"If it ain't broke, then don't fix, right....?"

[phillip ridley]

Unfortunately, I hear this too often! In a way, I understand due to rarity and an outside chance of damage. But I guarantee one wouldn't put 20 thousand miles plus on their Porsche without an oil change/service, right?

Well, these old Rolex's are the same and preventative care is an absolute! Especially since 316 grade steel was used up until 1985 where Rolex started using 904L.

My first few photos (apologies as I do not know how to separate my text per section) show a GMT that had been worn generously, then worn some more without
servicing. You will see how the moisture corroded the case, case back, retaining ring and even the bezel. Fortunately, we were able to get it to pass the pressure testing. Unfortunately, this cannot be fixed without completely rebuilding the whole case which is very costly!



This next example belongs to a very rare 5508 which was never serviced. Clearly, we are looking at several beyond worn parts which lead to a very extensive repair.


My overall point is if you take care of your watch in the short run, it will take care of you in the long run. By not having it gone through every 5 to 6 years, one does take a risk.


On the flip side, my last set of photos show why it is so important to find a well-trained watchmaker! I received a His and Hers Presidental that literally were just serviced. Here are just a few of the issues I noticed. Fortunately, this did not lead to a disaster as that amount of oil could had easily spread onto the dial.

[996marty]

Some very interesting photos Phillip. Food for thought I need to get a couple of mine serviced

[olpercy2]

OUCH !! Very sad to see stuff like this... Thanks for the very nice, clear pictures.

[Dan S]

Stainless steel

[phillip ridley]

Wow, that one is definitely on the top 10 most pitted case back's I have ever seen!

Thanks, Dan!

[tekno]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Stainless steel

What would cause this Dan? Salt water or can this happen just wearing a watch?


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[phillip ridley]

Chloride is the main reason from what I have found. Depending on where you live, one can never expose their watch to a pool or water and still find something like this to happen.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by tekno

What would cause this Dan? Salt water or can this happen just wearing a watch?

I don't know, but it's amazing isn't it? I've seen many pitted Rolex case-backs from the 70s, although not as bad as that one. And in my experience, it's also pretty common to see pitting in the o-ring groove.

To be honest, I don't see pitting as frequently with most of the other brands I collect. I don't know if it was something about the steel or the design, or that people just wore the heck out of their Rolexes for decades.

[Tavli3]

When I bought my gilt 5513 I was adverse to having it serviced because I thought it was running ok for its age and thought changing anything internal would ruin the value of the watch. Both incorrect assumptions.

So while in AZ I decided to drop ii off at Phillip’s and glad I did. It needed several parts replaced and a very good cleaning. While it certainly was not an inexpensive service it was worth it since it came back looking spectacular and running at +- 1 sec. I plan on wearing it till I can’t tell the time anymore.


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[77T]

Do the newer synthetic lubricants help keep such wear in the movement from setting in? I mean beyond the life of the older organic oils.

I really appreciate the great documentation of the results of longer than usual delayed maintenance.


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[indianmachine]

What's the best way to tell when a watch is due for servicing? Just when it starts to loose time?

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by indianmachine

What's the best way to tell when a watch is due for servicing? Just when it starts to lose time?

Good question but a very hard one to answer! I wouldn't say there is a "for sure way to know" other than knowing it's maintenance records.

Some signs to at least keep an eye on:

1. If you manually wind your watch and feel hesitation of grittiness.

2. Power reserve is under 24 hours.

3. Accuracy is not what it was or within specs.

4. Moisture under crystal. As simple as that may sound, I see this a lot! Keep in mind these gaskets do have a life span before they harden up.

5. Keep an eye on the external parts; if you see corrosion on the case tube or if your crown doesn't have a full rotation or more, know those parts are wearing out.

6. Again, maintenance records!!!

Rolex movements are some of the best built durable mechanical pieces in the world!! Even if they are running in an atmosphere they were not designed to, they can keep good accuracy! At least for a while.

[ronricks]

Phillip - love these types of posts. Thanks for sharing.

[1William]

Very informative. Thank you.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by 77T

Do the newer synthetic lubricants help keep such wear in the movement from setting in? I mean beyond the life of the older organic oils.

I really appreciate the great documentation of the results of longer than usual delayed maintenance.


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Yes, the synthetic oils do have a longer life span of a couple years. After 5o to 6 years, that is the beginning point of abnormal wear and tear.

[77T]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

Yes, the synthetic oils do have a longer life span of a couple years. After 5o to 6 years, that is the beginning point of abnormal wear and tear.

