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Old 13 April 2020, 04:10 AM   #1
khalifam
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Is a Rolex really for life?

Hey all,

When I purchased my Sub in 2016 I bought with the intention of having the one watch forvever. That soon changed though... Over the past years I've seen so many posts about value, investment etc that it actually made me appreciate my watch more.

What I truly want to know from you old folks ;) is a Rolex really a life time watch? I've heard so much that these watches are not like other brands they are never disposed they will always tick away. Is that true? If so how?! If something ever goes wrong with the watch is it just as simple as giving it to a good watch maker to have it serviced/repaired and back on your wrist?

I remember watching a video from Paul Thorpe once saying that what differentiates a Rolex from other watch brands is that a Rolex will last generations... What's your view's?



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Old 13 April 2020, 04:31 AM   #2
Megalobyte
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Most good watches can last a very long time. Rolex is easier to service because the movements are less complex, and the 3135 movement has been in use a long time, so, lots of parts out there and lots of watchmakers who know how to service them. So because of robust but fairly simple, time tested movement designs and lots of parts, Rolex probably are a bit more likely to be a lifetime or multi generational watch.
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Old 13 April 2020, 04:33 AM   #3
AJMarcus
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With recommended care and service, most Rolex will outlive any mortal being on our planet. If you don’t believe that take a look at the TRF vintage forum
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Old 13 April 2020, 05:07 AM   #4
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Any decent mechanical watch will watch many lifetimes if properly serviced.
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Old 13 April 2020, 05:30 AM   #5
AK797
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Not on this forum, the enabling makes holding on to one very difficult. Outside this forum they pretty much all are.
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Old 13 April 2020, 05:34 AM   #6
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Absolutely they are a tuff tool diver although most aren't used as such. It is the watch you can purchase wear for decades and hand down to a loved one. With proper service and care they can last forever.
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Old 13 April 2020, 05:36 AM   #7
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My fathers’ 2 Rolex watches outlived him, I have them now and they will outlive me.
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Old 13 April 2020, 05:37 AM   #8
johnjm
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Yup. I still have a 1958 and 1969 in the family. Still run perfect.

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Old 13 April 2020, 05:41 AM   #9
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They are all built for it; what happens, though, is another story.
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Old 13 April 2020, 05:59 AM   #10
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Here are two examples (not mine) that have lasted many years and will likely continue on for many more.

The first one (early Daytona) has a great story. Back in mid 1960’s the man whom I met, his father was a maintenance supervisor...working class guy. Had been eyeing this watch at a local jeweler for some time. But couldn’t quite justify in his mind the expense (something like $250) His wife called and said she was going into labor. He got in his car and was driving to the hospital and was passing the jeweler on the way. He pulled in and bought the watch as a celebratory memento of the occasion. He later passed it on to his son before he passed. I met this guy on a flight one day and we had a great conversation about watches, life, etc.

The second watch (OP) was on the wrist of a gentleman I met at a dinner party one evening at the country club. I think he was in his mid 80’s. He graduated from H.S. sometime in the late 50’s. His parents gave him the watch for graduation. He wore it all his life. His only watch. I think he’d served in Vietnam, went law school afterwards and on to have a great career. Lovely gentleman. Great conversation. He said, “would you like to look at it?” when I inquired as to how he came to acquire it.

So, to your original question, yes I think Rolex can and will stand the test of time and be multi generational watches.



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Old 13 April 2020, 06:00 AM   #11
kieselguhr
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Here’s my dad’s Rolex. He wore it for his life time. Now I’ll wear it for my lifetime. God willing my kid will too. So I guess you could say, it would last several lifetimes.

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Old 13 April 2020, 06:02 AM   #12
Setarip
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Originally Posted by kieselguhr View Post
Here’s my dad’s Rolex. He wore it for his life time. Now I’ll wear it for my lifetime. God willing my kid will too. So I guess you could say, it would last several lifetimes.

That’s a beautiful watch! I hope you and your kid enjoy a long and healthy life!
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:08 AM   #13
enjoythemusic
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A Rolex, properly serviced every so often, is a lifetime timepiece.

Actually, you never really own a Rolex, you're looking after it for your child's child's child. A Rolex is servicable in a reasonable time @ reasonable cost too.

Alas, some companies only make timepieces that can be reasonably serviced in reasonable time for only one generation. After that, good luck.
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:11 AM   #14
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Really enjoy the life stories of these watches. Keep them coming!
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:13 AM   #15
khalifam
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Wow! If I don't ever service my watch and in 75 years my kid wants to wear it... Is it just the case of taking it to a watch maker have it serviced and bang... Slap it on your wrist?

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Old 13 April 2020, 06:28 AM   #16
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I'm 43 and my Datejust is 31. The watch is at -1 second a day.



I'd say if it's for life
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:42 AM   #17
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I have but one Rolex, a DJ41 from 2019, I know that Rolex will look after my watch for a few years but I thought that they limited servicing to 40 years?

Can anyone clarify please.
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:43 AM   #18
pholzer
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If Rolex wasn't a life time watch, so many won't inherit from their dad and grand dad...because it can live as much as... hence serviced and good care is taking.
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:43 AM   #19
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I have a 75+ year old Omega and it's keeping fantastic time, I think Rolex would be the same. I think if a watch is cared for and serviced, it should last.
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:54 AM   #20
Dave4D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Setarip View Post
Here are two examples (not mine) that have lasted many years and will likely continue on for many more.

