Do Quartz Watches Need To Be Serviced

It's no secret that Rolex watches accept evolved to go a status symbol. As the brand likes to remind us, Rolex is synonymous with prestige and excellence. And while there is no denying the attractive qualities of the exterior of a Rolex, these watches would accept not stood the exam of time without the movements that power them.

Yep, it is true that Rolex calibers are not the prettiest movements out there; they are later on all subconscious behind solid metal screw-downwards instance-backs. But what they lack in decoration and finishing, they certainly make upward for in robustness, durability, practicality—and serviceability.

Rolex mechanical movements were ever built for an active life—whether information technology is diving, cave exploring, mountain climbing, jet setting, or running an empire. They were never conceived as delicately decorated calibers to stare at through a transparent case-dorsum crystal.

Some Rolex owners merits that these movements are so tough that they never need whatever maintenance. Other more responsible wearers however, understand that no affair how well congenital a Rolex caliber is, it certainly does need regular servicing to ensure optimal performance and increased longevity.

If you have ever wondered how a Rolex watch is serviced, read our complete guide to larn more.

Rolex Movements

Before delving into how a Rolex lookout man is serviced, it is important to understand a picayune scrap about the history of Rolex movements and highlighting some notable calibers and innovations along the way. Rolex has filed around 400 patents throughout its history—a clear indication that the visitor places a premium on technical innovations.

While Rolex has certainly fabricated manual-wound and quartz movements, the make is most famous for making automatic mechanical movements for its watches. In fact, it was in 1931, that Rolex invented the showtime cocky-winding machinery with a Perpetual rotor. This patented structure not only serves as the basis of all Rolex automatic movements but also that of about self-winding watches from any brand since the invention went into the public domain in 1948. While the Rolex spotter is being worn, the natural movement of a wrist causes the Perpetual rotor to swing back and forth, which and then serves to automatically current of air upward the spotter. This replaces the need to regularly wind upward a sentry.

Another innovation that has played a part in the success of Rolex watches is the company's accent on h2o resistance which actually came before the Perpetual rotor mechanism. In 1926, Rolex unveiled the Oyster case built with a screw-down crown, spiral-down case-back, and a bezel securing the acrylic crystal to the case. This three-part structure keeps water and grit out of the sentinel.

Since then, Rolex has improved the water resistance of its watches across the board with a rating of 100 meters for most of its models, 300 meters for Submariner watches, 1,220 meters for Body of water-Dweller watches, and three,900 meters for Deepsea watches.

In 2000, Rolex introduced a patented hairspring fabricated in an exclusive alloy of niobium, zirconium, and oxygen for optimal precision. In 2005, Rolex developed a patented process to care for the surface of the hairspring to reinforce its stability, which as well happens to turn the slice bluish. This exclusive movement component is called the Parachrom hairspring and Rolex maintains that information technology is resistant to magnetism and temperature swings, and it remains up to x times more authentic than a traditional hairspring in instance of shocks, no wonder that watches made by Rolex tend to be more accurate than other watch brands.

In 2005, Rolex too introduced the patented Paraflex shock absorb organisation, which improves a watch's shock resistance by upwards to 50%.

How Long Does it Take to Make and Get together a Rolex Movement?

Today, Rolex has iv main manufacturing sites in Switzerland. The Rolex Bienne site is where the company'southward movements are produced. All Rolex calibers are made entirely in-firm now (this was not always the case) and every single i is hand-assembled. However, it is of import to annotation that Rolex houses incredible cut-border mechanism that manufactures the components of the movement very rapidly. For instance, Rolex produces base-plates at a rate of 100 per minute.

It is this magic formula of high-tech machinery and hands-on craftsmanship that allows Rolex to produce up to one million (estimated) topnotch timepieces a year.

Rolex famously claims that it takes a whole twelvemonth to make a Rolex sentry from commencement to end, but lets be realistic. With the ability to produce hundreds of parts simultaneously, the entire process should not have longer than a week, unless the delay is a part of their marketing game. I'one thousand just speculating, just in realist the wait period for a new Rolex Daytona ref. 16500 is approximately 5 years unless you are ready to pay double for what its really worth. Retrieve that Rolex is a highly vertically integrated manufacturing company, making the majority of all the components that get into the scout from the materials to the case to the bracelet to the movement parts in-house. Then while it may just take a few hours to gather the scout, it takes much longer to manufacture all the pieces required and to conduct all the last testing to ensure peak performance.

