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DrAlias · 17 July 2013, 01:08 AM

Hi Guys, I met a man this morning who has been wearing his Rolex everyday for the past 35 yrs. I asked him how many times have it been serviced? He gave me a blank look... Said NEVER!. Have it been out of service? .. No .. He said. It has been on my wrist since the first day I got it from my wife.. 35 yrs ago and never stop working.. I love it just like my four sons.

That watch must be collecting alot of his personal life history. what makes me realise is how cheap it is to maintain a Rolex, contarary to general belief. I guess he can pass down that watch to one of his sons.
I managed to get a shot of the watch, just using my phone, photo quality is debateable.

WatchFeen · 17 July 2013, 01:10 AM

amazing that these watches can stay true for so many years! Thanks for sharing :)

DrAlias · 17 July 2013, 01:10 AM

Another shot.

Casey VP-26 · 17 July 2013, 01:12 AM

Service at RSC, would probably cost more then original purchase price to the gent.

SCsailor · 17 July 2013, 01:13 AM

impressive! The rolex reputation is earned and this is a fine example.

nickng · 17 July 2013, 01:52 AM

35 years? Gee... What a workhorse.
I will definitely send it in to RSC to give it a complete new lease of life.
Cheers!

.

alanc · 17 July 2013, 02:01 AM

Well, he certainly hasn't babied it; it looks like it was worn everyday.

kilyung · 17 July 2013, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrAlias

... makes me realise is how cheap it is to maintain a Rolex, contarary to general belief.

Precisely!

joe100 · 17 July 2013, 02:22 AM

A lubrication and pressure test might not be a bad idea after 35 years though.

DESH · 17 July 2013, 02:47 AM

wow! is this your daily piece?

padi56 · 17 July 2013, 02:50 AM

The watch might look good on the outside but after 35 years without a service as for the inside well that could be a different matter.Yes some Rolex go on for decades but many others don't its that simple if you are willing to take that risk go ahead.As for myself I will stick to my 5-8 year service as I don't dive anymore retired,so no longer pressure check twice or three times a year as when using as a working tool watch.

TSW · 17 July 2013, 03:22 AM

He will not be happy about the service quote when it stops and has to be sent in

Daytona-Dan · 17 July 2013, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

The watch might look good on the outside but after 35 years without a service as for the inside well that could be a different matter.Yes some Rolex go on for decades but many others don't its that simple if you are willing to take that risk go ahead.As for myself I will stick to my 5-8 year service as I don't dive anymore retired,so no longer pressure check twice or three times a year as when using as a working tool watch.

You got it in before me!

It may look ok but if/when something does go wrong, it's likely to need most of the movement replaced. It's like your car, you can drive it far beyond the service interval, but when it does eventually die, you can kiss the engine goodbye.

GeoGio Greece · 17 July 2013, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrAlias

Another shot.

If the photo does not fool me, I think this watch had a life

The crystal has some chips, but if it is 35 years, was it then saphire ? My SS Datejust of 1983 was acrylic. Unless this was different as a TT. And the dial ? Is it period correct ?

The cyclops is out of alignment, due to knocks, or worn seals allowing rotation ????

The rubies inside must be "dust to dust", not to mention the remaining of the movement, if due to the condition there was some water penetration.

It would be very interesting to see the insides , Does this watch keep time or it just operates ?

The longest I've gone was 9 years with a watch, a 16700, stuck due to dried oils.

WyoWatch · 17 July 2013, 04:55 AM

He needs to read this article by Al Archer of Archer watch (who is a VERY reputable independent watchmaker).

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f20/how...ew-789280.html

Mystro · 17 July 2013, 04:56 AM

And I took some shots for going 15 years and the watch really needed nothing. It ran the same +4 seconded the entire time.
At 35 years, there is nothing that cant be replaced that would off set how much money he saved by 3x.

Fredrik · 17 July 2013, 04:59 AM

If it still works as it should the movement is most likely still ok. When I got my brothers old Submariner I had it serviced for the first time in 33 years. It still functioned fine, about +4s/day, but I wanted a service and new seals and a pressure check. The total cost was about 950USD. A few parts in the movement was replaced, like the red reverser gears, I got a little bag with the replaced parts. Also a new crystal was fitted.

When my father got it for him, he paid less than 200USD in -78 new...

SohAIS · 17 July 2013, 05:13 AM

This one must be the odd one from the bunch. 35 years and no service. Wow!

stockae92 · 17 July 2013, 05:16 AM

awesome story, just tell him don't do a dip in the pool with watch on him ...

:p

applebook · 17 July 2013, 05:22 AM

I guess he's late/ early for a lot of meetings!

DrAlias · 17 July 2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skg307

wow! is this your daily piece?

Yes...thats what he told me. Everyday for the past 35 yrs...I think he dare not to remove from his wrist in case he may lose it.

DrAlias · 17 July 2013, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by applebook

I guess he's late/ early for a lot of meetings!

The day I saw it it was pretty accurate. He may have been adjusting every now and then. Any way he can be late for his meeting as he is the owner of a local supermarket.

HL65 · 17 July 2013, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredrik

If it still works as it should the movement is most likely still ok. When I got my brothers old Submariner I had it serviced for the first time in 33 years. It still functioned fine, about +4s/day, but I wanted a service and new seals and a pressure check. The total cost was about 950USD. A few parts in the movement was replaced, like the red reverser gears, I got a little bag with the replaced parts. Also a new crystal was fitted.

