How inaccurate would you allow your rolex to be before servicing?

[calj_whyte]

My 16710 (2003) went from -2 to -10 seconds a day overnight. It severely annoyed me at first, but now I set it 3 minutes fast and update the time every month.

Is 10 seconds too much for TRF members? Would you be tempted to send it to the RSC? I certainly was but have since learned to live with it. (Although, any worse and it'll definitely be send 1st class to the spa!)

[Nycturbovr6]

Maybe send it to one of the reputable service people on the forum

[Face4]

Yes, -10 is too much in my opinion.

The COSC standard is -4/+6. Anything that is not COSC is not good enough for me.

[Annan]

I know the COSC range is -4 to +6 seconds/day. Each of us has his/her own expectations about accuracy. For me, my tolerance is no more than +3/day. So far I've not had a Rolex that lost seconds. I'd prefer they gain because it's easier to simply hack the movement and restart rather than reset it to correct lost time.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by calj_whyte

My 16710 (2003) went from -2 to -10 seconds a day overnight. It severely annoyed me at first, but now I set it 3 minutes fast and update the time every month.

Is 10 seconds too much for TRF members? Would you be tempted to send it to the RSC? I certainly was but have since learned to live with it. (Although, any worse and it'll definitely be send 1st class to the spa!)

When was the watch last serviced myself would like my watches to gain rather than lose.So its possible your watch needs a service,or just possible regulation. I would doubt if Rolex would just regulate if watch has not been serviced in the last 12-18 months with the service document.But to regulate is quite a simple task for any good independent watchmaker takes around 30 minutes with pressure check after.But remember this a day has 86400 seconds and the escapement of a mechanical watch in 24 hours pushes the gears 432,000 times. And even 10 seconds loss its doubtful if that will have any effect on your daily life, and lifes too short to worry over a few seconds.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by padi56

When was the watch last serviced myself would like my watches to gain rather than lose.So its possible your watch needs a service,or just possible regulation. I would doubt if Rolex would just regulate if watch has not been serviced in the last 12-18 months with the service document.But to regulate is quite a simple task for any good independent watchmaker takes around 30 minutes with pressure check after.But remember this a day has 86400 seconds and the escapement of a mechanical watch in 24 hours pushes the gears 432,000 times. And even 10 seconds loss its doubtful if that will have any effect on your daily life, and lifes too short to worry over a few seconds.

[azguy]

If it's never ben service it may be time, however, I'd have an indy watch maker give a regulation a shot...

[bobswatches]

Great comments.

[calj_whyte]

Not sure when the watch was last serviced, I bought it second hand a few months ago. I set it to the atomic clock when I originally purchased it, that was when I realised it was -2 a day (Thought excellent, my 2007 Datejust is running at +4).

I know exactly when it started running -10. It was after I adjusted the time for daylight savings. Set it before I slept. When I woke up it was running perfectly, except the hour hand hadn't moved (Shhhhhhhhh-ugar!!!). 24 hour hand was at the right time, as was the minute hand, but the hour hadn't moved. When I pulled the button out, the hour hand seemed to jump and auto correct itself to the right hour. Since then it's ran perfectly - just 500% less accurate! :(

[Tools]

Originally Posted by calj_whyte

Not sure when the watch was last serviced, I bought it second hand a few months ago. I set it to the atomic clock when I originally purchased it, that was when I realised it was -2 a day (Thought excellent, my 2007 Datejust is running at +4).

I know exactly when it started running -10. It was after I adjusted the time for daylight savings. Set it before I slept. When I woke up it was running perfectly, except the hour hand hadn't moved (Shhhhhhhhh-ugar!!!). 24 hour hand was at the right time, as was the minute hand, but the hour hadn't moved. When I pulled the button out, the hour hand seemed to jump and auto correct itself to the right hour. Since then it's ran perfectly - just 500% less accurate! :(

This description is far more telling than a simple change in time-keeping for which a cheap regulation is usually the answer, not a full service.

In this case your watch indicates lack of oil at key points or something interfering with it's normal operation. It's been more than a decade, do it a favor and have it cleaned and oiled.

[Tempusfugitus]

MY 1992 14060 non-COSC Sub was gaining 7-10 secs a day. It had never been serviced when I bought it. I spent £700 UK on a RSC service. When it came back it was....gaining 7-10 secs a day.

[KBM]

As Larry suggested, this just became a different tale, and a service is in order.

[calj_whyte]

Thanks for the response guys! I'll look into going down the service route. Typical it happens at Christmas - I need to spend 700 clams like I need a hole in my head!

