Cost of Ownership

[EdReh]

Hi folks.

I'm considering purchasing a new Oyster Perpetual, but as this would be my first Rolex, I want to understand the cost of ownership first.

Rolex recommends having their watches serviced approximately every ten yers, which seems very reasonable for mechanical watch. What experiences have all of you had with getting your Rolex(es) serviced at authorized Rolex service centers? What does such a service typically cost for an undamaged Oyster Perpetual that has been subject to average wear and tear over a decade or so?

For those of you with other brands of watches in your collection, how do your Rolex maintenance costs compare with those other watches? I'm accustomed to paying between $200 and $400 for a clean, lubricate, and adjust service on my other mechanical watches (a 40s Mathey-Tissot manual wind, a 1960 Hamilton automatic, and a 70s Longines automatic).

I'd appreciate any advice or insights you might have before I take the plunge.

Thanks!

[Tools]

Rolex doesn't recommend 10 years, they simply state that this seems to be an average.

You don't need to do anything to your watch, ever, if you don't want to, and you only need to get it serviced when it breaks.

Cost of ownership over a couple of decades is likely cheaper than a 130 bottle Sub-Zero wine cooler.

Put everything into perspective.

[Harry-57]

I've never yet had any brand of watch serviced.

If I break one or it goes wrong, it will go for a service to an authorised service centre.

My oldest decent watch is a scratched and slightly bashed Carrera which is 12 years old. It runs as well as ever, doesn't feel gritty in operation or make any nasty noises. It's not asking to be opened and I'm not going to until it does.

So far my Rolex maintenance costs have been zero on eight watches, the earliest being a 2017 Explorer 2. A 2018 Milgauss suffered a failed main spring and was fixed under warranty by my AD, who is authorised to open Rolex watches under warranty and carry out some types Rolex warranty work.

Each of us can have any of our watches serviced as frequently as we like. Or as infrequently as suits us and our watches. Your money, your choice - unless it breaks.

[Pimpsy]

Insurance will run $150 a year or so depending on model and location.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex doesn't recommend 10 years, they simply state that this seems to be an average.

Absolute truth.

[Gab27]

I'm at about $100 a year for a Submariner, insurance wise. I assume a lot of factors play into this, but the good news is this insurance generally isn't too bad.

The average maintenance interval on the new Oyster isn't clear yet (movement is still very new). It does have a 5-year warranty so you definitely would not be paying anything for service for at least five years (unless it is user-induced damage, of course.) Generally, Rolexes have a tendency of long service intervals.

The cost of a full service seems to vary by model, but from what I've read here, $600-1,000 for a full overhaul from RSC (for models other than the Daytona) seems to be a pretty reasonable range, and it's obviously less from independent watchmakers.

[Orangeface]

Buy it. Wear it and take pleasure in it daily. At some point in the future - likely many, many years from now if you don’t abuse it - you’ll know that it’s time for service. Send it to an RSC. The cost will probably be more than you’d expect, but they’ll provide a quote. You’ll get it back in like-knew condition inside and out. Or you can specify that it not be polished to retain your hard-earned scuffs and scars. The beauty of owning a Rolex, to me, is that you’ll always be able to have it serviced to the manufacturer’s original specs with genuine Rolex parts. Your OP can truly be perpetual!

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I bought a used Date and wore it daily for eighteen years without service, it consistently gained five seconds per day over that time. However on a trip to Hawaii a seal failed and I got salt water in it. Sometimes a service isn’t just about how it’s running.

[uhren917]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I've never yet had any brand of watch serviced.

If I break one or it goes wrong, it will go for a service to an authorised service centre.

My oldest decent watch is a scratched and slightly bashed Carrera which is 12 years old. It runs as well as ever, doesn't feel gritty in operation or make any nasty noises. It's not asking to be opened and I'm not going to until it does...

I have a treasured Carrera (Calibre 16), which was my first "nice" watch that is now 15 years old and not serviced either. It is running about 20 seconds fast a day though so it probably needs it.

[joli160]

No insurance and I service only when something is wrong. Two of them already running just fine >20 years.

No costs worth mentioning

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by uhren917

I have a treasured Carrera (Calibre 16), which was my first "nice" watch that is now 15 years old and not serviced either. It is running about 20 seconds fast a day though so it probably needs it.

That's mine too. Day/date with Arabic indices. Just love it - still.

I would put mine in if it was gaining or losing 20s a day. You're right, it probably needs looking at.

[byte]

Originally Posted by Pimpsy

Insurance will run $150 a year or so depending on model and location.

Is it even worth it to consider insuring a cheaper model like a Submariner..?

[avidflyer]

Originally Posted by byte

Is it even worth it to consider insuring a cheaper model like a Submariner..?

Everything is relative....post can be taking out of context but seems like a snarky post for a new guy.

[steeevvvooo]

Originally Posted by byte

Is it even worth it to consider insuring a cheaper model like a Submariner..?

Depends... If I was quoted a few % of market value per year to insure then I would insure. If they wanted 7-10% I will take my chances. It's a personal risk assessment choice.

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[jarecki]

There’s this old saying about cost: If you have to ask...

[Raypep]

Out of the 3 watches that I own; I only have had 1 serviced a 34mm DJ; I believe that the service cost was ~$400? Mind you in 11 years of ownership that has been the only cost to owning the watch.

Ongoing costs to these watches are inexpensive, however, if you have a GMT or Sub I 'heard' that service is closer to $1k.

[uhren917]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

That's mine too. Day/date with Arabic indices. Just love it - still.

I would put mine in if it was gaining or losing 20s a day. You're right, it probably needs looking at.

