Is it time to service?

[bkandj2000]

If one owns a Rolex which is running within +3 sec. day - yet has not been serviced in, say, 5 years,,, is it for sure time for service or since it is still running so well, just wait? I believe the technically correct answer would be, "yes", however, it is for sure necessary?

[subtona]

just leave it be if it is running well.
if you feel anything out of the ordinary while winding or if it loses or gains significant time, then i would worry?

i'm no watch tech but here is my experience and

the day i purchased it, the watch techs advice from AD "bring it in for service when it breaks" (not the same guy responsible for below, he was there when i originally purchased the watch)

my service experience has been unsatisfactory and had to be returned to the mother ship 100% of the time.

***First Service: 8 yrs out (brought it in because when i wound it, the date wheel blew up along with other parts? this after it had been sitting in a draw while i nursed an injured wrist)
part 1)returned to me & minute hand fell off within hours.
part 2)minute hand replaced and returned to me with a scratched dial from minute hand... they replaced my dial. (sure glad it wasn't one of those silly dials with one or 2 lines of red writing)
part 3)got it back after they replaced my dial to find a thumb print on the inside of the crystal.... brought it back and they finally got it right.
total elapsed time ~5months

***Second Service: 12 years out, the crown almost pulled out on my and was winding with some resistance & cross threading, so i thought it was time to bring it in.
part 1) routine part of service is, crown & winding tube replacement. well after it was returned to me... it felt exactly the same as when i brought it in.
part 2) they adjusted it and told me there was a thread wrapped around the stem. i said .... but you just replaced it??????
part 3) 3 weeks later they offered to replace the crown and winding tube again. (sure sounds fishy to me)
total elapsed time about 6 weeks


ps. i assure you i brought it to the most reputable service in nyc.
and there was never an issue related to the length of the service interval being missed.
you are going for your lungs when you bring it in so whats a few more broken parts if you wait too long?

finally my service advice is certainly debatable, my experience with my service is backed with paperwork.

thats my 2 cents

[Rikki]

Reputable in transmission repair, but apparently not watch repair. At the very least have it checked for water resistance. You'd haate to have it leak. Rik

[Tools]

A Rolex watch is a machine..

Some folks like to run their machines until they break and then repair them.. I prefer to take care of my machinery so that it remains dependable and lasts as long as possible...

Personally, I think that Rolexes recommendation for servicing at around 5 years is conservative, but that is certainly a time to consider a service, surely by 8 to 10 years.........