How Often Should You Service Your Rolex?

TL;DR: Rolex recommends servicing approximately every 10 years, but that's a general guideline, not gospel. Based on over 70,000 watches serviced at our Hatton Garden workshop, we'd suggest every 5-7 years for daily wearers, 7-10 years for occasional wear, and immediately if you spot any warning signs. The interval depends on your model, how you wear it, and how old the movement is.

The honest answer to "how often should I service my Rolex?" is: it depends. 

Rolex updated their official recommendation from every 5 years to approximately every 10 years, reflecting genuine improvements in modern lubricants and manufacturing tolerances. For a recent-production Submariner or Datejust that you wear a few times a week, 10 years is perfectly reasonable.

But here's what the official guidance doesn't account for: how varied Rolex ownership actually is. A 2024 Submariner sitting in a winder needs very different care from a 1987 Day-Date worn daily for three decades. 

Our watchmakers see both on the bench every week, and the right Rolex service interval is rarely one-size-fits-all.

How Often Should You Really Service a Rolex?

Rather than a single number, think of your Rolex service interval as a range shaped by three factors: when it was made, how often you wear it, and what you put it through.

Modern Rolex watches (post-2015) benefit from Rolex's Syloxi and Chronergy lubricants, which hold up well over extended periods. For these movements, the 10-year guideline is reasonable provided your watch is keeping accurate time and the crown still operates smoothly.

Older movements (pre-2000) used lubricants that degrade faster. If your Rolex dates from this era, a service every 5-7 years helps prevent metal on metal wear inside the movement. Dried lubricants don't just reduce accuracy, they cause physical damage to components which makes eventual servicing more expensive.

Daily wearers should lean toward the shorter end of any interval. Regular exposure to sweat, temperature changes, and the occasional knock all take their toll. If you swim or dive with your Rolex, annual pressure testing is worth considering between full services to confirm water resistance is intact.

Watches kept in storage aren't exempt. Lubricants dry out whether the watch is running or not. If your Rolex has been sitting in a drawer for several years, a service before wearing it again is sensible, running a dry movement (even briefly) can cause unnecessary wear.

Rolex Service Intervals by Model

Different Rolex models have different demands, and knowing what's inside yours helps set realistic expectations.

Submariner and Sea-Dweller: These are built for water exposure, which means their gaskets and seals are under more stress than a dress watch. Even if the movement is running well, regular pressure testing (every 1-2 years) is worthwhile. Full service every 7-10 years for modern references, 5-7 years for vintage.

Datejust and Oyster Perpetual: Among the most robust Rolex movements. Modern calibres like the 3235 can comfortably go 10 years. Older calibre 3135 movements benefit from servicing around the 7-year mark.

Day-Date and Sky-Dweller: Calendar and annual calendar complications have more moving parts. Additional complexity means more points where lubrication matters. Every 7-8 years is a sensible benchmark for these models.

Daytona: The chronograph mechanism adds considerable complexity. If you use the chronograph function regularly, service intervals of 5-7 years help keep the pushers responsive and the timing accurate.

Warning Signs Your Rolex Needs Servicing Now

Regardless of how long it's been since your last service, certain signs mean your Rolex should see a watchmaker sooner rather than later.

Accuracy drift is the most common. A mechanical Rolex should keep time to within about +/- 2 seconds per day. If yours is gaining or losing noticeably more than that, the movement likely needs attention. Small fluctuations are normal, a watch that suddenly starts running five or six seconds fast warrants investigation.

Condensation under the crystal is a more urgent sign. Moisture inside the case can corrode movement components quickly. If you see fogging, stop wearing the watch and have it assessed promptly.

A stiff or gritty crown suggests that the gaskets around the winding mechanism have deteriorated. This compromises water resistance and can let dust or moisture into the case over time.

Reduced power reserve, if your Rolex used to run for two days off the wrist but now dies overnight indicates the mainspring or the barrel may need servicing.

An audible rotor that sounds louder or rougher than usual can point to worn bearings in the automatic winding system.

If you notice any of these, it's worth getting a professional assessment. 

At SwissMade, our free diagnostics give you a clear picture of what's needed before any work begins.

What Happens During a Rolex Service?

Understanding what a service involves helps explain why intervals matter and why cutting corners isn't worth it.

A full Rolex service at SwissMade follows a thorough process. Our specialist watchmakers completely disassemble the movement, separating it into its individual components typically between 100 and 300 parts depending on the calibre.