[FTX I]

Used watch + no service history + went from -2 to -10 seconds a day overnight = service.

[ming the merciless]

I bumped along with my Sub gaining 5 secs a day for years. Then I had a problem with the winding crown and it was sent away to Rolex UK to be serviced. I stressed to the dealer that I'd like it to be running more accurately when it came back from being serviced.
When it came back it was bang on, neither gaining or losing one second per day.

That's what I call a result.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Tools

This description is far more telling than a simple change in time-keeping for which a cheap regulation is usually the answer, not a full service.

In this case your watch indicates lack of oil at key points or something interfering with it's normal operation. It's been more than a decade, do it a favor and have it cleaned and oiled.

this!!!

[datejusting]

-10 is too much for a Rolex, have it serviced.

[sturgeon123456]

For me if I looked at the time and it was way off. Like 5 minutes I would. Otherwise I just don't care. Close enough for me.

[kilyung]

What Larry said. In general I look at amplitude and errors before deciding to service or not - it's a much more comprehensive way of determining service needs.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by calj_whyte

Thanks for the response guys! I'll look into going down the service route. Typical it happens at Christmas - I need to spend 700 clams like I need a hole in my head!

Think of it this way: Assuming you don't use it as a hockey puck, the watch is likely appreciating every year, likely more than the $150/yr or so you'll have to spend to keep it running. There's always a way to rationalize any insanity.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by padi56

And even 10 seconds loss its doubtful if that will have any effect on your daily life, and lifes too short to worry over a few seconds.

A variance of -10s/day that couldn't be self-regulated would traumatize me to emotional collapse .

[dchernikoff]

I defer to the experts' opinion that a radical change like that means service is in order. At the least, take it to a RSC and find out what they say. When I bought my used GMT it hadn't been serviced in over 10 years, but it also hadn't been worn during that period. The service guy opened it up, said it looked like it had enough oil and the seals were good, so all he did was regulate it and test that it was waterproof. Cost me $60 and a few hours wait while the work was done. Who knows, you may get lucky...

Oh, and to answer the original question, -10 would drive me nuts. Mine was +15 which was horrible. After regulation I'm now running +2.2 which is tolerable. So I set it a minute slow, then have to adjust it every two months -- not too bad.

-Dan

[padi56]

Originally Posted by iclick

A variance of -10s/day that couldn't be self-regulated would traumatize me to emotional collapse .

Take my advice never worry over over a few second out of 86400 in a day its just a watch after all nothing more.Whats far more important is that everyday you beat your own previous record for number of consecutive days you have stayed alive. The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.

[Shan77]

Originally Posted by padi56

Take my advice never worry over over a few second out of 86400 in a day its just a watch after all nothing more.Whats far more important is that everyday you beat your own previous record for number of consecutive days you have stayed alive. The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.

[Choo Yao Chuen]

yup, definitely time for servicing (if you haven't done so since 2003).
otherwise, probably just a case of regulating it (which is half days work at the RSC) or your piece is magnetised (few days work).

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Choo Yao Chuen

yup, definitely time for servicing (if you haven't done so since 2003).
otherwise, probably just a case of regulating it (which is half days work at the RSC) or your piece is magnetised (few days work).

If any watch is magnetised in general they will speed up and run very erratic or even stop and not slow down.

[calj_whyte]

Yea I can deal with the 10 seconds but worried that not servicing it could be causing damage. I'll take it along to the A.D next week and let you guys know how I get on. Fingers Crossed!

[Racerdj]

Have you serviced it since 2003? With the accuracy mentioned, now might be the time.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by padi56

Take my advice never worry over over a few second out of 86400 in a day its just a watch after all nothing more.Whats far more important is that everyday you beat your own previous record for number of consecutive days you have stayed alive. The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.

But, as we all strive (I hope) to keep ourselves fit as the days count onward, why not keep the watch fit, too? Much like exercise to maintain our own health, taking a minute or two out of the day to check and self-regulate establishes a fitness program for the watch. For example, the Tudor I'm wearing now is -3 sec. after setting it 12 days ago, so I will wear it tonight knowing this particular watch gains 1-2 sec. doing that. This is a nightly ritual that I go through for whatever watch I'm wearing and it makes me sleep better, thus improving my own health and well-being, not to mention my mental health by accepting the challenge. It's a symbiotic relationship.

[HogwldFLTR]

When I first got my now sold 116000 it was running about +11 per day under warranty. It drove me nuts. It cost me $75 in shipping to get it regulated by RSC NY. Not certain it was really worth it. It was much better when I got it back, I must admit.