DSSD srevice question

[Dirt]

I was wondering what happens regarding the pressure test when we send a DSSD in for service.

Is it Rolex policy to ensure the depth rating on the dial is retained in it's entirety at service time?
Or do they dumb it down to a lower level.

We've seen the pictures of the pressure test chamber that COMEX has developed to pressure test the DSSD to the factory specifications.
I wonder how many are there in the world at the RSC's.

Is there one of these special chambers in every country in order to pressure test the DSSD?
Or does a DSSD have to be sent to Switzerland in order to be serviced if there is only one pressure test chamber?

[Tridor]

I read somewhere recently that all DSSDs go back to Switzerland for service, and then are pressure tested in the Comex tank there. Apparently, one of the downsides to the DSSD is that no Rolex Service Center can touch it, other than the one in Switzerland because that's where the only Comex tank is located.

[Dirt]

Many thanks

That's what I thought.
I could only imagine what it would cost to service one of these things if it was a requirement for them to have a pressure test chamber in every country.

They wouldn't be backward in recouping their costs.

[winston]

All official RSC have the necessary pressure
testing kit.... So DSSD dont go back to Geneva

[Rashid.bk]

^ What he said.

[Tridor]

I don't think that is accurate.

"COMEX has worked with Rolex since the early 1970s, and designed and custom-made this one-of-a-kind testing machine that is used just to test Rolex DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER models for waterproofing." See the article titled "Exploring What Makes Rolex Tick" at http://rolexblog.blogspot.com. You will have to scroll down a bit on the site to get to the article.

So, it appears that any pressure testing to a minimum of 3,900m must be done in Switzerland. Apparently, Rolex pressure tests the DSSD to 4,979m which is about 25% greater than the guaranteed rating. Perhaps the RSCs in the US can test it to 300m (the rating for a Sub), but not to the DSSDs maximum depth rating. I would think that if one purchases a watch that is rated at 3,900m, he/she would want it pressure tested to achieve that rating. So, that would be the reason the DSSD would go back to Geneva for a complete service so that proper pressure testing could be done.

[balboa73]

Originally Posted by Tridor

I don't think that is accurate.

"COMEX has worked with Rolex since the early 1970s, and designed and custom-made this one-of-a-kind testing machine that is used just to test Rolex DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER models for waterproofing." See the article titled "Exploring What Makes Rolex Tick" at http://rolexblog.blogspot.com. You will have to scroll down a bit on the site to get to the article.

So, it appears that any pressure testing to a minimum of 3,900m must be done in Switzerland. Apparently, Rolex preessure tests the DSSD to 4,979m which is about 25% greater than the guaranteed rating. Perhaps the RSCs in the US test it to 300m, but not to the DSSDs maximum depth rating.

DSSD does not go back to switzerland. the DSSD is tested to that crazy rating once and once only. Dont worry about it because no one will ever wear their DSSD that deep to 'verify' depth rating

rest assured your DSSD will still be waterproof tested to any depth you may dive to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tridor]

If that's true, then what is the point of having that extreme depth rating in the first place if it will never be pressure tested to it again once it leaves the factory? In essence, you are paying a lot extra for a feature that becomes meaningless as time goes on. Even if one can't go down to that depth, money is being paid for that feature and I would expect that it would be recertified to its original depth rating. Perhaps you should contact RSC NY or RSC Dallas to determine what testing is done at service on the DSSD.

[balboa73]

Originally Posted by Tridor

If that's true, then what is the point of having that extreme depth rating in the first place if it will never be pressure tested to it again once it leaves the factory? In essence, you are paying a lot extra for a feature that becomes meaningless as time goes on. Even if one can't go down to that depth, money is being paid for that feature and I would expect that it would be recertified to its original depth rating. Perhaps you should contact RSC NY or RSC Dallas to determine what testing is done at service on the DSSD.

again. how would you or i ever know anyways regardless of what rolex says? answer me this...what would you do to verify the depth rating? its humanly impossible?

I can assure you when you get your DSSD back it will be waterproof to any depth you ever dive

I dont think Rolex is under any obligation to test the depth rating over and over everytime its serviced. the movement isnt COSC certified everytime its serviced either.

reminds me of the old show FIGHT BACK w David Horowitz!!!!!.

