How to Service Your Rolex

In this video we talk about servicing your Rolex and discuss both the service process itself and some tips for navigating it. Click here to shop all Rolex watches: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex/

Click here to read our complete user guide on how often you should service your Rolex: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blo...

As far as servicing your Rolex, this is absolutely not something that you can do at home. While it is relatively easy to change the oil on a car or even fix a lawnmower engine, the precision mechanical movement inside a high-end luxury watch is entirely different. Properly servicing a watch movement requires extensive training, specialized equipment, and access to genuine replacement components from the manufacturer.

Proper service of any mechanical watch involves the complete disassembly of both the watch case and movement, thorough cleaning of all parts, replacement of any worn or damaged components (as needed), re-application of lubricants, reassembly, timing calibration, and refinishing the surfaces of the external components of the watch with their proper gloss and brushed surfaces (only if desired; some collectors prefer to keep their watches unpolished).

Additionally, a number of post-service tests (many of which require the use of expensive specialized equipment) are also required to ensure that the watch is running inside its manufacturer specifications after service. These tests not only help guarantee that timekeeping performance is within the acceptable range of deviation, but they also allow the watchmaker to verify that the case of the watch is properly sealed against both moisture and dust. This testing stage is an important part of the service process, as it can often reveal the need for a watchmaker to make further adjustments to ensure top performance.

For modern watches, Rolex recommends a full service about every 10 years. Older watches, particularly vintage models, may require more frequent servicing in order to keep them running within their intended specifications. Additionally, for very old models that have been discontinued for a number of decades, certain service replacement parts may not be readily available directly from the manufacturer.

Should you ever notice any mechanical issues with your watch, it is always best to immediately have them addressed by a professional watchmaker to minimize any potential damage. A grinding or scraping feeling often means that there is some atypical metal-on-metal contact occurring, and this will put premature wear on the delicate internal components. Addressing a problem as soon as it arises versus waiting for the watch to come to a stop completely can often be the difference between a routine service and extensive (and expensive) repairs.

All modern Rolex watches use movemental movements that are designed and built entirely in-house by Rolex themselves. Consequently, not all professional watchmakers can service Rolex watches, and even those that know how to service them (in terms of a skill-level and technical aptitude standpoint) may actually still be unable to carry out a service properly, simply due to the fact that they are unable to purchase genuine replacement components from Rolex.

Just like anything else mechanical, certain components of a watch will wear out over time and will need to be replaced at one point or another. While modern Rolex watches do not have batteries that need to be replaced every couple years, there are certain parts that inherently have limited lifespans and will need to be replaced in order for the watch to be able to function properly. This is especially true for gaskets, the small rubber components that create the seals between the different parts of the case. A watch’s ability to keep out moisture and dirt is entirely dependent on these gaskets being intact.

Rolex keeps an incredibly tight control over the supply of its parts, and the brand famously will not sell replacement components to just anyone that asks for them. Rolex even refuses to sell parts to many highly-skilled and certified professional watchmakers. Only authorized service providers are able to order parts directly from Rolex, so it is crucial that you have your watch serviced by someone who is not just a certified watchmaker, but also someone that has a Rolex parts account.

Even still, there are certain replacement components that Rolex will flat-out not sell to independent watchmakers at all. For example, a replacement case requires issuing the watch a new serial number, and this is only something that Rolex themselves will be able to do. Consequently, many heavily damaged timepieces will need to go directly to Rolex for repairs and service.

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