Notable Rolex Calibers

Rolex movements can exist generally classified into half-dozen categories: time only, appointment, day/date, GMT, chronograph, and annual agenda.

Frequency rate indicates how many beats per hr the movement operates. Today, all Rolex calibers operate at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour, which is equivalent to eight ticks per second. This is why the seconds easily of an automatic Rolex looks like it "sweeps" around the dial compared to the seconds paw of a quartz watch that "jumps" to the adjacent position once every 2nd.

Power reserve is the term used for how much power a spotter can store while lying fallow before running out of juice. Depending on the caliber, Rolex watches can have anywhere from 42 hours to 70 hours of ability reserve. Once an automatic watch depletes its power reserve, all it takes is some winding to get it going again and once it's on the wrist, it will continue to self-air current again thanks to the rotor.

When a lookout man has "hacking" function, it means that the seconds hand comes to a complete cease when the winding crown is pulled out to the second position. This allows for precise fourth dimension-setting.

A quick set appointment (or twenty-four hours) feature means that the agenda window tin be ready independently from the eye 60 minutes and infinitesimal hands. To change the date on a not-quick-set watch ways having to continuously turn the minute hand around the punch past midnight until the right appointment appears in the window, that is why information technology is a skillful thought to set the appointment properly during the first attempt otherwise yous will have to repeat the entire procedure over.

Now that we have covered some technical terms, hither is a list of some of Rolex's most notable calibers.

Rolex Time Only Calibers

These movements power the simple time-but Rolex watches, sometimes referred to as "three-handers."

Reference	Intro Year	Frequency Rate & Power Reserve	Used in which Rolex watches	Notes
Quotient 1570	1965	– 19,800 bph – 42 hours	Oyster Perpetual, Submariner, Explorer	Hacking function added in 1972
Caliber 3000	1990	– 28,800 bph – 42 hours	Air-Male monarch, Submariner, Explorer
Caliber 3130	2000	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, Submariner, Explorer	Parachrom hairspring
Caliber 3131	2007	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	Milgauss, Air-King	– Anti-Magnetic Parachrom hairspring – Paraflex anti-daze system
Caliber 3132	2010	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	Explorer, Oyster Perpetual	– Anti-Magnetic Parachrom hairspring – Paraflex anti-shock organisation

Rolex Appointment Calibers

These movements power the Rolex watches that have a date window at 3 o'clock. Information technology is interesting to note that there are currently more Rolex watches with appointment windows than without.

Reference	Intro Year	Frequency Charge per unit & Power Reserve	Used in which Rolex watches	Notes
Caliber 1575	1967	– 19,800 bph – 42 hours	Sea-Dweller, Date, Datejust, Submariner Date	Hacking function added in 1972
Caliber 3035	1977	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	Date, Datejust, Bounding main-Dweller, Submariner Engagement	Quickset date office
Caliber 3135	1988	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	Date, Datejust, Bounding main-Dweller, Deepsea, Submariner Appointment, Yacht-Main	Parachrom hairspring added in 2000
Caliber 3235	2015	– 28,800 bph – seventy hours	Pearlmaster, Body of water-Dweller, Deepsea, Datejust, Yacht-Master	– Parachrom hairspring – Paraflex anti-shock system

Rolex Twenty-four hour period-Date Calibers

These movements power the Rolex Day-Date watches, which are as well known as Rolex President watches.

Reference	Intro Year	Frequency Rate & Power Reserve	Used in which Rolex watches	Notes
Caliber 3055	1978	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	Day-Date	Quickset date part
Caliber 3155	1988	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	Day-Date	– Double quickset: twenty-four hours and date – Parachrom hairspring added in 2000
Caliber 3255	2015	– 28,800 bph – 70 hours	24-hour interval-Date	– Parachrom hairspring – Paraflex anti-shock system

Rolex GMT Calibers

These movements power Rolex watches with an actress 24-hour manus, which are the GMT-Master and Explorer II models. Early versions of these models had 24-hr hands that were linked to the local hour paw. This meant that wearers had to turn the rotating bezel of the GMT-Primary watches to signal another time zone while the 24-hour hand of the first Explorer II simply served equally an A.M./P.M. indicator since that watch model has a stock-still bezel. When the 24-60 minutes hand became independent, Rolex introduced the GMT-Chief II model, which can indicate three time zones. Plus, the contained 24-hr hand meant that the Explorer II evolved into a dual-fourth dimension watch.

