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Shore Guy · 16 March 2015, 12:26 PM

I purchased my Rolex SS OP (ND) new in November 1986 and have never had it cleaned, oiled, or adjusted ever. The watch when purchased gained about 7 seconds/day as I recall and now averages about 15 seconds/day gain.

I reset it every week about 50 seconds behind. Thus it's off by no more than 50 seconds during the week which is good enough for me.

I consider it a really good tool watch which I have worn every day during the last 28.5 years except for a 3 week hospitaliztion and recovery. It is my only watch. I have never worn it in the water.

Any comments?

luvsub · 16 March 2015, 01:30 PM

Nice. I would regulate it.

boywondergq1 · 16 March 2015, 01:39 PM

Thanks for sharing. We'd love to see a picture of it.

Shore Guy · 16 March 2015, 01:41 PM

Sorry, don't have a camera.

Swaggy P · 16 March 2015, 01:41 PM

So you've never had it serviced in 28.5 years??? Or did you buy it in 1996?

Shore Guy · 16 March 2015, 01:44 PM

Purchased in 1986, should have said 28.5 years.

Afghanvet · 16 March 2015, 01:50 PM

Regardless, that's something!

Tudor66 · 16 March 2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shore Guy

Purchased in 1986, should have said 28.5 years.

It sounds like you have a great watch. Sure, why not get a fresh service on it, then it will be more accurate for you...

Oh yeah, let's see a picture of the 28 years of wear on it...

AL

Old Expat Beast · 16 March 2015, 02:01 PM

It deserves a service, it's been a reliable companion.

Shore Guy · 16 March 2015, 02:01 PM

No camera. The case has several nicks, the acrylic crystal minimal scratching, with scuffs removed with toothpaste.

Ex GI · 16 March 2015, 02:06 PM

Great watch. It is capable of many more years of faithful service, but could stand some TLC.

toneafficianado · 16 March 2015, 02:12 PM

Wow you have had incredible value from your Rolex. There wouldn't be a car that'd go that long without a service and keep working.

overthehill · 16 March 2015, 02:15 PM

wow

Punishher7 · 16 March 2015, 02:16 PM

Great story thanks for sharing. I agree with others that it has earned a service.

AF_Rob · 16 March 2015, 02:25 PM

Would love to see pictures of it after almost 30 years of life. Great story! You should send it out so it comes back good as new.

boost2perfection · 16 March 2015, 02:46 PM

Regardless it deserves a service after all those years

Andad · 16 March 2015, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shore Guy

Sorry, don't have a camera.

But you have your priorities right.

A Rolex for 28.5 years.

Thunderbird88 · 16 March 2015, 03:09 PM

Great story!
28.5 years without service.

Part of me screams "Service it!!!"
But the other part says "See how long it lasts, just for the sake of it".

It's been ticking for 28 solid years, maybe it can reach 30? :D

Rolex should service that one for free ;)

zeuloa · 16 March 2015, 03:57 PM

Pictures please!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hairdude1 · 16 March 2015, 04:05 PM

Very cool! Pics?

Rogdogg · 16 March 2015, 04:22 PM

It definitely deserves a service after such great service but I think after 28.5 years I'd wait to see if it will go to 30, just so I could say it. Then, I would send it out immediately and not push it any further

padi56 · 16 March 2015, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvsub

Nice. I would regulate it.

Well for one I would have it serviced first the main Achilles heel in all the 15 and 3 series movements is the rotor shaft bearings. And IMO its the Rolex movements weakest link, the rotor winding sleeve bearings. Now these need proper lubrication and its very critical its done right,if it drys out you will get severe wear in the bearing jewels.Looks like to me, Rolex has sacrificed a bit in the engineering department,for better winding efficiency. IMO the small diameter winding post don't offer enough support to the rotor weight, but again some go on for decades without service, but many fail for the lack of.

AllFlexZone · 16 March 2015, 06:44 PM

why service if it's not broken. just regulate it for $90. then use it until something breaks. just like a honda.

swatty · 16 March 2015, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shore Guy

Sorry, don't have a camera.

Really, that's amazing . I would get it serviced ASAP

Racerdj · 16 March 2015, 08:51 PM

Service it and then onto the next 28.5 years.

SUBversive · 16 March 2015, 08:58 PM

1. Service
2. Buy camera.

REFZ · 16 March 2015, 11:29 PM

Nice story, don't you have a camera on your cell phone?

tkerrmd · 16 March 2015, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllFlexZone

why service if it's not broken. just regulate it for $90. then use it until something breaks. just like a honda.

its just like not changing the oil in your car or at this point no oil in the car at all. the bearings will go and more damage will be done than a properly serviced watch. things that would normally need lubed will need replaced thus a bigger repair bill.

even Hondas need oil service

gwozhog · 17 March 2015, 12:05 AM

You might as well see how long it can go at this point. I think my a new thread thats titled my watch has not been serviced in 20 years would sound much better too.

Johny · 17 March 2015, 12:09 AM

hi op pm one of the mods and ask if they will correct the thread title for you.