Thanks Phillip
I have a 55 y.o. Omega that was last serviced in 2018 so I'm dropping it off to my watchmaker.

Followed by a 30+ y.o. DJ serviced in 2017.

Your post reminded me to think ahead of a failure.


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[joli160]

I am usually in the camp of ‘not fixing it if it ain’t broke’ and do find the car analogy a bit off since there are no high temperatures involved changing the viscosity and degrading the lubricants.
Still lots of valid points in your post to make me change my mind.

Thanks for sharing

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

Good question but a very hard one to answer! I wouldn't say there is a "for sure way to know" other than knowing it's maintenance records.

Some signs to at least keep an eye on:

1. If you manually wind your watch and feel hesitation of grittiness.

2. Power reserve is under 24 hours.

3. Accuracy is not what it was or within specs.

4. Moisture under crystal. As simple as that may sound, I see this a lot! Keep in mind these gaskets do have a life span before they harden up.

5. Keep an eye on the external parts; if you see corrosion on the case tube or if your crown doesn't have a full rotation or more, know those parts are wearing out.

6. Again, maintenance records!!!

Rolex movements are some of the best built durable mechanical pieces in the world!! Even if they are running in an atmosphere they were not designed to, they can keep good accuracy! At least for a while.

Great post and these 6 points is very good information!

[studioal]

These images hurt to look at. I'm not sure when and why the suggestion to not get watches serviced unless something breaks took hold, but I see it repeated over and over again across the internet. It's truly horrible advice and speaks to the ignorance and frugality of most watch "collectors". Thanks for this insightful reminder.

By the way, a good 10 years ago you serviced a good friends 1680 that was dropped in an oil drum whilst on the wrist, or should I say, off the wrist of my buddies dad while working on the Bakken oil fields in the 70's.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by studioal

By the way, a good 10 years ago you serviced a good friends 1680 that was dropped in an oil drum whilst on the wrist, or should I say, off the wrist of my buddies dad while working on the Bakken oil fields in the 70's.

TBH, I'm not sure why that would be a problem.

[studioal]

Originally Posted by Dan S

TBH, I'm not sure why that would be a problem.

Ok Dan. Perhaps the the petroleum based substance or whatever was actually in the drum—this was a story I was told, so I don't have every single detail—slowly at at the gaskets over the years. Regardless, it's bizarre you're honing in on a specific detail of a story I wanted to share with Philip.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by studioal

Regardless, it's bizarre you're honing in on a specific detail of a story I wanted to share with Philip.

I'm just a bizarre person, I guess. Since you posted it in a public forum, I assumed you were sharing it with everyone, and we were free to comment. My apologies for intruding on your private communication.

[TimeLord2]

I will add that Phillip did service my 1675/3 almost 3 years ago at this point. It had been sitting in a drawer for about 22 years for a number of reasons but mostly because I was clueless about what to do for an old watch. Until TRF that is. These are some pics provided by Phillip of the gears he replaced as a result of wear and tear and potentially a bit of water intrusion. I never did see any fogging of the crystal but did wear the hell out of this watch. His incredible attention to detail is why I recommend him all the time, and happy to do so again.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by studioal

These images hurt to look at. I'm not sure when and why the suggestion to not get watches serviced unless something breaks took hold, but I see it repeated over and over again across the internet. It's truly horrible advice and speaks to the ignorance and frugality of most watch "collectors". Thanks for this insightful reminder.

By the way, a good 10 years ago you serviced a good friends 1680 that was dropped in an oil drum whilst on the wrist, or should I say, off the wrist of my buddies dad while working on the Bakken oil fields in the 70's.

Haha, I do recall that story and watch! Definitely not common! Hope all is well!

[arguscanis]

great pics!
a word to the wise, and the rest are job security.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by arguscanis

great pics!
a word to the wise, and the rest are job security.

[indianmachine]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

Good question but a very hard one to answer! I wouldn't say there is a "for sure way to know" other than knowing it's maintenance records.

Some signs to at least keep an eye on:

1. If you manually wind your watch and feel hesitation of grittiness.

2. Power reserve is under 24 hours.

3. Accuracy is not what it was or within specs.

4. Moisture under crystal. As simple as that may sound, I see this a lot! Keep in mind these gaskets do have a life span before they harden up.

5. Keep an eye on the external parts; if you see corrosion on the case tube or if your crown doesn't have a full rotation or more, know those parts are wearing out.

6. Again, maintenance records!!!

Rolex movements are some of the best built durable mechanical pieces in the world!! Even if they are running in an atmosphere they were not designed to, they can keep good accuracy! At least for a while.

Great context and tips, thank you!