Robustness of vintage Rolex watches

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by tamiya

Oil technology has come a long way over last 40-70yrs, from mineral to synthetics. Even if the oil has stayed liquid not solidified AND it has STAYED WHERE IT SHOULD BE not migrated elsewhere, all moving mechanisms benefit from a clean & relube periodically.

I'd be more concerned about ageing seals though, if a daily wearer.

I couldn't have said that better.

[donq]

I have a 1978 1675 GMT I wear as my daily work watch.
I am a motorcycle mechanic/shop owner. I wear it hammering,
grinding, using pneumatic tools. I swim with it, wear it in the shower, and take it in the ocean occasionally. It keeps great time.
Had it serviced by my independent watch guy when I bought it.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by donq

I have a 1978 1675 GMT I wear as my daily work watch.
I am a motorcycle mechanic/shop owner. I wear it hammering,
grinding, using pneumatic tools. I swim with it, wear it in the shower, and take it in the ocean occasionally. It keeps great time.
Had it serviced by my independent watch guy when I bought it.

Don't hammer with it please...

Only twice have I seen a broken balance staff in a 15xx movement..one belonged to an elementary school friend that I had serviced. He called and said my watch is gaining 30 minutes an hour. I went..ooookay..we need to look at that.

He said it might have been the fact that I was hammering fence posts at the ranch with a sledge hammer in it....

BOTH pivots BROKEN...on a shock resistant watch.

Some things...are above and beyond...

[cajuntiger]

A vintage Rolex will last more than your lifetime if properly serviced. I have many 60's Rolex watches and they run perfectly today and will continue to 50 years from today.

Im not gentle with my watches...they were made to be worn and not babied and they were built to be serviced. Short of a regular visit to the Ridleys, i do nothing else but enjoy them.

[brandrea]

I wore a 5513 from 67 quite regularly for about a year. On its original rivet bracelet it did feel somewhat fragile compared to modern references. I think mainly because it was very lightweight by comparison.

One thing I will say is that it kept perfect time, and never once did I feel it wasn't robust enough to wear daily.

[dysondiver]

Originally Posted by tamiya

3x35s have itty bitty teeth on their cogs half the size of vintage must be the Green Efficiency movement

15xx bulletproof & old ETAs are armoured tanks

mangles have cogs , machines have gears ... or so i was told

[donq]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

Don't hammer with it please...

Only twice have I seen a broken balance staff in a 15xx movement..one belonged to an elementary school friend that I had serviced. He called and said my watch is gaining 30 minutes an hour. I went..ooookay..we need to look at that.

He said it might have been the fact that I was hammering fence posts at the ranch with a sledge hammer in it....

BOTH pivots BROKEN...on a shock resistant watch.

Some things...are above and beyond...

Just FYI.

Over a year later, still hammering with it and still keeping time within 2 secs a day!

I'll keep you posted....