Find a Certified Watchmaker, trained by Rolex, not someone with a hammer a couple of pairs of tweezers. You need a horologist capable of restoring your Rolex to showroom quality.
So, you’re one of those stylish guys with a flair for the opulent who own a genuine Rolex watch. Congratulations! You not only own a high-quality timepiece, but a collectible that, if cared for, will hold its value for years to come.
And caring for your Rolex watch is essential to helping it maintain its accuracy and worth. Rolex recommends that you have your watch overhauled every 3 to 5 years. You might not know it, but Rolex watches have over 200 parts that must work together within tolerances measured in microns, or thousandths of a millimeter.
As these parts move on a daily basis the oils and greases used to keep them running smoothly begin to break down and dry up. Over time this can cause these substances to harden and can decrease the accuracy of your watch. Even worse, if these conditions persist, the movement’s tiny parts can become permanently damaged.
In addition, gaskets and seals can dry out and crack, which causes the watch to lose its water resistance. If you’re not aware of the problem and go swimming or diving, the watch movement can rust beyond repair. And if you blow our the movement you may have to send the watch back to Rolex to have it replaced, which can cost close to $2,000.
So the old cliché that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure holds true when talking about your Rolex watch.
Unfortunately, many people have the attitude, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” when it comes to their watches. They think that because it’s water resistant, it somehow is resistant to all other forms of wear as well. But think about it. Would you go 5 years or more without having routine maintenance done on your vehicle?
Much like many of today’s cars, Rolex watches are best serviced by trained professionals. So if you need to take your Rolex in for servicing, you’d better make sure that you’re using a professional who knows what they’re doing, because the delicate machinery is very easy to damage. There are lots of watch shops that claim they can repair your Rolex. Don’t buy it. Most of these guys make their daily bread putting $6 batteries into cheapo quartz watches.
Do yourself a favor and find a “Certified Watchmaker” who’s been trained by Rolex, not some hack with a hammer a couple of pairs of tweezers. You want a proficient horologist capable of restoring your Rolex to showroom quality. Ask questions. Lots of them, like – How many Rolex watches have you serviced in the last year? Where did you receive your training? Do you use only Rolex factory parts? A little curiosity at the beginning can save you a lot of heartache later.
The highest level of “Certified Watchmaker” is Master Watchmaker. To get to this level you have to make a serious lifetime commitment to servicing quality timepieces. See if you can find one in your town. Try not to send your watch out of town for servicing. While there are some reputable Rolex service watchmakers around the nation that accept watches by mail, its always better to find someone local. Many Master Watchmakers are internationally trained, second and third generation horologists, and these folks are good people to get to know. At Great Guy Life, we love Master Watchmaker, John Nichols at Montana Clocks in Santa Monica. He and his team have been servicing Rolex watches for decades. But they won’t even consider taking service jobs by mail – so go out and find your own expert.
What to Look for When Servicing Your Watch
Having established that the maintenance of your Rolex is best left to a professional, here are some things you need to make sure get done when you take your watch in:
- Have the movement completely taken apart, the parts inspected for damage and then ultrasonically cleaned.
- Be sure that the movement is properly lubricated with Rolex approved lubricants.
- Ask the service personnel to inspect the gaskets and replace any that are cracked.
- Have the watch double-checked for accuracy.
- Make sure the watch is pressure tested for water resistance (if you have a water-resistant watch).
- Make sure that only genuine Rolex replacement parts are used. Some dealers will use off-brand or generic parts.
- Have the bracelet checked for weak links or unusual wear.
Remember that owning a Rolex watch isn’t like owning a Timex or Casio. Many inexpensive watches can be taken virtually anywhere for repair. And most cheap watches aren’t worth fixing anyhow. Your Rolex ain’t in that category.
A Rolex is more than just a timepiece, it’s an investment, an heirloom and a symbol of your place in the world. Treat it as such and have yours serviced every 3 to 5 years.
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