Thanks. Mine though doesn't have a day complication. It does run fast but like yours when I move the gear train by turning the crown, it feels the same as when it was new. It was my daily for many years until Rolex watches came into my life and will forever remain in my collection.

I will get it serviced someday... but for now it sits in my watch case.

[bp1000]

Welcome

Just insurance as a typical re-ocurring cost. I would recommend you add it to your policy.

Services are just suggested. I have watches that were made when service intervals were every 5 years. I still haven't had them serviced, they are > 15 years old now. Mainly because I have a few watches in rotation and some of them may only get worn for a total of 20-30 days per year, spread out through the year.

They keep excellent and consistent time. Once this deviates, I keep a log a few times a year I will get it serviced at a cost of around £500 / $700 USD

Bottom line, don't worry about cost of ownership.

[nachopc]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex doesn't recommend 10 years, they simply state that this seems to be an average.



You don't need to do anything to your watch, ever, if you don't want to, and you only need to get it serviced when it breaks.



Cost of ownership over a couple of decades is likely cheaper than a 130 bottle Sub-Zero wine cooler.



Put everything into perspective.

Sub Zero is fantastic, this is one of the products we sell.


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[macrowatch]

Wait lists require no maintiance costs. Okay, I kid, I kid.

OP - I would budget 750-1000 USD every 5 years if wearing daily.

[RolexRog]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex doesn't recommend 10 years, they simply state that this seems to be an average.

You don't need to do anything to your watch, ever, if you don't want to, and you only need to get it serviced when it breaks.

Cost of ownership over a couple of decades is likely cheaper than a 130 bottle Sub-Zero wine cooler.

Put everything into perspective.

This. The OP is completely overthinking this, imo.

[RunGuy17]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I bought a used Date and wore it daily for eighteen years without service, it consistently gained five seconds per day over that time. However on a trip to Hawaii a seal failed and I got salt water in it. Sometimes a service isn’t just about how it’s running.

Just out of curiosity, what happens service-wise once something like that happens?

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by byte

Is it even worth it to consider insuring a cheaper model like a Submariner..?

That's a personal decision, but it costs me less than 1% of market value to insure for a year. For me, that's a small fee for peace of mind.

[WBaileyii]

Originally Posted by byte

Is it even worth it to consider insuring a cheaper model like a Submariner..?

Assuming we're talking about replacement insurance if it is lost, stolen, fire, etc., then yes even a Submariner is worth insuring. Most home owners/Renters insurance policies have a limit for jewelry, watches, silver, fine art, etc. The limit is usually around $2,000. Figure your deductible is probably $500 or $1,000. That would mean that for your $9 to $10K Submariner, if it is stolen/house fire/etc. you would get $1,000 to $1,500 for it (and that would be for ALL your valuables, not just the watch). Since adding a "Valuable Personal Property (VPP)" rider to your home or renters policy is about $100 a year, it is definitely worth it. My VPP with 3 Rolexes and all my wife's jewelry is only about $125 a year. Of course, this is all for U.S. based insurance. I can't speak to other countries insurance coverage... Bottom line: if your watches, jewelry and other valuables are worth more than the limit on your home/renters policy, then you should have a VPP (and if you have even one Rolex, you're over the limit).

[Nairn1980]

The Rolex website says

“it is recommended to service your watch approximately every 10 years depending on the model and real life usage”

Very reasonable to be honest.

[cbalster]

Most people who have had an entry level stainless steel Rolex for 5-10 years at this point are coming out ahead. The cost of ownership and enjoyment has been negative. If you get an OP41 at retail it's almost a no brainer.

[Bozack90]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex doesn't recommend 10 years, they simply state that this seems to be an average.

You don't need to do anything to your watch, ever, if you don't want to, and you only need to get it serviced when it breaks.

Cost of ownership over a couple of decades is likely cheaper than a 130 bottle Sub-Zero wine cooler.

Put everything into perspective.

I know there are two very divided camps on the whole service issue with watchmakers chiming in at times, but I am more of the if its keeping reasonable time and working well then I don't want to mess with it.

My oldest at this point is prob 17 or so years, I thought about getting it serviced years ago but just kept putting it off. I don't get it wet though and only wear it occasionally, if I wore it more like it was intended I'd be sure to at least get it checked for water resistance.

[TXSD43]

I have two Datejusts my parents bought in 1980s. They are still running strong and never had a service.


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by RunGuy17

Just out of curiosity, what happens service-wise once something like that happens?

The local AD on Maui was just a jewelry store with no service and no help at all. By the time I got it back to my local AD at home the insides looked like a cast iron engine block that had been dumped on the edge of a swamp and lay there for years. They offered me $500 trade-in for the carcass and I bought a new Rolex. I got my money’s worth out of that little watch, we had a good run.

[WiseRat]

If you plan on going anywhere near water, or humid environments, get your watches serviced every 10 years as Rolex recommends. The crystal gasket, crown gasket and caseback gaskets become dry and lose their elasticity over time. Why risk destroying an expensive watch to save a buck?

In addition, the 31XX caliber movements use a rotor axle that is a wear item that gets replaced during routine service. If you defer maintenance, the lubrication on the rotor axle dries up, and the jeweled bearing begins to cut into the axle. This allows the rotor to wobble, and it will begin to scrape against the bridge plates of the movement. Its not a pretty sight when this happens.

One of the easiest ways to judge if an owner has neglected maintenance on a 31XX movement is to look at the outer edge of the movement plates. If you see brass color peeking through at the rim, this is a clear sign the rotor axle is excessively worn, and the rotor is scraping on the movement. This is the primary reason Rolex changed to a ball bearing supported rotor with the 32XX series. Its a more robust design that is less sensitive to maintenance frequency.