peterh wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 1:16 pm
Apparently, CW is not alone in advising a short service interval:
The absolute majority of other luxury watchmakers tend to stick to a two-year warranty and recommend a 3-year service period – something that we might see many of them change soon in an effort to keep up with Rolex and their out-of-the-blue (and rather under-the-radar) developments.
(
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/rolex-5-ye ... intervals/)
Seems like perhaps things are catching up with my experience in Singapore 12 years ago, although they still have a way to go. Everyone took their watch in when there was a problem or it was running slow etc... There was a standard charge and for that any parts required were included. As it said in the second link, there is always often a need for parts, but as Rolex make them or have some made for them, they don't cost Rolex very much. The expensive parts rarely need replacement, normally it's winder cogs, pivots, gears date drivers things like that. If the lube runs dry the jewel doesn't wear the metal component or pivot on the jewel does.
I just wish there would be more reasonableness and transparency. Personally if my SH21 watch is running right, I'll wait until either it isn't or 7 years has elapsed, then I will send it in and pay for the parts that would probably have needed replacement anyway. The modern synthetic lubes should last until then. Is it going to need a whole extra service cost worth of parts....I doubt it. There is also going to be the huge temptation to replace parts at the 3/4 years service anyway...oh this was worn so we replaced it....might have been worn, but might have worked fine for another 5/10 years. Of course they have to replace to give a warranty.
Rolex made a smart move and they know it will make no real difference to the work being done at service time, when you put the movement back together, to replace a worn part with a new part is no harder (possibly easier) and costs peanuts.
Anyone with Sellita movement is fortunately free to go wherever they want and find a competent watch repairer at a good price. The worst that can happen is you run the movement into the ground and ask them to put a new one in.