My Rolex is running fast!!!!!!!

[Retired LTC USAR]

Started on Wednesday. Checked it today vs the stopwatch on my phone. Runs a minute in 55 seconds, or gains 1 minute every 12 minutes or 5 minutes every hour.

It's been well over 15 years since I have had it serviced. Guess it's time to do it again, but not sure any of the Rolex service centers can work on it due to its age (35 years old).

Never heard of a watch running fast.

Guess it's time to get my Timex out till I get it fixed.

 

[slumpy]

Whenever my timex needs a battery, off to wally world I go, girls behind the counter are real nice, they install the battery and reset the time and date, on a side note, the only watch that will run properly on me is a timex, I have made other brands stop, run slow, fast and once one even ran backwards!

 

[Stevens]

Get prepared to write a big check!
Sorry, Steve W.

 

[P&R Fan]

Find a jeweler that is older and well established and I'll bet they can work on it. My Dad died in 1994 and had a Rolex since the mid '80s. He bought it at a local jeweler that was owned by a man who was the same age as my Paternal Grandmother, born in 1918. He is still alive, by the way, and is at the shop almost every day. After Dad died I had some minor work done on the Rolex, as well as the Hamilton Automatic that dates from 1956. The watchmaker was an older guy, but he did a great job. Chain stores may not have somebody who can work on the older stuff, but the older stores usually do.
Oh, one more thing, Dad always said his "Rolley" never did keep perfect time. I've found a cheap Timex is always more accurate. Go figure.
Jim

 

[Gebe]

Yes, BOTH automatics and, (of course), quartz watches can run fast but something is VERY wrong with your Rolex.

I had a Rolex Submariner that I bought brand new in 1978 and I wore it every day for 25 years without a service. It kept excellent time but every once in awhile, (every few months), I would have to set it back a minute or so.

There is something DEFINITIVELY something wrong with your Rolex and it needs to be serviced.

 

[H Richard]

Yes, your 35 year old Rolex can be serviced by any Rolex service center. I had a DateJust Jublie, and after at least 30 years (bought it used and wore it for 30 years) the estimate was $1,000 for bringing it up to snuff. The jewler I delt with I know well, and he took it in trade (even up) for a Tag Heuer, with 18K gold bezel which was priced at $1500. He stuck his dollars into it and then probably sold it for $2500. That was about 8 years ago, and the Tag Heuer is accurate to the second, and build like a tank just like a Rolex, waterproof to 200 meters. I've never been sorry.

 

[rcnixon]

Take it to a certified Rolex dealer. THey can send it to the Rolex service center. It should be serviced every five years and it will cost about $500 for the maintenance. They take it entirely to pieces and replace worn parts, re-assemble and re-regulate it. It's a mechanical device. It needs to be taken care of. You wouldn't think of running your car for that long without service (although I have seen the results of trying just that, it isn't pretty). Your Rolex should be within -3 +7 seconds per day.

Russ

 

[jrm53]

Stevens is right be prepared to write a good sized check, I had my 1988 Submariner fixed about 4 years ago and it cost within 200 dollars of what I paid for it new in 88, now it lives in the gunsafe and I carry a Illinois pocket watch. Jeff

 

[XAVMECH]

What time is it.... really?

My 25 yr old Oyster Perpetual (non datejust) isn't the most accurate watch that I own. I don't expect the same kind of accuracy from a mechanical time-piece that I can get from my Eco-drive Citizen. BUT: my Rolex is a damn fine piece of machinery that gets regular use, has been all around the planet with me - sometimes under difficult conditions. In those twenty-five years, it's been back to the factory authorized service center once for service and updates. And yes, it's expensive. If you get away for less than 500 bucks, I'd be surprised. The replacement value for my watch has steadily grown over the years - and for good reason, the quality of materials, manufacturing workmanship, and relatively low production rate ensures it's market value. If I absolutely need to know what time it is, I'll check my cell phone.
XAVMECH

 

[litauer]

Looks like that Rolex came too close to a magnet. The mainspring is affected and needs to be demagnetized.

 

[Kavinsky]

could try my man in newton MA who fixed a watch that never worked right for me and did it right for a good price, plus polsihing the crystal and got it back to me in about 2 weeks vs the 6 plus months the watch guy at the mall who delt with omegas and rolexs told me it would take to send it to them

buy Waltham watches at watertown watch & clock co.

and the watch in question was a 62' omega seamaster de ville my father bought new back then and stopped wearing because the damn thing never worked right, its now been about 2 1/2 years since he worked on it and its still working fine.

Mind you I'm in MA too so that would probably factor into the time it would take him to do it and the seamaster was one of omegas most popular models so there was alot of parts for it.

 

[doublesharp]

I've dealt with this company with good results.

Used Rolex Watch, Men's Rolex Submariner, Daytona, Women's Gold Rolex Watches for Sale

 

[Snapping Twig]

+1 on the magnetized issue!

BUT, it's also well beyond the service interval, which is @ $600 from an authorized Rolex Service Center.

5 ~ 7 years is the suggested interval, but I've gone as many as 13.

Interesting fact, they speed up when the oils dry out and they need service, but a sudden overnight shift to 55 seconds/day sounds like you got too close to a powerful magnet.

Check your credit cards, if your watch got hit, no telling how your CC's got affected.

 

[Fishslayer]

It isn't the "Bolex" you got in Olongapo, is it?

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Go on the internet and get the mailing info to send it back. ONLY send it to New York or Dallas. Trust me on this one.
Rolex says to send them in every 3 years which is Great if you're Rolex. I sent mine in for service at 10 years because it just stopped. Mine gains about 1.5 minutes every week which Rolex says is spec ( I call BS on this but I figure that if I want more accurate time than that, I'll go with a Timex ). I'd rather have it gain than loose but face facts, a $15 automatic from China will keep better time than any Rolex .

 

[dcxplant]

Love my GMT...

The last time I had it serviced it was about 500 bucks, not by Rolex, but a reputable local "old guy" that has his own shop after working for Rolex. He restored my dad's 1960 Omega Seamaster as well-it is flawless.

Like a poster above said: find an oldtimer that can do the job for less. Otherwise send to either San Francisco or New York for Rolex service and pay about 800 bucks.

 

[Kavinsky]

I also forgot to mention something about the watertown MA guy.

he came up when I was talking to a bunch of old timers at a local gunshow one of which who noticed the old watch and asked about it and I told him about the issues with it and he also recommended that guy.

so that's two people who recommend that guy.

 

[vytoland]

My Rolex is running fast....................

strap on your roller blades...you may be able to catch it.

 

[GregG]

Go to rolexforms.com and look up Steve Mulholland (sp?)

He sells and services vintage Rolex watches at a fair price, and has a solid reputation.

Just another option for you. Good luck with it.

 

[Frank46]

I'll have to dig out the paperwork on my rolex that I bought about 1976-77. Once I figure out what it is. How do I get some idea of what its worth. Frank