Longest service interval?

[Speedbird-1]

I suspect its been asked a few times before, if so, apologies, but, are there any 'certified' records, regarding, the longest a Rolex has been worn, without a service?


With some of the 'stories' emerging regarding post service 'issues', Im considering going for the record.

[exador]

Not certified, but I bought an ‘83 GMT a couple of years ago that my watchmaker reckoned had never been serviced. That would make it 33 years.

Here was one of the spring pins

[Ian Macdermott]

My wife's Datejust bought in 1989 and still ticking away nicely today. She moans it loses around 5 minutes a month.

[Spoonage]

My father’s K serial DateJust has never been serviced and it was purchased new from an AD.

[Verdi]

I am sure that many ppl out there have no clue that a watch needs to be serviced and took their watch to a watchmaker only if it had a problem.

Rolex watches are very reliable so I am guessing there are many that have not been touched for decades.

[Muxi]

My yg daydate is 21

[HL65]

I had a 1958 Big Crown Submariner, 1967 DRSD Mk1 Patent Pending and a 1680/8 Sub from 60's all never serviced over their lives and all mint and looking good inside despite what some here might think. Anyway all 3 were never touched until I had Rik D service the 1680/8. The Mk1 PP DRSD sat in original owner's desk for close to 50 years worn only once and still had the black ink on back of case. It was by far the nicest DRSD on the planet. Never touched, hardly worn, never polished like it came fresh from the factory.

Although the longest no service would be my old 1948 Panerai/Rolex 6152-1 used in WW2. It was never touched and ran just fine. I have pics of all of their movements and inside case backs in my files but too lazy to find them and post. They are on here though somewhere I imagine if one wanted to go back and look.

[037]

My neighbor has a 1946 Oyster Perpetual that hasn't ever seen a service. It's been opened by two watchmakers but the lack of parts availability left it as-is both times. The rotor axle is shot, so servicing the rest is pointless until we can find one. It still winds and runs but doesn't self-wind well enough for complete autonomy. That's 72 years on a 1000-series movement -- which aren't known for being great.

That's an interval I wouldn't attempt to surpass.

[Chester01]

Mine went 18 years with regular use and physical activity. My mother’s ladies president went 30 years and kept great time without service. She wore hers gardening, home renovation projects, etc. never a problem.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by HL65

I had a 1958 Big Crown Submariner, 1967 DRSD Mk1 Patent Pending and a 1680/8 Sub from 60's all never serviced over their lives and all mint and looking good inside despite what some here might think. Anyway all 3 were never touched until I had Rik D service the 1680/8. The Mk1 PP DRSD sat in original owner's desk for close to 50 years worn only once and still had the black ink on back of case. It was by far the nicest DRSD on the planet. Never touched, hardly worn, never polished like it came fresh from the factory.

Although the longest no service would be my old 1948 Panerai/Rolex 6152-1 used in WW2. It was never touched and ran just fine. I have pics of all of their movements and inside case backs in my files but too lazy to find them and post. They are on here though somewhere I imagine if one wanted to go back and look.

I love stories like these

May I ask why you decided to move these vintage pieces? Weren't you tempted to keep at least one?

Thanks for sharing with us

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

[JohnGT3RS]

I have an early 1970’s wind up Ingersoll Mickey Mouse watch that was buried in my sand box for a year. It has never been open and still works.

[Speedbird-1]

Amazing engineering, how DO these things run for so long with such little maintenance!
I know absolutely nothing about watchmaking and can only wonder at the 'science' behind the design of the 'wearing/bearing' surfaces.
There must be, in all these long running mechanisms, a microscopic layer of dust from the 'jewel' and metal interfaces?
What is it that ultimately fails on an un-maintained Perpetual movement?

Watches, amazing creations aren't they.
Show an 'intelligent' alien, the innards of a quality timepiece, and that just might tell 'them' all they need to know about the human race. That and perhaps, a door key.
Humans; intelligent, creative, ingenious but can't be trusted.

Your interesting collection sounds like it could tell a few stories 'Connor'.
Do you still own them?

Perhaps, instead of 'steering wheels', we could have a 'Very Old Rolexes and some history"

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by exador

Not certified, but I bought an ‘83 GMT a couple of years ago that my watchmaker reckoned had never been serviced. That would make it 33 years.

Here was one of the spring pins

Wow! For a moment I thought you'd posted a photo' of an old ballpoint!

Looks like you had a close shave with that. It could have failed at any moment.

[R!$]

1948 is a long time but not uncommon for mechanical watches