11 years, never serviced, +:02/day - what would you do?

[chill]

My 16610 P-serial just turned 11 this month. I've never had it serviced and it runs +:02 per day. Recently I picked up a 116000, so I have been rotating them out. When one is on, the other is in a Wolf winder.

My bezel insert has a good gouge, so I went to AD this morning to order a replacement insert ($75 BTW). The sales girl and I were talking about service, this AD offers 1st service free with purchase, and 10% off. (PM me if you want name/number). Anyway, I said my watch has never been serviced and I don't indend to until it runs poorly or isn't working. The sales girl was aghast, like was doing a bad thing. I know several people who have had issues once their watch has been serviced and I've been told by older folks that have been wearing Rolexes many decades more than me to only service when necessary.

Am I wrong in this thinking? At $800 for a service, I figure if it aint broke, don't fix it. Am I doing a disservice to the watch by not getting it serviced? Am I running the risk of incurring further damage beyond whatever they do for $800 at a regular service by sending it when it keeps poor time or stops working all together?

Thanks for feedback----

[thewatchguy93]

Its always good to get a service when Rolex say too. Every 4-5 years in most cases, its all well your watch running perfectly accurate but the movement inside will be running a little dry and will need re-oiling and loobing. Its your call but I would send her right of for a fresh service

[dooder202]

Send it in for service they will re-lubricate all the moving parts and also clean the watch. Another GREAT thing they do at service time is polish and finish your watch to like new condition using Rolex's factory sepcs for abrasion.

[Rags]

I would find a watchmaker that services rolexes. You would probably save yourself $400.

[steubi1]

I would keep it going for another 11 years...

Tom

[Jocke]

Just pull out the crown 2 sec everyday and it will be spot on.

[Grumpy Badger]

Personally, I'd just get it pressure tested and, if that was ok, leave well alone.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't mess with it and I wouldn't let them polish my watch even if it did go for service...

[Tools]

It's up to you..

A watch is slowly wearing itself out with all the gears, parts, and pinions meshing together.. It will fail, eventually..

800 bucks to have it overhauled, all gaskets and seals changed, worn parts replaced, and fresh oil.................... It's good insurance against catastrophic failure..

[Captain Kirkwood]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

...I wouldn't let them polish my watch even if it did go for service...

Agreed. Especially a Sub Date with lug holes and SELs.

[Gharddog03]

I would have it serviced. It has been good to you so return the favor.

[bayerische]

I would have it serviced, for the reason Tools explained. Will eventually get expensive.

[EchoBlueUK]

I wouldn't bother unless you notice a drop in performance.

[kilyung]

It's kind of like a colonoscopy. Good to have done regularly to catch issues vs having it done because of an issue. Having said that, I'll punch the physician who tries to shove a camera up my butt.

[Paladin]

Get the watch serviced and protect your investment.

[mjclark32]

Yeah, I would. $800 for 11 years of wear is a bargain IMO.

[handsfull]

Its akin to running synthetic oil in your car. You can get 25,000 miles off of one oil change if you want.....but after the first 10k miles, the metal components are wearing quicker due to the oil getting dirtier/breaking down.

It would behoove you to perform a service on it.

[novae500]

Two of the 3 that i bought were preowned. N (1991) and F (2003). N was checked out and serviced prior to buying. The F will be 8 yrs and not serviced yet.

[Robert Henley]

Originally Posted by chill

I figure if it aint broke, don't fix it.

This is an excellent question. I've had my Datejust since I bought it new in 1990, worn it continously, and it's never been serviced or had anything done to it. I might add it runs great.

I had an AD who had been in business over 50 years tell me, "If ain't broke, don't fix it." I decided to follow his advice, and haven't had any problems yet.

On the other hand, there is another AD in town and the reaction was like the one you got. Service it every five years or so to keep it lubricated. That makes sense.

I could have bought a new one for all the money I've saved not having it serviced.

I don't really know the answer to this question. I also believe "if anything can go wrong it will go wrong," so I'm sort of afraid to send it to Rolex for fear it will get lost, it will not run as good when I get it back, it will get scratched, etc.

I was interested in this post to see what others said, and I see there are mixed opinions on it. I had an Osterdate before my Datejust that my Dad bought in Vietnam in 1963 (and years later he gave it to me). It was never serviced until eventually the winding stem broke (it was a manual wind), and I sent it to Rolex and they repaired it. But it ran for like 25+ years without a problem. BTW, it cost $93 as I recall in the PX in Saigon. I'm sort of inclined not to service it until there's a problem, but that's just been my experience. Robert

[Mickey®]

At this point leave it alone...
The whole 5 years +/- is preventative and at this point "IF" there was any damage it is already done.

I will send mine to Rolex. I've seen good work and bad by independents and "heard" of bad RSC work too. BUT I've also heard more horror stories with independents (used parts, not genuine parts, gone out of business, regulated and oiled and not even overhauled!!!).

[lady yachtmaster]

Personally, I'd just get it pressure tested and, if that was ok, leave well alone.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't mess with it and I wouldn't let them polish my watch even if it did go for service...
__________________
X2

[rnrmbs]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

Leave it alone. I've come across pieces that we're 30 years old, and never had service. Running fine.

[George Ab]

Take it to a watchmaker and have him put it on a timing machine. If the amplitude is below 200° have it serviced. Amplitude is a good indicator of overall efficiency. Usually if dry (no lubricant) it will be low. If it is dry, parts are wearing. It likely needs a service. Independent should be around $400 for an overhaul. Ben Bridge is $500 for sport models and it comes with a two year (if memory serves me correctly) warranty.

[OrangeSport]

Interesting. Mine is just a few weeks old, and this is something I have wondered about for the future. The AD I bought the watch from said don't service it 'till it starts performing badly. He said that unlike a car it won't do any permanent damage if it is left.

To be honest I think that I'll just stick £10 away a month, and when the pot reaches to cost of a service (about 4 years I guess) I'll decide what to do. Will probably have it serviced.

Seems a small price to pay to look after a watch and have the warranty reinstated (provided there are no horror stories of watches being damaged during services).

[kcmo]

I'd have it serviced for peace of mind....then wear it for another 11 years before servicing again!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by kcmo

i'd have it serviced for peace of mind....then wear it for another 11 years before servicing again!

x2

[Shogunmaster]

My truck is running great, but I still take it in for an oil change every three months. Take your watch in for service.

[Keeperoftime]

+1

[Oyster1982]

Needs a service, oils in the movement could have dried up in 11 years. The balance wheel pivot points and escapement may need to be cleaned and re-oiled. Sometimes things can get so bad in there that the balance wheel pivot points wear out the cap jewel. On a Rolex the standard 5 to 7 years is good.

[Cru Jones]

well, it's clear what rolex thinks in terms of service....and it just happens to work out for them, price-wise. i don't have a strong feeling on this one, as i haven't been burned on a watch that's worn out, and i haven't heard of many stories of "if only i had serviced it regularly, it wouldn't have cost me XXXX instead of YYYYYY".....

in this situation, i think of my dad's DJ. yes, it loses more than yours, but, it's from 1985. yes, 26 years old, and he hasn't serviced it yet, and he's happy.

i guess, in my mind, modern rolexes with modern lubrication that work well don't *need* it....but, for peace of mind, it might be worth it.

whatever floats for your boat.

[yannis]

I would send it in for a service since oiling the parts will prolong their life. Servicing is not just a matter of accuracy but consistency and durability also.