[Tridor]

Well, we can agree to disagree. When a Rolex is serviced, it is brought to within COSC specs. When a Sub is serviced, it is tested to 300m, which is its maximum rating. So why, then, when a DSSD is serviced, would it not be pressure tested to its maximum depth rating? Indeed, why would anyone pay a premium over a SubC of between $2,500 to $3,000 to purchase a watch that will never even come close to its original specifications in a material way? Perhaps it's just me, but I suspect that Rolex would insist that a watch rated to 3,900m be tested to that rating at service. BTW, "Fight Back" was a fun show.

[bayerische]

Hmm...

The DSSD is a ISO certified dive watch, meaning is should perform to it's stated depth rating with a 25% (if I remember correctly) safety margin.

Sure no human will dive to 3900m (outside a submarine).

While I don't know where the DSSD are serviced, I find it odd enough that if they're not tested to their specified depth rating after service, what's the point of a depth rating at all....?

[Invictus Maneo]

If I bought a DSSD and found out it wasn't tested to that depth at service I'd be slightly pissed off . After all, what would I be paying for?


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[Tools]

Originally Posted by Tridor

Well, we can agree to disagree. When a Rolex is serviced, it is brought to within COSC specs. . . ..

Nope..

Many people misunderstand the "COSC specs". The movement is tested over a several day period under position, temperature, pressure and humidity changes. The movement can vary by -4/+6 during this test and still pass. It has never been a "standard" by which your watch performs, or is set to, from day to day.

The "COSC test" is only performed once, never again..

[Andad]

Originally Posted by winston

All official RSC have the necessary pressure
testing kit.... So DSSD dont go back to Geneva

I didn't know that all RSC's has one of these?

That is a handy 'kit' to have.

[Tridor]

Originally Posted by Tools

Nope..

Many people misunderstand the "COSC specs". The movement is tested over a several day period under position, temperature, pressure and humidity changes. The movement can vary by -4/+6 during this test and still pass. It has never been a "standard" by which your watch performs, or is set to, from day to day.

The "COSC test" is only performed once, never again..

Hi, Larry. RSC NY advised me that when serviced, a Rolex is brought to within COSC specs of -4/+6. I never said that a new COSC test was performed, just that Rolex regulates the watch to run within those specs at service. I apologize if I was unclear on that point.

[Gottahaverolex]

I had my Deepsea crystal replaced as it was chipped. I live 20 minutes from the Lititz service center and asked this question specifically because I had heard the same thing about going back to Switzerland. I was assured that every RSC has the capabilities to reseal and test a deepsea. It just so happens that a former student of the Technicum and a former RSC employee opened up his own shop in my town and verified these facts for me. Believe me when I say a DSSD can be tested way past what we could ever dive at every RSC.

[SWISSAHOLICS]

That's why I love this forum....so much to learn...love it.

[ceconomakis]

All the larger RSCs have this. Some large ADs have the ability. The testing equipment cost plus $30,000 so an AD must have the volume.
If an RSC does not have the equipment then they cannot touch the DSSD.

[Chewbacca]

i asked the same q back in early 2009 and got the following response from my ad in canada. things may have changed since early 2009 as more dssd's are in service today but, i'm going to ask next week and update this thread if its still flowing.

all rsc's have discretion to send a dssd (or any model they may not be equipped to work on) back to rolex (EU) for service or testing if they are not equipped with the dssd spec pressure testing equipment. you also may never know if it went abroad bc international inter-corporate 'service' pouches for rolex (and other watch manufacturers such as PP and AP) are duty exempt and avoid typical customs/shipping delays. once you approve a repair order and quote, its fully insured and in rolex's care until back at your ad or shipped to your address.

as stated by others, cosc has nothing to do with pressure testing and is only done once.

