• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Rolex Innovations

Artisan Fan

Suitsupply-sider
Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
32,196
Reaction score
377
Since we have some Rolex fans on the board I thought it might be interesting to look at recent innovations. I think there is a myth that Rolex is not very innovative as some have suggested but there have been some interesting developments in the past few years.

** 4130 movement. New for the the Daytona chronograph, it is considered among the most accurate and service friendly movements for a chrono.

** Ceramic bezel. Some of the new Submariners sport this new type of bezel using a very durable ceramic which some thought could not be manufactured.

** New lubricants for extending service. Rolex has created a new class of lubricants that extend servicing to the 5 year mark or more.

** New non-magnetic hairpspring. More robust, more accurate hairspring in the movement.

** New Prince dress watch. Rectangular dress watch with first exhibition back for Rolex and quality finishing close to boutique exhibitions.

So innovation is occurring even though the exterior design is one of slow evolution (which probably helps with resale in any event).
 

The Devil's Hands

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
134
Reaction score
0
Rolex is for loser

GlashutteOrigPanoMaticTour01.jpg


devil.gif
 

skalogre

Distinguished Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2006
Messages
6,348
Reaction score
157
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan
...
** New lubricants for extending service. Rolex has created a new class of lubricants that extend servicing to the 5 year mark or more.
...


Could you expand on that one? I am curious how they came up with this idea, especially considering that I have a number of plebeian mechanical watches that are incredibly accurate that are more than 15 years old which have never been serviced (and it is not atypical, actually the opposite)?
Do you mean Rolex service intervals specifically? I understand that the Big Names are more demanding of upkeep and maintenance and all that...
 

sygyzy

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2006
Messages
1,502
Reaction score
13
skalogre - Of course he means for Rolex's specifically. The fact that you have (or think you have) watches that have never been serviced that are incredibly accurate, does not affect the Rolex innovations.
 

Artisan Fan

Suitsupply-sider
Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
32,196
Reaction score
377
Could you expand on that one?
I have been told by an expert that new chemistry allows the lubricants to not break down as fast. This allows for longer times between service as lubricant quality is a major factor. I do mean Rolex...I think they have a patent on this possibly.

I like Glashutte as well DH. Troublemaker.
smile.gif
 

Tomasso

Distinguished Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2006
Messages
4,067
Reaction score
19
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan
I think they have a patent on this possibly.
confused.gif
 

zjpj83

Distinguished Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
9,425
Reaction score
28
I have a rose gold day-date.

I LOVE the 18K submariner with black dial and face. When I was a child, I saw a gentleman with one in Antigua. I absolutely fell in love with it - the first watch I ever loved. One of these days, I have to get one.
 

Reuters

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
158
Reaction score
0
Is it essential to service your watch?

I have a 20 year old Rolex Date Just, never been serviced, but works good.
 

Artisan Fan

Suitsupply-sider
Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
32,196
Reaction score
377
Is it essential to service your watch?
Very much so or the parts can grind down. Rolex recommends every 5 years but you can get by with 7 years.
 

Reuters

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
158
Reaction score
0
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan
Very much so or the parts can grind down. Rolex recommends every 5 years but you can get by with 7 years.

Thanks. Mine is way overdue for servicing.
smile.gif
 

Artisan Fan

Suitsupply-sider
Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
32,196
Reaction score
377
Reuters,

When you do a Rolex service, they really bring it back to new condition. It's pretty amazing actually. Well worth the $450 or so (in the US).
 

Reuters

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
158
Reaction score
0
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan
Reuters,

When you do a Rolex service, they really bring it back to new condition. It's pretty amazing actually. Well worth the $450 or so (in the US).


Thanks pal. I do know that they provide quality service for Rolex.

I have an issue. Wanted to change my acrylic to sapphire crystal but was told by the people at Rolex that its not possible. However, when I went to normal watch shops, they are able to do so. Any comments?
 

Artisan Fan

Suitsupply-sider
Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
32,196
Reaction score
377
Interesting..I was in the same boat. Here is my decision...I'm keeping the acrylic.

1. Preserves vintage value by keeping watch authentic to year.
2. Rolex ADs can clean the acrylic easily with a buffing machine. My watch looked practically new after this.

I would honestly pass on the sapphire. If you do it, then use a good AD or you risk resale value.
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 35.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 60 38.7%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 11.0%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 27 17.4%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 28 18.1%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,160
Messages
10,578,972
Members
223,882
Latest member
anykadaimeni
Top