Do I service unworn watches?

[closey]

Hello all, a little advice from all you knowlegable people if you would be so kind. I have (for now) 2 watches that spend most of there lives in a safe waiting for my son's wrist!! A 2003 omega smp (never serviced however unworn for 6 years) and a 16570.. The smp he will receive first, approx 3-4 years time and will be unworn till then, I will be alternating wear between the 16570 with my 16610 (he loves the sub but will not get that till I have no further use!!!!) MY QUESTION... Do I have unworn watch(s) serviced now and leave tucked up in readyness OR wait until a later date? The 16570 will be worn regular and new so not an issue as yet however the Smp will never see daylight until its gifted!

Thanks in advance

Regards Closey

[moviefreak]

Unworn.. I would push the 5yr deadline a little more.. probably to 7-8yrs.. some people might still go for the service every 5yr option..

[Cabaiguan]

Originally Posted by closey

Hello all, a little advice from all you knowlegable people if you would be so kind. I have (for now) 2 watches that spend most of there lives in a safe waiting for my son's wrist!! A 2003 omega smp (never serviced however unworn for 6 years) and a 16570.. The smp he will receive first, approx 3-4 years time and will be unworn till then, I will be alternating wear between the 16570 with my 16610 (he loves the sub but will not get that till I have no further use!!!!) MY QUESTION... Do I have unworn watch(s) serviced now and leave tucked up in readyness OR wait until a later date? The 16570 will be worn regular and new so not an issue as yet however the Smp will never see daylight until its gifted!

Thanks in advance

Regards Closey

I happen to really like car analogies when it comes to mechanical watches. Although a car that is "garaged" for long periods of time may not have the same mechanical wear than an auto driven daily, there are environmental factors that still degrade many of the components. For watches, these include gaskets and oil. These two components may be affected even though the watch isn't worn daily.

Let's just say that I would feel uncomfortable leaving a sports watch sitting for years and then take it into a pool or wear it the way it was intended, etc. A service would be needed before it could become a daily wearer, IMO.

[Naples09]

I would have the watch serviced just before you gift it to him.

[closey]

Thank you for your quick replies, I intend to service before it becomes a daily wear, really wondering now or later? Thanks again

[GolfPunk]

Later - 3 months before you give him it so you allow for prolonged service backlog

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by cabaiguan

let's just say that i would feel uncomfortable leaving a sports watch sitting for years and then take it into a pool or wear it the way it was intended, etc. A service would be needed before it could become a daily wearer, imo.

+1

[roadcarver]

My opinion is that if it ain't broke, don't fix.

My 2531.80 was a NOS, last one when I bought it back in 2007.

I wore it until I had to get it serviced, since the mainspring broke. It cost me $480 CAD to get it fixed up. No other issues noted by Omega.

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by closey

Thank you for your quick replies, I intend to service before it becomes a daily wear, really wondering now or later? Thanks again

I don't see any reason to service it till you're ready to put it back in regular use.

[xjeeunitx]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

My opinion is that if it ain't broke, don't fix.

My 2531.80 was a NOS, last one when I bought it back in 2007.

I wore it until I had to get it serviced, since the mainspring broke. It cost me $480 CAD to get it fixed up. No other issues noted by Omega.

I agree.

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

My opinion is that if it ain't broke, don't fix.

I've been going back and forth on this.

My Explorer D serial bought BNIB has never been serviced, it is coming up on it's 6 year anniversary. There is nothing wrong with this watch, it keeps perfect time, no dings, or scratches.

So I am torn do I do the preventative maintenance or just let it go until it starts to shows signs of needing service?

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Naples09

I would have the watch serviced just before you gift it to him.

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

3 months before you give him it so you allow for prolonged service backlog

yup.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

For the in the safe watches - I hope your are taking them out and winding every two months to keep the lubrication in place. Just my opinion.

[GTS Dean]

Being kept in a safe with even temperature and no humidity variation, I would not worry at all about a BNIB watch. However, I don't think I could just let them sit without winding them up and running them once or twice a year.

[Andad]

Hi Closey,

Welcome to the Forum.

IMO
I would not service it. I would gift it to your son when the time comes and simply pressure test it to make sure that the seals are ok. Rolex 'o' rings are similar to the viton seals found on chemical resistant pumps and are designed to last.
The inside of a Rolex is not subject to the same changes in atmospheric conditions as a car stored in a garage might be and the new synthetic oils are excellent and will not 'throw off' or 'migrate' from bearing surfaces as older oils may have. If so why would Rolex use so many different oils inside one watch case?
Giving it a dozen winds every 3 - 4 months (just so that you don't forget that you have it) would circulate the gears and prepare it for daily wear.

Your son can enjoy the watch for years before a service would be required due to wear.