It’s rather likely that you own at least one Rolex and want to keep it in great condition. One of the most effective methods to maintain your Rolex watches in excellent working order is to store them correctly.
There are several things to think about, such as how often do you wear your metal rolex watch or newer rolex watches? Do you live in a location with a high amount of humidity? Is your Rolex equipped with a date display or other feature that requires adjustment if the multiple watches is not worn on a regular basis?
In this article, we’ll go through each of these factors in depth and break down various watch storage options so that you can pick the approach that works best for you and your timepiece (or timepieces).
How Long Do Rolexes Last?
There is no definitive solution to this issue, but one thing is certain: a Rolex timepiece will last a long time.
There are a lot of vintage watch collectors who enjoy retro Rolexes. What you’ll discover is that many of the most popular vintage models date back to the 1940s, 1950s, or even earlier. And they’re in wonderful working order.
Sure, these old Rolex timepieces have discolored lume plots, possible rust, aged dials, faded bezel and sapphire crystal, and worn case and bracelet signs of aging, but they are nevertheless highly functional. Especially after expert watch repair.
All of these age indications, which most people would consider detracting from the beauty of a Rolex watch, are actually what vintage watch enthusiasts prize about them.
A Rolex watch is designed to last a lifetime. However, there is a distinction between simply having the watch and having a working timepiece that is still maintaining accurate time.
A Rolex watch is a mechanical timepiece that, like all mechanical gadgets, must be maintained in order to function properly. For instance, You can also use a soft brush to clean harder-to-reach areas, particularly around the lugs and in between bracelet links.
Rolex is recognized for creating robust workhorses that keep ticking year after year when it comes to movements. We’ve had a lot of clients with Rolexes on the wrist for ten or more years who have never had them serviced, and they’re still keeping perfect time. This is without a doubt remarkable, but your Rolex watch will require servicing sooner or later.
Factors To Consider Before Choosing How To Store Your Rolex
One of several things to think about is: How often do you get your Rolex on? If you wear your Rolex every day, keeping it in a watch box or safe should enough. The Rolex power reserve is one of the finest in the industry, and it’s good enough to keep your timepiece going all night long, from when you take it off at night until when you put it back on the next morning.
If you’d prefer to keep your Rolex for special events or want to alternate between several timepieces, a watch winder is an excellent option. This option will keep the time and date correct, as well as preserve the movement, and it will take you out of the equation by eliminating the need to reset it every time you put it on.
If you’re going to keep your Rolex for an extended time, make sure the movement is well-oiled and that the crown and gaskets are in good shape. You might also want to manually wind it once a month to allow the movement’s components to move around and lubricants to flow.
It’s important to note that the hands of a quartz clock will eventually move on their own. If left unsupervised for lengthy periods, this may result in more maintenance in the long term (however, this is also highly dependent on the age of your watch and its previous servicing).
However, if you leave your Rolex on a winder all of the time, it will undergo some additional wear and tear while being unnecessary if you’ll just be wearing it a few times each year. Leaving your Rolex in a watch box or safe with an occasional wind should suffice.
Another thing to think about is relative humidity, temperature, and other elements such as light and dust. Even if your luxury watches are stored in a container, moisture and other factors may cause damage over time.
The vast majority of Rolex timepieces are water-resistant, but if you have an older vintage model without its gaskets replaced recently, humidity and dust can get inside the case, damaging both the movement and dial/hands.
If you’re concerned about your Rolex’s water resistance, keep it in a humidity-controlled watch box or safe that will maintain its moisture and temperature. If you’ll be storing your Rolex for an extended period, keep it in a dark place away from light to avoid fading. On older Rolex watches, some deterioration is acceptable; however, it’s preferable to keep the dial’s quality as long as possible.
Watch Storage Options
Original Boxes
This is the first and most important thing to know about these boxes: they are really intended to be package and presentation materials rather than daily usage items. Using a box (opening, closing, handling, etc.) too much will only harm its condition and cause it to lose value. Keep the original boxes in a cool, dry place and away from any light to preserve the surface from fading and accumulating dust.
Second, it might appear clogged and chaotic, especially if you have many timepieces. In most designs of packaging, the watches can’t be seen, and some from the same brand lack any distinguishing marks to indicate what you’ll find when you open it. If you have other Rolex storage options, it’s usually preferable to store your watch elsewhere and it shouldn’t return to its original box until it’s time to send it off to a new owner.
Watch Boxes
This is the preferred storage method for many collectors. The timepieces are well-displayed under glass and may be admired even when they aren’t on their wrists (additional options with a transparent top are also available). Keeping them in one place makes it much easier to pick a watch to put on, especially if you’re a collector. Display cases are also an excellent choice for keeping expensive timepieces safe while displaying them, so some collectors may choose one without a glass top and simply store the entire box within their vault.
Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Rolex
Cleaning Your Rolex
Depending on how often you wear your Rolex watch, clean it on a regular basis. If you wear it every day, we recommend washing it once a week. Built-up dirt and grime not only dulls the appearance of your Rolex, but it can also cause bracelet stretching over time.
To clean a full metal Rolex watch entirely, simply wash it with warm water and a mild soap (Dr. Bonner’s Castile Soap is a fantastic option). You may also use a soft brush to clean difficult-to-reach locations, particularly around the lugs and between bracelet links, using gentle strokes. After washing all of the soap away, dry your Rolex watch with a soft cloth and you’re ready to go. Remember that these are water-resistant timepieces, therefore water is completely safe—but double-check that the winding crown is properly installed!
If you notice any condensation on your Rolex dial underneath the crystal, have it looked at by a certified watchmaker.
Wearing Your Rolex
Rolex watches are well-known for their endurance and robustness, but it’s inevitable that your Rolex will receive scratches and dents over time. Some collectors consider these nicks to be a sign of a fulfilled life!
However, if the bezel or sapphire crystal are damaged, you will have to replace them. Rolex watches with acrylic crystals on the dial and older Rolex sports models feature aluminum bezels.
Rolex watches have enhanced in recent years, with sapphire crystals and sports models having ceramic bezels being the most popular. It’s crucial to remember that Rolex glass is considerably more expensive than acrylic and aluminum. When you wear your Rolex, make sure the winding crown is securely fastened into the case.
Servicing Your Rolex
It’s essential to have your Rolex serviced on a regular basis. Some people prefer to have an authorized Rolex service center perform the work, while others choose an independent watchmaker they can trust. Consider the prices, value, duration, and dependability of each party when deciding which course to take.
A complete service entails that your Rolex be cleaned, polished, and buffed to its maximum potential. If necessary, damaged components such as the crystal, bezel, crown, or dial may be replaced. The movement will be taken out, disassembled, inspected for performance, lubricated for friction if required, and parts will be replaced as needed.
Finally, the gasket will be replaced and the watch will be pressure tested for water resistance. There is one exception to this, however. For collectors, having as many original components as possible on their timepiece, in addition to an unpolished condition, is ideal. When servicing a Rolex watch, Rolex will replace elements, machine polish it, and try to bring it up to modern standards as much as feasible.
