Do I need to pressure test my Rolex?

[the dark knight]

I have a Sub I purchased brand new about 8 years ago. Haven't serviced it yet as it still runs well.

I wasn't too worried about water damage as it is a Sub, and the only exposure to water it gets is when I shower with the watch on maybe once every 2 weeks to just clean it.

Do I need to get this watch tested, or should it be ok until I decide to service it (aiming to do it in 2 years)

[Sublover2166]

If it were me for piece of mind, yes a pressure test would be cheap insurance.

[squeaks376]

I have seen a lot of people always say to pressure test. Why? What could cause a watch as robust as a sub to lose its ability to submerge? Any education would be appreciated.

[squeaks376]

Also how is a pressure test done? If it is in water wouldn't failure of the test produce the same result as submerging it....water in watch?

[Sandblaster]

Is the watch running perfectly?
If yes, leave it alone.
At 10 years you can send it to RSC for an overhaul.

But let sleeping dogs lie. If it ain't broke don't fix it lol.

[Capt. Alex]

Rubber O-rings dry out and crack over time. I agree with the annual pressure check if you are going to be submerging it. better for it to be discovered in a controlled environment where it can be serviced rather then looking down at your wrist and seeing water intrusion.

[Spartacus]

I've never had any of my modern watches tested, and never have had a problem.

I don't intend to change.

[brmeyers]

One of my local watch dealers will do it for free. Just checked my new Pepsi and its good to go...
I would recommend if you are going to expose to water

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by brmeyers

One of my local watch dealers will do it for free. Just checked my new Pepsi and its good to go...

I would recommend if you are going to expose to water

If you have an AD who can do it for free or cheap sure why not!


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[Scapegoat]

Get yourself checked!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by squeaks376

Also how is a pressure test done? If it is in water wouldn't failure of the test produce the same result as submerging it....water in watch?

There is equipment that pressure test or vacuum test watches.

None will expose a watch to flooding.

Google will show you the equipment and the methodology.

To the OP.

After 9 years I would have my watches tested before swimming/diving.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Sandblaster

Is the watch running perfectly?
If yes, leave it alone.
At 10 years you can send it to RSC for an overhaul.

But let sleeping dogs lie. If it ain't broke don't fix it lol.

Testing a watch for water resistance is hardly stripping it down.

And why would it be ok to go 9 years before pressure testing but not 10?

[Muzz]

I would think showering with it would not require a pressure test. Pretty sure you would have already noticed condensation building if it was an issue.

[Sandblaster]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Testing a watch for water resistance is hardly stripping it down.

And why would it be ok to go 9 years before pressure testing but not 10?

Should overhaul at 10 years.
Just like you bring in your new car for the 20000 mile service you can bring it in at 18,000 miles if you want but you can also wait for 20,000 miles.

These watches are very durable and for a dude that sits at his desk all day and then decides he's going to go in the water and there's nothing that happened to his watch that made it unstable. Imho.

[Rolex fan 61]

2 Useful youtube clip on watch servicing:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX_wJTFxCYM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oW8EvXeeUM

[brandrea]

If it's on your mind, why not have it done. As mentioned it's inexpensive and can be done while you wait.

[beshannon]

I pressure test annually.

Small piece of mind over what could happen

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by Rolex fan 61

2 Useful youtube clip on watch servicing:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX_wJTFxCYM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oW8EvXeeUM

Good videos, iam following his Chanel, quite good tips there.

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[Drjamesie]

Who knew Vinnie Jones sold watches!


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[joli160]

I pressure test my watches regularly myself, just because I like to fiddle around with them. Never one failed.
Very likely your watch is fine, but why risk it ?
It's a cheap insurance, AD's with an in-house watchmaker can help you out.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by Capt. Alex

Rubber O-rings dry out and crack over time. I agree with the annual pressure check if you are going to be submerging it. better for it to be discovered in a controlled environment where it can be serviced rather then looking down at your wrist and seeing water intrusion.

Given the above, CORRECT, information why not test and be sure one way or the other.... that, by definition, is what a test is for...

It's funny that when the topic of testing/service comes up there are a lot of "if it ain't broke..." comments on the forum but very few/no "It was broke and I made it worse by not getting it tested/serviced" comments...

It would seem either that has NEVER happened or those who learned the hard/expensive way are in no real rush to share that information...

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by Capt. Alex

Rubber O-rings dry out and crack over time. I agree with the annual pressure check if you are going to be submerging it. better for it to be discovered in a controlled environment where it can be serviced rather then looking down at your wrist and seeing water intrusion.

100% Correct

[watchwatcher]

Not a bad idea, IMO.

[ajas]

If that was me and the watch went anywhere near water I would send it for basic service.

After years of usage , changing seasons, temperature, ect.all elastomeric seals will dry and tend to crack. You definitely dont want water to get in as this means a major 10 k usd repair.

Preasure test itself is also not enough as wont tell you about the current condition of sealing components.



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[Muzz]

Originally Posted by ajas

If that was me and the watch went anywhere near water I would send it for basic service.

After years of usage , changing seasons, temperature, ect.all elastomeric seals will dry and tend to crack. You definitely dont want water to get in as this means a major 10 k usd repair.

Preasure test itself is also not enough as wont tell you about the current condition of sealing components.



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Or a regular service bill and nothing more. From someone who experienced this first hand when swimming, was an easy breezy fix at my RSC.

[Abdullah71601]

IIRC, Rolex recommends an annual pressure test if you plan to swim/dive the watch.

[W44NEG]

OP, at 8 years old, just get it serviced. You'll have full peace of mind. I left one of mine that ,one recently and it's come back keeping time nicely, warrantied and fully pressure tested. Just makes sense.

As mentioned, seals can deteriorate. Thing of your car. You wouldn't leave it without a service past the schedule, as if you do, things start to leak and go bad. Same with watches; seals go bad and there are oils int here which over time will of course be contaminated.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by ajas

If that was me and the watch went anywhere near water I would send it for basic service.

After years of usage , changing seasons, temperature, ect.all elastomeric seals will dry and tend to crack. You definitely dont want water to get in as this means a major 10 k usd repair.

Preasure test itself is also not enough as wont tell you about the current condition of sealing components.



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Who in their right mind would spend $10,000 for a service on a watch that retail price of $8,550 brand-new from an AD??

[tomallen]

I have had several older Rolex Subs and GMTs done at my AD no charge. They have a Rolex authorized watchmaker on staff. It wouldn't hurt to get it done.

[77T]

The most common source of failures come from the rings/gaskets in the twin or trip lock stem. They get exercised the most over the years and can perish. True, most people get away with no problems over as many as 10 years or more. But I've had a couple of experiences where I left crown unscrewed and just washing/cleaning the watch created some condensation under crystal. So a perished o-ring can be trouble.

If you are especially concerned but don't want to pop for a big service fee that you may not need done, then maybe consider this method. (BTW, this is what I do with every watch I take in on trade or flip with even trusted sellers who had no service history for the watch)

Have your watchmaker open the case back and inspect for presence of lube on key elements. If dry, stop right there and have full service done. But if all there looks good, have him detach the stem and inspect o-rings, also the caseback gasket. Replace any showing wear (I always do the caseback since it can be brittle and literally perish upon closing up the case. Then have pressure test done to 3ATM. That tells you if crystal/bezel gasket is good and that everything was closed tight after inspection. All of this is about 30 minutes of work and worth the small cost.

That isn't an annual effort, but if a watch hasn't been serviced or tested in long time, it's good insurance. Then you can do the annual pressure test if you plan to go any depth over 1ATM regularly.


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