To service or not?

[AverageJoe90]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and was hoping to get some advice from enthusiasts!

My dad bought a sub back in 1987 or 88, and to my knowledge it has never been serviced. Mostly because he was a cop and didn't trust anyone with his watch. I was also gifted a sub day-date in 2014 that also hasn't been serviced yet. My dad passed away last year and I now have both. Both were worn every day since they were purchased with the exception of the last year dad's watch has spent in the safe.

I heard that in some cases the value of the older Rolexs can actually be substantially higher if they haven't been serviced. Is there any validity to that claim? My local Rolex dealer had a great rebuttal to that point that if there's no intention to sell it then the value shouldn't matter.

What is your opinion?

[pursang_]

Service it. It's a mechanical device.

What you're referring to value wise is whether or not it's been polished.

[beshannon]

I would have them serviced and wear them. Then again I am in the minority that tries to enjoy my watches

[douglasf13]

I would send your dad’s watch to a trusted independent watchmaker with a Rolex parts account, and specify you want the case, dial, hands, etc. to remain in original condition.

[the_drunk_dial]

Does it keep good time? If so, it doesn’t need serviced. At the very least, have it pressure tested for it’s water resistance.


I think the better question is, what level of service is best? Don’t polish it. Don’t replace the dial or hands.

[csaltphoto]

An '87 or '88 sub really isn't old enough to have acquired substantial value as an antique or vintage watch. Dials and hands on watches made roughly before 2000 used tritium lume that will will no longer glow by now. If you want the watch to glow in the dark (albeit somewhat weakly) you will need updated an updated dial and hands. The older tritium lume sometimes age to yellow or orange and some people like this and it can enhance value or interest.

The older watch should at least be pressure checked to ensure water resistance.

If time keeping is off by more than a minute a week it should probably be serviced.

Having it polished is up to you. Depends on how thrashed it is. Some buyers/owners prefer an unpolished watch and some want it to look brand new. Again with a really old sub there is substantial value to leaving it in original condition but I don't believe yours is old enough to worry about that.

[Meyrin]

I would probably only have the watches serviced if they were not keeping good time or not holding the normal power reserve. But I would definitely have the older Sub pressure tested so you can wear it without worrying about water damage, which can be extremely expensive to repair! Having said that, if the older Sub has never been serviced then be prepared for it to fail a pressure test, and need new gaskets.

[Sgooter]

IMO: It all depends on what your plans are for the two watches: keep or sell?
If keep, then no service; clean them and wear proudly.
If sell, then yes service. Especially if you do not have the original warranty cards, papers, boxes, etc. Budget $1000 +/- for each watch serviced at an RSC.

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by AverageJoe90

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and was hoping to get some advice from enthusiasts!

My dad bought a sub back in 1987 or 88, and to my knowledge it has never been serviced. Mostly because he was a cop and didn't trust anyone with his watch. I was also gifted a sub day-date in 2014 that also hasn't been serviced yet. My dad passed away last year and I now have both. Both were worn every day since they were purchased with the exception of the last year dad's watch has spent in the safe.

I heard that in some cases the value of the older Rolexs can actually be substantially higher if they haven't been serviced. Is there any validity to that claim? My local Rolex dealer had a great rebuttal to that point that if there's no intention to sell it then the value shouldn't matter.

What is your opinion?

Sorry to hear about your Dad. I'm sure he is proud that you will wear and enjoy his Sub for years to come. If you do a search here on TRF, you will find that when Rolex services your watch, they do not care about originality. Functionality to original specs is their main goal. They will swap out dials, hands, crystal, bezel as needed. They will also polish the watch as part of the service.

If I were you, since your Dad never serviced it, I would have an independent do it and service the movement only. I wouldn't even have it polished to retain its originality. That's what I would do.

You also mentioned that you were gifted a "sub day-date in 2014"? What is that? Is it a Submariner or Day-Date?

[AverageJoe90]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

You also mentioned that you were gifted a "sub day-date in 2014"? What is that? Is it a Submariner or Day-Date?

I guarantee there's another name for it, just going by what dad used to call. I tried to attach a picture from my phone, but the forum didn't like it. I'll try to get a picture of both together later.

