I receive phone calls and emails every week from customers that tell me their watch is not running well and they haven’t had it serviced in “many years”. They are sometimes proud that they have worn their pride and joy for 20 plus years and never had it serviced. I try and explain to them that although it is nice to hear that the watch is still running well, this info is not really what any repair person wants to hear. Just imagine running your car for years and never taking the time to change the oil!! I thought that it might be a good idea to do a blog post describing what is done during an overhaul and why you should service your watch on a regular basis.
Why have your Rolex serviced?
The longer you go between servicing, the more extensive the wear is likely to be, the more parts need replacing, the more expensive it will be. Don’t necessarily rely on the watch’s accuracy to determine when it should be serviced.
When should I service my watch?
A car’s oil should be changed every 3,000 mile’s, your Rolex should be serviced every 3-5 years.
A common misconception among many is that high-end timepieces do not have to be serviced regularly. Actually your Rolex should be serviced every three to five years. Just like other luxury items that need routine maintenance, so does the Rolex. You might be making a drastic error in the future, by thinking that your Rolex does not need to be serviced regularly. Don’t wait for a problem to happen, get routine maintenance your Rolex.
Complete Overhaul
A complete overhaul includes the complete disassembly of the watch case, bracelet, and movement. The case and bracelet are ultrasonically cleaned, polished, and refinished. The process removes scuff marks and scratches . The movement is ultrasonically cleaned, and then reassembled.The movement is electronically calibrated and placed into the case. The completed watch is pressure tested to check water resistance.
Pressure Test
Most watches are water-resistant, however no watch is truly waterproof. A water-resistant watch has gaskets that help protect the case against average water pressure at a stated pressure or depth. Your watch should be pressure tested every time the case is opened to perform any inspection or service to test for potential leaks and its ability to maintain the manufacturers original pressure standards.
Check this blog post on how a watch is pressure tested
Rust damage on a Rolex
The worst thing that can happen to your watch is water and rust damage. This is mostly caused by customers that never service their watch or have a plastic crystal that breaks without being noticed. A watch can leak from the crystal, crown/case tube or the case back. All of those gaskets need to be in good condition for the watch to stay water resistant.
Rolex overhaul cost
Cost is $200 plus the return Express mail shipping. My normal turnaround time is 2 weeks or less.
I give you a One year warranty on every overhaul.
Why is my price less expensive than other repair shops or the factory?
My answer to this question is -Why are other repair shops and the factory so overpriced!! I have been a watchmaker for over 40 years and live in a small town and have a shop with low overhead. I feel that it is better to keep my prices down and do more quality watch repair for my customers and keep repeat customers, rather than overcharge on each repair. I do each repair job one at a time and pay special attention to the needs of each individual watch repair.
I don’t have a multi million dollar advertising budget, I don’t sponsor Wimbledon or the Olympics!
The Rolex factory normally charges $600-$800 for an overhaul and turnaround time varies from 6-8 weeks!
What is done during an overhaul of your Rolex:
Your watch is completely taken apart during the overhaul process
Disassembly of the watch & movement.
Ultrasonic cleaning.
Inspection for corrosion/friction fatigue.
Proper Lubrication .
Replacement of all gaskets and seals.
Water-pressure test to Rolex specs.
Timing calibration.
Polish case, band and crystal.
-4/+6 official COSC timing test
Mans Rolex 3135 movement
If you have any questions about the repair of your Rolex, please call or email me:
Phone 1-814-837-9435 Cell – 1-814-558-4818 Email – watchdoctorpa@gmail.com
I will gladly give you names and email address of previous Rolex customers if you would like to contact them before sending your watch in for repair.
Check my Google site for more customer revues
14 Comments
Charles tortorice
Mark,
We’ve talked before.,but I forgot to ask what a complete ultrasonic cleaning range would be for a950b I own.
It’s performing perfectly but I haven’t had it serviced in 4 years..
Your dialogue today convinced me to have a service.
Thank you.
Salvatore lobosco
Very cool great info mark
Santa Dave / N. Pole Toy Shoppe
Being a repeat, repeat , repeat customer …. Dr. Mark IS my Rolex physician !
Darin Tornatore
I have had my Rolex serviced by Mark for years. His quality of service is unsurpassed. Thanks for providing the details of your service regimen! Great read!
Miami Mike
Excellent article, excellent advice. Mechanical watches DO need regular maintenance, gaskets dry out, stem o-ring seals harden and don’t seal, moving parts need lubrication, even quartz watches take maintenance. I’ve never understood people who boast that this is grandpappy’s pocket watch and it ain’t never been serviced since 1910 when he bought it. The fact that it runs AT ALL is testament to the quality of the watch, the fact that it is even still more or less accurate is amazing – but if you don’t service it, it WILL die.
I think part of the problem is that advising people to have their watch serviced at regular intervals is akin to asking a barber if you need a haircut – it is necessary to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. The other part of the problem is as Mark says, people think that as long as a watch is accurate, it is fine and doesn’t need attention – and this is WRONG! We need to edjumacate them . . .
Mark Morgan
As always GREAT story.
Mark
Jerry Chiocchio
I have been a repeat customer of Mark. He is truly a craftsmen and extremely knowledgeable. Very high integrity and cares about his customers. He’s the real deal!
Dayton Cannan
Great information and you are very honest and fair.
John Smithson
Great information Mark. I will be sending my Rolex soon for service.
John Smithson
Great information Mark. I will be sending my Rolex soon for service.
The Watch Doctor
Sounds good, send it anytime. Mark
Patrick Bissell
Mark,
This is a really valuable post. Thanks for reminding all of us that even the best engines require maintenance.
Bob Smith
Thanks Mark, wife and I have had him service each of ours twice with great results. We were some of those guys that let them run for years before sending them..Thank goodness they had not been ruined.
Gil
Flawless transaction from beginning to end. Knowledgeable , precise, concise.