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Old 3 June 2016, 08:39 AM   #1
Showcall
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when to service your Rolex

So after acquiring a Day Date from 1991 with no service history. The Big Question is do I service it? It keeps great time The Day and Date function click over ever so smoothly. (I'm yet to wear it in the shower) so i'm wondering if I should get it a check up?
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Old 3 June 2016, 09:38 AM   #2
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I'd find a watchmaker to time it and give it a once over and go from there.
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Old 3 June 2016, 09:44 AM   #3
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If it's working good, don't worry about it. But, if you are going to wear it in the shower, I would recommend you getting it pressure checked.
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Old 3 June 2016, 09:45 AM   #4
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If it's working good, don't worry about it. But, if you are going to wear it in the shower, I would recommend you getting it pressure checked.
this...no showers yet!
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Old 7 June 2016, 06:43 AM   #5
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If it's working good, don't worry about it. But, if you are going to wear it in the shower, I would recommend you getting it pressure checked.
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Old 7 June 2016, 07:21 AM   #6
schamp
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Hi,
I have a question about servicing. I have my grandfathers watch, and he last had it serviced in 2004. He barely wore it, and it's been in the box for the last few years. Is it worth servicing it? In the post you guys mention it may be worthwhile every 5 years or so, but is that for watches that are being used? Or maybe it's a good idea just to make sure it has a long life still :)
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Old 7 June 2016, 08:49 AM   #7
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Hi,
I have a question about servicing. I have my grandfathers watch, and he last had it serviced in 2004. He barely wore it, and it's been in the box for the last few years. Is it worth servicing it? In the post you guys mention it may be worthwhile every 5 years or so, but is that for watches that are being used? Or maybe it's a good idea just to make sure it has a long life still :)
Does not matter either a watch worked or was in storage. After 5-7 years oil evaporates and/or gums and moving parts begin to wear intensively.
I'd suggest to service regularly.
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Old 7 June 2016, 05:48 PM   #8
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Does not matter either a watch worked or was in storage. After 5-7 years oil evaporates and/or gums and moving parts begin to wear intensively.
I'd suggest to service regularly.
What's the point?

It's possible to check the seals and the state of the movement without requiring a service:
  • Get it pressure tested and replace the seals if necessary.
  • Put it on a timing machine, and service only if the amplitude is too low.

It's critical to test and maintain the seals, as moisture in the case will displace oil and cause all sorts of other problems. But there's no benefit in servicing a Rolex movement it isn't needed. Why mess with the watch if it isn't necessary?
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Old 3 June 2016, 09:46 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Showcall View Post
So after acquiring a Day Date from 1991 with no service history. The Big Question is do I service it? It keeps great time The Day and Date function click over ever so smoothly. (I'm yet to wear it in the shower) so i'm wondering if I should get it a check up?
Now
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Old 3 June 2016, 09:53 AM   #10
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As far as accuracy, you can DIY that.
But I always have a newly acquired watch H2O'd - have only had one problem in several dozen deals but it only takes one to prove the rule.


