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BB83 · 27 December 2010, 04:32 AM

Hi everyone, could use some advice...

I have two Rolexes that have sentimental value to me but that I do not wear - they just sit in the safe deposit box.

One is a 1984/85 YG Day-Date with diamond bezel/markings. I don't think it's ever been serviced, and I'm pretty sure the diamond bezel is aftermarket, so not sure if official RSC will service it (maybe SF will?). Day mechanism isn't working, and the bracelet has a large ding in one link that would be nice to fix. The second is a 1995/96 TT Datejust with what the AD tells me is a unique rotating gold bezel. It's never been serviced either but runs great. I am the original owner, but didn't know back then how important it was to keep the papers (ugh)

I'd appreciate thoughts on whether it's worth it to service one or both of the pieces seeing as I don't wear them (neither is my style, and love the Daytona too much to wear anything else!). The Day-Date needs the service more due to the non-working Day function, but it has original papers; servicing the Datejust would have the benefit of giving me service papers and that instant authentication. Curious as to what I might be looking at in terms of service cost, and whether it's worth the money if they're going straight back to the safe deposit box after.

Thanks!! (Btw I'm leaning toward servicing them both because I plan to start a larger collection and want to have all pieces in great shape -- but I guess that has to be weighed against using that money to buy more watches!)

Puffy · 27 December 2010, 04:37 AM

i wouldn't bother. i'm the it it isn't broke don't fix it school...

George Ab · 27 December 2010, 04:41 AM

If you do not wear, then no need to service. They will not sustain damage when not in use even if the capsules (bearing surfaces are dry). BTW, guaranteed the 1995 is dry. So if going straight back into storage, why service?

If you are selling then you have to weight the cost vice the hit you will take as many are reluctant to purchase a watch that requires service.

As for instant authenticy from RSC, not sure if that is that big a deal; good pics and people can tell fakes from the real meal deal, along with your reputation. I use a local watchmaker who works at a Rolex AD and the pricing is better then RSC. Also, there is a warm body I can actually discuss the issues with and I develop a relationship with a watchmaker I can trust.

gaopa · 27 December 2010, 04:49 AM

If you do decide to service your watches, I recommend Nesbit's Service in Seattle, WA. They are great folks and do a a great job. Stay away from womble Watch Works in ATL! Cheers, Bill P.

axecollector65 · 27 December 2010, 05:58 AM

I would only service it if you decide to wear it regularly. I guess your concern is that in the future you might want to wear it and it doesn't work. If that happens, then get it serviced. The service cost should be the same.

NMS75 · 27 December 2010, 06:09 AM

Wear or not if they have great sentimental value then maintenance is important! However, if theyappear to be running fine (check them every so often) then don't bother servicing them. On theother hand if something major seems a miss I'd get them serviced.

Only my opinion but even though you don't wear them you obviously value them so they deserve the best.

M

skywag · 27 December 2010, 06:28 AM

Why would anyone EVER send a watch in that isn't broken?

Badfish179 · 27 December 2010, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skywag

why would anyone ever send a watch in that isn't broken?

x2

GradyPhilpott · 27 December 2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skywag

Why would anyone EVER send a watch in that isn't broken?

To keep it from breaking.

To each his own, but watches do need maintenance, just as any mechanical device does.

How often the watch is serviced is certainly up to the individual, but service is nonetheless required.

vintage69 · 27 December 2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skywag

Why would anyone EVER send a watch in that isn't broken?

My watchmaker,Dave,has shown me watches that seemed to work perfectly but had internal damage. He suggests that you have maintance done every 5to 7 years.

Boadicea · 27 December 2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skywag

Why would anyone EVER send a watch in that isn't broken?

Ongoing maintenance is essential!! If you don't service it, when it does eventually stop, you'll end up with a pretty serious bill!

You may hear of watches still ticking after over 20 years of abuse but I can assure you that they are running dry and wearing out pretty much everything inside as a result. When these guys do eventually take it in, they may as well get a new watch because everything will be replaced anyway.

