Mechanical Question

[DawgByte]

With respect to Rolex, although I suppose it can apply to other mechanical watches, is it good to allow the watch to "rest" or suspend functioning or is better for the movement to keep it going? I would assume that if the watch is continuously functioning it will require more frequent servicing, due to parts wearing down.

[iliketime]

although this question does come up for those who use a watch winder, it is debatable. Rolexes are very durable watches, there have been stories of rolexes that have gone decades without service and still worked fine. However I dont think I am really understanding your question. The watch stops when the mainspring winds down.

[jamerson80]

I have 20 watches, and only put one on a winder -- an annual calendar -- because of my annoyance in setting the thing correctly. The rest I keep in the watch boxes and avoid unnecessary wear and tear.

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[89Sem]

My understanding is if it runs you are technically keeping everything operating and lubricated but of course there is wear and tear.

When it’s “resting” the parts aren’t moving and there is no wear and tear.

I personally let it rest and if it’s for extended periods of time wind it up occasionally to get things moving.

[DawgByte]

Originally Posted by iliketime

although this question does come up for those who use a watch winder, it is debatable. Rolexes are very durable watches, there have been stories of rolexes that have gone decades without service and still worked fine. However I dont think I am really understanding your question. The watch stops when the mainspring winds down.

Sorry I wasn't more clear. Let me try again. When you're not wearing the watch should you keep it wound and functioning or let it stop when the mainspring winds down?

It sounds like you're saying the Rolex is durable and it's okay to keep it continuously running.

[Calatrava r]

I would never put a time/date watch on a winder where it takes just a few moments to set it. If I am not wearing it, I just let it wind down.

[campfire]

I don't have a big collection. So I just wear my watches every few days/weeks so they're not stagnant for too long. It's never been a problem on decades old watches.

Other than that, I've had cheaper winders and they just didn't seem to work all that well. I think you have to spend for a good winder to make it worth the effort.

Not an expert on this, but that's been my own experience. Hope this helps even a little bit.

[77T]

Originally Posted by DawgByte

Sorry I wasn't more clear. Let me try again. When you're not wearing the watch should you keep it wound and functioning or let it stop when the mainspring winds down?



It sounds like you're saying the Rolex is durable and it's okay to keep it continuously running.

The answer can depend upon the time that you’re not wearing the watch. If this is just a matter of a couple of days between wearing it, you might just let it run. Not worth trying to stop/start it. The mainspring will run through it’s normal unwinding process. There is no potential wear & tear savings (if you subscribe to that belief).

But if it’s for an extended period of time like months or a year, then I subscribe to the benefit of winding it up once a week and letting it run down. Personally I do use a winder for a couple of those watches. My belief is the barrel lube and that in the jewel cups are kept in motion. The fact is I would have them serviced every 10 years whether they were idle half that time or in full use.

Just my 2¢


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[DawgByte]

Originally Posted by 77T

The answer can depend upon the time that you’re not wearing the watch. If this is just a matter of a couple of days between wearing it, you might just let it run. Not worth trying to stop/start it. The mainspring will run through it’s normal unwinding process. There is no potential wear & tear savings (if you subscribe to that belief).

But if it’s for an extended period of time like months or a year, then I subscribe to the benefit of winding it up once a week and letting it run down. Personally I do use a winder for a couple of those watches. My belief is the barrel lube and that in the jewel cups are kept in motion. The fact is I would have them serviced every 10 years whether they were idle half that time or in full use.

Just my 2¢


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Thank you, this helps.

[iliketime]

user 77T has provided a fantastic and succinct answer to your question.

[Rolex-istanbul]

I wear my watch all the time since I bought it in 2018.

It keeps perfect time currently 2 seconds fast in 2 years time.

I am afraid that I will loose this accuracy when I make the watch stop.

I dont want to disturb the harmony. I will give it to service every 6 years not 10.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by DawgByte

With respect to Rolex, although I suppose it can apply to other mechanical watches, is it good to allow the watch to "rest" or suspend functioning or is better for the movement to keep it going? I would assume that if the watch is continuously functioning it will require more frequent servicing, due to parts wearing down.

All Rolex automatic movements wind in both directions for any non perpetual calendar watch with many complications, a watch winder is totally unnecessary.
If you have a choice of watches and do not wear it every day, it is not real chore to reset it and wind it by hand.If you don't wear it every day you also reduce wear to the movement components, why waste that benefit by having it wound when it is not required to tell the time on wrist?.And the modern synthetic oils used now by Rolex for the past 20 years do not dry out like the old mineral type oil.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rolex-istanbul

I wear my watch all the time since I bought it in 2018.

