Can one store a Rolex for 18 years

[arizonapaul]

Here's the story, My brother is a grandfather as of yesterday as his daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He is not a watch enthusiast at all and won't wear a watch if it does not have a battery, don't get me started, but I think I convinced him to get a Rolex, a time tested SS Sub date.
He would never wear it and wants to engrave the back and have it be given, god willing from him, to his grandson on his 18th birthday.

So can one just store a Rolex for 18 years, just sitting in the box as it came in?
thanks for your input.

[Daytonaman799]

1000%

[kilyung]

Yes but it's probably prudent to service it in 18 years. I use Moebius oils for most of my work on watches. Modern synthetic oils are oxidation stabilized so should last a long time but I've never seen any hard data on age stability. My concern would be less with the oil and more with the surface tension of the parts. There's an invisible layer (epilame) that's on the parts that mitigates oil migration. If this surface treatment degrades then it could contribute to oil migration away from where the oil is needed.

[Etschell]

if you store it for 18 years id suggest servicing it right before he gifts it. just to make sure. i may be completely wrong.

[Portland]

Storing the Sub for 18 years it just fine but whatever he does tell him NOT to ever get it wet.

[Speed]

Lots of good advice re storage / care.

Be sure to have the future 18 year old come on TRF and begin a thread about the watch when he gets hold of it!

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by arizonapaul

Here's the story, My brother is a grandfather as of yesterday as his daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He is not a watch enthusiast at all and won't wear a watch if it does not have a battery, don't get me started, but I think I convinced him to get a Rolex, a time tested SS Sub date.
He would never wear it and wants to engrave the back and have it be given, god willing from him, to his grandson on his 18th birthday.

So can one just store a Rolex for 18 years, just sitting in the box as it came in?
thanks for your input.

wouldnt it be smarter to invest the money in a 529 plan then take it out to buy the rolex and pay the tax / 10% penalty. you get tax free growth for 18 - 22 years. that way you dont have to shell out service costs either.

[116500LN]

Sub Date doesn't seem like it is worth being locked up for 18 years. These are common and will still be around then. Get something that will be really rare in 18 years like the 116600 SD4K

[triethylborane]

Originally Posted by Etschell

wouldnt it be smarter to invest the money in a 529 plan then take it out to buy the rolex and pay the tax / 10% penalty. you get tax free growth for 18 - 22 years. that way you dont have to shell out service costs either.

Agree. Though that whole birth year rolex thing would be a bit harder to source.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Yes but it's probably prudent to service it in 18 years. I use Moebius oils for most of my work on watches. Modern synthetic oils are oxidation stabilized so should last a long time but I've never seen any hard data on age stability. My concern would be less with the oil and more with the surface tension of the parts. There's an invisible layer (epilame) that's on the parts that mitigates oil migration. If this surface treatment degrades then it could contribute to oil migration away from where the oil is needed.

this

Originally Posted by 116500LN

Sub Date doesn't seem like it is worth being locked up for 18 years. These are common and will still be around then. Get something that will be really rare in 18 years like the 116600 SD4K

can't argue with this -- not sure what all the hubbub is about buying and storing watches as future gifts; buy it. wear it and just service it before gifting it with a nice engraving.

[joe100]

Why not let him pick out a watch when he's 18? Trends may change in 20 years, and it seems like an awful lot of money to spend now for something he may or may not like.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Yes but it's probably prudent to service it in 18 years. I use Moebius oils for most of my work on watches. Modern synthetic oils are oxidation stabilized so should last a long time but I've never seen any hard data on age stability. My concern would be less with the oil and more with the surface tension of the parts. There's an invisible layer (epilame) that's on the parts that mitigates oil migration. If this surface treatment degrades then it could contribute to oil migration away from where the oil is needed.

That there is a pretty darn good explanation

[1rolexowner]

Just think of all the stories the watch will tell in 18 yrs. Battle scars of all sorts.
If you want to buy something to store for 18 yrs make it a good red wine...say a birth year Joseph Phelps Insignia.

[arizonapaul]

Originally Posted by Etschell

wouldnt it be smarter to invest the money in a 529 plan then take it out to buy the rolex and pay the tax / 10% penalty. you get tax free growth for 18 - 22 years. that way you dont have to shell out service costs either.

