Rolex servicing...!!!!
Discussion
Hi.
To all the Rolex owners.
Me & my wife we’re just thinking, how often do Rolex owners get their watches serviced.
Every year.
Every 2/3 years.
Or, when they stop working as I did a few years ago.
Wife has not had hers serviced since she had, at least 10 years, still going well.
Also, do you go Rolex service or a good independent servicing watch retailer.
Just wondering.
Regards.
Dave S.
To all the Rolex owners.
Me & my wife we’re just thinking, how often do Rolex owners get their watches serviced.
Every year.
Every 2/3 years.
Or, when they stop working as I did a few years ago.
Wife has not had hers serviced since she had, at least 10 years, still going well.
Also, do you go Rolex service or a good independent servicing watch retailer.
Just wondering.
Regards.
Dave S.
Dave3166 said:
Hi.
To all the Rolex owners.
Me & my wife we’re just thinking, how often do Rolex owners get their watches serviced.
Every year.
Every 2/3 years.
Or, when they stop working as I did a few years ago.
Wife has not had hers serviced since she had, at least 10 years, still going well.
Also, do you go Rolex service or a good independent servicing watch retailer.
Just wondering.
Regards.
Dave S.
I think every 5 years seems enough unless there is an issue with the way the watch is running. As to Rolex or indy, I tend to use Rolex if I had plans to sell the watch, as they provide a certificate which prolongs the warranty. If I was keeping a Rolex long-term I would tend to use an indy, half the cost or less, and you don't have to wait weeks and weeks to get it back.To all the Rolex owners.
Me & my wife we’re just thinking, how often do Rolex owners get their watches serviced.
Every year.
Every 2/3 years.
Or, when they stop working as I did a few years ago.
Wife has not had hers serviced since she had, at least 10 years, still going well.
Also, do you go Rolex service or a good independent servicing watch retailer.
Just wondering.
Regards.
Dave S.
Dave3166 said:
Thanks for reply.
Good to know what others do re servicing.
Took mine to an Indy when stopped working.
Got it back, no problems at all.
Like you said, cheaper than Rolex to. Mines a keeper, so not bothered about going to a Rolex dealer.
The other big advantage with an indy is that they perform a sensible repair rather than insist on replacement. A friend of mine has his IWC in for service at an indy as we speak. As part of the job, they are making a minor repair to the clasp. IWC had insisted on a new bracelet at £1500 and would not perform the service otherwise!Good to know what others do re servicing.
Took mine to an Indy when stopped working.
Got it back, no problems at all.
Like you said, cheaper than Rolex to. Mines a keeper, so not bothered about going to a Rolex dealer.
How long is a piece of string? It all depends on the watch, how it’s used, where it’s used, personal ethos of the owner etc.
Generally-speaking however…
For a factory-fresh new Rolex used in a gentle fashion, then I’d hold-off on a first service for circa 10 years personally, unless it started to show signs of misbehaving (e.g. change in daily rate, power reserve etc.) or had an outright fault. The reason for this is a brand-new watch is in good shape, well-lubricated, hermetically sealed at factory and should last that long in normal use.
Thereafter, every 5-7 years for repeat servicing. After the first 10 years those parts not replaced at first service will exhibit a little extra wear, so more regular serving is recommended. Not necessarily to keep running, but for optimal performance.
Obviously, if intended for use in water then regular pressure testing would be advisable to check water resistance.
I rotate my watches, so one might only be worn (at a desk job) maybe 6-7 times per month, and I keep an eye on their performance, so I’m content to stretch those service intervals a little longer, if anything.
On the other hand, some will recommend only servicing when the watch stops working, on the rationale that the money saved by pushing longer service intervals will pay for any repair work. Certainly that approach has its merits, especially when dealing with modern, common movements like a Rolex, where spare parts are readily available (from official channels), but is less ideal if you have a rarer or vintage watch where parts are scarcer and more expensive.
One point to bear in mind is that without a service a watch might potentially run for a very long time indeed with no outright signs of trouble – easily 20 or more years with something bomb-proof like a Rolex – but that doesn’t mean parts aren’t wearing unnecessarily as lubrication fails, and performance suffering. That’s what I mean when I say it also comes down to the personal ethos of the owner - many won't care.