I'm guessing you're one of those guys that never services his car either??

Boadicea · 27 December 2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axecollector65

I would only service it if you decide to wear it regularly.

I agree with this. If you are not planning on using them, then no "additional" damage will happen as they will not be running. If you do ever decide to start wearing them, be sure to service them before strapping them on!

sea-dweller · 27 December 2010, 09:40 AM

Good point!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boadicea

I agree with this. If you are not planning on using them, then no "additional" damage will happen as they will not be running. If you do ever decide to start wearing them, be sure to service them before strapping them on!

Boadicea · 27 December 2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

Good point!

Thanks! Just thinking about it a little further, the only exception to this would be if there is moisture in the case as you would eventually have ongoing corrosion that would damage the movement even if you don't use it. ALWAYS take a watch in if it steams up inside or shows that water has entered at some point!

Singslinger · 27 December 2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skywag

Why would anyone EVER send a watch in that isn't broken?

The OP said the day function in the Day-date isn't working at all so clearly, this watch needs a service and repair.

To the OP: if you're not going to use a watch at all that does not have any collectible value, then I would sell it and buy something that would get frequent wrist time. However, it would be difficult to sell if it isn't working or has no service record.

So bottomline: you were leaning towards sending them in for a service anyway, which I think is the correct thing to do. After that your selling position is much stronger and you can decide your next course of action. Perhaps offer them to a dealer in exchange for something that takes your fancy?

Good luck!

GoldenBear · 27 December 2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skywag

Why would anyone EVER send a watch in that isn't broken?

Why would anyone go to the dentist unless you have a festering, infected tooth?

BB83 · 27 December 2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singslinger

The OP said the day function in the Day-date isn't working at all so clearly, this watch needs a service and repair.

Actually it's only the day function that's not working - time and date work fine. But it's annoying that the day doesn't work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singslinger

To the OP: if you're not going to use a watch at all that does not have any collectible value, then I would sell it and buy something that would get frequent wrist time.

What prevents me from doing that is that both were gifts from my father - one a college graduation present, the other when he passed away. So while I would prefer something different, I keep them for their sentimental value.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singslinger

So bottomline: you were leaning towards sending them in for a service anyway, which I think is the correct thing to do. After that your selling position is much stronger and you can decide your next course of action.

I definitely agree with that. Thanks for the helpful advice!

sappie66 · 27 December 2010, 02:44 PM

I don't know about you, but if my father gave me a nice Rolex watch when he passed away, I would wear it.

I would get it serviced, and keep it serviced so it would run fine until it was time to pass it down to my son.

A watch in your safe will not remind you of your father. A watch not worn by you would not mean much to your son.

Don't mean to get too Patek Phillippe on ya! ;-)

Lion · 27 December 2010, 02:53 PM

I would think it would be fun to wear these watches after all these many years...I would get them serviced to make sure they are mechanically sound and start wearing them.....who knows they might grow on you!!!
Btw...welcome to the Forum.....

jasny · 27 December 2010, 03:41 PM

I just received my 1982 Tudor date-day back from RSC. They did a fantastic job, and gave me a 2 year warranty on a 30 year old watch. I m not sure how they do it, but I am going to wear it as a primary watch with that kind of safety net. It kind of sends me the message that Rolex feels they can service a 30 year old tudor, and guarantee it is as good as new. Plus they are so damn professional, and it took 3 weeks!

