As I'm getting closer to retirement I've decided that I'd like to own a Rolex again. As it has been 26+ years since I owned one there are a couple of things i can't remember before I jump back in.

1. I am left handed and wear my watch on my left wrist. Is it okay with modern mechanical watches to shoot while wearing a watch? Think 200 rounds a session a few times a month.

2. What is the recommended service span before sending a Rolex back in? In today's terms, how long to get back from service and approximately how much for the service?

I know that a lot of our members are also watch collectors and figured I'd see what people are seeing today.

Thank you kindly, gentlemen.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FPNunes,

Don't own a Rolex and never have.

Having said that, I'm wearing a Seiko mechanical automatic dive watch that I purchased in 1979 when I became an Assistant Instructor for SCUBA diving.

It still works fine and only loses about 2 minutes a month, which is fine with me.

I shoot twice a week, around 200 shells each time, so around 400 rounds/week and I've been doing that for around 12 years at this point.

Prior to that I shot around 200 rounds once a month.

It doesn't hurt the watch a bit.

The shooting question is debatable. A high quality mechanical automatic movement can withstand shocks but it’s sort of like taking a Shelby Mustang off-roading. Sure it can be done but it certainly isn’t ideal. I cannot say for sure that shooting will or will not hurt an automatic movement. It probably wouldn’t if I had to choose but the thing with automatics is that while they like movement and need it to wind the power reserve mainspring too much sudden movement or impact can damage things.

I’ve crashed a mountain bike at speed with a Ball Chronograph on my wrist and was fortunate that a small scuff mark on the leather strap was the extent of the damage done. I got it worse than the watch and ended up with road rash, bruises and minor pain for about a month. On the flip side I fell off a tube while boating at 20-25 mph and the impact made my Seiko Samurai that used to run +1-3 seconds a day consistently change to -15 seconds a day so if you smack it too hard you could mess up the time keeping.

As far as service I would shoot for every 5-7 years unless it’s a newer Seiko or Tissot and then just wear it until it begins acting up. Seiko and Tissot just replace the movements now so there is no benefit of a preemptive service to minimize repair cost. Expect it to take some time, 1-3 months wouldn’t surprise me but the Rolex enthusiasts will have a more accurate lead time.

Be very clear about what you want repaired and what you want kept original. ALWAYS send it back to the manufacturer unless you already have a very good watchmaker you trust. My failure to do this with an Omega Seamaster is a HUGE regret of mine. Don’t let an authorized dealer touch your watch if it’s an Omega or Rolex.

AS far as shooting with a mechanical watch on in some cases its like asking what is better 9mm or 40 caliber,everyone will have a different answer.
I own several mechanical/automatic watches and will change to a quartz whenever I go shooting weather it's rifle or hand gun. My theory is why take a chance. most will take the recoil with no problem.
The last time I sent my Breitling out for a full service it was over $400.00 dollars.

As far as service on a modern Rolex I have been told with regular wear it should go out every ten years. My wife's 2016 Date Just has been in twice for service over the last two years because it was running fast. First service was around 8 weeks the second was only a week because it only needed to be regulated. I have been told a full break down and service, expect 12 weeks as of right now. As far as service cost it depends on the style of watch. Chronograph vs Chronometer cost will differ greatly.

As far as being able to get one that is a different story. You are not going to be able to just walk into a Rolex AD or Boutique and walk out the same day for the most part. Over the last few years Rolex watches have become very hard to get and the Grey Market prices for some watches are 3 to 4 time MSRP.

My first Rolex was a stainless Datejust purchased new in 1965. It was chronograph accurate until the day I wore it driving concrete nails. Never was that accurate again even after servicing. Based on that experience if I were left handed I would remove a mechanical watch when shooting.

My current Rolex is a stainless GMT Master purchased new in 2001 and worn every day since. First service was 2019 and cost $800.

Range time with a mechanical watch? It's like shooting +p. It's not likely to actually break anything, especially right away or with limited use, but it's going to increase wear and tear. I wore my Seiko diver daily at work for 10 years, including range quals, and it's never been serviced. Still runs fine when I get it out and wear it on occasion. I take my GSAR off on range days and don't wear my Omega or Sinn to the range. Why risk it?

That said, I have a good friend who just had to explain to Rolex whey there was welding slag on his crystal. I did finally convince him to quit wearing it while running a jackhammer. His services tend to be a bit more frequent than most...

