Just as title says how long have you guys gone between servicing your Rolexes? I know some say just wait until it starts running off. But I don't know if that is recommended for the movement?
If you are asking about Rolex chronometers, once they have been thoroughly serviced and regulated to a close tolerance, they should be serviced again when the rate deteriorates to the point you feel that regulating might be necessary. So when you have it serviced depends on your pain threshold. My Date-Just I have had to 27 years, and it has been serviced (by me) four times. It is a very accurate watch, and when it commenced running more than about 5 seconds per day, I service it again, rather than regulate it. The old ones, I service when the spirit moves me, but they are seldom worn. I don't think there are any "rules", only guidelines.
This guy is a bit temperamental - two services in four years : This one, once in three years after it started running slow : This one I bought serviced with a year's warranty And these are 'not serviced in my possession', run like a dream, and seem as solid as tanks... no set plans to service any time soon ... View attachment 414195
I asked our local watchmaker (jeff allnutt) in Midhurst and he's done a few before and is confident that he and his watchmakers are good to go. There's nothing amazingly different about the movements as far as I know, it's just a question of whether the watchmaker has the parts and expertise. Ask whoever you trust locally.
I only get watches serviced if the watch breaks or if the time keeping is really bad - like really, really bad. I'm always rotating watches and re-setting the time anyway. I don't think it makes sense to follow the manufacturer's recommended schedule, or else you will be shelling out loads of money all the time (for no good reason). If a watch continues working and keeps respectable time for 20+ years, don't bother servicing it IMO.
Never since new in 2012. Am starting to think about a pressure test though, because I do dip it in water occasionally.
Getting a diving watch pressure tested every few years is a no brainer and in my experience costs nothing.
No, but a Rolex AD did it for free in Switzerland and a good watchmaker did the same in England. I am on good terms with both but it can't be that unusual. I hope.
I don't know of anyone where I live that can DO a water resist test, let alone to do one for free. That, plus if it doesn't pass the test, expect there to be a charge for attending to leaks!
Years ago I was traveling with my father through Germany. In Köln the crown on my vintage Rolex Date popped out, so we ducked into a boutique or AD and they fixed it for free, complete with a pressure test. I told the salesman I would never buy a watch from them so I should pay, but he shrugged that off and said "well someday you might buy another Rolex watch". I thanked him and we continued on out way. Many years before the same issue had occurred while visiting Sydney, so I went to a Rolex repairer. He grumpily took the watch from me, told me it had the wrong crown, changed it and charged me $50 - no pressure test. Service in the Australian luxury watch industry can be very snobby and rarely generous; at least not to me.
That's worrying if you've a watch that regularly get wet. Doesn't Archer of this parish live in Canada ?
STS - they're really well priced for the service they give. My 5513 was fully serviced for just over £300. Even my independent watch makers would charge £250 for that one and the simple fact is that STS have ready access to anything and everything a vintage watch needs. (Actually, I'm making the assumption that you're asking about vintage - they're just as good with the new stuff).
i bought used and have not serviced, i will consider service when they are out of whack/not keeping time properly
Canuck is about 3200 kms from me...he could pop over any time and I can pressure test his watch for him...I'll even do it at no charge if he shows up in person. Canada is a big place mate...
I heartily agree, STS did the 1970s gold OP Date in the pic below at around the cost mentioned above. It was rather poorly when sent in, now mint and healthy:
I water test watches as well. My setup isn't as elaborate as some are, but my Bergeon tester is capable of testing to the depth of 200 feet. If I ran into (for example) a Sea Dweller which was used by a professional diver, my Bergeon wouldn't be good enough. I recently played dumb in a "watch repair" shop nearby who had a Bergeon tester on his counter. There was no water in it. These need to be half filled with distilled water for the test. I asked him how it worked. He told me you just hang a watch in the chamber and pump up the pressure. If the watch doesn't explode when you release the pressure five minutes later, it's water proof! That's what he told me.