Uh-oh, do I need to regularly check my Rolex's water resistance?

[the dark knight]

My daily wearer is a Submariner I purchased new in 2008. No problems yet outside of a stint where it was running quite fast, so I got it regulated and it's settled in at about +4sec/24 hours right now. Power reserve is fine, after a full wind it goes about 48-50 hours.

Since it's still running like a, well, Rolex, I haven't really felt the urge to get it serviced. However, I did find some stuff online where manufacturers recommend a water resistance test every year?! I haven't gotten my watch checked for this since i purchased it. I don't dive, but I do swim with it on every once in a while.

Do I need to get this checked, or this being a Sub, will a little swim every now and then not be a concern?

Will watchmakers even do a water resistance check without a full service, and if so, generally how much is a fair price to pay for such a check?

Thanks!

[Tools]

Most watchmakers with a shop can do a pressure test on your Rolex.

It is something that you should do more often than a service. Rolex recommends that if it is worn in the water routinely, it should be pressure checked annually.

It's up to the individual. The most likely place to leak is at the crystal gasket since a hard knock can move the crystal off and it is a simple press fit on the case and against the gasket; it can potentially become brittle, though yours is much too new for that.

[toph]

Yeah you can get a pressure check done very quickly. Every couple of years is worth it IMHO

[kilyung]

I check all of mine myself a couple of times a year.

[mjclark32]

I get mine checked once in the winter before I head to Florida and once heading into the summer.
It's free and certainly worth the peace of mind
With that said, my sub has always passed with flying colors...

[Evil-Twin]

If you don't have an AD, what would be a usual charge for this service. just curious if anyone has actually gone to an independent and had their watch tested and what was the charge.. I know people who buy from a specific AD may do this for free. Il talking someone who would have to pay for this service.

[lmcgbaj]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I check all of mine myself a couple of times a year.

What do you use to check it yourself?

[the dark knight]

Thank you, I think I'll get it checked out. Meanwhile, this thing NEVER comes off my wrist, and I regularly shower with it on. To be safe, should I avoid all water contact until I get it checked out, or is showering / hand washing with it on ok?

[joe100]

Originally Posted by lmcgbaj

What do you use to check it yourself?

Mike got toys!

[phils]

When I was doing a lot of diving I did not hear of such a test and of course never did one. I had no problems with my Sub. in eight years.

[padi56]

If your watch is used as a tool for diving regular then every year is advisable,if only the occasional dip in the pool or shower then normal routine service time will be fine.But today most all good high street watchmakers could pressure check 100m-200m if it passes the 100m test it will be fine.

[Miguel Alvarez]

One independent used to check mine off the record as such. Most of the ones local to me won't do that without sending them back to the manufacture. They never said but not sure if it was a case of wanting to make some money from their involvement or absolving themselves of any future blame should their be an issue.

The guy who used to do mine had the view as he wasn't charging me and there was no paper trail I couldn't hold him responsible. Pretty down to earth guy. Shame he's not about anymore.

[116618wannabee]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

Thank you, I think I'll get it checked out. Meanwhile, this thing NEVER comes off my wrist, and I regularly shower with it on. To be safe, should I avoid all water contact until I get it checked out, or is showering / hand washing with it on ok?

Thant's the fun of a Rolex, thinking about little details.

Shower hand wash = 0 pressure. It's carved out of a hunk of stainless steel or gold, gasketed, torque sealed with a proven technology that goes back to 1926. Like you hear so many times If you can take it so can your watch.

My 1st sub - 18 Yrs so far - had it checked 2x, recently (after 10 Yrs) no issues. I wear it every day. Service your watch every 5 years; it will last longer than you will.

It's more likely to get damaged from falling when you take it off.

[Annan]

Originally Posted by padi56

If your watch is used as a tool for diving regular then every year is advisable,if only the occasional dip in the pool or shower then normal routine service time will be fine.But today most all good high street watchmakers could pressure check 100m-200m if it passes the 100m test it will be fine.

Glad to see your advice, Padi. I never swim or shower with my Rolexes but do have them regularly serviced every five years.

[NukeMan]

Originally Posted by 116618wannabee

Thant's the fun of a Rolex, thinking about little details.

Shower hand wash = 0 pressure. It's carved out of a hunk of stainless steel or gold, gasketed, torque sealed with a proven technology that goes back to 1926. Like you hear so many times If you can take it so can your watch.

My 1st sub - 18 Yrs so far - had it checked 2x, recently (after 10 Yrs) no issues. I wear it every day. Service your watch every 5 years; it will last longer than you will.

It's more likely to get damaged from falling when you take it off.

X2!

[Jake B]

Don't worry about it too much. I regularly test old Seiko divers that haven't been opened in a couple of decades and they rarely fail.

[landroverking]

Bought a used Rolex last spring first time in the pool it failed the water test.
$575 later keeps perfect time.

[gr33n]

Trust engineers. (Rolex engineers pay attention to details, they are a bit anal with details!) When they say 5 to 7years service time, it is 5 to 7 years of peace of mind, with a margin of a few years. Why, why should they say "5 to 7 years servicing" if it will fail inbetween?
I will swim with my sub everyday after July as i am moving to a tropical country, and am not planning to do anything before the 5years service. (will stick to this 5 years delay). Well, this will be a real-time test!
Have you ever seen a less than 10years watch fail this test?

This pressure test recommendation is, imho, just for peace of mind, but is useless for a regularly serviced sub.