The first one (early Daytona) has a great story. Back in mid 1960’s the man whom I met, his father was a maintenance supervisor...working class guy. Had been eyeing this watch at a local jeweler for some time. But couldn’t quite justify in his mind the expense (something like $250) His wife called and said she was going into labor. He got in his car and was driving to the hospital and was passing the jeweler on the way. He pulled in and bought the watch as a celebratory memento of the occasion. He later passed it on to his son before he passed. I met this guy on a flight one day and we had a great conversation about watches, life, etc.

The second watch (OP) was on the wrist of a gentleman I met at a dinner party one evening at the country club. I think he was in his mid 80’s. He graduated from H.S. sometime in the late 50’s. His parents gave him the watch for graduation. He wore it all his life. His only watch. I think he’d served in Vietnam, went law school afterwards and on to have a great career. Lovely gentleman. Great conversation. He said, “would you like to look at it?” when I inquired as to how he came to acquire it.

So, to your original question, yes I think Rolex can and will stand the test of time and be multi generational watches.
Thank you for sharing. Great stories.
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:56 AM   #21
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There is two completely different timelines with how easy a Rolex model will be to service. The older models could have been serviced by any watchmaker and they would have parts in stock. Those days are long gone. Forget the “Legacy Rolex” idea for any modern Rolex unless Rolex makes some big changes in parts availability outside the Rolex network.

Rolex has made a few moves the last decade that has put them in a position where lasting a lifetime is not as easy as they once were. By limiting all parts to watchmakers make it very difficult to service out side the Rolex company. That is a major problem and game changer from the way it use to be.

Rolex also complicated it even more by not promising to produce parts even for the Rolex network after movements have been discontinued. Rolex was very upfront on this matter that they will NOT make replacement parts indefinitely for discontinued models. There is a lot of articles on this. I would even go out on a limb and say any quality watch with a ETA sourced movement would be significantly easier to maintain 50 years from now.
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Old 13 April 2020, 06:57 AM   #22
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Well... they're for life if you maintain them. They're a mechanical instrument and mechanical instruments need to be maintained. It's not like you buy one, throw it on you wrist and wear it 24/7 for the next 50 years. It will stop at one point and that's the point where you send it out for service.
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Old 13 April 2020, 07:11 AM   #23
kieselguhr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Setarip View Post
That’s a beautiful watch! I hope you and your kid enjoy a long and healthy life!

Thank you!
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Old 13 April 2020, 07:21 AM   #24
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The Rolex will last forever if serviced from time to time. Owners, however, tend to have a "roving" eye (myself included). We can't help buying or trading when another (Rolex) catches our eye. A most contagious and incurable disease.
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Old 13 April 2020, 07:27 AM   #25
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I used to buy watches to keep until they fell to bits or stopped working and would be easier for me to throw away than get repaired.

Now I buy them to keep them, because I have fallen in love with well built mechanical watches finished to high standards. I don't buy junk or disposable any more.

Mine will be passed on. What my family does with them is up to them. I won't care. They will probably still be worth decent amounts, particularly if older and well maintained. So they should represent either quick money or cherished heirlooms. It will probably be a bit of each. I have a number of things in the safes that will fulfil this function, not just watches.
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Old 13 April 2020, 07:33 AM   #26
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They make a great product which does not have built in obsolescence,. For as long as Rolex supports maintaining our movements they are fine. For when they don't we may have to settle for 3d printed replacement parts. That is not outside the realms of possiblity.
That is how our watches will live for many generations.
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Old 13 April 2020, 08:21 AM   #27
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They can definitely stand the test of time and hold their value will (if not appreciate even further than what you bought it for). Take a look at how much vintage watches go for these days.

I plan to pass mine down to my future children as family heirlooms.
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Old 13 April 2020, 08:32 AM   #28
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Love reading these stories!
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Old 13 April 2020, 08:46 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kieselguhr View Post
Here’s my dad’s Rolex. He wore it for his life time. Now I’ll wear it for my lifetime. God willing my kid will too. So I guess you could say, it would last several lifetimes.


Love the dial on that one!


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Old 13 April 2020, 08:48 AM   #30
schoolboy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystro View Post
There is two completely different timelines with how easy a Rolex model will be to service. The older models could have been serviced by any watchmaker and they would have parts in stock. Those days are long gone. Forget the “Legacy Rolex” idea for any modern Rolex unless Rolex makes some big changes in parts availability outside the Rolex network.

Rolex has made a few moves the last decade that has put them in a position where lasting a lifetime is not as easy as they once were. By limiting all parts to watchmakers make it very difficult to service out side the Rolex company. That is a major problem and game changer from the way it use to be.

Rolex also complicated it even more by not promising to produce parts even for the Rolex network after movements have been discontinued. Rolex was very upfront on this matter that they will NOT make replacement parts indefinitely for discontinued models. There is a lot of articles on this. I would even go out on a limb and say any quality watch with a ETA sourced movement would be significantly easier to maintain 50 years from now.

Thanks for sharing that Mystro!

I was under the same impression.
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