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Old 29 January 2018, 12:50 PM   #1
DaveN
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How long since you had your Rolex serviced?

My Rolex is going on 10+ years old and I have not had it serviced. Not having the watch for a month plus has deterred me. How often do most folks have a service? What is the downside of my having waited so long?
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Old 29 January 2018, 12:57 PM   #2
viper
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I haven't had my 10yr old sub serviced either. Unless not keeping good time I'm not sure there is much of a rush.
If you dive or swim frequently having the gaskets checked may be the biggest concern for me.
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Old 29 January 2018, 01:34 PM   #3
faimag
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Older models, I typically service them once every 5 years or so. Newer ones maybe a bit more.
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Old 29 January 2018, 01:37 PM   #4
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10-12 years unless there’s a sign they need it sooner. Pressure test every 2-3 years. Only possible downside is increased wear and necessary parts replacement. If it meant $1000 vs $5000 for a service, I might do it more frequently. Despite the odd horror story here or there, even with really long service intervals, the outcomes are generally very similar.


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Old 29 January 2018, 01:39 PM   #5
Gharddog03
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15-20yr unless broken.
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Old 29 January 2018, 02:18 PM   #6
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My Explorer needed one at the seven year mark. Awaiting its return.
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Old 29 January 2018, 02:30 PM   #7
Tools
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveN View Post
. . . Not having the watch for a month plus has deterred me. . .
That's why we have spares.
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Old 29 January 2018, 04:11 PM   #8
Steve36Efc
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My 114060 is the oldest watch I currently own, its running perfectly so no plans for a service in the near future.
I had my first Rolex a GMTII coke bezel serviced 3 times the first after only 4 years.
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Old 29 January 2018, 07:21 PM   #9
Darzee
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Had my 16600 serviced after 18 yrs of wearing and I scuba with it regularly
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Old 29 January 2018, 07:46 PM   #10
Rocket_Man
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My 2 year old GMT is on its way back from the Dallas RSC this week. It started losing 10 min/6hrs. They would not tell me specifically why it started losing that much time, but they have repaired it and will send it back this week. I have a 5-digit DJ that hasn't been serviced in probably 10 years and no issues. Go figure.
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Old 30 January 2018, 02:49 AM   #11
Totoro
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My YM 16 years no service.
My brothers sub 15 years no service.
My other brothers sub 17 years no service.
My dads thunderbird 17 years no service.
My bosses Daydate 32 years no service.

All the above are worn daily and not babied. All function properly.

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Old 30 January 2018, 03:08 AM   #12
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7-8 years for my date just I received in 2009.

For my BLNR, I think when the 5 year warranty is nearing its end, I'm going to bring it in. Just in case.
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Old 30 January 2018, 03:14 AM   #13
mjclark32
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I've never had any serviced.
My sub is the oldest, M serial, and I've been beating it up for over 7 years now. Shower, pool, steam room, boats etc etc etc
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Old 30 January 2018, 03:16 AM   #14
Dr.Smellody
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Vintage, once serviced, only when they break.

Modern.... not yet.
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Old 30 January 2018, 03:43 AM   #15
William.L.
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my datejust went 18 years I think, finally broke and I had it serviced. My gmt is from 1977 and it's been serviced 2 times. Its ready for its 3rd service, and I'm getting ready to send it out in the spring. I'm definitely in the camp where if it isn't broke, don't fix it.
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Old 30 January 2018, 03:54 AM   #16
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My 31 year old 15038 was running way out of COSC spec ( I think more than 30 seconds a day off, so after 20 years since my first service (it had a broken gear) it had it's second. It now tends to run within one second a day.

If out of spec or broken is when it needs to be serviced. With modern lubricants I think the need to do it on the clock isn't as important.
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Old 30 January 2018, 04:04 AM   #17
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When they stop I have them serviced.


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Old 30 January 2018, 04:26 AM   #18
para38super
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Totoro View Post
My YM 16 years no service.
My brothers sub 15 years no service.
My other brothers sub 17 years no service.
My dads thunderbird 17 years no service.
My bosses Daydate 32 years no service.

All the above are worn daily and not babied. All function properly.

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This is good to hear! Because I am really not looking forward to sending in mine for service.
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Old 30 January 2018, 08:37 AM   #19
bradyb
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No need to service unless there's something going on. But if there's an issue, just get it done and don't mess around and wait.
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Old 30 January 2018, 08:40 AM   #20
landroverking
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Seven years for a Daytona.
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Old 30 January 2018, 08:44 AM   #21
rangel23
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10 years on a submariner. I think the watchmaker said it was a worn rotor axle that was making noise and many other parts were worn and replaced at a price of 750. I would say wait as long as you can if the watch is keeping good timt
It’s
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Old 30 January 2018, 08:51 AM   #22
Bigblu10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Totoro View Post
My YM 16 years no service.
My brothers sub 15 years no service.
My other brothers sub 17 years no service.
My dads thunderbird 17 years no service.
My bosses Daydate 32 years no service.

All the above are worn daily and not babied. All function properly.

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Do you think there is any lubricant left in the pivot points after 15 to 30 years with no service? Nope. You all are wearing out movement parts and have no clue. Just curious, how long do you drive your cars/trucks on a single oil change? Years?
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Old 30 January 2018, 08:58 AM   #23
bradyb
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigblu10 View Post
Do you think there is any lubricant left in the pivot points after 15 to 30 years with no service? Nope. You all are wearing out movement parts and have no clue. Just curious, how long do you drive your cars/trucks on a single oil change? Years?
When movements aren't lubricated properly they will let you know. And that's the rub as you gotta pay attention to how the watch is running and how it sounds. Not exactly the same as an oil change in a car, sorry.

And there's obviously nothing wrong with following the factory service intervals but keep in mind that the people servicing your watch may not always be as well-trained as the people that originally put it together. So there's that to keep in mind as there's a risk of a screw-up by sending in a watch that's keeping perfect time as it has for many years, etc. etc.
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Old 30 January 2018, 08:59 AM   #24
TheVTCGuy
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I will probably be against the majority of posters on this thread but my DJ41 will be serviced year five. I am a bit OCD, and a heckler for preventive maintenance, always striving to have a perfectly functioning machine; whether its a car or a watch. That’s just me.
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Old 30 January 2018, 09:28 AM   #25
photoguy
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Bought my Submariner new in 1988. Sent it in for service in 1999 and it hasn't been back since, though I'm contemplating sending it in as it's running a little on the slow side.<- nothing that is too troubling but since it's been 19 years since it was last opened I figure that it's due probably some well deserved attention.
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Old 30 January 2018, 09:29 AM   #26
doboy007
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I have a 5 month and 2 week old that hasn't been serviced yet.
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Old 30 January 2018, 09:37 AM   #27
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I have never kept any model long enough to worry about service... on to the next one
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Old 30 January 2018, 09:40 AM   #28
The Libertine
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When accuracy takes a turn for the worse.
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Old 30 January 2018, 09:54 AM   #29
Spoonage
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Of all the Reolex watches in the family, my father's is the oldest K serial never been serviced... Only my wife's Ranger has been serviced (+15s/d) under warranty. I sent in my Tudor Sub to swap the top hat with a superdome and clean up the rehaut in 2015 (didnt need it but wanted it done). Original top hat was in great condition. No other Rolex / Tudor has been in for service with my oldest Rolex purchased 2014.
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Old 30 January 2018, 10:03 AM   #30
AboutTime
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My current Rolex DD is 15 years old. I sent it to RSC for routine service about a year ago even though it was still running fine. I did it just because it made me feel better.
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