Service questions - frequency

[dgoldberg]

Hi all,
I purchased a 1979 sub a few years ago, and it to run perfectly. I was told it was serviced by the dealer prior to sale. I'm new to this, so excuse the rookie questions.
-Should I proactively service every few years or so, or wait until there's an issue? -Additionally, other than pricing and the warranty, is there any difference between going to RSC vs. an independent?
-Any NYC recommendations?

Thank you

Dan

[Seibei]

Fix it only when it is broken. The less your watch is opened and messed with the better if you ask me. Others disagree.

RSC is normally more expensive than independent, but I would say it is worth it, unless you have an independent who is well known with impeccable credentials.

You may wish to have your watch serviced by Dallas RSC rather than NYC. NYC RSC does not appear to have the greatest reputation.

[droptopman]

I only service when needed. I have used RSC and independent--depending on new or vintage. Use a indy for vintage. Others like to do routine service, but I have had Rolex that ran great at 20 years with no service history. One of the great things about the brand.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by dgoldberg

Hi all,
I purchased a 1979 sub a few years ago, and it to run perfectly. I was told it was serviced by the dealer prior to sale. I'm new to this, so excuse the rookie questions.
-Should I proactively service every few years or so, or wait until there's an issue? -Additionally, other than pricing and the warranty, is there any difference between going to RSC vs. an independent?
-Any NYC recommendations?

Thank youd

Dan

Rolex now state that watches should be serviced approximately every 10 years.But if watch is worn 24/7 and used almost daily or used in water or show signs of poor timekeeping then service should be sooner

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by padi56

Rolex now state that watches should be serviced approximately every 10 years.

Oh Man.
Rolex have never stated anything to that effect.

Perhaps someone would be so kind as to repost that letter to a dealer where the content regarding the 10 year service time frame became public and twisted out of context.

[Chilly Coconut]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Oh Man.
Rolex have never stated anything to that effect.

Perhaps someone would be so kind as to repost that letter to a dealer where the content regarding the 10 year service time frame became public and twisted out of context.

Letter?? Rolex explicitly states it on their website....recommended service approximately every 10 years, depending on model and usage. It couldn’t be clearer. To wit:

To guarantee continued accuracy and waterproofness, Rolex recommends that you periodically return your watch to an Official Rolex Retailer or Service Centre for professional servicing. It is recommended to service your Rolex approximately every 10 years depending on the model and real-life usage.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Chilly Coconut

Letter?? Rolex explicitly states it on their website....recommended service interval of approximately 10 years, depending on factors like usage, etc. It couldn’t be clearer.

Well there you go.
I don't hang out on their website so I wouldn't know what's on there these days.

Thanks for the heads up.
In that case, I retract my statement above and apologize unreservedly.
I shall defer to the infinate wisdom of the Rolex organization as they seemingly have "it" well covered.

A few questions though
What would happen and where would I stand in the highly likely event that my daily wearer DSSD should stop working at about the 5 year mark necessitating a service to make it functional again?
Aside from the 2 year international service guarantee.
Is it possible that I could make a legitimate claim against Rolex, with reference to their 10 year claim?
Or should I just go whistle Dixie?

You should check out the letter though, as it's an interesting read

[Chilly Coconut]

Originally Posted by Dirt

A few questions though
What would happen and where would I stand in the highly likely event that my daily wearer DSSD should stop working at about the 5 year mark necessitating a service to make it functional again?
Aside from the 2 year international service guarantee.
Is it possible that I could make a legitimate claim against Rolex, with reference to their 10 year claim?
Or should I just go whistle Dixie?

You should check out the letter though, as it's an interesting read

It’s no different now than it’s ever been, with respect to your questions. Their recommended service interval has always been longer than their warranty period. Before 2015, the warranty was two years with recommended service approximately every five years. As of 2015 (the “letter”), it’s now a five year warranty and 10 year (approx) service.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by dgoldberg

. . . I'm new to this, so excuse the rookie questions.
-Should I proactively service every few years or so, or wait until there's an issue? -. . .

This is debated endlessly and nobody ever changes their mind.

Many folks are proactive and like a well running, well maintained, machine, and will get a periodic service. Like anything, a record and history of maintenance and care are telling.

Others only react when something breaks.

It's up to the type of person you are, nothing wrong with either.

[Car32]

Originally Posted by Tools

This is debated endlessly and nobody ever changes their mind.

Many folks are proactive and like a well running, well maintained, machine, and will get a periodic service. Like anything, a record and history of maintenance and care are telling.

