How often do you send your Rolex into RSC for service?

[snowbird]

I've seen threads on how often people service their Rolexes but can't recall seeing a poll on this - appreciate peoples' thoughts on this.

[dmacintyre]

Don't Rolex recommend every 7 years or so?

[frequentflyer]

I've had mine since about 2001 and haven't sent it in yet, I've had no problems with it at all.

[snowbird]

Interesting - so far no one is choosing the Rolex recommendation of 5 years.

[mike]

I usually go 8 years. I might pressure check somewhere in there depending on usage.

[Dr. Robert]

I am of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" school of maintenance.

[TRW]

I will send ours in at the 5 yr mark.

[mickyvee]

When mine got to +15 seconds a day, it went in. When it gets back to +15 seconds a day, it'll go back again.

[skywag]

Originally Posted by dmacintyre

Don't Rolex recommend every 7 years or so?

And the quick lube places all recommend 3000 mile oil changes!

[GolfPunk]

If you leave it until something goes wrong, is this not causing more damage (ie, dried out/rusted parts etc)??

[Chipmunk]

I send mine in only as needed.

[lordcon]

yeah once the watch stops keeping accurate time i send it in. however long that takes to happen isnt a variable.

-j

[dsio]

Waiting till it rusts isn't cheaper, I've tried. I'll be going every 5 years here on in, but indy watchmaker not RSC.

[pz93c]

I don't use the RSC.

I don't agree with their practices.

[George Ab]

I use Reliably Centered Maintenance which is a slightly more sophisticated and cost effective. The 5 year recommend by Rolex is draconian.

I take my watch to a competent watchmaker and have him look it over. If it still has lubrication in the capsules (bearing points), and there is no contamination or anything wrong with it. I normally do this at the about seven years; however, usually 10 years is when maintenance is required (watch is dry).

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by trw

i will send ours in at the 5 yr mark.

x2

[snowbird]

Interesting the range of viewpoints on this.

As of now it looks like a bimodal distribution is forming - the largest group -40% - says only when there's an issue, the next largest - 22% - sticks with the Rolex 5 year plan.

[dieseldragon]

This is a difficult choice.
On the one hand, preventitive maintenance is good, but very expensive, but the watch will last for ever.
On the other hand a standard service, through Rolex (and Omega) price includes replacing worn mechanical parts.

So, if the watch is keeping good time and a service will include replacement of the worn parts, is there any need to pay for a service, until something goes wrong?

I myself have struggled with this dilemma.. and have come to the conclusion that whatever goes wrong can be fixed, so why pay out on a scheduled basis. Most of us here have more than one watch, so they are never used 24/7 any way.

[Clay]

I had a conversation about a year ago with the head of the service dept. at Rolex of *%(^&....I was inquiring about a pressure test....the woman said: "There's NO reason to take your watch in for service UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM".....
I think that says it all....

[watchteacher]

Never, do mine myself.

[HL65]

I send in when something is wrong--or on average--10 years plus or so. It also depends on how much wear and tear your watch is subjected to. I have a pretty good rotaion and my Rolexes are not on winder. One thing I will say is that Rolexes are very forgiving watches and built quite well. I think we would be surprised on how long they can go and what they can go thru.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by skywag

And the quick lube places all recommend 3000 mile oil changes!

Exactly what I was going to say!

[snowbird]

Originally Posted by Clay

I had a conversation about a year ago with the head of the service dept. at Rolex of *%(^&....I was inquiring about a pressure test....the woman said: "There's NO reason to take your watch in for service UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM".....
I think that says it all....

Was that an AD service department?

I just heard the same thing the other day at an AD. The salesperson said they tell all their customers to just wait until they have an issue with the watch before bringing it in for service.

[sea-dweller]

Once every 10-12 years. I have several and wear them in rotation.

[azkri]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I am of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" school of maintenance.

Me too!

[Singslinger]

I send mine in every 8 years or so.

But I have a friend who has not serviced his Sub in 23 years - and it still works fine. It looks like crap - beat-up and scratched, the bezel turns in both directions and the fliplock has broken, but he insists on not sending it in for an overhaul. I guess different people have different views about this sort of thing.

[awright102]

I always send mine in after 5 years. It tool 5 months to get back to me this year so i wont rush the next time!

[Puffy]

i rotate between a lot of watches so maybe once every 10 years...

[George Ab]

Originally Posted by George Ab

I use Reliably Centered Maintenance which is a slightly more sophisticated and cost effective. The 5 year recommend by Rolex is draconian.

I take my watch to a competent watchmaker and have him look it over. If it still has lubrication in the capsules (bearing points), and there is no contamination or anything wrong with it. I normally do this at the about seven years; however, usually 10 years is when maintenance is required (watch is dry).

I wanted to add something. This practice outlined above is based on not only a competent watchmaker, but an ethical one as well.

A watchmaker can tell how freely the movement is running, timing, rotor end play as a common problem that leads to contamination and winding efficiency as the rotor axle slop results in the rotor striking the case and case lid.

Based on a couple of watches I have purchased off of the boards. Some people sell their watches when maintenance is due.

[Cannop]

I'll do mine when there is a problem. My Tag Heuere that I bought new in 1994 has only just gone in for it's first service (it's due back tomorrow). It has been my daily beater for the last 16 years - it was still keeping good time but I had worn a lump off the crown when I caught it on a concrete post whilst doing some work in the garden. As well as the movement service and new crown I also had the bezel replaced and the total came to £240 - £95 for the service (the crown replacement is included) and £145 for a replacement bezel. That averages out (for service costs) at £6 per annum over the life of the watch so far. If you look at the Tag recommended service interval of 3 to 6 years and take the average of 4.5 years that would mean mine should have had 3 complete services so far making the service costs £18 per annum. Thats why I tend to think if it ain't broke don't fix it!