Reference	Intro Year	Frequency Charge per unit & Power Reserve	Used in which Rolex watches	Notes
Quotient 1575GMT	1967	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	GMT-Chief, Explorer II
Caliber 3075	1981	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	GMT-Master	Independent 24-hr
Quotient 3085	1983	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	GMT-Primary 2, Explorer II
Quotient 3185	1988	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	GMT-Principal II, Explorer Ii
Caliber 3186	2005	– 28,800 bph – 48 hours	GMT-Master Ii, Explorer 2	Parachrom hairspring
Caliber 3285	2018	– 28,800 bph – 70 hours	GMT-Master 2	– Parachrom hairspring – Paraflex anti-shock organization

Rolex Chronograph Calibers

These below movements power Rolex chronograph watches. Prior to 1988, Daytona watches ran on manual-wound Valjoux-based movements.

Reference	Intro Year	Frequency Charge per unit & Ability Reserve	Used in which Rolex watches	Notes
Caliber 4030	1988	– 28,800 bph – 54 hours	Cosmograph Daytona	Modified Zenith El-Primero move
Caliber 4130	2000	– 28,800 bph – 72 hours	Cosmograph Daytona	– Start in-house chronograph quotient Parachrom hairspring
Caliber 4160 (updated to Caliber 4161 in 2013)	2007	– 28,800 bph – 72 hours	Yacht-Master 2	Programmable countdown with mechanical memory

Rolex Almanac Calendar Caliber

This move powers Rolex's annual calendar model (with 2 fourth dimension zones, engagement, and month), the Sky-Dweller. Information technology is considered one of the visitor's most complex modern-24-hour interval calibers.

Reference	Intro Year	Frequency Rate & Ability Reserve	Used in which Rolex watches	Notes
Caliber 9001	2001	– 28,800 bph – 72 hours	Sky-Dweller	Automatically adjusts to the correct month and date except when Feb turns into March

How Precise are Rolex Movements?

A Swiss chronometer is a picket that has been certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) as having passed strict accuracy and precision standards. Rolex has been COSC's biggest client for decades, sending anywhere from 700,000 to a million watches for certification each twelvemonth. COSC standards let for an average deviation rate of -4/+6 seconds per mean solar day for mechanical watches.

However, in 2015, Rolex redefined its ain Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified standard to guarantee an accurateness charge per unit of -2/+2 seconds per 24-hour interval for its watches—which is double that of COSC.

Official Rolex Service Centers vs. Contained Service Centers

A frequent question that comes upwards with Rolex owners is if it is meliorate to service their watches at an official Rolex Service Center (RSC) or at an independent service center. Naturally, official centers volition only employ Rolex-manufactured parts and provide a ii-year Rolex Service Guarantee.

However, RSCs are notoriously expensive and a service period tin exist quite lengthy. Furthermore, when Rolex services a watch, information technology is standard operating process to fix or replace any damaged or worn parts, regardless of the wishes of the owner. This may be unfavorable for vintage Rolex watch owners since collectors typically prefer all original parts (flaws and all) rather than new replacement parts.

Another thing to continue in mind is that Rolex will not service a watch if information technology has any customized parts (such as after-marking precious stone-setting or bracelets) or non-Rolex components. Additionally, Rolex will not service a spotter that has been previously serviced by anyone other than an authorized service center.

These limitations take caused many Rolex owners to turn to skilled independent service centers, such as ours, to maintain and service their dearest Rolex watches.

Our Rolex Service Procedure

We have decades of experience repairing, restoring, and servicing Rolex watches. We exclusively employ 18-carat Rolex replacement parts and highly specialized tools and/or machines. Our multi-step Rolex service procedure is as follows:

Step one: Rolex Scout Disassembly

The first step required when servicing a Rolex lookout man is to disassemble it. This means carefully removing the bracelets from each side of the watch case so removing the spiral-downward fluted case-dorsum characteristic of Rolex watches.

To do this, a specialized central is used to preclude any harm to the surface of the metallic. Removing the case-back allows admission to the motility within the lookout. The movement is so carefully taken out of the case.

Step two: Cleaning, Refurbishing, and Reassembling the Rolex Motility

In one case the movement is out of the instance, each movement part is disassembled and cleaned. It is vital that any oils or clay is removed from these tiny components. Any worn out parts, such every bit the mainspring and reverser wheel, is replaced. Worn out gaskets are also replaced to ensure the watch's water resistance.

Lubrication is applied where necessary to minimize friction, prevent wear-and-tear, and enhance longevity and accuracy. The movement is so carefully pieced back together.

