Coming out of the closet...

[Monte Cristo]

So a 16610 which was purchased BNIB in 2006, has been sitting in the box locked away in the closet, sleeping ever since. Only ever been worn maybe 5 times (for a day or two at a time).

Does it need a service before it can come out of the closet and undertake daily wrist duties?
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[up2nogood]

Fire it up, and check it's performance. If it's out by more than COSC specs, then I'd have it serviced.

I dare say the seals would still be OK, but I'd get a WP test done before going diving, just in case.

How the hell did you leave it locked away for so long!?

[z32turbo]

My gut says your good to go.

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by up2nogood

Fire it up, and check it's performance. If it's out by more than COSC specs, then I'd have it serviced.

I dare say the seals would still be OK, but I'd get a WP test done before going diving, just in case.

How the hell did you leave it locked away for so long!?

I got some "stick" from co-workers due to it being a Rolex and wearing the Omega, Panerai & JLC seemed to fly under the radar (go figure) so it just got put aside.

Now older, wiser and no co-workers (just employees), so either it gets used or traded for a Daytona.

[gwalker]

Check and see how it keeps time. If its not keeping good time take it to the dr. If it keeps good time wear it for a few years. Regardless 8 years is about max without a service for me.

[wrxsti]

how could u let that beauty sit there for that long?

[Adam K.]

check basic functions, and then try to get to a decent watchmaker. They can pressure test for safety, and check the amplitude...this last bit can often indicate how imminent an overhaul should be.

[gargamel647]

Go for it. It'll be fine.

[xjeeunitx]

If the watch is keeping good time... NO, unless you want to waste $500 plus on a service that the watch doesn't need. Just my 2 cents.

[petesjag]

Fire that Sleeping beauty up with love first kiss and you should be fine

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by petesjag

Fire that Sleeping beauty up with love first kiss and you should be fine

x 2 !

HAGW

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Monte Cristo

So a 16610 which was purchased BNIB in 2006, has been sitting in the box locked away in the closet, sleeping ever since. Only ever been worn maybe 5 times (for a day or two at a time).

Does it need a service before it can come out of the closet and undertake daily wrist duties?
.
.
.

Now for the past 15 -20 years the oils used are now mostly synthetic and don't dry out like the older mineral type oils, fully wind it it will be fine if it runs well and keeps good time then it dont need any service yet thats for sure.
Around 2000 before going back to the far east I bought several Rolex Tudors from a guy in Germany,now these Tudors were from a huge private collection all were from the mid 1960s early 1970s.All were BNIB never been worn boxes tags papers etc,and as far as I know not even wound since bought new, but I wound them and tried them all before buying they all worked fine.Now I sold most but kept a few and one lady Tudor Princess for the wife,now this watch was from late 1969 early 1970s and it had been sat in its box for over 30 years.But I gave it a full wind and it started straight away and ran well and kept excellent time,and some of you guys worry about modern day Rolex sat at ADs for a few years..But after a month of the wife wearing I gave it to my watchmaker friend to give it a service and check it over.He remarked there was still oil on the vital parts and movement was still as new but he did give just a oil and seal service that was around 10 years ago.Now wife wears the watch almost daily and it still keeps remarkable time for a old timer but is now due for a full service.

[Andad]

As Peter has said.

Your SubDate movement parts were lubricated with their respective oils, assembled with care and sealed inside a case.

The movement is just as it left the factory IMO.

[mjclark32]

It may need a bit of a break in period too. So give it a couple weeks of wear before jumping to any conclusions.

[Cru Jones]

As we all know, ADs sell NOS watches that are several years old as "new" with a full warranty as if new, so, I'd say, yeah, if it works today, it's good to go.

[travisb]

Only one way to find out...

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by adam k.

check basic functions, and then try to get to a decent watchmaker. They can pressure test for safety, and check the amplitude...this last bit can often indicate how imminent an overhaul should be.

x2

[mountbaldy]

Originally Posted by Monte Cristo

So a 16610 which was purchased BNIB in 2006, has been sitting in the box locked away in the closet, sleeping ever since. Only ever been worn maybe 5 times (for a day or two at a time).

Does it need a service before it can come out of the closet and undertake daily wrist duties?
.
.
.

Absolutely not. Unless your watch has been abused in some sense, the case has been opened, water has gone in, you see codensation in the crystal or there is some other reason, you are good to go at least for the next 20yrs.

[FNFZ4]

I would say that if it does not feel sticky then yea youre good to go. 5 years is just a recommended interval. Many factors will affect it if you need sooner or later service.

[Monte Cristo]

Thanks guys. I will give it some serious wrist time over the next couple of weeks and see how it goes.