27 December 2010, 04:32 AM	#1
BB83 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA Watch: Daytona Posts: 375	Pay to Service Rolexes I Don't Wear? Hi everyone, could use some advice... I have two Rolexes that have sentimental value to me but that I do not wear - they just sit in the safe deposit box. One is a 1984/85 YG Day-Date with diamond bezel/markings. I don't think it's ever been serviced, and I'm pretty sure the diamond bezel is aftermarket, so not sure if official RSC will service it (maybe SF will?). Day mechanism isn't working, and the bracelet has a large ding in one link that would be nice to fix. The second is a 1995/96 TT Datejust with what the AD tells me is a unique rotating gold bezel. It's never been serviced either but runs great. I am the original owner, but didn't know back then how important it was to keep the papers (ugh) I'd appreciate thoughts on whether it's worth it to service one or both of the pieces seeing as I don't wear them (neither is my style, and love the Daytona too much to wear anything else!). The Day-Date needs the service more due to the non-working Day function, but it has original papers; servicing the Datejust would have the benefit of giving me service papers and that instant authentication. Curious as to what I might be looking at in terms of service cost, and whether it's worth the money if they're going straight back to the safe deposit box after. Thanks!! (Btw I'm leaning toward servicing them both because I plan to start a larger collection and want to have all pieces in great shape -- but I guess that has to be weighed against using that money to buy more watches!)

27 December 2010, 04:37 AM	#2
Puffy "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there Posts: 12,485	i wouldn't bother. i'm the it it isn't broke don't fix it school... __________________ Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten

27 December 2010, 04:41 AM	#3
George Ab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: George Location: Seattle Watch: One of Them Posts: 6,924	If you do not wear, then no need to service. They will not sustain damage when not in use even if the capsules (bearing surfaces are dry). BTW, guaranteed the 1995 is dry. So if going straight back into storage, why service? If you are selling then you have to weight the cost vice the hit you will take as many are reluctant to purchase a watch that requires service. As for instant authenticy from RSC, not sure if that is that big a deal; good pics and people can tell fakes from the real meal deal, along with your reputation. I use a local watchmaker who works at a Rolex AD and the pricing is better then RSC. Also, there is a warm body I can actually discuss the issues with and I develop a relationship with a watchmaker I can trust. __________________

27 December 2010, 02:53 PM	#19
Lion "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Leo Location: Midwest Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI Posts: 21,461	I would think it would be fun to wear these watches after all these many years...I would get them serviced to make sure they are mechanically sound and start wearing them.....who knows they might grow on you!!! Btw...welcome to the Forum..... __________________ SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#) THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!! MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!

27 December 2010, 04:49 AM	#4
gaopa "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: .. Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 1,820	If you do decide to service your watches, I recommend Nesbit's Service in Seattle, WA. They are great folks and do a a great job. Stay away from womble Watch Works in ATL! Cheers, Bill P.

27 December 2010, 05:58 AM	#5
axecollector65 Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New England Watch: Casio G-Shock Posts: 199	I would only service it if you decide to wear it regularly. I guess your concern is that in the future you might want to wear it and it doesn't work. If that happens, then get it serviced. The service cost should be the same.

27 December 2010, 06:09 AM	#6
NMS75 Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: United Kingdom Watch: 16610 & 116710LN Posts: 559	Wear or not if they have great sentimental value then maintenance is important! However, if theyappear to be running fine (check them every so often) then don't bother servicing them. On theother hand if something major seems a miss I'd get them serviced. Only my opinion but even though you don't wear them you obviously value them so they deserve the best. M

27 December 2010, 06:28 AM	#7
skywag Banned Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: N47.9 W122.7 Watch: S/S "P" Daytona Posts: 216	Why would anyone EVER send a watch in that isn't broken?

27 December 2010, 02:44 PM	#18
sappie66 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver Posts: 87	I don't know about you, but if my father gave me a nice Rolex watch when he passed away, I would wear it. I would get it serviced, and keep it serviced so it would run fine until it was time to pass it down to my son. A watch in your safe will not remind you of your father. A watch not worn by you would not mean much to your son. Don't mean to get too Patek Phillippe on ya! ;-)

27 December 2010, 03:41 PM	#20
jasny "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NYC/ NJ Posts: 6	I just received my 1982 Tudor date-day back from RSC. They did a fantastic job, and gave me a 2 year warranty on a 30 year old watch. I m not sure how they do it, but I am going to wear it as a primary watch with that kind of safety net. It kind of sends me the message that Rolex feels they can service a 30 year old tudor, and guarantee it is as good as new. Plus they are so damn professional, and it took 3 weeks!

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