Rolex servicing - is it necessary?
Discussion
Hi
I have a Rolex SS Sub date which I have owned for 6 years since new. It has never skipped a beat and has only been back to the jewellers for a free clean when it was 2 years old (which I have to say did make it nice and shiny).
I am aware that servicing is discussed for watches but my gut feeling is, if it isn't broken don't fix it - after all is a completely sealed unit and I am concerned that a service is likely to create more problems than it solves (a bit like going to the dentist for a check up....). Has anyone Rolex servicing experiences good, bad or indifferent? I live in Lancashire and bought the watch from Whittles in Preston.
I have a Rolex SS Sub date which I have owned for 6 years since new. It has never skipped a beat and has only been back to the jewellers for a free clean when it was 2 years old (which I have to say did make it nice and shiny).
I am aware that servicing is discussed for watches but my gut feeling is, if it isn't broken don't fix it - after all is a completely sealed unit and I am concerned that a service is likely to create more problems than it solves (a bit like going to the dentist for a check up....). Has anyone Rolex servicing experiences good, bad or indifferent? I live in Lancashire and bought the watch from Whittles in Preston.
I have a 2000 stainless steel sub date with cyclops, which has never had any servicing etc
Worn every day, taken on hols, saltwater, chlorine, gardening, building and so on.
Got the usual scuffs and scratches of a 9 year old watch.
Last 3-4 months the power reserve has started to fail.
i.e. take off at night and within 3-4 hours it stops. At first, a subtle jolt gets it going again, but this has started to happen every night. (even after winding).
Recently its got worse and i popped into an AD. They suggested that it should have been serviced at 5 year intervals, at a cost of approx. £280 and it could be the oils drying up inside or potential failure of the seals. Its not the cost that worries me, its being without it for 10 weeks or so!
D Duggan in Burlington Arcade, have a Rolex trained tech. that will carry out full service, replace parts etc for £180. which i am exploring currently, turnaround is about 5-6 weeks and they offer 12 month guarantee.
So in answer to your question, yes, they are mechanical pieces and they do need servicing. Probably best not to keep leaving it until they start to play up (i'm hoping mine doesnt need anything over and above the usual service items).
Worn every day, taken on hols, saltwater, chlorine, gardening, building and so on.
Got the usual scuffs and scratches of a 9 year old watch.
Last 3-4 months the power reserve has started to fail.
i.e. take off at night and within 3-4 hours it stops. At first, a subtle jolt gets it going again, but this has started to happen every night. (even after winding).
Recently its got worse and i popped into an AD. They suggested that it should have been serviced at 5 year intervals, at a cost of approx. £280 and it could be the oils drying up inside or potential failure of the seals. Its not the cost that worries me, its being without it for 10 weeks or so!
D Duggan in Burlington Arcade, have a Rolex trained tech. that will carry out full service, replace parts etc for £180. which i am exploring currently, turnaround is about 5-6 weeks and they offer 12 month guarantee.
So in answer to your question, yes, they are mechanical pieces and they do need servicing. Probably best not to keep leaving it until they start to play up (i'm hoping mine doesnt need anything over and above the usual service items).
Edited by cinque on Monday 19th January 13:23
yes, get it done, its a bit like owning a high performance car, its costly to run but if you dont look after it you will suffer an expesnive failure. Ive tried a few none Rolex people over the years but have just bitten the bullet with my Sub and send it off to Rolex, not cheap but hopefully worth the money.
Clarkey boy said:
I saw from your profile that you live in Lancashire, if you are anywhere near Bury, Leps have a Rolex techn. who takes about 5 weeks for a service, is a lot less expensive than the main dealers and did a good job on my Ebel recently.
HiThanks, I will keep that on the radar. I actually live between Preston & Lancaster and bought the watch from Whittles so I guess I will speak to them first to see what they recommend. There is also Banks & Lyons in Lancaster who are a large Rolex dealer, I have not had any dealings with them yet but may as well give them a call.
As an aside, Banks & Lyon had almost every Rolex model in their window when I went by before Christmas, including Subs, Milgaus & Daytonas so I think waiting lists must soon be a thing of the past.
I have seen an advert for a company called Lawson and co on ebay, a Rolex Approved Service Centre who service them for £200 and in ten days. Anyone used them?
Link
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rolex-Submariner-Seadweller-...
Link
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rolex-Submariner-Seadweller-...
philcray said:
I am certainly no expert on who the players are in the watch servicing world but have to say I would not feel very comfortable sending my watch to a company on ebay!
They have a website: http://www.lawsonandco.co.uk/content.php It has on ebay advert its a Rolex Approved Service Center. But on the site it says its not an official Rolex dealer. Anyone know if you can be one without the other? Don't think I would send mine there without a good recommendation.huytonman said:
Update on my Sub, I just had the estimate back from goldsmiths, "due to the age of the model the service cost is £395 inc VAT"...now thats a bit steep, I may check out the Duggin option to see if this is a viable alternative. Incidentally my watch is vintage 1969 its a Red Sub.
Dont forget they will charge a handling cost as well.If you need piece of mind send the watch to Bexley yourself, thats all Goldsmiths do! , or track down a good Swiss watch Technician locally. Its not rocket science, parts can be sometimes an issue but if the watch is in just in need of TLc then a good watchsmith will be able to do the job no problem.
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