Service the DeepSea

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by psv

A bit too early to service it unless it is not running well.

I agree with this.

I'd stick to a pressure test and wait another three years for a full service.

If you are a diver, then the pressure test should be annual, but a full service should be at 5-7 years and I'd lean toward 7, unless something is clearly amiss.

Originally Posted by david_ord

I give my 3 year old daughter a bath daily. The watch gets submerged rather deep... sometimes down to 16 inches in warm water for extended periods of times of up to 15 seconds. It always seems to work fine when it emerges, but appearance can be deceiving. Does this level of wear and tear necessitate a shorter service interval?

[SeamasterGMT]

Originally Posted by david_ord

I give my 3 year old daughter a bath daily. The watch gets submerged rather deep... sometimes down to 16 inches in warm water for extended periods of times of up to 15 seconds. It always seems to work fine when it emerges, but appearance can be deceiving. Does this level of wear and tear necessitate a shorter service interval?

[scallopio]

Sending to RSC is the right move. I would be worried to send the DeepSea in for service unless it goes to Rolex. On a technical info thread which I recently discovered. I can see one of the pages says "After-sales servicing of this product must only be carried out by personnel who have completed the special training course. .... Otherwise it should be returned to headquarter in Geneva"

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=37035

Now I'm not sure if this is what it says for every Rolex model or just the DeepSea. But I'm worried it's not just the pressure testing equipment involved, but also about the many parts of the DeepSea casing itself.

[Ironstark]

The Deepsea is a model that for servicing or any work involving opening the case back, MUST be returned to an RSC.
Only an RSC can perform a full pressure test on a Deepsea and as a restricted model none of the case components etc... will be available to anyone but Rolex.
Rolex will not make the Deepsea specific tooling or pressure testing equipment required available either. So from a practical point of view, no one outside ans RSC can work on a Deapsea.
Other models restricted due to servicing requirements are the YMII and the Prince.

[thlax]

....it's your watch. Do what you want.

I think you've read every possible answer here except I'll service it for you if you don't mind sending it to me at an unknow PO Box because I have a guy who knows someone with a COMEX test chamber in their garage....

Consensus? Send it to RSC.

[STEVEad1]

The answer I got back when asked if they pressure test to 3900m. Also he originally quoted a price of $350 service and $175 polished. Some FYI to future people wanting service.


Yes 100%. All watches are pressure tested to Rolex specs. However when I asked him about that I asked him if he will be charging any differently then a regular Submariner. He said yes absolutely and its going to cost $1100 to service and $250 to polish. He said this watch must be handled completely differently.

[STEVEad1]

Bump

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Originally Posted by STEVEad1

The answer I got back when asked if they pressure test to 3900m. Also he originally quoted a price of $350 service and $175 polished. Some FYI to future people wanting service.


Yes 100%. All watches are pressure tested to Rolex specs. However when I asked him about that I asked him if he will be charging any differently then a regular Submariner. He said yes absolutely and its going to cost $1100 to service and $250 to polish. He said this watch must be handled completely differently.

If you're going to pay that much to service the watch, why not have RSC do it? Peace of mind.

[STEVEad1]

I agree a 100%. Was amazed with the quote he gave so told him wont be having him do it but call when the new Blue Face YM comes in. Im going to wait like others are saying. One of the beauties about this website.. Good stuff.

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by STEVEad1

The answer I got back when asked if they pressure test to 3900m. Also he originally quoted a price of $350 service and $175 polished. Some FYI to future people wanting service.


Yes 100%. All watches are pressure tested to Rolex specs. However when I asked him about that I asked him if he will be charging any differently then a regular Submariner. He said yes absolutely and its going to cost $1100 to service and $250 to polish. He said this watch must be handled completely differently.

Sounds to me like he would probably send to RSC after he realized he couldn't fool you on the pressure testing, and bumped up price to make some money himself.

I would stay away from this AD all together. Sounds a bit fishy to me....

[raiderceb]

Originally Posted by zeuloa

Sounds to me like he would probably send to RSC after he realized he couldn't fool you on the pressure testing, and bumped up price to make some money himself.

I would stay away from this AD all together. Sounds a bit fishy to me....

that was my first thought as well...the price he quoted is approx 100% markup for handling the shipping/receiving to/from RSC.

go straight to the horses mouth so to speak and skip the middle man.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by gwalker

I have had mine regulated 2x not at RSC. Most can pressure test to over2k feet. Plenty enough for me. any one that can pressure test a sub can pressure test DSSD unless you are going to strap your watch to a trident class submarine. Most likely if it doesn't fail at 2k it's not failing at 10k.

Which brand pressure tester does your watchmaker (and most watchmakers have it seems) that can test watch pressure resistance to 60 bar?

ps. your 'ok at 2000ft' will be 'ok at 10000ft' doesn't make any sense to me??

Are you an engineer?

[sub-eddie]

I just called (today) to the rolex service center in dallas and they told me that the service starts at 700.00 for the deepsea and that they recommend a service every 5-7 years.

[sub-eddie]

I too own a deepsea that was purchased back in oct-08. I'm going to wait until the 7 year mark to service mine. I just had my F-series sea dweller(4000) serviced last month and they did an excellent job. That watch was about 8 years old and it only needed a new crown with a service cost of 600.00 plus 75.00 for the new crown. They also charge you for shipping and taxes which came out to a total of 779.00.

[waterman1]

Hello,
I called RSC Dallas a few weeks ago trying to get a 2nd pair of spring bars for my dssd as I'd like a backup pair constantly going to the NATO, and during the call inquired about the cost of a service on my 2009. I was told approx $600 but then by the time they replace the crown and seals which she told me is standard because of the seals, she quoted approx $800.

I'm also thinking its a bit soon for the service but wanted to get an idea of what to plan for.

[Adam K.]

Originally Posted by gwalker

I have had mine regulated 2x not at RSC. Most can pressure test to over2k feet. Plenty enough for me. any one that can pressure test a sub can pressure test DSSD unless you are going to strap your watch to a trident class submarine. Most likely if it doesn't fail at 2k it's not failing at 10k.

This!

[MatthewInSeattle]

It's true that the machinery used to test the DSSD is very expensive, and there aren't many independent watchmakers that have them in their shops. I know here in Washington, there are only two places that still have Rolex Parts accounts, and they're both in Seattle.

[onions]

Called in at the Rolex RSC in Melbourne today to drop off my Sub TT for service and started talking to the receptionist about my DSSD that I was wearing...

Asked her about a service for it and the rumor that it had to be sent overseas. She stated that none of the watches left for service leave their premises and that includes the DSSD. She confirmed that they have the necessary equipment on site to pressure test beyond the 3900m depth rating...and pointed to it through the windows into the repair centre sitting in the corner of the room.

Interestingly, she stated that the head watch-maker was a fan of the DSSD and it was his daily wear... :-)

Cheers, Ian

[ro11ie]

seems pretty inexpensive for a service...especially with a DSSD, i'd be a little leary.

[NYC6]

OP, you're a saturation diver so you know the importance of using the best equipment and having it serviced correctly by professionals. Your life depends on the knowledge, expertize and attention to detail that the experts provide. Dont deviate from what you know is the right thing to do. Let the professionals at Rolex handle your DS.

[CoachRolexRyan]

Originally Posted by paracord

send it to rolex. Think about it. They've probably services thousands and thousands of dssd's. They have it down to a science i'm sure.

How many has your local guy done? A couple? If any?

I would never let some local person touch my nearly 10k dssd.

x2

[masterserg]

^ x 3 man ... don't let anybody but the Rolex elves put their paws on the Beast!