16 March 2015, 12:26 PM	#1
Shore Guy "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 129	No Maintenance in 28 1/2 Years I purchased my Rolex SS OP (ND) new in November 1986 and have never had it cleaned, oiled, or adjusted ever. The watch when purchased gained about 7 seconds/day as I recall and now averages about 15 seconds/day gain. I reset it every week about 50 seconds behind. Thus it's off by no more than 50 seconds during the week which is good enough for me. I consider it a really good tool watch which I have worn every day during the last 28.5 years except for a 3 week hospitaliztion and recovery. It is my only watch. I have never worn it in the water. Any comments? Last edited by Shore Guy; 16 March 2015 at 01:53 PM.. Reason: Title should read: No Maintenance in 28.5 Years

16 March 2015, 01:39 PM	#3
boywondergq1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 792	Thanks for sharing. We'd love to see a picture of it. __________________ "Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." - Oscar Wilde

16 March 2015, 01:50 PM	#7
Afghanvet "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Virginia Watch: Subs, SD4K Posts: 2,272	Regardless, that's something! __________________ Subaholics Anonymous

16 March 2015, 04:05 PM	#20
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Very cool! Pics? __________________ Instagram: @Hairdude Watches in Collection 5070R, 5522A, 214270 MK1, 228238 16750, 26401, 5711, 116718, 116710LN, 116300, 16710"Coke", 372, 15300, 15703 (All Flipped) Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas Int'l GTG 2018

16 March 2015, 04:22 PM	#21
Rogdogg "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bangkok Posts: 6,117	It definitely deserves a service after such great service but I think after 28.5 years I'd wait to see if it will go to 30, just so I could say it. Then, I would send it out immediately and not push it any further __________________ Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

16 March 2015, 01:30 PM	#2
luvsub 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SF, south bay Posts: 5,179	Nice. I would regulate it.

16 March 2015, 01:41 PM	#4
Shore Guy "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 129	Sorry, don't have a camera.

16 March 2015, 01:41 PM	#5
Swaggy P Banned Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Westland, MI Posts: 143	So you've never had it serviced in 28.5 years??? Or did you buy it in 1996?

16 March 2015, 01:44 PM	#6
Shore Guy "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 129	Purchased in 1986, should have said 28.5 years.

16 March 2015, 02:01 PM	#9
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Hong Kong Watch: SEIKO Posts: 28,362	It deserves a service, it's been a reliable companion.

16 March 2015, 02:06 PM	#11
Ex GI "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Hilliard, OH, USA Posts: 120	Great watch. It is capable of many more years of faithful service, but could stand some TLC.

16 March 2015, 02:12 PM	#12
toneafficianado 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Alan Location: Australia Posts: 2,201	Wow you have had incredible value from your Rolex. There wouldn't be a car that'd go that long without a service and keep working.

16 March 2015, 02:15 PM	#13
overthehill Banned Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: www.watchpics.org Watch: SubC date, BLNR Posts: 414	wow

16 March 2015, 02:16 PM	#14
Punishher7 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: WA Watch: SubC/Pelagos Posts: 512	Great story thanks for sharing. I agree with others that it has earned a service.

16 March 2015, 02:25 PM	#15
AF_Rob "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Rob Location: Virginia Watch: Sub/Polar/OP/BB Posts: 4,510	Would love to see pictures of it after almost 30 years of life. Great story! You should send it out so it comes back good as new.

16 March 2015, 02:46 PM	#16
boost2perfection "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Shelly Location: Planet Earth Watch: 116520 Posts: 1,149	Regardless it deserves a service after all those years

16 March 2015, 03:09 PM	#18
Thunderbird88 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Sweden Watch: 16713 & 116610LV Posts: 368	Great story! 28.5 years without service. Part of me screams "Service it!!!" But the other part says "See how long it lasts, just for the sake of it". It's been ticking for 28 solid years, maybe it can reach 30? :D Rolex should service that one for free ;)

16 March 2015, 03:57 PM	#19
zeuloa "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Jose Location: Here Watch: SEA-DWELLER Posts: 2,232	Pictures please! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

16 March 2015, 06:44 PM	#23
AllFlexZone Banned Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 113	why service if it's not broken. just regulate it for $90. then use it until something breaks. just like a honda.

16 March 2015, 08:51 PM	#25
Racerdj 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indianapolis Watch: Patek-Philippe Posts: 16,832	Service it and then onto the next 28.5 years. __________________ Rolex and Patek Philippe

16 March 2015, 08:58 PM	#26
SUBversive Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: ri Watch: Sun Dial Posts: 14,346	1. Service 2. Buy camera.

16 March 2015, 11:29 PM	#27
REFZ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Martin Location: Netherlands Watch: The Rolex Way Posts: 1,471	Nice story, don't you have a camera on your cell phone? __________________ 114060 - 116520 - 126334

17 March 2015, 12:05 AM	#29
gwozhog "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Point Blank, TX Posts: 2,893	You might as well see how long it can go at this point. I think my a new thread thats titled my watch has not been serviced in 20 years would sound much better too. __________________ I once dated a girl in high school and her dad told me I would never amount to anything. He was right

17 March 2015, 12:09 AM	#30
Johny "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: john Location: Scotland Watch: sub 16610Lv Posts: 13,523	hi op pm one of the mods and ask if they will correct the thread title for you. __________________ "AFTER DARK" BAR AND NIGHT CLUB GM.

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