Stride 3: Rolex Watch Outside Restoration

Along with the motility within the sentry, the exterior of the picket is likewise meticulously cleaned and restored.

A myriad of different pastes, polishers, and techniques are employed to restore the instance, bezel, and bracelet of a Rolex picket to ensure the original integrity of the metal finishing. What's more than, painstaking intendance is taken to not alter the silhouette of the watch, which is something that can happen when a watch is unskillfully over-polished.

Dials tin also be restored back to its original condition, fifty-fifty on badly damaged or rusted surfaces. If necessary, the crystal of a Rolex lookout man can besides be replaced.

Step 4: Testing the Rolex Watch

In one case the Rolex watch has been disassembled, cleaned, restored, and reassembled, the timepiece is rigorously tested with specialized pressure machines to ensure proper performance, accuracy, and water resistance.

What is Included in a Rolex Service?

All labor, standard parts, and testing are included in our Rolex service fee. Any additional components required outside of the standard service (new bracelet, dial, crystal, etc) will bear an additional toll but will e'er be cleared by the client first.

Our Rolex service likewise includes a one-year Service Warranty.

Other Rolex Spotter Related Services We Provide

In addition to our complete Rolex maintenance service, we likewise provide other services such equally engraving bracelet resizing, and bracelet replacements.

How Ofttimes Should I Service my Rolex?

There are many factors that can make up one's mind how oftentimes y'all should service your Rolex, such as how old the model is, how much time it spends on your wrist, how frequently it comes into contact with water, and and so on. However, in general, we recommend servicing your Rolex lookout man at least every 3 years—merely more ofttimes if your sentry is subjected to a very agile lifestyle. Think, prevention is always cheaper and easier than repairing long-term impairment.

How Do I Know if My Rolex Needs Servicing?

If you have not serviced your Rolex in more than than three years, it is probably time to transport it in. Other things to look out for include if your Rolex runs too fast or slow or if your picket runs out of ability reserve quicker than usual.

Besides, if you notice any wet underneath the crystal, yous take to ship your Rolex in for servicing immediately. This is a sign that h2o has leaked into your watch and if it is not addressed direct abroad, it can cause permanent (and expensive) damage to your Rolex.

If you take your Rolex frequently into the water for swimming or diving, nosotros recommend inspecting it for h2o resistance every couple of years. That way, any worn out gaskets that serve to keep the h2o out of your watch can be replaced if necessary.

How To Intendance for Your Rolex In-Betwixt Servicing

In between servicing periods, you can take certain steps to properly intendance for your Rolex watch, whether you are wearing it, cleaning information technology, or storing it.

If your watch has run out of power reserve while information technology was off your wrist (or sentinel winder), wind it up manually to outset the movement before putting it back on your wrist. When you are wearing your Rolex, always make sure that the winding crown is screwed into the case to prevent whatsoever moisture or grit from entering into the picket. The water depth rating written on the dial of a Rolex picket is only applicable if the winding crown is screwed downward.

When you are non wearing your Rolex, brand sure to store information technology in a cool and dry (not humid) place, abroad from whatever magnetic fields. Prolonged exposure to magnetic fields can magnetize your picket, which volition throw off its timekeeping precision. A quick way to tell if your watch is magnetized is with a compass. Place a compass on a apartment surface and position your sentinel above it—if the compass needle moves, your watch is magnetized. We tin also de-magnetize your watch during servicing.

Too, information technology is not necessary to store your watch on a winder. In fact, keeping it on a winder for too long tin eventually crusade vesture and tear to the motility—even a mechanical watch needs to rest once in a while!

Finally, you can also lightly clean your Rolex at domicile to keep information technology in tiptop status. Built-upwardly grime and dirt tin can really cause bracelet stretching over time, and then information technology is a adept idea to proceed your Rolex metal bracelet equally clean as possible. All it takes is some warm soapy (mild ammonia-free lather) water and your fingers to gently rub the dirt away from the links. And then dry it well with a soft cloth. It goes without maxim that this is only applicable to metallic bracelets and not leather or fabric straps. Again, always make certain that the winding crown is screwed in and avoid submerging old vintage Rolex watches in water.

The best way to brand sure your Rolex watch stays in swell status is to maintain a regular service schedule with a watchmaker you trust. Allowing a trained specialist to service your spotter every three years or so volition increment the likelihood that your cherished Rolex will last forever—or at least for several generations.