idea... It tends to be cheaper to service regularly than to wait until you have a major problem IMO

[arttay10]

Al - I can't wait to see how it looks after Bob has worked his magic.......

[RedwinGV]

I frequently read about this issue, but I've not been able to get this answer.
So how much more did/does the repair cost?

At $500-700 a shot for a service, if the repair adds some to it, what is the harm in letting the service go until the performance of the watch shows deterioration?

Do the repairs cost 2k more?

In this respect it not the same as maintianing a car's engine. Changing oil is not that costly. The repair of an engine is relatively costly.

So help a newbie out gang. To those of you that waited to get you watch serviced until it started to show some deteriortation, what did it set you back?

BTW, it's just not the cost of the service either. My understanding is that the service takes time to do- so there goes wrist time for you piece.

[garGARgar]

Thanks for sharing Al.

Do you know when was the last time the watch was serviced, if ever?

[FusionSel]

happened with my 1988 DD. Had not serviced it ever, when I took it to RSC, $1,852 on the movement only! So now I take it every 4 years.

[Dr. Robert]

This from my personal experience w/ my Rolex watches.
First Rolex I bought new, back in 1973......12 years later it wasn't running right, brought it to
Walter Gooden in West Los Angeles...they were the indie-licensed-by-Rolex service ctr.
in L.A. before corporate opened the Beverly Hills RSC......anyways service was done, price was a regular service, they didn't say anything when I picked up the watch.....they took my $'s, thanked me, said enjoy the watch & I left, stage right!
I inherited some watches when my father died in 1987.....2 of them Rolexes....his datejust from the early 1960's wasn't running well, who knows when it was serviced last......took it to Walter G., a regular service......only extra was I bought a new Rolex Java lizard strap.
Now...I've had 3 Rolexes renovated & serviced......that was a bit more...more for the renovation/parts stuff!
My newest Rolex is from 2005......runs well.....I wonder if it'll be as hardy as my Rolexes from the 1960's, 1970's & 1990's????
My experience w/ Rolex is that it is well made, pretty hardy & bulletproof.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by FusionSel

happened with my 1988 DD. Had not serviced it ever, when I took it to RSC, $1,852 on the movement only! So now I take it every 4 years.

23 year old watch x 5.75 services [every 4 years] @ $500.00 each = $2875.00.
A grand cheaper to go without service.
dP

[Dr. Robert]

This is the #1 reason to have more than 1 Rolex watch!!!!!!
One rotates the wearing, less wear & tear on the watches, less service intervals.
Plus you have the benefit of maybe 2 looks...a dress Rolex watch & a sport Rolex watch......whatever.
This is very economical, trust me I'm a doctor.

[garGARgar]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

23 year old watch x 5.75 services [every 4 years] @ $500.00 each = $2875.00.
A grand cheaper to go without service.
dP

Hah! That makes sense!

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

This is the #1 reason to have more than 1 Rolex watch!!!!!!
One rotates the wearing, less wear & tear on the watches, less service intervals.
Plus you have the benefit of maybe 2 looks...a dress Rolex watch & a sport Rolex watch......whatever.
This is very economical, trust me I'm a doctor.

You shouldn't "count" your beans this way Dr. Robert !

Oils dry out and loose their lubricating properties also with time passing by and not only by their use.

Trust me, I am an engineer !

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by arttay10

Al - I can't wait to see how it looks after Bob has worked his magic.......

Same here Stu, should be done in another week or so. He's already said he'll take lots of pix of the process.

[Jason71]

Al, I got some similar pictures recently from Bob with my 16800 that is being serviced by him right now. I am waiting to make a similar thread regarding my timepiece. Thanks for the pictures. This service has made me a believer in a more regular service interval rather than just watching accuracy.

[Warnsboy]

Al:

Took my ExpII to the AD who asked if he could pop the back and it had the same red dust. At only 5 years old I was expecting to get it regulated, but after he popped the back and showed me the ruby dust, I took his advise and sent it to RSC. It came back looking like new and spot-on with keeping time. It was gaining 5-10 sec/day prior to service. the 480$ service was money well spent.

I liken it to keeping the tires on the car thinking you can get another 5,000 miles and then having a blowout after 1,000. Nothing like the ride with new rubber.

[HL65]

At the same time I have vintage pieces that were serviced once or twice in 50 years and only required movement service and minior things-ie. tube and crown etc.--also done by Mr. Bob Ridley. They look great and are runnning perfectly--all entact!! So--for me 5 years--not a chance. I also don't wear the same watch and have a many watch rotation-so not facing same daily wear and tear. In the end as long as you get them fixed when they need and make sure they are in good shape- these watches were built to last and are little tanks--and will last a lifetime and then some! (I am also not advocating servicing once every 25 years-just not servicing every 5 years-10 more like it for me.)

** Picture below: 1962 5512--serviced twice in 49 years:
Ridley 5512.jpg

movement.jpg

Movement_Cleaned[1].jpg

[Jason71]

^^ I agree. 5 years might be a little frequent for me, but having it opened every 7-10 years might be fairly reasonable

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

At the same time I have vintage pieces that were serviced once or twice in 50 years and only required movement service and minior things-ie. tube and crown etc.--also done by Mr. Bob Ridley. They look great and are runnning perfectly--all entact!! So--for me 5 years--not a chance. I also don't wear the same watch and have a many watch rotation-so not facing same daily wear and tear. In the end as long as you get them fixed when they need and make sure they are in good shape- these watches were built to last and are little tanks--and will last a lifetime and then some! (I am also not advocating servicing once every 25 years-just not servicing every 5 years-10 more like it for me.)