And everyone's info so far has been greatly appreciated!! I'm leaning towards having both serviced, but one at a time so I still have a watch to wear!

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by AverageJoe90

I guarantee there's another name for it, just going by what dad used to call. I tried to attach a picture from my phone, but the forum didn't like it. I'll try to get a picture of both together later.

And everyone's info so far has been greatly appreciated!! I'm leaning towards having both serviced, but one at a time so I still have a watch to wear!

Tapatalk app for your phone is easiest way to add photos to TRF.

Looking forward to your photos.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

Sorry to hear about your Dad. I'm sure he is proud that you will wear and enjoy his Sub for years to come. If you do a search here on TRF, you will find that when Rolex services your watch, they do not care about originality. Functionality to original specs is their main goal. They will swap out dials, hands, crystal, bezel as needed. They will also polish the watch as part of the service.

Polishing is optional with Rolex just as it is with reputable independent watchmakers.
The last two services I have had done by Rolex were movement services only. No polishing was stipulated up front.
I acknowledge that occassionally a mistake has happened with Rolex where polishing was done by mistake but these things are rare occurrences. With the sheer volume of service and repair work that Rolex does throughout the world, it's inevitable that mistakes will happen even with the best processes in place.

[MrMercedes]

Service!
And don't you ever think of selling the watches. They both have history with your dad. You would regret that quickly. And please show some pics!

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by MrMercedes

Service!
And don't you ever think of selling the watches. They both have history with your dad. You would regret that quickly. And please show some pics!

Agreed.
Hopefully the OP can share some good pics

[Innocenti]

Every bit of the watch replaced is a bit of your dad’s watch lost.

[Stan Cooper]

I'm a believer in regularly servicing the movement of mechanical watches every decade. Lubricants dry over time and that can cause excessive wear of pinions and gears. You can always request that the dial, hands, bezel inserts, and other non-movement parts not be replaced and the case not polished. An advantage of having a Rolex Service Center (RSC) service a watch is that you get a Rolex warranty and your name is on the paperwork itemizing the service that was performed. This is important if you ever plan to sell it.

OT, I was born and raised in Jacksonville.

[Onequik135i]

I would have the older sub serviced first & take everyone’s advice listed above. Just a service w no polish & keep original hands and dial of course. There is a select handful of independent watchmaker’s listed on this forum & I would highly recommend Phillip Ridley especially being his expertise is geared towards vintage pieces.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by AverageJoe90

. . .

I heard that in some cases the value of the older Rolexs can actually be substantially higher if they haven't been serviced. Is there any validity to that claim? . . .
What is your opinion?

Nonsense.

What damages value is loss of cosmetic originality in some cases, so servicing and replacing dials and hands etc., is a no-no.

Maintaining mechanical functionality and integrity maintains value.

[omar-rye]

Does Rolex even change parts without asking for consent first? Doesn’t the same apply for case polishing as well? Why does it have to be serviced at an independent if RSC offers the same if not better safety net

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Does Rolex even change parts without asking for consent first? Doesn’t the same apply for case polishing as well? Why does it have to be serviced at an independent if RSC offers the same if not better safety net

Good questions.
Yes, Rolex does generally change worn parts if they are deemed to be "wear components" and part of a routine scope of works and they are factored into the fixed price pricing structure of a service.
Other parts can be changed on a needs basis.
Anything outside of the standard scope, is also quoted on and listed on the quote and itemised accordingly for approval by the owner prior to proceeding with the work.
If the scope of work is more than the usual, some of the items on the quote will be recommended and as such are optional. Whilst other outstanding items will be conditional in that Rolex will refuse to service the watch unless the items are addressed.
The transparency throughout the whole process until completion is fine unless something goes off track(which is rare).
Rolex does not return worn parts where as other manufacturers may.
Less obvious parts that are routinely changed can include updated/revised items as part of an upgrade to movement parts.
Another example of things that can be routinely changed was with old Subs which were routinely upgraded from Twinlock crowns to Triplock crowns way back in the day and this was obvious. Thus contributing to the perception that Rolex could "destroy" the value of a watch.
These things can be a matter of perception.

