When to Service

[Onikage]

I've heard mixed opinions. Some say every three years, others five and I'm sure I've read someone mention they're pretty good for atleast ten years!
Also, has Rolex ever been known not to touch a watch that has never been serviced and has practically eaten itself from the inside? Are we just talking an increase in cost as the watch wears?
Chaers!

[sleddog]

5 years is what's recommended by Rolex.
Myself, as I have others to rotate, will go around 7 years for service depending on usage..
Rolex will service a non-serviced watch no matter how worn internaly, as long as they have the parts at hand. It will just increase the service cost for replacements of worn out parts!

[JUSTROLEXES]

Originally Posted by sleddog

5 years is what's recommended by Rolex.
Myself, as I have others to rotate, will go around 7 years for service depending on usage..
Rolex will service a non-serviced watch no matter how worn internaly, as long as they have the parts at hand. It will just increase the service cost for replacements of worn and replaced parts!

I second that Rob, it's about 7 years

[usbzoso]

5 years simply because its a fact that oils dry out after 5 years ... the watch will still be running but there will be excessive amount of wear on the all the gears

[HL65]

You will get many different opinions here. RSC would love you to service every 5 years of course. For me who wears many watches in a large rotation- it is way too much. I service my vintage watches when they need serviced- if something was to go wrong which has happened once. I know my watches inside out though as I have full tools and look at each case as well as my watchmaker. It is your watch and your money though so if you want to spend it every 5 years what the heck! I will tell you that RSC Bexley serviced a 39 year old watch and it is perfect and was serviced only once in 39 years. It cost $750 dollars or so - receipt in safe so don't remember exact cost and it needed only movement serviced and all was fine. It is as accurate as any of my COSC watches which all run within spec. Again--Just my opinion and experience- to each his own and many here will disagree and that is fine with me. So- also to your question if RSC will service a watch unserviced- of course as long as it is 100% original and for some here in US current enough or within certain age. Cheers!!

[dannyboy123]

My sub is 12 yrs old and it was worn daily until last year when a few other watches arrived, now I rotate. Anyhow it had it's first service about a month or so back, that cost me cNZ$1,300 and I needed a new bezel insert etc. A fair price as it'd never been touched. I don't think they need a service every 5 yrs.

[Onikage]

Ah, thank you all. I think I'll wait a few years yet then. By then I will have acquired atleast another one to wear during those painful weeks!

[MortgageGuy]

As everyone has agreed I too say the 7 year mark is about perfect Now depending on your use/career... this could of course change. Best advice is to do whatever makes you the most comfortable

[Jannal]

Originally Posted by usbzoso

5 years simply because its a fact that oils dry out after 5 years ... the watch will still be running but there will be excessive amount of wear on the all the gears

Also the rubber gaskets would need replacement, to ensure 100% waterproof.

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by Jannal

Also the rubber gaskets would need replacement, to ensure 100% waterproof.

Yes but that is easilly tested with a pressure test...this can be done at most AD's...save yourself the $$$ of a service and still rest assured you are 100% safe for the water I would have your watch pressure tested every 2 years or so, IMO

[watchf]

Given the opinion that the lubricant dries out in approximately 5 years wouldn't it be the same for service interval regardless if the watch is worn daily or in rotation with other watches?

[Jannal]

Originally Posted by watchf

Given the opinion that the lubricant dries out in approximately 5 years wouldn't it be the same for service interval regardless if the watch is worn daily or in rotation with other watches?

Correct.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by usbzoso

5 years simply because its a fact that oils dry out after 5 years ... the watch will still be running but there will be excessive amount of wear on the all the gears

Originally Posted by watchf

Given the opinion that the lubricant dries out in approximately 5 years wouldn't it be the same for service interval regardless if the watch is worn daily or in rotation with other watches?

Originally Posted by Jannal

Correct.

Simply not true....Especialy with the newer type oils Rolex has been using for quite some time....

The worst thing is for a watch to sit idle for long periods of time..This causes the oils to pool into areas it's not needed..
If a watch isn't going to be used, it should be hand wound roughly once a month to avoid this. (40 turns of the crown)

If the watch is used full or even part time, the oils are fine for at least 7 to 8 years without the need of service.