** Picture below: 1962 5512--serviced twice in 49 years:

Attachment 189453

This is a nice one Ken..
Interesting that the rhodium plating on the movement has worn off that much with only one cleaning. These types of things really intrigue me. I have heard two things cause this type of thing: heat and cleaning. Do you know if this watch was exposed to tropic heat during its life?
Looks like the reversers, tube and crown was replaced. Can you share what else was replaced because of wear and tear?
Thanks

Oh, and don’t let Orchi see the kind pushing from a one only service

[swatty]

I had my X series 16613 sub serviced after 17 years at my local RSC. I asked the watchmaker if there was any wear in the movement ? His words "still looked like new" . I even wear it playing golf

[Alpental]

Thought I’d throw another opinion into the mix. My father used to be a watchmaker. When I acquired my first “nice” watch (Omega Planet Ocean) a few years back, I asked him about the service intervals. He told me not worry about it until I observed the watch acting up. Specifically, he told me he had come across multiple Rolexes that had not been served in 20 + years, whose internals looked as good as new.

I just recently acquired my first Rolex, which is about 14 years old. I don’t think it has been serviced in some time; however, I’m going to take my father’s advice and simply look for erratic behavior before I have it serviced. So far, it runs +5 sec a day, every day, without fail.

This reminds me... I have been lurking on this forum for some time, and I still haven’t done an introductory post with pictures of my watches. I’ll get around to that later.

Cheers

[HL65]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

This is a nice one Ken..
Interesting that the rhodium plating on the movement has worn off that much with only one cleaning. These types of things really intrigue me. I have heard two things cause this type of thing: heat and cleaning. Do you know if this watch was exposed to tropic heat during its life?
Looks like the reversers, tube and crown was replaced. Can you share what else was replaced because of wear and tear?
Thanks

Oh, and don’t let Orchi see the kind pushing from a one only service

Don--that was pretty much it except also adding a crystal as old one had tiny cracks. I kept the old one but put on period correct crystal. The watch is perfect and rund perfectly. I again am not recommending 1-2 services in a watches life simply pointing out that once every 5 years is too much for me. It all depends on what watch is exposed to and how much wear and tear. In the end Rolex built these things with a great amount of forgiveness and they can endure what most watches can't! They are little tanks and I think people would be amazed. I know at least you know-from other vintage forums and knowing many of the same vintage collectors I know--that most do not service their watches often at all-as long as they are running fine. I think once every 10 years is fine for me--some need to do it every 5 years--that is good for them. To each his own IMHO.

[Boadicea]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

23 year old watch x 5.75 services [every 4 years] @ $500.00 each = $2875.00.
A grand cheaper to go without service.
dP

All the more reason to have it serviced regularly. This crap about never service it saves money is rubbish! Sure, you can go 20-30 years without, but some don't make it past 10 years before they give problems and when they do, it is a big one, so no savings made at all... and who services every 4 years???

OK, some might just run it into the ground and then buy a new one which is fine if you don't have sentimental value or don't intend to pass it on one day. I for one get attached to my things and would like to look back on a watch well worn but well looked after and in perfect running order and if I do pass I on one day, I will be handing over something that is in good condition and not on its last legs and ready for the bin.

Also, this is yet another reason to never buy preowned watches without service history... It is probably ready to die any minute...

Sorry for the rant, this just frustrates the hell out of me!

[Boadicea]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Attachment 189453

The pitting on your case would not be so bad if you had taken it in just a little more often! Even just to pop the case back and change the seals! If you plan to leave it again, I would get the rubbers changed at least every 10 years!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Boadicea

All the more reason to have it serviced regularly. This crap about never service it saves money is rubbish! Sure, you can go 20-30 years without, but some don't make it past 10 years before they give problems and when they do, it is a big one, so no savings made at all... and who services every 4 years???

OK, some might just run it into the ground and then buy a new one which is fine if you don't have sentimental value or don't intend to pass it on one day. I for one get attached to my things and would like to look back on a watch well worn but well looked after and in perfect running order and if I do pass I on one day, I will be handing over something that is in good condition and not on its last legs and ready for the bin.

Also, this is yet another reason to never buy preowned watches without service history... It is probably ready to die any minute...

Sorry for the rant, this just frustrates the hell out of me!

Whatever gets you to your comfort level.
dP

[OLJR]

Originally Posted by Boadicea

All the more reason to have it serviced regularly. This crap about never service it saves money is rubbish! Sure, you can go 20-30 years without, but some don't make it past 10 years before they give problems and when they do, it is a big one, so no savings made at all... and who services every 4 years???

Agreed. For most of those wearing Rolex, unless circumstances have changed from the time of purchase, I would expect that the price of a service should not be that much money in the grand scheme of things.

After all, one service < one economy class plane ticket.

So I think that it is better to spend a little money to make sure that your valuable timepiece is well cared for.