It keeps perfect time currently 2 seconds fast in 2 years time.

I am afraid that I will loose this accuracy when I make the watch stop.

I dont want to disturb the harmony. I will give it to service every 6 years not 10.

You state 2 seconds fast in two years of wearing you must have a watch in 2000000000.

[Rolex-istanbul]

it correct mate but, I know how to regulate it.min 4kms of walk every day. min 8 hours of wearing and let is rest 3 days straights dial up 4 days straight crown down.

This is how I manage it. I dont want to loose this harmony.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by jamerson80

I have 20 watches, and only put one on a winder -- an annual calendar -- because of my annoyance in setting the thing correctly. The rest I keep in the watch boxes and avoid unnecessary wear and tear.

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20 watches!?

Damn!

I have 4 and I thought it was getting out of hand

[Tools]

Originally Posted by DawgByte

Sorry I wasn't more clear. Let me try again. When you're not wearing the watch should you keep it wound and functioning or let it stop when the mainspring winds down?

. . .

A watch that is running is incurring maximum wear.

A watch that is stopped is incurring zero wear.

[jamerson80]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

20 watches!?

Damn!

I have 4 and I thought it was getting out of hand

I fear it only goes up from here. I have zero intent to sell any, so paralysis of choice is starting to become a real issue when I go to put one on each day

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[Bruce_Wayne]

Originally Posted by 77T

The answer can depend upon the time that you’re not wearing the watch. If this is just a matter of a couple of days between wearing it, you might just let it run. Not worth trying to stop/start it. The mainspring will run through it’s normal unwinding process. There is no potential wear & tear savings (if you subscribe to that belief).

But if it’s for an extended period of time like months or a year, then I subscribe to the benefit of winding it up once a week and letting it run down. Personally I do use a winder for a couple of those watches. My belief is the barrel lube and that in the jewel cups are kept in motion. The fact is I would have them serviced every 10 years whether they were idle half that time or in full use.

Just my 2¢


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This is a reasonable recommendation.

Generally speaking from a reliability engineering perspective, equipment is more reliable during continuous operation versus intermittent. As the gear train moved the lubrication circulates uniformly and surfaces between the shafts and bearings wear evenly.

If the equipment is stationary for an extended period of time, flat spots will form where the shafts rest on the bearings (fretting). Lubrications also break down over time even if the equipment is not in use.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by jamerson80

I fear it only goes up from here. I have zero intent to sell any, so paralysis of choice is starting to become a real issue when I go to put one on each day

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Haha that’s insane. I guess we’ll see what happens!

[Rolex-istanbul]

Originally Posted by Bruce_Wayne

This is a reasonable recommendation.

Generally speaking from a reliability engineering perspective, equipment is more reliable during continuous operation versus intermittent. As the gear train moved the lubrication circulates uniformly and surfaces between the shafts and bearings wear evenly.

If the equipment is stationary for an extended period of time, flat spots will form where the shafts rest on the bearings (fretting). Lubrications also break down over time even if the equipment is not in use.

Probably this is the reason that my watch is perfectly holding the time over 2 years.

İ never let it stop. Damn i paid a lot of money for it, so he is gonna work :)

[RJRJRJ]

All those watches sitting in the ADs case are not being wound.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

All those watches sitting in the ADs case are not being wound.

Plus the fact take movements like the cal 3135 millions made in a year and can assure they are not made to order for any one case.Thousands down the COSC being tested thousands being returned to Rolex passed and failed.Thousands upon thousands stored on shelves for weeks, months, or even years,before any movement thats matched to a production case.So any movement could be weeks or months or years old stopped, then shipped around the world to the various ADs stored then sold.

[EEpro]

Your Rolex is like a Toyota. Just lube it when needed and use it however you want to. It's fine either way.

[JerseyGMT]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Your Rolex is like a Toyota. Just lube it when needed and use it however you want to. It's fine either way.

I would agree, based on my experience.

I purchased my current GMT Master new back in 1987. At the time I also had a Datejust (with tapesry dial) and an Explorer. For the first year I rotated the three watches, but eventually sold the Explorer and the Datejust. I have worn the GMT every day since then with few exceptions. Its been serviced 2 1/2 times in that time period. (The half time was when I took it to a local jeweler to have some engraving removed from the back of the case and they broke the crystal. They sent it to the local AD and he lubricated it and replaced the crystal. No cost to me.)

I wear it everywhere. Gym, ocean, shower, wrenching on my Sportster, etc.. Its not babied a bit. Still keeps great time. +/- 1 minute a week or more. One of the best purchases I have made.