Posted: 8/2/2025 10:39:14 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Cabezaverde][Edited]
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I have no idea of the service history on my 1989 Oyster. For those in the know: Do these watches really need to be serviced periodically? Main gains about 2 minutes a week, normal? If it needs service, what should I expect that to cost? |
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I have a Rolex Submariner that was around the same age as yours. My work environment like many others involves computers and my Rolex was not keeping time due to what my jeweler said was magnetic disruption and I had to take my watch in several times to get de-magnitized. They serviced the watch at first thinking that might be the issue, ($525). The service cost can vary to the level of service needed, the condition of the Rolex and the style of the watch (ie. Chronograph cost more). After several frustrating trips to the jeweler with a watch I love that did even come close to keeping time I sold it and bought a new Omega and the issues went away. I was told by the jeweler (who is a Rolex certified center) that 3-5 years it about the average to get a Rolex certified. Good luck in your quest and I hope it works out, great looking watches. |
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I sent my 1991 Submariner to the Dallas, TX ROLEX repair center for service in July 2024. At that time, the base service price for that model was $800. They added $ for needed replacement parts. They changed their service recommendation from every 5 years to 5-10 years. My local Authorized dealer with a Rolex trained repair person was charging $500 for base service charge, but a previous service by them proved faulty, so I sent it to ROLEX. |
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Originally Posted By Cabezaverde: Does gaining 2 minutes a week indicate anything? COSC Certification- Chronometers I’m not an expert, but that appears to fall outside of the parameters discussed in this article. For COSC certification, the movement is tested in various positions and temperatures. ETA: The above parameters are for certified chronometers. |
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Smedley D. Butler, Maj.-Gen., USMC
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Every 5 - 10 years You should get served Think of it like a car Moving gear & parts. It needs a oil change If you have never had it done or if it has been over 20 years go ahead & get it done. Independent shop figure $350 - $600 Rolex $800 - $1,200 Depending if it needs parts Rolex tends to just replace movement parts along with others While Independent shops will generally communicate with you before replacing stuff, and you come back with a crazy high bill Go ahead & splurge on the new crystal also. It will make it look & feel new again |
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A service done by Rolex is not necessary, you can use a reputable watch maker for service and save some money, this place is highly recommended on the Rolex Forums. https://timecareinc.com/ |
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Originally Posted By Desperado: I sent my 1991 Submariner to the Dallas, TX ROLEX repair center for service in July 2024. At that time, the base service price for that model was $800. They added $ for needed replacement parts. They changed their service recommendation from every 5 years to 5-10 years. My local Authorized dealer with a Rolex trained repair person was charging $500 for base service charge, but a previous service by them proved faulty, so I sent it to ROLEX. I drive by that building all the time. When I first saw the Rolex logo on the side I thought there was an authorized dealer in there - nope, company repair & service center. Might come in handy if I ever actually get a Rolex. |
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Everyone please read this carefully. Eric802 is correct. - DK-Prof, 1/27/15
Everyone please read this carefully. Eric802 is correct. - DK-Prof, 1/27/15
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In addition to needing a clean and fresh oil, watches need to have the case and crown gaskets replaced. These age and get brittle, especially if you take hot showers or use a hot tube with the watch on. I'd go at the very most 5 to 8 years for gaskets. If you do a lot of SCUBA, snorkeling, kayaking, or river floats, I'd consider 5 years max. |
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Originally Posted By Cabezaverde: Does gaining 2 minutes a week indicate anything? A Rolex should be from -4s to +6s per day, so +/- less than a minute per week. So yours indicates that either the lubrication isn’t doing it’s thing anymore or there is another mechanical issue with the watch. Send it to Rolliworks in FL. and they will get it sorted. Normally, they fully disassemble the watch, inspect all parts, clean, reassemble and lubricate the watch. Then perform any adjustment to bring it into tolerance. |
I've got this one that I just took in for service a few weeks ago, it's circa 1984 or older - it was my Grandfather's, he died in 1984, I believe he bought it not too long before he passed. My Dad inherited it, he serviced it awhile back (more than 5 years before he gave to me - while he is still kicking!) and it was $500 or so then. Flash forward to now - I was quoted just under $1K for service. It had stopped working/functioning. When it worked it would not keep proper time. Also - I knew my Dad had replaced the original bracelet as it was damaged - he had it done at a dealer, not sure if it was a Rolex dealer, probably a second-hand type of dealer - it's a jubliee bracelet but apparently not a Rolex brand bracelet. The current servicing dealer mentioned that the Rolex service center may not work on it unless they replace it back to the original (non-Jubilee) bracelet, I told him, "Nope, that's a non-starter" - that answer quickly changed to "well, you know, on these older watches we can work with what the customer has..." So - apparently this watch was never offered with a factory Rolex jubilee bracelet and a factory Jubliee bracelet would not match up right with the lugs, or something like that...either way, the non-factory Jubilee is just fine with me! So, looking forward to having the watch back...but honestly, if it wasn't Grandfather's, I'd probably sell it, it looks like a ladies watch on me. I still do like it though, as it was his - the founder of our company, so it's kind of cool due to the story. |
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Email Tropical Watch or True Patina. Super easy guys to deal with. Rolliworks does great work and I’ve used them in the past but their turn around times can be horrible and I’ve also had some pretty bad communication from them. Tropical watch turned around a daytona crystal replacement for me in about 3-4 days I think it was? True Patina turned around a full 1675 gmt master service in a week for me too. Last time I used rolliworks it was months. ymmv |
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Originally Posted By Captain_Buddha: I've got this one that I just took in for service a few weeks ago, it's circa 1984 or older - it was my Grandfather's, he died in 1984, I believe he bought it not too long before he passed. My Dad inherited it, he serviced it awhile back (more than 5 years before he gave to me - while he is still kicking!) and it was $500 or so then. Flash forward to now - I was quoted just under $1K for service. It had stopped working/functioning. When it worked it would not keep proper time. Also - I knew my Dad had replaced the original bracelet as it was damaged - he had it done at a dealer, not sure if it was a Rolex dealer, probably a second-hand type of dealer - it's a jubliee bracelet but apparently not a Rolex brand bracelet. The current servicing dealer mentioned that the Rolex service center may not work on it unless they replace it back to the original (non-Jubilee) bracelet, I told him, "Nope, that's a non-starter" - that answer quickly changed to "well, you know, on these older watches we can work with what the customer has..." So - apparently this watch was never offered with a factory Rolex jubilee bracelet and a factory Jubliee bracelet would not match up right with the lugs, or something like that...either way, the non-factory Jubilee is just fine with me! So, looking forward to having the watch back...but honestly, if it wasn't Grandfather's, I'd probably sell it, it looks like a ladies watch on me. I still do like it though, as it was his - the founder of our company, so it's kind of cool due to the story. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/520287/IMG_7538-3593982.jpg Followup: got my Grandfather's Rolex back, full overhaul, price was just a tick over $1,000 out the door. Looks GREAT, works GREAT - as it should, right? LOL Wearing it today, actually, have worn it everyday since I got it back. I'd never looked up the serial number before...kind of neat, the movement was made in 1975, not that it was sold in 1975. So, a 50 year old movement. |