Absolutely not, this is missing the whole point of having something very special that was bought to be given 18 years later. It would just be so super special.
The baby is also getting stocks in his name, but again, its not all about the green stuff.

[arizonapaul]

Originally Posted by 116500LN

Sub Date doesn't seem like it is worth being locked up for 18 years. These are common and will still be around then. Get something that will be really rare in 18 years like the 116600 SD4K

good point, maybe try and snag another SD43 or the 116600.thanks

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by arizonapaul

Absolutely not, this is missing the whole point of having something very special that was bought to be given 18 years later. It would just be so super special.
The baby is also getting stocks in his name, but again, its not all about the green stuff.

then have him buy the watch and put it in the safe for 18 years.

[gt0279a]

I bought an R serial 16610 that was never worn had been in storage from 1988 to 2014.
Other than the tritium patina, looked brand new. Ran well and kept excellent time. Had it serviced for peace on mind and my watchmaker only noted some minor rust on the back of the dial.

[arizonapaul]

Originally Posted by gt0279a

I bought an R serial 16610 that was never worn had been in storage from 1988 to 2014.
Other than the tritium patina, looked brand new. Ran well and kept excellent time. Had it serviced for peace on mind and my watchmaker only noted some minor rust on the back of the dial.

very cool, and may I ask the reason you had stored it. I'm concerned about the rust, though these were all SS

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Portland

Storing the Sub for 18 years it just fine but whatever he does tell him NOT to ever get it wet.

Think you mean not to get the son wet.... or feed him after midnight

Yes, 100000% fine storing a modern Rolex mechanical for 18 years. As another said, simply get it serviced before wearing after the long rest.

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by joe100

Why not let him pick out a watch when he's 18? Trends may change in 20 years, and it seems like an awful lot of money to spend now for something he may or may not like.

X2

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Yes but it's probably prudent to service it in 18 years. I use Moebius oils for most of my work on watches. Modern synthetic oils are oxidation stabilized so should last a long time but I've never seen any hard data on age stability. My concern would be less with the oil and more with the surface tension of the parts. There's an invisible layer (epilame) that's on the parts that mitigates oil migration. If this surface treatment degrades then it could contribute to oil migration away from where the oil is needed.

I appreciate your knowledgeable and informative post. Out of curiosity, would it be good (or bad) to give the 18 year safe-queen a full wind every now and then...let's imagine 2 or 3 times per year?

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Snow-Dweller

I appreciate your knowledgeable and informative post. Out of curiosity, would it be good (or bad) to give the 18 year safe-queen a full wind every now and then...let's imagine 2 or 3 times per year?

It won't hurt but likely doesn't obviate my recommendation to service before gifting it.

[Cerachrom12]

Originally Posted by gt0279a

I bought an R serial 16610 that was never worn had been in storage from 1988 to 2014.
Other than the tritium patina, looked brand new. Ran well and kept excellent time. Had it serviced for peace on mind and my watchmaker only noted some minor rust on the back of the dial.

The dial is a brass disc. Have no idea how brass would rust?

[Gecko10]

In AZ you should be able to pull it out so any reasonable storage, have it serviced and wear it for another 18 years or so.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Cerachrom12

The dial is a brass disc. Have no idea how brass would rust?

It would depend on the composition of the brass alloy.

[KrismanX]

Congrats on becoming a Great Uncle! And a big congrats to your brother as well.

I am intrigued with the option of storing a more elusive reference than a standard Sub; but either way I think it's a fantastic idea! Not sure if it would be overkill to pull the crown for storage; but definitely service before gifting and you are sure to have one ecstatic 18 year old. If not, I'll be 18 years old-er than today and will DEFINITELY be ecstatic!!

[ddaly12]

I plan on gifting my son a watch someday, god willing, but I will be WEARING IT until then. I think I'll have it serviced before handing it over, and hopefully he will have fond memories of seeing me in the watch for many years.

[BNA/LION]

He could buy it and wear it too then give it to him. Then it is a true family heirloom.

[dubins930]

If my father had stored a rolex for the last 30 years (don't care what model) and decided to give it to me now, I would cry tears of joy haha... DO IT!

[denmanproject]

A NOS SD4K 18 yrs from now would be pretty cool