Rolex service question ….

I just asked this to our local service center manager, he said they recommend every 7 years on older watches. The newer watches and movements they recommend 10 years

 

I was told 5 years last time I serviced in 2020, but I have a 1993 Tudor big block panda (Rolex Daytona bastard cousin).

 

My 1984 GMT went 30 years before its mainspring broke. Never serviced during that time.

 

I'd suggest that when you decide you are no longer happy with the way it is running, that is when to have it serviced. Obviously after 7 to 10 years, a full service would be the usual course to take...but only when it isn't running right for you.

 

Not changing the oil in your car allowed impurities to grind away at moving metal surfaces, the same will happen to movement parts if not done as well.

 

120seconds / week is quite a lot. 60 isn’t terrible but still out of spec.

My GMT’s power reserve went way down and was gaining a good bit of time. Don’t recall how much but it wasn’t as bad as yours.

I sent it in for service to Phillip Ridley and was very happy when it came back. Since then it’s been dead on balls accurate (it’s an industry term)

I wear mine almost daily so needed it to have a normal power reserve and keep decent time.

 

When I put a deep scratch or ding that I can’t live with, I’ll send it in for service. They fix the dings and scratches then. A couple times I’ve asked for bezels to be replaced. With that said, my Daytona made it over 10 years without a service and then slowed down.

 

FWIW, I just sent a green face yellow gold Daytona with a big scratch on the bezel and Rolex is replacing it for 1800$. Well worth It. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I've had a Rolex (have three) for 50 years and during that time, have serviced my watches when they fail, not before. I've gone 20 years or more between services and it makes no difference in the price of the service how long it's been. I inherited a watch from my father that had never been serviced in 50 years and it required a lot but essentially, it cost the same as my regularly (relatively speaking) serviced watch. So you can do the preventive as recommended or you can just do it when the thing starts acting up. If they replace the entire guts, the cost is pretty low. It's the outside that's expensive, not the inside. At least that's been my experience.

 

Green faced yellow Daytona ? Sweet !
My 16520 Daytona ran perfect for 15 years. Brought it to the Beverly Hills service center last year for an overhaul (3 month wait) and it has not run right since.
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My nephew works for Rolex. He was trained by them as a certified watchmaker.

Service them every five to seven years. Not negotiable per him.

 

My 1601 DJ runs a bit fast. I have no idea when it was last serviced. The previous owner had the watch for 30+ years as his daily wear. I tend to rotate between my different watches, so it's no biggie for me that I have to reset it every week or two. For all I know that may be within tolerance for a watch this old.

My Sub was serviced two years ago, just prior to me buying it. I had my 1014 OP serviced a little less than two years ago and my Daytona won't need servicing for another 5-8 years.


PDG

 

Probably a good idea to get it serviced after that long anyway. Might be gone for a while, though.

 

just got my 1984 16800 Submariner back from being serviced by a local La Jolla, CA watch maker/repairer who's worked on a number of pieces for me over the years. First time its been opened since I got it new. Runs perfectly, bracelet's been tightened, and I'm in love once again. Kept it "as is", i.e., no lume, cream colored indices. God, I love that thing!!!

 

Many of us will switch watches up daily. I also tend to use an apple watch or cheaper or more practical alternatives for daily use (currently a couple of Swatch/omega moonswatchs that I rotate). Therefore, the Rolex Daytona, GMT, or Submariner's may not be worn daily. In fact, I tend to only wear these watches during nice dinners or special events (maybe a couple of days/month at most). Therefore it is very hard for me to know if I am gaining or losing time. I have had various Rolex's for past 15 years or so. Because of the low usage, it is hard for me to know if they are having any issues at all. Therefore, I have never had any of them serviced yet. They all seem to be working fine. Also, friends who are avid watch collectors/enthusiasts usually do not recommend the repolishing, as "patina" is often desired with them and I am told too much polishing in the long run is not ideal. I understand, in regards to the general maintenance of the Rolex's, this type of logic applied to our Ferrari's maintenance would sacreligious...

 

I switch watches every few days (but all my timepieces are on watch winders). Never serviced the Rolexes yet (no issues), they are very solid and last forever, so I’ll wait until I notice something starting to go wrong (like losing seconds/minutes).

 

Ugh! You guys really have to stop sending your older pieces to Rolex for service. They will replace vintage parts (hands, dial, bezel, etc.) with current model and destroy the collector value. There are some really, really, good independent shops out there that will take care of you and keep your watch with proper parts.

 

any suggestions?

 

ABC Watchworks or LA Watchworks in LA. They are the best in the country. Be prepared to wait.

 

I bought my DateJust new in 1985. I've had it serviced every 10 years because the watch never comes off my wrist and the crystal would get chipped and scratched and needed to be replaced. I've always used my independent jeweler who sent it out to a repairer, but not Rolex. I don't know who he used last time, but my watch does not gain or lose a second. Previously it always ran slow and I was constantly adjusting the time.

I really need a new band, but the cost of a DateJust band now is more than I paid for the watch in 1985!

 

Yeah, you have to lock the original bracelet in the safe and go aftermarket for the bracelets now.

 

You know, that is exactly what my jeweler said. I just can't bring myself to get an aftermarket bracelet.

 

Sorry to tell you this but the original ones have a reputation for being junk while the aftermarket ones tend to be quite good. I know, I get it, I’m a purist….but the facts are facts.

 

I can't agree that my jubilee is junk. I've worn it continuously for 38 years now. It still functions, but one link needs repair, and the play in all the links makes it so loose. Over the years I've had a couple links removed due to the wear. Also, I never handled the watch delicately nor cleaned it other than when I was in the shower or at the beach! But I hear you about the aftermarket ones.