Each part is inspected under magnification for wear, corrosion, or damage.

The components are then ultrasonically cleaned to remove old lubricant, microscopic debris, and any contaminants. Worn parts are replaced with genuine manufacturer parts before the movement is reassembled and lubricated to manufacturer specifications.

Once rebuilt, the movement is regulated on a timing machine across multiple positions and monitored over several days to ensure consistent accuracy. The case and bracelet are refinished (unless you prefer to preserve the original finish), gaskets are replaced, and the assembled watch undergoes pressure testing to confirm water resistance.

Every full service at SwissMade is backed by a comprehensive 2-year warranty covering all parts fitted, movement accuracy, and water resistance - double the industry standard.

What Does a Rolex Service Cost in the UK?

Service cost is a factor in how often owners choose to service their watches, so it's worth being transparent about what you'll pay.

At SwissMade, a Rolex full service starts from £598, with basic maintenance from £298 for simpler work.

The final cost depends on the movement's complexity and whether any additional parts are needed e.g. a three-hand Oyster Perpetual is naturally less involved than a Daytona chronograph.

For a detailed breakdown by service type, our Rolex service cost guide covers pricing in full.

By comparison, a Rolex official service centre typically charges from £550-£750+ and turnaround times of 20-30 weeks are common.

At SwissMade, most Rolex services are completed within 6-8 weeks, with free insured postage nationwide your watch is covered for up to £25,000 from the moment it leaves your hands.

Regular servicing at sensible intervals actually saves money long-term. A watch that's serviced on time needs fewer replacement parts than one that's been run dry for years.

We regularly see movements where a straightforward service has become a costly restoration simply because the owner waited too long.

Will Rolex Service an Older or Vintage Watch?

This is a question we hear often, and the answer matters for anyone with a Rolex from the 1970s, 80s, or early 90s.

Rolex's policy is to guarantee parts availability for approximately 35 years after a reference is discontinued. After that, they may decline to service the watch. For popular vintage references, this cut-off has already passed or is approaching.

The Submariner ref. 5513, for example, ceased production around 1989, placing it outside Rolex's guaranteed service window.

This is where an experienced independent workshop becomes essential. At SwissMade, our watchmakers have over 200 years of combined experience and routinely service vintage Rolex pieces that official centres can no longer accept. Our restoration service is specifically designed for older timepieces, preserving original patina and character while ensuring the movement runs reliably.

If you own a vintage Rolex, regular servicing is arguably more important, not less. Older movements are more vulnerable to lubricant degradation, and sourcing replacement parts becomes harder with time. Keeping your watch in good mechanical health now protects both its function and its value for years to come.

FAQs

How often does a Rolex Submariner need servicing? 

Modern Submariners (post-2010) can go 7-10 years between full services, though annual pressure testing is recommended if you swim or dive with it. Vintage Submariners benefit from servicing every 5-7 years, as older gasket materials and lubricants degrade faster.

Can I skip servicing if my Rolex is running fine? 

A Rolex can appear to run accurately while internal lubricants are already drying out. By the time you notice timekeeping issues, metal-on-metal wear may have already occurred. Sticking to a reasonable service interval (even when the watch seems fine) prevents small issues from becoming expensive repairs.

Does servicing affect a vintage Rolex's value? 

Proper servicing preserves value, provided it's done by a qualified specialist who respects the watch's originality. Unnecessary part replacements or aggressive polishing can reduce collectibility. At SwissMade, our watchmakers discuss any originality concerns before work begins and will preserve patina and original components wherever possible.

How do I know if my Rolex needs a service right now? 

The clearest warning signs are noticeable timekeeping changes (gaining or losing more than a few seconds daily), condensation under the crystal, a stiff crown, or reduced power reserve. If your watch has been in storage for several years, a service before wearing it again is also advisable.

Will Rolex service a watch without papers or box? 

Rolex will generally service any genuine Rolex regardless of whether you have the original papers. However, independent specialists like SwissMade can also service your Rolex (often faster and at a more competitive price) and you won't need any paperwork to get started.

Ready to Service Your Rolex?

Whether your Rolex is due for a routine service or showing signs it needs attention, our specialist watchmakers are here to help.

Request a free insured postage pack and we'll take care of the rest with genuine parts, a 2-year warranty, and a typical turnaround of 4-6 weeks.

Prefer to talk it through first? Call us on 020 7405 8504 or get in touch to discuss your watch.