In terms of servicing, Rolex - like many companies - restricts parts supply to their own service centres or Rolex-approved Third Party Repairers (a status that is hard & expensive to attain).
There’s a lot to be said for going down the official Rolex route, as you get a free polish included (if desired), fresh 2-year service warranty & service papers to add confidence should you sell the watch on. However, Rolex aren’t especially sympathetic to owners’ wishes re originality of parts, patina, cherished wear marks etc., and will try and get you to replace everything on the watch (a bit like Trigger’s Broom) in an effort to make the watch as functional as possible. It is usually optional, however.
A Rolex-approved Third Party Repairer – such as Duncan at Genesis – will be marginally cheaper, and offer all of the above, plus a more sympathetic & realist treatment of owners’ wishes. Polishing is a fine art, however, so I’d be wary of allowing anyone inexperienced or not from Rolex (or even anyone from Rolex, for that matter) to carry it out on my behalf.
Any competent non-approved Third Party Repairer can service the common-or-garden Rolex movements (they’re not complex and have been around for decades, after all), and will do so cheaper also, but they will lack the polishing within the price, and are unlikely to offer the full 2-year service warranty (probably 6-12 months only), service pouch (some like them for travel purposes, or even to flog for £10-£20 online) & official papers (which are handy from Rolex to demonstrate provenance if you have lost the original box & papers and hope to sell the watch – though papers don’t mean what they used to in this age of sophisticated fakers). Plus, Rolex replace a raft of parts as a matter of course when servicing, whether needed or not & within the basic service price – a non-approved Third Party Repairer will not do that, only replacing obviously broken or badly-worn parts. And there’s perhaps an issue re insurance in the post & whilst on the repairer’s premises – you’d be surprised how many lack cover in this regard, or are worryingly vague.
Sorry, I rambled at bit, but you get the idea. Ultimately it comes down to individual preference.
Generally-speaking however…
For a factory-fresh new Rolex used in a gentle fashion, then I’d hold-off on a first service for circa 10 years personally, unless it started to show signs of misbehaving (e.g. change in daily rate, power reserve etc.) or had an outright fault. The reason for this is a brand-new watch is in good shape, well-lubricated, hermetically sealed at factory and should last that long in normal use.
Thereafter, every 5-7 years for repeat servicing. After the first 10 years those parts not replaced at first service will exhibit a little extra wear, so more regular serving is recommended. Not necessarily to keep running, but for optimal performance.
Obviously, if intended for use in water then regular pressure testing would be advisable to check water resistance.
I rotate my watches, so one might only be worn (at a desk job) maybe 6-7 times per month, and I keep an eye on their performance, so I’m content to stretch those service intervals a little longer, if anything.
On the other hand, some will recommend only servicing when the watch stops working, on the rationale that the money saved by pushing longer service intervals will pay for any repair work. Certainly that approach has its merits, especially when dealing with modern, common movements like a Rolex, where spare parts are readily available (from official channels), but is less ideal if you have a rarer or vintage watch where parts are scarcer and more expensive.
One point to bear in mind is that without a service a watch might potentially run for a very long time indeed with no outright signs of trouble – easily 20 or more years with something bomb-proof like a Rolex – but that doesn’t mean parts aren’t wearing unnecessarily as lubrication fails, and performance suffering. That’s what I mean when I say it also comes down to the personal ethos of the owner - many won't care.
In terms of servicing, Rolex - like many companies - restricts parts supply to their own service centres or Rolex-approved Third Party Repairers (a status that is hard & expensive to attain).
There’s a lot to be said for going down the official Rolex route, as you get a free polish included (if desired), fresh 2-year service warranty & service papers to add confidence should you sell the watch on. However, Rolex aren’t especially sympathetic to owners’ wishes re originality of parts, patina, cherished wear marks etc., and will try and get you to replace everything on the watch (a bit like Trigger’s Broom) in an effort to make the watch as functional as possible. It is usually optional, however.