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Old 3 June 2016, 10:29 AM   #11
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Some say service the watch until it stops working/not keeping time. Others say every 5/7 years.
IMO, you should treat your watch like a car. Moving parts gradually wear out, if not regularly serviced parts will wear out more quickly, causing more damage and higher servicing cost.
I would service the watch every 5 years or so, in order to relubricate and replace the rubber gaskets to ensure 100% waterproofness.
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Old 3 June 2016, 10:49 AM   #12
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Some say service the watch until it stops working/not keeping time. Others say every 5/7 years.
IMO, you should treat your watch like a car. Moving parts gradually wear out, if not regularly serviced parts will wear out more quickly, causing more damage and higher servicing cost.
I would service the watch every 5 years or so, in order to relubricate and replace the rubber gaskets to ensure 100% waterproofness.
I 100% concur with this. I am sending out my most recent purchase tomorrow to be serviced and I know it was serviced in 98 and it keeps great time but not worth the chance of something be dry in there. Plus I don't know the last tech in there and I know my guy does great work.
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Old 3 June 2016, 11:06 AM   #13
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I would , with no hesitate, get it checked out and serviced. Why risk it? Get peace of mind
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Old 3 June 2016, 11:09 AM   #14
japenney
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Do not wear in shower until seals are checked. I would get it serviced personally.
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Old 5 June 2016, 02:49 PM   #15
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Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm heading on Holiday for 3 weeks so leaving it with the AD for a service (which is a 4 week turn around) will lessen the pain.
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Old 5 June 2016, 10:28 PM   #16
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Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm heading on Holiday for 3 weeks so leaving it with the AD for a service (which is a 4 week turn around) will lessen the pain.
Great call! You will enjoy it that much more upon return as you will not have any reservations as to its health or waterproofness.
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Old 5 June 2016, 10:30 PM   #17
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Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm heading on Holiday for 3 weeks so leaving it with the AD for a service (which is a 4 week turn around) will lessen the pain.
Good plan
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Old 5 June 2016, 10:47 PM   #18
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Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm heading on Holiday for 3 weeks so leaving it with the AD for a service (which is a 4 week turn around) will lessen the pain.
4 weeks?
No way
More like 11 weeks
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Old 6 June 2016, 01:22 AM   #19
blue lion
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Getting it serviced is the right call for me.
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Old 6 June 2016, 05:16 AM   #20
Showcall
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Service

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4 weeks?
No way
More like 11 weeks
Thats probably because you are in Brisbane? So if its a AD service they would send it to Sydney or Melbourne? I have serviced 3 watches over the years with Rolex Sydney. always 4weeks.
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Old 7 June 2016, 05:30 PM   #21
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Thats probably because you are in Brisbane? So if its a AD service they would send it to Sydney or Melbourne? I have serviced 3 watches over the years with Rolex Sydney. always 4weeks.
WOW, that's amazing.
All of mine have been serviced in Melbourne.

What is the workmanship like out of Sydney?
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Old 8 June 2016, 08:46 AM   #22
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11 weeks

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WOW, that's amazing.
All of mine have been serviced in Melbourne.

What is the workmanship like out of Sydney?
Workmanship is fine they can be a little testy and try up sell. But not bad otherwise. 11 weeks is brutal was it getting replacement parts?
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Old 6 June 2016, 06:24 AM   #23
Widows Son
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I just got three back from servicing. All ran fine but because of the unknown service history, I bit the bullet.
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Old 6 June 2016, 06:41 AM   #24
YuriyV
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Service period is determined by watch manufacturer. Usually it is 5 years.
When you buy used watch without service history, consider it as non serviced.
If you are going to wear it (and especially to expose it to water), get it serviced first. Period.
Running the movement without service would (and will) cause damage (slowly but surely).
Old mineral oils (used to use by servicemen) after 5-7 years simply brought a watch to stop. It was clear sign it needs a service.
Modern synthetic oils just evaporate without warning and watch can work other 5-10 years dry, grinding itself inside.
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Old 7 June 2016, 06:42 AM   #25
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If diving then ensure its pressure tested regularly. If it's not exposed to water and is accurate leave it alone. I've got a 1675 GMT that tells very good time and hasn't been serviced in the last 10 years
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Old 7 June 2016, 05:50 PM   #26
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I would service


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Old 7 June 2016, 06:23 PM   #27
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I would as well have it fully serviced. It comes back nice and clean and showering with it will be OK.
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Old 8 June 2016, 03:08 PM   #28
lord91
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My AD advised me to service it anywhere between 5 to 7 years, as the oil may dry up/loose its properties and seals may be worn off. However, they did admit they saw watches that have been serviced after 1o years, and were perfectly fine, but this was their safety rule per say. I am no expert on this, just sharing info
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Old 8 June 2016, 09:24 PM   #29
UnicoJG
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Quote:
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So after acquiring a Day Date from 1991 with no service history. The Big Question is do I service it? It keeps great time The Day and Date function click over ever so smoothly. (I'm yet to wear it in the shower) so i'm wondering if I should get it a check up?

No service history? I would get it serviced immediately and after the first service, every 7-8 years.
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Old 9 June 2016, 05:10 AM   #30
Chalet
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Doesn't Rolex now recommend 10 year service intervals?
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