Advice sought for first-time use of a 10-year old Sub

[Boopie]

Last night my father in law generously gave my husband a Sub for his birthday. He in turn had received it as a gift several years ago, but had never, ever worn it before. He just kept it in his safe.

The Sub is new in the box, with papers, stickers and tags still attached, etc. The warranty card states that the watch was made in 1998.

Are there any mechanical issues or other things we need to think about before wearing a 10-year old Sub for the first time (e.g. oil is dried up, etc.)? Or, do we just wind it up, set the correct time, and enjoy?

[Rolex74]

Originally Posted by Boopie

Last night my father in law generously gave my husband a Sub for his birthday. He in turn had received it as a gift several years ago, but had never, ever worn it before. He just kept it in his safe.

The Sub is new in the box, with papers, stickers and tags still attached, etc. The warranty card states that the watch was made in 1998.

Are there any mechanical issues or other things we need to think about before wearing a 10-year old Sub for the first time (e.g. oil is dried up, etc.)? Or, do we just wind it up, set the correct time, and enjoy?

Well first you need to post pics!!! But I think you should be ok to just wind it up and wear it, enjoy the watch.

[CoopJr]

Originally Posted by Boopie

Or, do we just wind it up, set the correct time, and enjoy?

I would do that but keep a close eye on it's accuracy. If it runs out of specs, then I would have it serviced...which it most likely will need soon anyway. If it runs accurately, wear it and enjoy it for a few months but after that I would start thinking about a servicing

[BigHat]

Personally, I'd send it back to an RSC with a letter explaining the situation. With zero wear and perfect case and bracelet condition you might get a cheap cleaning and oiling service. They'd also adjust the rate.
You'll have a great time keeper for at least five years before service is required and you'll have the peace of mind knowing that you're not grinding away expensive parts due to poor lube.

[kcmo]

Personally I'd rather have peace of mind and go ahead with a service...then enjoy it for a lifetime!

[roadcarver]

10 years kept in the safe means the oils could have dried up and or coagulated.

To prevent any further breakdown of parts, I'd go have it serviced. $500 to spend on a gifted Rolex is a good insurance IMHO.

[colemanitis]

I'd be tempted to give it a good wind and wear it, but it'd probably be best to have a watchmaker check the movement to make sure it's still properly lubricated. I wouldn't send it to Rolex since it doesn't need a polish or any parts. Just have a reputable jeweler in your area w/ Rolex experience open it up and take a look.

[mike]

I'd have it serviced.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

10 years kept in the safe means the oils could have dried up and or coagulated.

To prevent any further breakdown of parts, I'd go have it serviced. $500 to spend on a gifted Rolex is a good insurance IMHO.

Exactly, better safe than sorry. And once that is taken care of your all set.

[GoldenBear]

Re-gifting, how tacky... Just kidding. I would spend the couple of hundred dollars and have it serviced at an authorized Rolex dealer. It should go great for another 6-8 years without worry after that.

[etp095]

I'd send it to rolex for a service,you have an RSC in your backyard. there a special reason he didn't wear it for so long?

[erwin]

rsc! better safe than sorry!

[Andad]

10 years old and never worn. I would treat it as a new watch.

Enjoy wearing it.

[jasonbellevue]

I would send it to the RSC, just for peace of mind.

[ratmotortom]

I'd wind it up, strap it on and enjoy it.

[Boopie]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'm terrible with taking photos, but it's a two-tone, black face Sub.

He received it as a gift from a good friend who is also a business associate, who wanted to thank him for referring a lot of business his way.

As for why he didn't wear it, when my father in law was much younger, he was really into watches (he wore a Patek Phillipe) and other "toys" (e.g. he bought an expensive fancy car every year). The watch and a lot of other expensive items were stolen about 20 years ago, when his house was burglarized. At that point he was really into jogging, so he just started wearing jogging watches (what can I say?). When he received the Rolex gift he was close to 70 years old, and didn't feel that he wanted to start wearing a Rolex at that age. So, it just sat in his safe.

Believe me, we told him again and again to wear it, to enjoy himself...but if he didn't we wouldn't mind having it. I'm guessing that if obtained the watch at, say, age 50 he would have worn it every day.

[Rolex74]

Originally Posted by Boopie

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'm terrible with taking photos, but it's a two-tone, black face Sub.

He received it as a gift from a good friend who is also a business associate, who wanted to thank him for referring a lot of business his way.

As for why he didn't wear it, when my father in law was much younger, he was really into watches (he wore a Patek Phillipe) and other "toys" (e.g. he bought an expensive fancy car every year). The watch and a lot of other expensive items were stolen about 20 years ago, when his house was burglarized. At that point he was really into jogging, so he just started wearing jogging watches (what can I say?). When he received the Rolex gift he was close to 70 years old, and didn't feel that he wanted to start wearing a Rolex at that age. So, it just sat in his safe.