An independent with a Rolex parts account are more inclined to work with the customer in terms of going the extra mile in order to preserve the originality of a piece where as with Rolex, it's their way or the highway.
Both approaches are legitimate from certain points of view.
Obviously a reputable independent is going to be more sympathetic as it were

In the past I have declined a Rolex service and pursued the independent pathway for certain pieces, if I thought Rolex were being a touch too draconian(so to speak).
There are options either way

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Tools

Nonsense.

What damages value is loss of cosmetic originality in some cases, so servicing and replacing dials and hands etc., is a no-no.

Maintaining mechanical functionality and integrity maintains value.

This

The other part of it is being able to preserve the originality whilst maintaining the mechanical functionality and reliability. Original Tritium dials are a prime example of where we will all ultimately end up walking a tightrope which is hard for the less experienced to navigate.

[Dirt]

It's simple really.
An "unserviced" watch will eventually stop through a number of factors. After it stops, it becomes something that clutters up the bottom of the junk drawer.

Depending on how badly a watch is knocked around influences how it turns out after a proper polishing job.
To that, Rolex consistently do a fine job and certainly better than some hacks, though as with everything there are exceptions. But the success rate is astoundingly high with a Rolex Service Centre. You get what you pay for.

If in doubt, I would suggest sending the watch with the least sentimental attachment off to a RSC for the full spa treatment and assess the situation for yourself. Though there are a couple of independent watchmakers in the US with Rolex parts accounts that do outstanding work.
In some cases they successfully tackle jobs with a view to retaining originality that Rolex would approach differently.

By your account, both watches could most probably use a proper service in that they are well overdue to say the least, which is something any reputable watchmaker would attest to given they were daily wearers.
Both watches are nothing particularly special just like 99.9999% of the Rolex watches out there so value retention is irrelevant realistically speaking. Besides they were worn dialy and if there is no intention of selling them it doesn't matter anyway.

In summary, chose one of the watches and send it off for the full spa treatment at the best RSC and find out for yourself whether it's a viable option for you. Alternately you may choose to send the other watch to the top of the line independents for a more direct comparison

[LateLearner]

Wherever you have it serviced, DO NOT agree to have the case polished, or the dial/hands/bezel insert replaced.
Insist on keeping any pieces that must be replaced.

If you need a shiny and perfect Sub, buy a new one and keep your inherited pieces original.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by LateLearner

Wherever you have it serviced, DO NOT agree to have the case polished, or the dial/hands/bezel insert replaced.
Insist on keeping any pieces that must be replaced.

If you need a shiny and perfect Sub, buy a new one and keep your inherited pieces original.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm sorry, but you are puting forward an extreme point of view which may not be helpful
In some cases your view may be completely legitimate but it can be limiting as well as liberating.

It all depends upon the piece and how the owner wants to preserve it.
There can be many shades of grey, but it's not impossible to navigate. Some flexibility can be good

[7enderbender]

I’m in the get it serviced before something bad happens camp. And I would only deal with an RSC directly and tell them to go easy with regard to polishing (depending on the what shape the watches are in) and keep dials and hands original.
I wouldn’t trust any independents these days. If anything goes wrong your chances of Rolex fixing it are higher than Joe down on Main Street.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

I’m in the get it serviced before something bad happens camp. And I would only deal with an RSC directly and tell them to go easy with regard to polishing (depending on the what shape the watches are in) and keep dials and hands original.
I wouldn’t trust any independents these days. If anything goes wrong your chances of Rolex fixing it are higher than Joe down on Main Street.

We must keep in mind that there is an enormous divide between "Joe down on Main Street" and Rolex.
Reputable independents with a Rolex parts account are more or less the equivalent to Rolex with the exception that Rolex provides an iron clad 2 year International Service Warranty with each service. These top of the line independents will approach some aspects of the full scope of work in a more customer focused manner, where as Rolex are more inclined to lean toward maintaining full functionality of the watch until the next service(when ever that may be ?) and in accordance with their corporate values

[Ensign]

If it’s running fine, don’t service it. Servicing a watch can do more harm than good. A sloppy watch maker (even Rolex service centers have some) can misregulate the movement or some other unforeseen mishap may occur.

As far as value, if you have some special model, then servicing it will affect the value. But 1980s Sub and one from 2014 are pretty ordinary.