Rolex gaskets....

[buddy13]

The only Rolex watch I have in my humble collection is the 14060M...



I love it and I swim and dive a LOT in it . It is a late Z-serial and was bought new 3.5 years ago. It is keeping excellent time and does not need to be serviced. I wear it in rotation (probably twice a week). I normally pressure test it around March just before diving season ...

To put my mind at rest during diving I would like to replace all the gaskets (or at least crown and case back) in the next couple years or so. I do not think a movement service is needed so often, especially since it is only worn in rotation. So I would do gaskets replacement after 5 years and say FULL service after 10 or so years (before if needed). I know I can change all gaskets myself, but where is the best place to get OEM Rolex gaskets for the watch please ? I would like to do gaskets myself since I would like to avoid shipping risks as I am located on an island where there is only 1 Rolex AD and I do not trust his watchmaker (with good reason)....

Do you agree with my rationale regarding servicing/gasket replacement ? Thanks !

[Submarinerman1971]

Not entirely. The oils in the movement dry up causing the watch to need service. I am not a watchmaker but believe this happens over time and is not entirely related to use.
Regards. Joe

[padi56]

Originally Posted by buddy13

The only Rolex watch I have in my humble collection is the 14060M...



I love it and I swim and dive a LOT in it . It is a late Z-serial and was bought new 3.5 years ago. It is keeping excellent time and does not need to be serviced. I wear it in rotation (probably twice a week). I normally pressure test it around March just before diving season ...

To put my mind at rest during diving I would like to replace all the gaskets (or at least crown and case back) in the next couple years or so. I do not think a movement service is needed so often, especially since it is only worn in rotation. So I would do gaskets replacement after 5 years and say FULL service after 10 or so years (before if needed). I know I can change all gaskets myself, but where is the best place to get OEM Rolex gaskets for the watch please ? I would like to do gaskets myself since I would like to avoid shipping risks as I am located on an island where there is only 1 Rolex AD and I do not trust his watchmaker (with good reason)....

Do you agree with my rationale regarding servicing/gasket replacement ? Thanks !

If any watch is used in water a lot then its wise to pressure check at least once/twice a year.Today most high street watchmakers could perform this check,and as long as its tested to 200m or over if passed seals are fine for scuba.Now if any watch is used in water then I would recommend a full 5 year full service.If a desk diver type then around 7 years, today with the modern synthetic type oils used, they don't dry up like the old mineral type oils.And many would be quite surprised how little oil is used to correctly lubricate a movement its a very very tiny amount.Most of the watch industry today uses oils made by Moebius & Sohn now 1cc would lubricate hundreds of movements not sure but think the company is now owned by the Swatch group.

[buddy13]

Originally Posted by padi56

If any watch is used in water a lot then its wise to pressure check at least once/twice a year.Today most high street watchmakers could perform this check,and as long as its tested to 200m or over if passed seals are fine for scuba.Now if any watch is used in water then I would recommend a full 5 year full service.If a desk diver type then around 7 years, today with the modern synthetic type oils used, they don't dry up like the old mineral type oils.And many would be quite surprised how little oil is used to correctly lubricate a movement its a very very tiny amount.Most of the watch industry today uses oils made by Moebius & Sohn now 1cc would lubricate hundreds of movements not sure but think the company is now owned by the Swatch group.

Thanks for detailed reply. However where do I get the gaskets from please ...?

[DDG]

I'm not a diver, and I don't swim very much with a watch on, and I just sold My Sub, which I never wore. But I think if I did, and wound, or set the time very much which requires you to unscrew the crown, I'd worry about that thin little O-ring next to the threads. I think it would be a good idea to make sure that O-ring always has a thin film of lube on it. I've seen O-rings in other applications get worn out from being used dry.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by buddy13

Thanks for detailed reply. However where do I get the gaskets from please ...?

Well from Rolex themselves but again watch would have to be partly stripped and installed correctly.And the with the labour cost plus the parts you might as well have a full service done.But if you pressure test and watch passes seals are fine and don't need replacing.There is nothing complicated about getting the back of your watch with the correct tool there is nothing to break or come apart. There is a O/ring made from compound silicon based or butyl nitrate in a groove in the case and, if good it prevents water from getting into the movement. But when replacing if needed both mating surfaces must be perfectly clean thats very easy to do screw back on and tighten down to correct torque .Now the crown tube case seals well thats different story you need special tools and a bit of skill thats best left to the professionals.

[joe100]

Service every 5 years, pressure test every 8 months. A pressure test is cheap and worth the peace of mind.

[buddy13]

Thanks for replies so fari

I am a mech eng who have always 'fettled' with all things mechanical. The gaskets on the back and crystal are very easy to replace (given the right tools)..as PADI rightly said the crown gaskets are a bit more difficult to replace but definitely not very difficult to do....

A good vacuum test (best way to determine WR) at a local watchmaker and it's good to go.

Now to source the OEM rolex gaskets that's another story altogether it seems...

However I'll probably leave it well alone for 7 years or so (given vacuum test pass) and let RSC do a full service then ...

[NYC6]

I tinker with alot of things thst need repair and usually do a good job at fixing them. Replacing a fine watches gaskets isnt something I'd roll up my sleeves and give it a go. But thats me. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck.

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[Adam K.]

You're wise to consider changing the gaskets and getting a pressure test with some frequency. As an example--especially relevant to you--I also have a 14060M Z series (COSC). When I brought it in to the watchmaker (Nesbit's Fine Watch Repair here in Seattle) about 6 months ago, it did not pass the dry test! Needless to say, I requested and received a full gasket service on the watch.

Interestingly, it is not usually the back gasket or the crown gaskets which fail in the Submariner and other Rolex divers, according to the staff (and other watchmakers I have discussed this with): it is the gasket which seals beneath the crystal that dries out the most, and its dessication--compounded by the heat and light which are focused on it via the sapphire crystal--leads to moisture and water leakage on these watches more than any other. When I had a chance to observe all the old gaskets after the servicing was performed, I noted that the back gaskets and little Triplock o-rings were in quite good shape; however the bezel gasket was quite "crispy" compared to a new unit.

The point is clear: water resistance is a condition dependant upon the gasket and sealing points. If those fail, your watch is no longer water resistant, or at least to the requirements a dive watch demands. Considering how you use the watch, getting your gaskets replaced well before the movement requires an overhaul is extremely prudent. As good as they are, Subs and Sea-Dwellers can and do fail from time to time. An annual test is a very cheap precaution.

I would still recommend seeking out a professional watchmaker, however, rather than doing a DIY....but of course, that's your call, if you have the tools, testing equipment, and expertise.