Believe me, we told him again and again to wear it, to enjoy himself...but if he didn't we wouldn't mind having it. I'm guessing that if obtained the watch at, say, age 50 he would have worn it every day.

Wow sorry to hear about his loss, but there is no age limit on wearing a Rolex

[ROLEX MAN]

Treat it as new or you may decide to "GIVE IT TO ME"

[etp095]

thanks for the rest of the story boopie.

[vrolok]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

10 years kept in the safe means the oils could have dried up and or coagulated.

right! If it has been untouched for 10 years, oils are -likely- dried up. I'd get it serviced if I were you.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Read the part in RED:

Originally Posted by Vanessa

Here are a couple of answers to questions that are repeatedly asked to members on this forum, and me personally at work. I’m not trying to argue with anyone. If you have more questions that have factual answers, feel free to ask.

Fact sheet:

- You cannot overwind an automatic watch.

- Your automatic watch will not keep running with just wearing it.
(You have to actually move enough to keep it wound.)

- The date can change anywhere between 11:55pm and 12:05am.
(If it changes around 12:00pm, just move your hands 12 hours forward.)

- Sapphire crystals can scratch, chip and shatter.

- Oils will dry out inside the movement over time.
(even though people claim it to be airtight/ having synthetic oils which shouldn’t dry, etc.)

- You can turn the crown both ways while manually winding your watch.
(It only works one way, but you don’t damage anything the other way.)

- You can turn the hands of your watch backwards when adjusting the time, or date. No worries!

- You can quickset the date any time of day on any Rolex.
(Be aware that with some other movement, like ETA this is not always possible)

- Any Rolex will loose it's water resistance rating if gaskets aren't replaced on a regular basis. Gaskets do deteriorate over time.

- Rolex does not sell watches on-line, and does not allow AD’s to sell over the phone or internet.

- Authorized Rolex repair centers and watchmakers are not allowed to work on watches with after-market parts on them.

- Rolex will not honor a warranty, without the original paperwork or card properly filled out and belonging to the original purchaser.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by Boopie

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'm terrible with taking photos, but it's a two-tone, black face Sub.

He received it as a gift from a good friend who is also a business associate, who wanted to thank him for referring a lot of business his way.

As for why he didn't wear it, when my father in law was much younger, he was really into watches (he wore a Patek Phillipe) and other "toys" (e.g. he bought an expensive fancy car every year). The watch and a lot of other expensive items were stolen about 20 years ago, when his house was burglarized. At that point he was really into jogging, so he just started wearing jogging watches (what can I say?). When he received the Rolex gift he was close to 70 years old, and didn't feel that he wanted to start wearing a Rolex at that age. So, it just sat in his safe.

Believe me, we told him again and again to wear it, to enjoy himself...but if he didn't we wouldn't mind having it. I'm guessing that if obtained the watch at, say, age 50 he would have worn it every day.

Wow that's a heck of a story. So did he get the rest of his stuff back or just the watch. How?
I hate thieves.

[1MAC]

Okay, somebody help me out here. A Submariner has special gaskets and a Triplock crown to prevent the entrance of water at a depth of up to 1000ft, but somehow the oils inside manage to escape at atmospheric pressure? I really don't think that makes sense.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Look above, Mike!

[1MAC]

Sorry, Bo. I have spent too many years sifting through scientific data to take someone's statement of fact without any explanation. Even if it is printed in red! I know we've all heard this story of oils "drying up" before, I would like some sort of reason why it happens. Surely someone has a better answer than "it just happens". Maybe the oils (being lipid soluble) pass directly through the gaskets?? Magic? Oil fairies?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by 1MAC

Sorry, Bo. I have spent too many years sifting through scientific data to take someone's statement of fact without any explanation. Even if it is printed in red! I know we've all heard this story of oils "drying up" before, I would like some sort of reason why it happens. Surely someone has a better answer than "it just happens". Maybe the oils (being lipid soluble) pass directly through the gaskets?? Magic? Oil fairies?

Mike,

the facts derive from a post of Vanessa. Her being a qualified Rolex watchmaker would make the statements true gospel, I'd say. But maybe "Oils will congeal over time" is more apt than "oils will dry out"?

[Mr Sandman]

Originally Posted by mike

I'd have it serviced.

X2

I get mine serviced every 10 years so if it were mine it would be due now even though it has not been worn

[Trurolexer]

Bring that Sub to RSC.

[Boopie]

Thanks. We're going to follow up with some reputable watch shops (including the BH RSC).

None of his stolen items, including the Patek, were ever recovered. Someone, somewhere out there is wearing his great watch.

[llamaofdoom]

If the watch is only ten years old, then the oils used are likely synthetics...if that's the case, then they're still good.

As long as it's winding smooth and keeping good time, I wouldn't worry about it. Might want to get it pressure tested, though.