Service before storing for long term?

[QuelleHeureEstIl]

I bought a watch from Watchfinder which I will store in a safe and give it as a present in about 10 years. This watch has stickers.

I see advantages to have it serviced now by a Rolex Service Center but it may also be overkill.

Pros:
- fix minor issue that could degrade during long storage (water, etc)
- assess the watch (fake, stolen, etc)
- provide a "trace" like invoice, etc
- got back to watchfinder if there is an issue

Cons:
- stickers will have to be removed
- price
- may be useless

Would you simply put it in the safe now or would you service it to a RSC? Thanks.

[dpt.calvin]

No.

[EEpro]

Not necessary. Pull it out at year 9 wind it and observe the timekeeping over 24 hrs and maybe power reserve. Decide at that time.

[gmtobsessed]

I'll never store a watch in the first place, meant to be worn

[QuelleHeureEstIl]

Originally Posted by gmtobsessed

I'll never store a watch in the first place, meant to be worn

Actually, it is a gift for my son by my wife (we found his years' born). I already have other watches that I wear and will pass on. :)

[QuelleHeureEstIl]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Not necessary. Pull it out at year 9 wind it and observe the timekeeping over 24 hrs and maybe power reserve. Decide at that time.

Corollary of your answer: you trust watchfinder. Am I right? :)

I trust them. Maybe I just need to be re-assure that they can be trusted. :)

[7enderbender]

No idea. My 2c: take it out every now and so often and let it run. Also, I’m not 100% sure what the air in a safe may or may not do to watch. I know that some safes have gypsum layers inside that is known to affect guns, causing corrosion as a result of sulfur and formaldehyde fumes. No idea what this does to watches, boxes and accessories. I wouldn’t want to keep a watch in a safe for long term storage and make sure my guns are always lubricated and/or bagged properly.

[QuelleHeureEstIl]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

No idea. My 2c: take it out every now and so often and let it run. Also, I’m not 100% sure what the air in a safe may or may not do to watch. I know that some safes have gypsum layers inside that is known to affect guns, causing corrosion as a result of sulfur and formaldehyde fumes. No idea what this does to watches, boxes and accessories. I wouldn’t want to keep a watch in a safe for long term storage and make sure my guns are always lubricated and/or bagged properly.

Thanks for the advices. I will investigate that part.

My plan is to have it wrapped with none acid and none abrasive tissue, sealed in a plastic bag with silica gel bag.

Following your advice, I will keep an eye regularly. :)

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Not necessary. Pull it out at year 9 wind it and observe the timekeeping over 24 hrs and maybe power reserve. Decide at that time.

^^^^This is what I would do.

[BNA/LION]

Save your money... Perhaps I'd wind it a few times if I happen to be checking it out but It will be fine when you go to get it in 10 years.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by QuelleHeureEstIl

Corollary of your answer: you trust watchfinder. Am I right? :)

I trust them. Maybe I just need to be re-assure that they can be trusted. :)

I have no idea what you're talking about.

It seems obvious to me that what you're asking about doing is a waste of money. Keep your money

[Feb_29]

10 years is a long time. The watch need to be winded time to time, otherwise the oil will dry.

[JohnGingerwood]

Why not store it and service when you take it back out? If you service now and let it sit for 10 years it may need another service then.

[Willyjo]

This is interesting, I have several watches that I store in their original box, as they come, in a temperature controlled safety deposit box facility. Also plan on giving these to my son.

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[cmnfahad]

The movement must work
At least weekly or monthly
So that the lubrication does not dry out
You will not need to maintain

[joli160]

Service now for no reason and do it again in a decade.
The RSC’s sure like customers like you

[Jack T]

You’re holding a brand new, brand new Rolex watch, boxed, papered, stickered, am I correct? And paid top Dollar for it, no doubt. Then you already made that decision to trust Watchfinder when you pushed ‘Confirmed’. By the way, I sold a watch to them, they offered a good price for my piece, they were fine to deal with.

As for storing a pristine watch for 10 years, it doesn’t make sense to me, that’s not how I see watches. A 10 year old Rolex worn and handled properly is barely an adolescent, it will hardly show its age, yet it can have a history.

[Tzachi]

The modern oil used in watches is synthetic. It’s has a certain life span (4-5years avg). That’s one of the major reasons modern Rolex needs service more frequent then the older ones.

It doesn’t make sense to service and store, Bette service it when it goes out of storage and you start using it.

[saxo3]

Which reference and year? Or a new watch with stickers?
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QuelleHeureEstII...PASTROPTARD

[shaunylw]

Not necessary. Put it away, service when it comes out of hibernation.

[Dirt]

The stickers don't have to be removed.

Opinions will vary but I might be inclined to leave it be if it's being stored as long as you keep a silica gel satchel in the box with it

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Feb_29

10 years is a long time. The watch need to be winded time to time, otherwise the oil will dry.

Synthetics don't necessarily dry out.
But they still degrade by oxidation and will potentially migrate away from where they need to be over time if the movement is not in use. So in that respect the lube points may run considerably drier than they normally would.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Tzachi

The modern oil used in watches is synthetic. It’s has a certain life span (4-5years avg). That’s one of the major reasons modern Rolex needs service more frequent then the older ones.

Think it is the other way around: Modern lubricants are better than the old
ones and as a result service intervals are now longer than before


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[QuelleHeureEstIl]

Thank you all for your comments. I will follow your advices.

You are right: watches (modern or vintage) are not designed to be stored in the same position for so long. Oil will dry and migrate following the gravity. Which could be the cause of bigger issues.
So after leaving the safe, we will have it serviced.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by QuelleHeureEstIl

Thank you all for your comments. I will follow your advices.

You are right: watches (modern or vintage) are not designed to be stored in the same position for so long. Oil will dry and migrate following the gravity. Which could be the cause of bigger issues.
So after leaving the safe, we will have it serviced.

Can you answer my post19? : cheers:

[brandrea]

Good decision OP. Unnecessary at this time.

[TunaTuna]

10 year old service papers from RSC will increase your investment return so I would do it

[QuelleHeureEstIl]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Can you answer my post19? : cheers:

By Rolex definition: a modern one. (Sorry for not being more specific, but I do not want to be identified)

[77T]

Trust, but Verify. My 2¢

Send it to RSC - ask for a service quote price. Decline it, pay the assessment fee.

Now you know it wasn’t stolen. Store it dial up in a safe. Wind it up every New Years Day - check it’s accuracy.

Ten years from now, send to RSC for full service. Gift it and be happy.


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[bmrk]

Why service it now when you will service it later