A Rolex-approved Third Party Repairer – such as Duncan at Genesis – will be marginally cheaper, and offer all of the above, plus a more sympathetic & realist treatment of owners’ wishes. Polishing is a fine art, however, so I’d be wary of allowing anyone inexperienced or not from Rolex (or even anyone from Rolex, for that matter) to carry it out on my behalf.
Any competent non-approved Third Party Repairer can service the common-or-garden Rolex movements (they’re not complex and have been around for decades, after all), and will do so cheaper also, but they will lack the polishing within the price, and are unlikely to offer the full 2-year service warranty (probably 6-12 months only), service pouch (some like them for travel purposes, or even to flog for £10-£20 online) & official papers (which are handy from Rolex to demonstrate provenance if you have lost the original box & papers and hope to sell the watch – though papers don’t mean what they used to in this age of sophisticated fakers). Plus, Rolex replace a raft of parts as a matter of course when servicing, whether needed or not & within the basic service price – a non-approved Third Party Repairer will not do that, only replacing obviously broken or badly-worn parts. And there’s perhaps an issue re insurance in the post & whilst on the repairer’s premises – you’d be surprised how many lack cover in this regard, or are worryingly vague.
Sorry, I rambled at bit, but you get the idea. Ultimately it comes down to individual preference.
I've just had my 2009 Submariner serviced by Michael Allen in Sutton Coldfield, West Mids, when it stopped working last month.
He has been mentioned on here before, but this is the first time I have used him. I was more than pleased with the service provided and costs.Thought I would share in case other forum users in the Midlands are looking for a reliable watch repairer.
He has been mentioned on here before, but this is the first time I have used him. I was more than pleased with the service provided and costs.Thought I would share in case other forum users in the Midlands are looking for a reliable watch repairer.
Have only had my sub for four years, but don’t plan to service it unless it starts to gain or lose time significantly.I inherited my dads Datejust 36mm last year after he passed, it was running fine but was about +6 seconds a day and hadn't been serviced since RSC London in 2002.
I got a quote from London RSC (took it down there rather than posting) the service + parts was about £900 and they also wanted £2k for a new bracelet.
After a few recommendations I sent it to watchguy (watchguy.co.uk), £260 later and a hell of a lot of photos of every part the watch now runs +1 second a day and has all new seals etc. The photos + tracking system were a winner for me, was fascinating watching it being taken to pieces and then built back up. Think it was away about 4 weeks in total.
I got a quote from London RSC (took it down there rather than posting) the service + parts was about £900 and they also wanted £2k for a new bracelet.
After a few recommendations I sent it to watchguy (watchguy.co.uk), £260 later and a hell of a lot of photos of every part the watch now runs +1 second a day and has all new seals etc. The photos + tracking system were a winner for me, was fascinating watching it being taken to pieces and then built back up. Think it was away about 4 weeks in total.
paulguitar said:
L1OFF said:
Had my GMT2 from new in 2002, no service yet still running fine.
You might want to consider getting it done, as I understand it the oils inside start to lose their efficiency leading to wear of the parts in the movement.Oils in use eventually oxidise & thicken over time, offering less lubrication. In constant use a 4hz movement will see 8 beats of the balance wheel per second, meaning certain parts move nearly 5 million times per week. Once lubrication is compromised, then you see increased wear of metal pivots etc., which produces metallic detritus that binds to the gummy oil, further creating an abrasive paste.
In addition to that, Rolex widely used, and still use on certain movements, a system for their automatic-winding which has the rotor mounted on a central bush & post (instead of ball bearings like a lot of other movements, and more modern Rolex movements). That system is very efficient & quiet in automatic-winding, as it moves easily every time the wrist does, but a downside is that when lubrication suffers the post wears, leading to slack, and the heavy rotor can then contact the case back & movement plates when it rotates - it's common to see the protective/decorative finish rubbed off the outer edges of the brass plates in such instances. That's often one of the first things to go.
Rubber seals dry & become less elastic, especially in the crown area where there is more movement/interaction against said seals. I personally wouldn't overly trust a £6k watch (or whatever) in water if it hadn't been serviced for a long time. Chances are it would be ok, but I've seen enough pictures from repairers of water-damaged watches (with sea water the worst) to err on the cautious side.
