How Long Does a Rolex Watch Last?
Buying a Rolex watch isn’t just a purchase. It’s an investment. And when you decide to invest a substantial amount of money in a luxury timepiece, you expect it to last. How long does a Rolex watch last? With proper care, it should last a lifetime. If you're careful, it could even survive several lifetimes and become a treasured family heirloom.
Here at Frost NYC, we have stylish men's Rolex watches that are precision-engineered to last for decades. We also have a vast selection of equally long-lasting women’s Rolex watches. In this post, we’ll be discussing the longevity of these high-end timepieces and what you can do to ensure that your Rolex will withstand the test of time. Let’s go!
Longevity of Rolex Watches
Rolex watches are carefully assembled by master watchmakers, and it takes about a year to produce each one. They feature the finest materials available and are built with precision and longevity in mind. When you follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations, the Rolex you buy today should last the rest of your life, at a minimum. You’ll likely even be able to pass it down to your kids.
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There are, however, a few things that could decrease your watch’s lifespan or add to its maintenance requirements. Styles like the Rolex Submariner are often worn as work watches and subjected to more wear and tear and harsh conditions than dress watches. And any watch worn while diving requires more frequent maintenance than ones worn solely for special occasions or kept as investment pieces.
You can expect your Rolex watch to last and keep precise time for several years even without maintenance. Because these watches come with hefty price tags, we recommend taking steps to ensure they keep on ticking for as long as possible, and that means having them professionally serviced regularly.
Caring for Your Rolex Watch
Like a 14K gold chain or another piece of fine jewelry, you should clean your Rolex watch often to remove oil and debris. In addition, the company recommends servicing their watches approximately every ten years. Depending on its age and intended use, you may need to have yours serviced more or less frequently. Older watches and those worn daily — especially in harsh environments — need to be serviced more often. They may also need replacement parts.
In some instances, your Rolex will let you know when it’s due for service. If it starts exhibiting problems, like stopping completely or not keeping accurate time, schedule service promptly. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of additional problems caused by the watch’s attempt to run itself using worn-out or damaged components.
What to Expect
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When your watch needs to be serviced, you can take it to any official Rolex retailer or Rolex affiliate. A staff member will make note of your concerns and any requests and submit the watch and notes to a watchmaker. Upon receipt, the watchmaker will carefully examine your watch and come up with an estimate for the work to be completed. Once you approve the estimate, the watchmaker will get to work.
First, your watch will be fully disassembled. All parts are examined thoroughly, and those that are damaged or worn out are replaced. Components the watchmaker plans to reuse are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath to remove all impurities. After drying, the pieces are carefully reassembled. The watchmaker will lubricate the components during this step, too.
The case and bracelet are disassembled and repolished or satin-finished to restore the watch’s original appearance. The case parts are then reassembled with new seals. Once put back together, the watchmaker tests the case to ensure it’s waterproof before reassembling the rest of the watch.
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After the movement and case are reassembled, the worker performs precision testing and makes final adjustments to ensure the watch meets Rolex requirements. Your watch goes through another (at minimum) 24 hours of testing to verify performance over time before being returned. The watch also goes through another round of waterproofness testing before the bracelet is reattached. Finally, the watchmaker thoroughly inspects the watch one last time to ensure it appears flawless and functions perfectly before sending it back to you. Every serviced Rolex watch comes with a two-year international guarantee covering replacement parts and labor.
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Conclusion
Keep up with maintenance, and your Rolex should last the rest of your life — and beyond. If you’re ready to take the plunge and invest in one of these luxury timepieces, we can help. Browse our full collection of men’s and women’s Rolex watches today to find the perfect piece.