As far as servicing goes, Omega had my Seamaster back in about a month looking brand new and runnning within a second a day. Cost about $700. Christopher Ward did a service on my Trident 600. They completely replaced the movement for about $200 and had it back in two weeks. Neither of my Seikos have ever been in for a service, and frankly won't unless they stop running. The older one is still within 30 seconds a day and it's 20 years old.

My buddy's Rolex took about 2 months and cost about $1200 to service. On the flip side, even with the abuse it's suffered he could flip that watch tomorrow for more than he paid for it. Not many things hold their value like Rolex. It's not my favorite brand and I'd never pay the price for one, but I'll never question someone who feels differently.

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

1) Yes absolutely.
2) When it stops, running too fast or too slow. I don't believe in a "scheduled" services.

My favorite everyday would be a Rolex Submariner with Date.

I’ve been wearing the same Rolex Sea Dweller almost every day for ~23 years. The only sports activities that I don’t wear it are golf and tennis - mainly because of the weight. I’m right handed so I feel that recoil is fairly negligible for a watch worn on my left wrist.

I have had it serviced twice (10 year intervals). It can be pricey at $900 to over $1,000. The last time I sent it in they wanted to replace the bracelet for almost the amount I paid for the entire watch when I bought it new in 1999. The nice thing with Rolex service (not familiar with others) is they will send a quote for recommended services and let you decide what you want done.

Thank you for the insights, my kind friends. That is about what I expected to hear. Guess just because I can wear it while performing impact activities doesn't mean I should.

I had heard about the average of 10 years on the service recommendations, barring any issues that crop up before then. I plan on only having my service done by the factory so I guess I have some time to figure out what to buy while it is away for 3 months. First world problems I suppose.

Of course, like an idiot, I passed up on a stainless explorer II about a year prior to covid at just over $6k. Now I am kicking myself...

The upside is that I am patient person so figure it will likely be a nice time diversion while on the hunt. I hope everyone has an awesome holiday weekend and additional comments are always welcome

quote:

Originally posted by davetruong:
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

Thank you, Dave.

Whether mechanical watches can stand up to the abuse of shooting or not, I never saw any reason to subject my few mechanical watches to that treatment. I have a few Casio's that fill that duty nicely and given what they are, if they fail I'll toss them and get another.

I just had my 2006 explorerII serviced, picked it up last week from the authorised dealer with a Rolex certified watchmaker on staff. It cost me 900$ including tax. That included a new crown. Maybe would have been a few dollars cheaper sending it in to the service center but it does have multiple complications. Rolex now recommends service every 10 years. I don’t wear it shooting just because I’m mental about it. But I do wear my seiko automatics when shooting because I can replace them easily and cheaply

The Rolex Forum has discussed this and the overwhelming opinion is that shooting while wearing one will cause no problems whatsoever.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=22875

I'm right handed and wear my watch on my left hand, so whatever watch I'm wearing really doesn't see all that much shock force from shooting. What I have done is over G a Seiko Samurai by wearing it when I was using a slide hammer. That got my watch a trip back to the factory for warnanty work.

I have worn my sea dweller when shooting. I wear it on deployments I just don’t care. It takes a beating and never hiccups.

I had my Sub serviced about 3 years ago and the service was about 1K. But Rolex polished the watch and when it came back, it looked like it was when it was new. The watch is not indestructible, but shooting with it would not worry me at all. I’m more concerned about it being robbed.

Crockett says no problem...

I have a Rolex but I wouldn't wear it shooting or playing golf. That's what I got other watches for. I have a mechanical watch (Reactor) that I wear for golfing because it's a good way to wind it. It needs an electronic gizmo to wind it.

Never mind the shock, I'm thinking the crystal can get scratched. I suppose if you have several Rolexes and you designate one as your beater Rolex then it's your choice.

I wear my one gold tone Datejust Rolex only on Sundays as my nod to wearing my Sunday best and on special occasions. If I had a Sky Dweller, I might wear it during weekdays but still not while shooting or playing golf.

I dislodged my rotor in my ExpII years ago. Not sure what finally did it after 11 years of daily wear. Dozens and dozens of times shooting. Whacking it off steel doorjambs at the office.

Certainly would be better to leave it off for that. Is that absolutely necessary? Dunno

I think I'd be inclined to send them back every 5 to 10.

I have worn 2 Rolex watches over a 40 year span. I am right handed and wear my watch on my left wrist. The last time my watch went in for service, the watchmaker recommended not shooting with my watch on. He said the shock of recoil might enlarge the hole in the rotor and wear the shaft.

While that makes mechanical sense, I shoot in it anyway because I forget to take it off........