[Wesley Crusher]

Whether or not anybody will dive to 3900m is irrelevant. If the watch claims to be able to handle those extreme depths, it should. When it goes in for service, it should be pressure tested to that rating.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by winston

All official RSC have the necessary pressure
testing kit.... So DSSD dont go back to Geneva

Thats correct but in the real world if any dive watch is tested to 200-300m and passes that test it will be fine for all water sports including scuba.But would doubt today if 95% all dive type watches including the DSSD even see any water other than perhaps a dip in the pool or shower.

[Dirt]

All the responses are great guys

However it doesn't address the issue of "Rolex policy" in regard to ensuring the preservation of the DSSD's advertised depth rating.
I suppose in some ways, it does actually go to issues of integrity as others have quite legitimately noted.

I was originally just curious about the matter, and was wondering what we "actually" payed for in the first instance, and are paying for at service time.
I think we all understand, that there is no legitimate requirement to have a watch that's tested to a deeper depth rating than a Sea-Dweller.

It's certainly an interesting question though.
I suppose it really requires an official enquiry to Rolex.

[Fin]

Originally Posted by winston

All official RSC have the necessary pressure
testing kit.... So DSSD dont go back to Geneva

This is not correct.

I have a SDDS and I asked about this from local RSC.
They will send all SDDS back to Swizerland for service.
Of course they check that same water resistance after service.
Maybe some RSC are too lazy to do that, or something, but that is the policy at least in Scandinavia.
I guess local RSC in UK or USA should do the same, if they do not have similar Comex tank for testing that water resistance, which I heavily doubt...

[winston]

The DSSD is tested to its dial depth rating plus a margin over and above the depth too each time an RSC performs a service... The fact that I and most other owners only go down as deep as a swimming pool is irrelevant.

[Britexpat76]

Originally Posted by Tridor

If that's true, then what is the point of having that extreme depth rating in the first place if it will never be pressure tested to it again once it leaves the factory? In essence, you are paying a lot extra for a feature that becomes meaningless as time goes on. Even if one can't go down to that depth, money is being paid for that feature and I would expect that it would be recertified to its original depth rating. Perhaps you should contact RSC NY or RSC Dallas to determine what testing is done at service on the DSSD.

What is the point of having a depth rating of 3900m? Even commercial divers wont work at 10% of that rating and the deepest dives ever done by man is around 600m.

Does it really matter that it may not be able to do that sort of depth after a few years? People buy it because they like the larger look surely?

[Tridor]

Originally Posted by Britexpat76

What is the point of having a depth rating of 3900m? Even commercial divers wont work at 10% of that rating and the deepest dives ever done by man is around 600m.

Does it really matter that it may not be able to do that sort of depth after a few years? People buy it because they like the larger look surely?

A lot of people like the notion that "my watch can go deeper than your watch." The extreme depth rating is one of the selling points for the DSSD, absurd as it may be. So, if one is going to pay a hefty premium, even if it's for a function that they may never use, I would think the watch should be re-certified for that function at service.

[Cc1966]

In the U.S., most of the RSC's have the ability to test the DSSD to the rated depth. An exception is the Beverly Hills RSC, which send theirs to Dallas. The COMEX developed test equipment is similar to the large scale systems used in the Rolex's Swiss production facilities. I was given this information prior to sending my DSSD to Dallas for testing.

[Britexpat76]

Originally Posted by Tridor

That may just be part of it. A lot of people like the notion that "my watch can go deeper than your watch." That's one of the selling points for the DSSD, absurd as it may be. So, if one is going to pay a hefty premium, even if it's for a function that they may never use, I would think the watch should be re-certified for that function at service.

I always assumed it was a "My watch is bigger than your watch" kind of thing, but I know what you mean.

[MaxCargo]

Originally Posted by Fin

This is not correct.

I have a SDDS and I asked about this from local RSC.
They will send all SDDS back to Swizerland for service.
Of course they check that same water resistance after service.
Maybe some RSC are too lazy to do that, or something, but that is the policy at least in Scandinavia.
I guess local RSC in UK or USA should do the same, if they do not have similar Comex tank for testing that water resistance, which I heavily doubt...

In norway they do not send to Geneva

[kayaker21]

Toured the Rolex service center in Toronto 4 years ago where they had the equipment on hand to do the necessary testing ,they were very proud of there new innovation.