servicing a rolex - what are my options?

[jasonpage]

A year ago I bought a new Sub from an AD. From memory, my watch came with a two year guarantee. And (I think!) the dealer recommended getting it serviced every five years or so. First question: is this good advice? Does a service every five years sound about right? I wear my watch pretty much all the time. But I have an office job so it isn't really exposed to anything too terrible.

Second question: when it comes to servicing my watch, what are my options? I understand that I can send it back to the Rolex factory (presumably I do this via my AD) for an "official/authorised" service. I believe that Rolex will guarantee a watch serviced in this way for one year.

Another option would be to go to a "Rolex accredited" repair centre e.g. http://www.time-repairs.com/watchrep...PriceGuide.htm - presumably "accredited" in this context means that they use genuine Rolex parts. But does it mean anything else? Are "accredited" companies vetted/approved by Rolex. It's not very clear!

I would apprecate any and all advice members can offer on this subject. Thanks

[chris russell]

You can tell when that is by the watch starting to change its timing substantially. It may take 5 years, but it also may take 10, or twenty. I also advise taking or sending the watch to an RSC when it does need servicing. That way you are guaranteed to get genuine parts, careful handling, and a cosmetic restoration if you want it, to factory specs.

I've had too many bad experiences from ADs and 'accredited' service centers', and too many good experiences with RSC, to recommend anything else.

[Dr. Robert]

There are 2 schools of thought on servicing watches. Some say service every X years, some say service when needed.
I subscribe to the latter....my mantra..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it"
I've had no problems doing this.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

There are 2 schools of thought on servicing watches. Some say service every X years, some say service when needed.
I subscribe to the latter....my mantra..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it"
I've had no problems doing this.

And as far as where to service...there are a lot of thoughts there too.
I have a watchmaker to regulate & do basic service.....big jobs/renovation go to the independent, but licensed Rolex service ctr. in San Francisco.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by jasonpage

A year ago I bought a new Sub from an AD. From memory, my watch came with a two year guarantee. And (I think!) the dealer recommended getting it serviced every five years or so. First question: is this good advice? Does a service every five years sound about right? I wear my watch pretty much all the time. But I have an office job so it isn't really exposed to anything too terrible.

Second question: when it comes to servicing my watch, what are my options? I understand that I can send it back to the Rolex factory (presumably I do this via my AD) for an "official/authorised" service. I believe that Rolex will guarantee a watch serviced in this way for one year.

Another option would be to go to a "Rolex accredited" repair centre e.g. http://www.time-repairs.com/watchrep...PriceGuide.htm - presumably "accredited" in this context means that they use genuine Rolex parts. But does it mean anything else? Are "accredited" companies vetted/approved by Rolex. It's not very clear!

I would apprecate any and all advice members can offer on this subject. Thanks

Well in your case 5 -7 years should be fine watches will normally tell you when service is due timekeeping in general will not be as good.And now you will get a two years warranty after full RSC service or done by one of the authorised Rolex service agents.

[roger0770]

as mentioned above, some people do regular time interval servicing, and some don't fix ANYTHING unless it's broken. i used to think that a rolex movement is bullet proof, so i would just wait until it needs service. however, a forum member pointed it out that such action could result more damage to the movement as the watch could be running fine and keeping good time, but the oil could be dried up and the gears are grinding against each other causing wear and tear in the movement. i am lucky to live in an area where there is an authorized rolex service center nearby. a rolex certified watchmaker sure would be able to do the job fine, but it's still different from rsc. for a warranty service, both nyc and dallas rsc would be able to help you out free of charge. however, i am not too sure about the sf rsc because it is independently owned. of course, sf rsc is where i go for everything; sizing the bracelet, and even changing my bezel insert. the reason is simply because the folks there are amazing!

[Denver Dick]

I'm one of those who shares the view that 5-7 year is about right. I prefer to send my Rolex to an RSC and get back a watch that looks like new with a new Rolex warranty. However, to each is own.

Here is what the RSC in PA did with my 23 year old TT DJ (worn everyday) that had scratched and discolored hands and dial, as well as a badly chipped aftermarket sapphire crystal. It also had lots of hairline scratches and a few little dings. And I won't even discribe the stretch of the bracelet (see the before photo). It wasn't cheap, but I was wowed when I got it back.

Before:


After:

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Denver Dick

I'm one of those who shares the view that 5-7 year is about right. I prefer to send my Rolex to an RSC and get back a watch that looks like new with a new Rolex warranty.

I agree, mine will always go back to Rolex.

My friendly Omega AD (and total watchaholic) had a look at my Datejust when I had it on and when I told him it was almost 25 years old and had been my late fathers daily wearer for nearly 20 years, he said.......this has always been serviced by Rolex hasn't it......yes I said, it's had 3 now.......you can always tell he said.

[jamesdatejust]

Originally Posted by Denver Dick

I'm one of those who shares the view that 5-7 year is about right. I prefer to send my Rolex to an RSC and get back a watch that looks like new with a new Rolex warranty. However, to each is own.

Here is what the RSC in PA did with my 23 year old TT DJ (worn everyday) that had scratched and discolored hands and dial, as well as a badly chipped aftermarket sapphire crystal. It also had lots of hairline scratches and a few little dings. And I won't even discribe the stretch of the bracelet (see the before photo). It wasn't cheap, but I was wowed when I got it back.

Before:


After:

Hi there Sir Denver Dick, iwas just wondering, did they replace the bracelet or they just tighten things up? how long did it take before you got your watch back? do they return the replaced/worn out/broken parts to the owner after servicing? im also planning to have mine serviced, its been losing secs.

thanks in advance,

james

[George Ab]

For many decades a draconian approach has been used for maintenance. Perform this maintenance after so many miles, flight hours, years, etc. The maintenance concept was easy to follow with the thought of performing maintenance either before safety is impaired, performance, or additionally damage is sustained resulting in additional cost to repair. Rolex conservatively recommended a maintenance of five years.

With watches if surfaces that are protected from wear through lubrication run dry additional damage will be sustained resulting in additional cost to repair. If you use the standard maintenance concept then after eight years (engineers and manufacture are conservative and tend to over-prescribe maintenance generally by a factor of 1.5) have it serviced. Many people simply wait until the watch accuracy becomes impaired before servicing. This may work, but from an optimal maintenance perspective it is the wrong approach.

Utilizing a Reliability Centered Maintenance (performing the right maintenance, at the right level at the right time) is a more sophisticated maintenance concept. To perform on a watch, you simply bring the watch down to your trusted, competent, ethical watchmaker after five years or even seven years and ask him if it requires service. The watchmaker will open up the watch, and perform an examination of the movement and determine if the movement still has sufficient lubrication. He’ll either hand the watch back to you and say you're good and come back in a couple years or recommend service. This requires having a local watchmaker you have established a relationship with.

The simple answer is have it serviced every seven - eight years, and send the watch to get it serviced. Expect to pay $750 plus any parts if serviced by RSC or $350 to $400 plus parts at a competent watchmaker. If you don’t have someone locally you have developed a relationship with, there are many trusted watchmakers; Bob Ridley, Rik Dietel http://www.timecareinc.com/ are a couple of names that come to mind who are highly regarded here at TRF. Here is a link to a TRF resource on independent watchmakers: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=32666,

[TheDude]

A friend of mine recently had his 10 year old Exp II serviced. He droppedit off at the RSC in NYC.

I saw the service papers, there was nothing to indicate that it cost more or that anything had gone wildly out of spec from waiting the extra time.

[pcst]

In terms of service interval, is there any difference in the environment where the watch lives? Colder or warmer climates?

[roger0770]

the rsc does wonders!