Others only react when something breaks.

It's up to the type of person you are, nothing wrong with either.

Hi Larry, I’m curious to know what you recommend?

[SLS]

If you plan to use it in the water, I'd recommend getting it pressure tested every couple of years. Plus, acrylic crystals are more prone to have leaks.

[jrs146]

I’m more of a reactive guy I guess. My normal service interval is when it stops ticking!


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[andrewjb88]

When it stops ticking or you notice significant slow down or speed up of time.

Mine's just been in was running at +13seconds a day.

[joli160]

Only service when it does not work properly anymore

[Halitosis]

I recently booked my 8 year old GMT in for its first service - it was running well but I bought it when 6 years old and I guess nerves got the better of me. The AD was very polite but his raised eyebrows expression told me as clearly as words would have - I was (at least) a few years early

[m j b]

A good independent should service the watch just as well as the RSC.

[sensui]

I like them serviced every 7-10 years myself. I prefer active maintenance.

[Daveclock]

You can drive your car and never get it serviced until it breaks.
You can leave it stationary for 10 years but it will still degrade.
Many drivers have them serviced regularly to avoid potential problems.
I find watches&clocks behave in a similar way.
Speaking as a professional Horologist for 30 years.
But as my friends over the pond say YMMV

[dgoldberg]

Thank you everyone.
Any NYC independent repair specialists anyone recommends?

[Brazicano]

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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Brazicano

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Thankyou kindly.

Yes that's as I recall.
The letter says the "typical" period is now approximately out to10 years.
Upon receipt of the letter, the so called journalist was the first to broadcast it across the internet that Rolex service intervals "are now 10 years".
Prior to this Rolex had understandably never made any specific recommendations outside of what were regarded as industry standards.

To add context, this was after Omega had declared extended service intervals which were longer than Rolex service intervals(suggested 5-7 years Rolex) which were previously(suggested 3-5 years Rolex).

So basically, we have gone from being offered little more than a statistical number(according to Rolex).
To an approximation depending upon model and typical usage conditions. Without declaring specifically which models the 10 year service interval is applicable to.
Further to this and equally important is they make no statement as to what constitutes "typical usage".

I'm much more sceptical than ever now
Times have certainly changed, and I still can't get much more than about 5-5.5 years out of a daily worn automatic watch with normal activity levels before it starts playing up worse than a second hand lawn mower thereby requiring a service.
As I'm over half way through a typical service interval(for me), we shall see in a couple of years.

[shaunylw]

Pressure check vintage, i only service when it starts running wild. That could be 5-7 years, it could be 15. I don't do preventative maintenance on watches.

[subtona]

Service when it breaks or 10 years whichever comes first.

[RichM]

The RSC might have a field day with a 40 year old watch. Might want to use an independent in this case.

[ReclinerTimer]

Ill echo some others who say fix it when and if something goes wrong. My dad wore a 1979 datejust (same year as your sub) for 35 years before gifted it to me. It is my most prized possession. Anyway, he literally got the watch serviced one time in the first 35 years he owned it with daily wear. It was serviced for a second time when he gifted it to me. So pretty much the watch has been serviced twice in 40 years with absolutely zero issues whatsoever. If your sub looks good, feels good, and runs good then no need to worry

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by ReclinerTimer

So pretty much the watch has been serviced twice in 40 years with absolutely zero issues whatsoever. If your sub looks good, feels good, and runs good then no need to worry

Amen. I just fail to see any upside in servicing a watch when it is not needed. What are the downsides in servicing a watch too often?

1. Cost
2. It could be lost.
3. It could be damaged.
4. Mistakes may be made during the service. The possibilities are endless and all of them are annoying and all of them probably mean that the watch will have to be serviced again and exposed to further risks.
5. Parts that need replacing are not replaced and the watch will fail within a few years of the service and therefore need a new service anyway.


Ok, what is the upside in servicing a watch that is running fine? Your watch may be less at risk of failing unexpectedly. If you find yourself in a jungle with no communications this may be an issue, but in that kind of situation I might have a back up watch...

[77T]

Proactively pressure test the watch annually is my motto.

Then service it when you notice any anomaly - in timekeeping, crown seating, rotor noise, reduced power reserve, grinding when winding, etc.


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[dgoldberg]

My thought on servicing is that I'd like to get it pressure tested in advance of an upcoming vacation (where Ill be in water).

Any NYC suggestions?