A simple pressure test would be recommended and a smart thing to do say every 2 to 3 years..Just to maintain that much needed seal! Especially if it's a dive watch and used for it's intended purpose. Or even if you subject your watch to alot of water activities.
This can be done cheaply and quickly..

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by watchf

Given the opinion that the lubricant dries out in approximately 5 years wouldn't it be the same for service interval regardless if the watch is worn daily or in rotation with other watches?

negative. newer synthetic oils don't really dry out...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by steelerfan1965

you will get many different opinions here. Rsc would love you to service every 5 years of course. For me who wears many watches in a large rotation- it is way too much. I service my vintage watches when they need serviced- if something was to go wrong which has happened once. I know my watches inside out though as i have full tools and look at each case as well as my watchmaker. It is your watch and your money though so if you want to spend it every 5 years what the heck! I will tell you that rsc bexley serviced a 39 year old watch and it is perfect and was serviced only once in 39 years. It cost $750 dollars or so - receipt in safe so don't remember exact cost and it needed only movement serviced and all was fine. It is as accurate as any of my cosc watches which all run within spec. Again--just my opinion and experience- to each his own and many here will disagree and that is fine with me. So- also to your question if rsc will service a watch unserviced- of course as long as it is 100% original and for some here in us current enough or within certain age. Cheers!!

x2.

[EE33]

Just wondering, the oils used are they mineral or synthetic oils?

[SkyKing31]

Just want to mention something interesting .. My father bought my mother a lady TT Date when I was born .. She had it serviced for the first time last year .. I believe the price was over 700 dollars and I think they put in a new dial (RUSA) I was impressed that her watch has lasted so long without service .. I should snap a couple of pics of her original bracelet for you guys to have a laugh .. lol .. She refuses to replace it for some strange reason

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by EE33

Just wondering, the oils used are they mineral or synthetic oils?

Here are a few older Rolex oiling charts:

[watchf]

Originally Posted by sleddog

Simply not true....Especialy with the newer type oils Rolex has been using for quite some time....

If the watch is used full or even part time, the oils are fine for at least 7 to 8 years without the need of service.

Originally Posted by Puffy

negative. newer synthetic oils don't really dry out...

Thanks, good to know the watches do not have to be serviced that quickly. BTW which year did Rolex started using synthetic oil, just to get an idea of which watch requires more frequent servicing if buying old ones.

[Lion]

I always like to hear everyones opinions as to when a Rolex needs service.....so mine will go in after 7-8 years!!!

[EE33]

Thanks Al, appreciated, there's a wealth of knowledge there . It's also amazing how different parts utlise different oils/viscosity to lube the parts.

[Ken Cox]

I've had my 1986 GMT Master II serviced every 7 years.

[TopNotchChach]

i'm going to go with 5 years. however, i wish i could get mine polished to take a away these damn scrapes from my macbook!

[joejeweler]

I was thinking the same thing, although there are some instances noted where
one lube can be substituded for a few of the others.

.....and we thought human beings were complicated creatures,....when just a single "K-Y Lube" will suffice!

Originally Posted by EE33

Thanks Al, appreciated, there's a wealth of knowledge there . It's also amazing how different parts utilize different oils/viscosity to lube the parts.

[F/22]

just serviced mine since 1998 been way to long, first serivce.

[le_baroudeur]

I personally will stick to the 5years rule, just because i anticipate problems by servicing with all my mechanical goods: car,watches, etc... There is a "rolex rule" = 5 to 7 years, but do what your heart tells you to do.

[Dr. Robert]

Regarding watches......I am still of the school of..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it".......this philosophy has worked for me.

[Chipmunk]

Every 6-7yrs for me and as needed.

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by Ken Cox

I've had my 1986 GMT Master II serviced every 7 years.

Do you wear it full time, and do you get it preassure tested in between?

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Regarding watches......I am still of the school of..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it".......this philosophy has worked for me.

I used to feel this way until recently when I saw the worn out insides of a non-serviced Rolex, ruby dust and, originally round, now oval shapes everywhere...it wasn't pretty.....