Thoughts on Preventative Service

[77T]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Short answer is no I can’t.

I have seen/heard it during presentations while at Rolex and as you say it is commonly accepted as well.

But it’s fair to say the ‘guarantee’ is little more than their word. Parts will run out when they run out. That could be sooner or a little later. But I don’t doubt that they mean what they tell their watchmaker network.

Thanks - I agree Rolex has performed well in this area. And a track record is what counts.

My guess is the DJ is the longest lasting model still in current production, and the widest owned model globally - which will have some parts available for even more than 30 years. As long as the demand for parts stays strong there is a motive to keep making them for the repair centers and parts account holders.


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[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by 77T

Thanks - I agree Rolex has performed well in this area. And a track record is what counts.

My guess is the DJ is the longest lasting model still in current production, and the widest owned model globally - which will have some parts available for even more than 30 years. As long as the demand for parts stays strong there is a motive to keep making them for the repair centers and parts account holders.


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This is true to an extent. Take the 30xx series. It is highly likely their stock will extend beyond the 30 year mark. But it is unlikely they will produce parts indefinitely (particularly since they actively say they won’t).

The 31xx series is about to be retired so the 30 year count down will start on that, and in just under 30 years the 32xx is likely to be replaced. They can’t keep everything historic in production as well as constantly innovating new calibres.

To come full circle, this is why preventative maintenance is a good thing on watches that are of a certain age. Once parts are gone they are gone.

[77T]

“Preventative Maintenance”

It matters more when the outcome of failure is so severe that the cost of routine maintenance is insignificant by comparison.

I think of aircraft engines, racing transmissions, locomotives - not a watch that is part of a multi-watch collection where it can be replaced by another while being serviced.

My thoughts on servicing watch movements are that fewer hands messing with the going train and other elements is better, and that you’ll have less chances of a damaged dial, midcase, bezel and bracelet.


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[dkg1616]

So I have some great intel to share.

I went into my local AD, who’s watchmaker has been to multiple Rolex watchmaking courses, schools, etc. (to be honest I don’t know exactly what). He looked at the datejust my father passed down to me which is 31 years old, and hasn’t been touched in 20 years. It is keeping great time and passed the pressure test. The watchmaker advises that there is NO reason to get a service and to let it run till it starts having problems!

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it...

[SLS]

Any pre-owned watch I buy, I get it serviced right away. I would rather know what I can expose it to versus having and oh crap moment. Of the new watches I have purchased starting in 2004, not one of them has been serviced yet. Although I do have several on rotation. My wife on the other hand, has had her DJ serviced twice and she has worn it everyday since 1999.

[junamuan]

I'm not comfortable having my watch touched, even by reputable AD as I heard horror stories, unless absolute necessary.

Of course cars are different.

[dafuture]

Glad I asked, this has certainly been informative. The Explorer is definitely staying with me until it stops doing its job.

Thanks all!

[dkg1616]

Originally Posted by dafuture

Glad I asked, this has certainly been informative. The Explorer is definitely staying with me until it stops doing its job.

Thanks all!

Great choice!

[blue lion]

I figure if I keep my watches (and vehicles) serviced regularly they will serve me well.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by blue lion

I figure if I keep my watches (and vehicles) serviced regularly they will serve me well.

This is a factor that can't be ignored.

It comes down to personal preferences and getting the BBC alliance right with what one can afford.
The only down side to more regular servicing is the potential for some damage to occur to visible components.
In my experience this has never happened (that I know of) to any of my Rolex watches when placed into the RSC's care.
It's always been some other issue that's not normally discussed on the forums, which has eventually been dealt with to mutual satisfaction by the original RSC, or another.

With my daily wearer DSSD, it has not been polished despite having one service under its belt and in all likelihood may not be polished until after another couple of services.
It's already scratched gouged and dinged as it is from living a very happy but full life so I wouldn't notice any further minor marks on the case from the RSC. Even if I looked that closely at it.
I'm just happy it's working just fine

[lexmann]

The Rolex manager at one of the AD's in Vancouver says that only when the watch is running very slow then it's time to get it serviced. Because the lubricant Rolex uses now are much better in quality.

[VicLeChic]

An overhaul will take care of anything broken due to wear and tear for a flat fee which defeats the idea of preventative maintenance as opposed to a car for instance where not changing the oil could break the engine and write off the car.

[Headshrinker]

My first nice watch was purchased while I was a senior in high school. That was more than forty years ago and my Omega Moon Watch still runs very well.

[SN13]

The only time I ever opted for preventative maintenance was on a working watch that was 27 years old and had never been serviced...

[Halitosis]

When I took my 8 year old GMT in for a service (purchased second hand but keeping good time) the AD gave me a funny look and asked twice if I'm sure I want it serviced... I now have a new approach to servicing!

[BT1985]

Once it hits the 10 year mark I will get a service. Not a hard and fast rule by any means but just a good round number that works for me.


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[toxicavenger]

If it is broke, fix it. If it is not then wear it.

[77T]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

If it is broke, fix it. If it is not then wear it.

Pretty much...


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[Token74]

Keen to hear from Padi on this one, as pretty sure he would never do anything just because someone says he should, and he knows what he’s talking about.

I was once told that changing your car oil every 3k miles would keep an engine going forever. I followed this advice with a car that I kept for 7 years and clocked up over 250k miles. Never had a single problem with the engine! Didn’t stop the body work falling apart though!!

I’ve not done this with a car since, as I only keep a car for a year at a time these days, but I wonder whether the same principle applies to Watch oils.


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[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Token74

Keen to hear from Padi on this one, as pretty sure he would never do anything just because someone says he should, and he knows what he’s talking about.

I was once told that changing your car oil every 3k miles would keep an engine going forever. I followed this advice with a car that I kept for 7 years and clocked up over 250k miles. Never had a single problem with the engine! Didn’t stop the body work falling apart though!!

I’ve not done this with a car since, as I only keep a car for a year at a time these days, but I wonder whether the same principle applies to Watch oils.


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The advice given by brands and/or watchmakers is only that, advice. Nobody is telling anybody to do anything.

Truth be told no high volume brand is prepared with the internal staffing numbers nor externally trained network to accommodate every product they have ever produced at a fixed interval of 5-10 years.

[peterskinner]

Every manufacturer, without exception, recommends regular service. But what do they know......they just design and build the things.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by peterskinner

Every manufacturer, without exception, recommends regular service. But what do they know......they just design and build the things.

It is also worth pointing out that servicing a watch is not exactly a cash cow for the brands. Stores that forward the watch to a brand get the best deal because they received a generous cut for no actual work, just being a drop box.

The slice the brand receives has VAT charged on it, and has to pay for the salary of every person that handles the repair before reaching the watchmaker, and parts. Plus you get a warranty meaning when someone is unhappy with +2.8sd it has to be corrected again, for free.

The reason I mention this is to highlight that the advice given to service regularly is not 'just so they can get another £500 from you' every few years.

[No SUBctitute]

I don't need anyone opening my case and taking my watch apart unless its not working appropriately.