Rolex - Sea Dweller - to service or not to service
Discussion
Hello all
Recently purchased a pre-owned Sea Dweller (2005) from a reputable family-owned business. They serviced the watch themselves before selling it to me thus no authorised Rolex servicing.
I'm gaining a minute a week extra and whilst there are bigger things in the world to worry about, this is annoying me. My previous PO was just as bad and eventually sold it. My cheap Seiko is excellent at time-keeping and I was hoping that the Sea Dweller, being SCOC certified would keep accurate timing.
I suspect the recent servicing carried out is partly to blame. So the dilemma is do I send it away to an authorised Rolex for servicing, and if so, can I seriously expect them to rectify the time-keeping issue? And what sort of cost would I be looking at? I'm anticipating £3-400 for a generic service.
Or should I return to where I bought it, as I have a 2 year warranty, although I doubt "accurate timekeeping" is a warranty issue.
Thanks all.
Recently purchased a pre-owned Sea Dweller (2005) from a reputable family-owned business. They serviced the watch themselves before selling it to me thus no authorised Rolex servicing.
I'm gaining a minute a week extra and whilst there are bigger things in the world to worry about, this is annoying me. My previous PO was just as bad and eventually sold it. My cheap Seiko is excellent at time-keeping and I was hoping that the Sea Dweller, being SCOC certified would keep accurate timing.
I suspect the recent servicing carried out is partly to blame. So the dilemma is do I send it away to an authorised Rolex for servicing, and if so, can I seriously expect them to rectify the time-keeping issue? And what sort of cost would I be looking at? I'm anticipating £3-400 for a generic service.
Or should I return to where I bought it, as I have a 2 year warranty, although I doubt "accurate timekeeping" is a warranty issue.
Thanks all.
I think you should buy a £10 Casio and sell the Sea Dweller.
8 seconds a day is only 2 seconds out of COSC standards (-4 to +6 seconds a day) - and considering the watch is nearly 10 years old that isn't exactly 'bad'.
It really is nothing at all to worry about and perfectly normal.
Have you tried resting it with the crown facing up at night?
8 seconds a day is only 2 seconds out of COSC standards (-4 to +6 seconds a day) - and considering the watch is nearly 10 years old that isn't exactly 'bad'.
It really is nothing at all to worry about and perfectly normal.
Have you tried resting it with the crown facing up at night?
I must admit that it was a bit of a revelation to me that buying an expensive watch tends to mean that you have a less accurate one than you would have if you spent £100.
I have an Omega that started to gain between 1 and 2 minutes a week when it was only a few months old. Omega will look at it, but it will be away for weeks or months as they can't do it on site. I just don't worry about it now, but it is still a bit annoying to see my quartz Tag being accurate to the second after not having been worn for months while the Omega needs to be adjusted each week.
I have an Omega that started to gain between 1 and 2 minutes a week when it was only a few months old. Omega will look at it, but it will be away for weeks or months as they can't do it on site. I just don't worry about it now, but it is still a bit annoying to see my quartz Tag being accurate to the second after not having been worn for months while the Omega needs to be adjusted each week.
Most people who spend more than £100 on a watch are trying to reflect their personality and taste.......it’s got little to do with keeping good time.....so in answer to your question about servicing and is it worth it....don’t waste your money....enjoy your wonderful watch and take your wife/girlfriend/partner out for a fabulous meal with the money you would have spent, making your watch 15sec a week more accurate. 
michael gould said:
Most people who spend more than £100 on a watch are trying to reflect their personality and taste.......it’s got little to do with keeping good time.....so in answer to your question about servicing and is it worth it....don’t waste your money....enjoy your wonderful watch and take your wife/girlfriend/partner out for a fabulous meal with the money you would have spent, making your watch 15sec a week more accurate.
I doubt my personality and taste matches the Rolex! It was bought for sentimental reasons not worth explaining.But I have made my mind up not to bother with a service for now. Will start saving for the next watch...got my eye on a Sub-no date (not the current version) or potentially another PO as I have regretted selling my previous one.
Please don't tell the wife though...
Thanks all for opinions expressed.
Your watch uses a free-sprung balance wheel, and to regulate it you need to adjust tiny 'microstella' screws in it using a special tool - this is not a simple job but the jewellers you purchased it from may be able to regulate it for you. Give them a call and ask, they have already serviced it, asking them to regulate it won't do any harm.
-R
-R
MYOB said:
Mark A B said:
Any pics of the watch?
Apologies for the poor quality - this was taken on my phone. Looks bigger than it is - the macro setting has magnified the watch.
MYOB said:
Hello all
Recently purchased a pre-owned Sea Dweller (2005) from a reputable family-owned business. They serviced the watch themselves before selling it to me thus no authorised Rolex servicing.
I'm gaining a minute a week extra and whilst there are bigger things in the world to worry about, this is annoying me.
Or should I return to where I bought it, as I have a 2 year warranty, although I doubt "accurate timekeeping" is a warranty issue.
Thanks all.
I'd do this first. It might be something as simple as it being magnetized or, as mentioned above, it may require a regulation. Either way, I'd give them a chance to adjust it. With it being freesprung, they may not be able to do it for you on the spot, but it shouldn't be a difficult job if they set it up in the first place.Recently purchased a pre-owned Sea Dweller (2005) from a reputable family-owned business. They serviced the watch themselves before selling it to me thus no authorised Rolex servicing.
I'm gaining a minute a week extra and whilst there are bigger things in the world to worry about, this is annoying me.
Or should I return to where I bought it, as I have a 2 year warranty, although I doubt "accurate timekeeping" is a warranty issue.
Thanks all.
Maybe keep a daily log for a week or two so you can give them a more accurate idea of it's rate. You may even find you can average it out using any positional error.
Edited by glazbagun on Wednesday 13th March 00:10
Haggleburyfinius said:
I've got to be honest...is this really a massive problem?
If so, why??
I have a Rolex as does pretty much everyone in my family/friends and I don't know of one that doesn't gain time to some degree or other.
It's just what they do, no?
As I said, if you want a perfect time keeper...buy a £10 Casio.If so, why??
I have a Rolex as does pretty much everyone in my family/friends and I don't know of one that doesn't gain time to some degree or other.
It's just what they do, no?
Haggleburyfinius said:
I've got to be honest...is this really a massive problem?
If so, why??
I have a Rolex as does pretty much everyone in my family/friends and I don't know of one that doesn't gain time to some degree or other.
It's just what they do, no?
Yes, even if it was in COSC it could still gain up to 6secs per day so instead of gaining a minute in a week it would gain it in 10 days. My Seikos seem to be the most accurate from all the autos I have had. If so, why??
I have a Rolex as does pretty much everyone in my family/friends and I don't know of one that doesn't gain time to some degree or other.
It's just what they do, no?
michael gould said:
Super looking watch.......I have a 1971 sub 5513 which looks very similar.........good advice on the regulating .......it will cost you nothing.
I'm on the search for a '72 Sub next, lovely watch.And yes, before anyone shoots me down, I wouldn't expect accurate timekeeping!
obob said:
Yes, even if it was in COSC it could still gain up to 6secs per day so instead of gaining a minute in a week it would gain it in 10 days. My Seikos seem to be the most accurate from all the autos I have had.
Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread, but which Seikos are they?Admittedly I've never had a Grand Seiko or whatever, but the 5 I have is the most inaccurate watch I've ever owned barring a Vostok years ago.
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