All that said, for most people it's a tool or wrist trinket, and they aren't watch geeks, not monitoring their watches for daily accuracy to the second, not caring what's going on within the case and simply don't give it a second thought. In that case a Rolex will likely run with acceptable accuracy for decades, but it would be interesting to see what's going on if you opened it up and/or put it on a Timegrapher machine. I have a different ethos myself, but each to their own.
UnclePat said:
However, Rolex aren’t especially sympathetic to owners’ wishes re originality of parts, patina, cherished wear marks etc., and will try and get you to replace everything on the watch (a bit like Trigger’s Broom) in an effort to make the watch as functional as possible.
Which is surely the whole point. I don't get this obsession with watch geeks over this, as you wouldn't take a BMW/Porsche/Ferrari/Bentley etc into an indie for a service, because you know he going to try and keep the factory fitted oil filter by trying to clean it out instead of just fitting a new one, on the basis that's its not original anymore, or not replacing a badly chipped and scratched windscreen that is hard to see through, just because its the original one.
aeropilot said:
Which is surely the whole point.
I don't get this obsession with watch geeks over this, as you wouldn't take a BMW/Porsche/Ferrari/Bentley etc into an indie for a service, because you know he going to try and keep the factory fitted oil filter by trying to clean it out instead of just fitting a new one, on the basis that's its not original anymore, or not replacing a badly chipped and scratched windscreen that is hard to see through, just because its the original one.
Watch geeks be watch geeks...I don't get this obsession with watch geeks over this, as you wouldn't take a BMW/Porsche/Ferrari/Bentley etc into an indie for a service, because you know he going to try and keep the factory fitted oil filter by trying to clean it out instead of just fitting a new one, on the basis that's its not original anymore, or not replacing a badly chipped and scratched windscreen that is hard to see through, just because its the original one.
I know entirely where you're coming from, but the difference between the two I think (bearing in mind my car knowledge isn't great, so maybe I'm wrong) is that for most a car needs to be functional first & foremost, and part of being used in the weather elements, at speed, as a mode of transport, in more safety-conscious use etc. etc. is that wear & tear is more pronounced, and it's more important that repairs/replacements are made to keep the car functional. I think (again, just guessing here), that it's more acceptable to replace items therefore.
Watches, on the other hand (especially for investment 'safe queens') won't kill anyone from lack of maintenance, and they don't need to be in 100% condition to work as well as is required - hence most will put-up with a rattly, stretched bracelet etc.
Rolex, on the other hand, are in the business of making watches that are practical - reliable, accurate, water-resistant, durable, aesthetically-pleasing - above all else, and care less about sentimental attachment. This is especially so when they're standing behind their service work with a 2-year warranty - little point making the movement as tip-top as can be if it falls off wrist or lets in water.
There's also some other aspects:
- Most watch buyers care less about the internals & engineering than they do the aesthetic - hence why watches with celebrity attachment fetch more at auction than other examples of exquisite workmanship, historical resonance and genuine rarity. So much of the appeal is derived from the aesthetic, which emanates mostly from things like the dial & hands - changing them can cause much consternation. The movement is often never seen by the owner, and isn't necessarily the key feature that drives the value.
- Many of the features prized are in themselves a direct result of outright defects, inconsistent manufacturing or the passage of time e.g. cracked 'spider' dials, faded bezel inserts, tropically-aged dials, uniformity of crumbly, expired lume etc. This concept of patina (or in a Japanese context, wabi sabi) is what makes something prized, unique or special, and it can seem counter-intuitive.
- A watch is a uniquely personal effect - worn actually on your person, perhaps 24hrs a day, for decades maybe. If you get handed a watch by your father etc., that's maybe decades of their wearing & life evidenced on it via marks & wear. They stared at that very same dial themselves umpteen times a day. They used the same crown. For many, polishing or replacing all that away is sentimental attachment lost, never to be regained.
Of course, at the heart of a lot of it is money as well, which also tends to talk loudly.
I'm rushing out the door from work to pick up my child from nursery, so that's a bit cobbled-together, but hopefully it explains it a bit.
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