When my father got it for him, he paid less than 200USD in -78 new...

And that has always been my experience as well. It is amazing how well these are built! They are like mini tanks and so durable! I just had Rik Dietel service my 1680/8 tropical Sub for first time in 43 years and it ran me $450 dollars and had no issues whatsoever. Gotta love Rolex!!

doubleinfive · 17 July 2013, 07:36 AM

My wife wears an Oysterdate 6604 that belonged to her father. He bought it in 1963, the year my wife was born and she had it serviced last year for the very first time.

17 July 2013, 01:08 AM	#1
DrAlias "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Brunei Posts: 45	How often Rolex needs servicing? Not once in 35 yrs!!! Hi Guys, I met a man this morning who has been wearing his Rolex everyday for the past 35 yrs. I asked him how many times have it been serviced? He gave me a blank look... Said NEVER!. Have it been out of service? .. No .. He said. It has been on my wrist since the first day I got it from my wife.. 35 yrs ago and never stop working.. I love it just like my four sons. That watch must be collecting alot of his personal life history. what makes me realise is how cheap it is to maintain a Rolex, contarary to general belief. I guess he can pass down that watch to one of his sons. I managed to get a shot of the watch, just using my phone, photo quality is debateable. Attached Images

17 July 2013, 01:10 AM	#3
DrAlias "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Brunei Posts: 45	Another shot. Attached Images

17 July 2013, 01:52 AM	#6
nickng "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: NickN Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex Posts: 524	35 years? Gee... What a workhorse. I will definitely send it in to RSC to give it a complete new lease of life. Cheers! . __________________ NickN

17 July 2013, 02:22 AM	#9
joe100 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,840	A lubrication and pressure test might not be a bad idea after 35 years though. __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

17 July 2013, 02:50 AM	#11
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,061	The watch might look good on the outside but after 35 years without a service as for the inside well that could be a different matter.Yes some Rolex go on for decades but many others don't its that simple if you are willing to take that risk go ahead.As for myself I will stick to my 5-8 year service as I don't dive anymore retired,so no longer pressure check twice or three times a year as when using as a working tool watch. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

17 July 2013, 01:10 AM	#2
WatchFeen "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Keifer Location: Katy Watch: Sub 116610 LV Posts: 571	amazing that these watches can stay true for so many years! Thanks for sharing :)

17 July 2013, 01:12 AM	#4
Casey VP-26 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: America Posts: 2,721	Service at RSC, would probably cost more then original purchase price to the gent.

17 July 2013, 01:13 AM	#5
SCsailor "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 334	impressive! The rolex reputation is earned and this is a fine example.

17 July 2013, 02:01 AM	#7
alanc "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Real Name: Alan Location: Connecticut Watch: 114270 16710B Posts: 1,062	Well, he certainly hasn't babied it; it looks like it was worn everyday.

17 July 2013, 02:47 AM	#10
DESH "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Real Name: Desh Location: in a car driving Watch: ing the numbers.. Posts: 1,223	wow! is this your daily piece?

17 July 2013, 03:22 AM	#12
TSW "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: TSW Location: Le Brassus Watch: Rolex & AP's Posts: 27,449	He will not be happy about the service quote when it stops and has to be sent in __________________ AP Owners Club IG @swiss.watch.connection

17 July 2013, 04:55 AM	#15
WyoWatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Chad Location: USA Watch: 1675 GMT and Sub C Posts: 1,443	He needs to read this article by Al Archer of Archer watch (who is a VERY reputable independent watchmaker). http://forums.watchuseek.com/f20/how...ew-789280.html

17 July 2013, 04:56 AM	#16
Mystro 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: The Mystro ;) Location: Central Pa. Posts: 15,510	And I took some shots for going 15 years and the watch really needed nothing. It ran the same +4 seconded the entire time. At 35 years, there is nothing that cant be replaced that would off set how much money he saved by 3x. __________________

17 July 2013, 04:59 AM	#17
Fredrik 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sweden Watch: 1680 Posts: 1,874	If it still works as it should the movement is most likely still ok. When I got my brothers old Submariner I had it serviced for the first time in 33 years. It still functioned fine, about +4s/day, but I wanted a service and new seals and a pressure check. The total cost was about 950USD. A few parts in the movement was replaced, like the red reverser gears, I got a little bag with the replaced parts. Also a new crystal was fitted. When my father got it for him, he paid less than 200USD in -78 new...

17 July 2013, 05:13 AM	#18
SohAIS ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2024 SubLV41 Sponsor & Boutique Seller Join Date: Sep 2010 Real Name: Aamir Location: Atlanta, Georgia Watch: Patek, Rolex Posts: 34,536	This one must be the odd one from the bunch. 35 years and no service. Wow!

17 July 2013, 05:16 AM	#19
stockae92 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 4,962	awesome story, just tell him don't do a dip in the pool with watch on him ... :p __________________ 135 ├┼┼╕ 246 R

17 July 2013, 05:22 AM	#20
applebook "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: vancouver Posts: 1,918	I guess he's late/ early for a lot of meetings! __________________

17 July 2013, 07:36 AM	#24
doubleinfive "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: CA Posts: 655	My wife wears an Oysterdate 6604 that belonged to her father. He bought it in 1963, the year my wife was born and she had it serviced last year for the very first time.

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