Rolex Repair 101

Wristwatch after a rolex repair

Watchmakers in general are known for their attention to detail and precision engineering. They are core principles to the art of horology that are crucial to the creation of a good timepiece, and Rolex in particular have made a name for themselves as the masters of this kind of precision timekeeping. Their name has become synonymous with high quality production value, timeless class, and reliability. The amount of thought and detail that goes into the design and crafting of each and every Rolex is, quite frankly, mind blowing, and there are one million of the watches produced a year. Rolex are so confident in their products that they are upping the warranty on their watches from 5 years to 10 years, no matter whether the Rolex repair is undertaken by Rolex themselves, or by a watch repair specialist such as Repairs By Post.

As mentioned previously, the effort that Rolex go to to ensure that they make a well crafted watch is simply staggering. They produce their own type of stainless steel, one that is harder to machine than most standard stainless steel alloys, purely because it buffs better and produces a higher quality finish for Rolex watches. Rolex has its own lab for R&D; every Rolex movement is hand-assembled and tested; all their gold is smelted in house at their own foundry; they even have pressurised tanks for the testing of dive watches. There is little that they use in the production of their watches that is not produced in house.

All of this combined has resulted in Rolex being regarded as one of the world’s most prominent Swiss watchmakers. With this, and the price tag, in mind, proper maintenance is key to prevent degradation of a Rolex. Rolex watch repairs must be undertaken by an accredited professional repairman. This ensures that only certified Rolex parts are used in the procedure.

Rolex Repair 101

What Happens During A Rolex Repair?

  • Step 1 – Disassembly. The bracelet is detached from the watch case, and the case is opened. The movement is removed for dismantling while the rest of the case components are also dismantled.
  • Step 2 – Cleaning of the movement. The movement is disassembled. Each component is ultrasonically cleaned in a special bath of formulated solutions to remove grime and dirt. This is a delicate procedure, as one slip could irreparably damage the movement. As such, rolex repairs should only be undertaken by competent specialists.
  • Step 3 – Replacement of Components. The watchmaker closely examines each individual component of the movement, identifying any component which requires replacement. Only certified Rolex parts are used. This is the main part of a Rolex Watch repair and the main difference between that and a rolex watch service. 

  • Step 4 – Lubrication and Reassembly. Using only the finest lubricants, each relevant component of the movement is carefully lubricated to minimise friction, preventing degradation of precision and reducing wear on the parts. This is crucial to ensuring the movement of the Rolex continues to perform accurately.

  • Step 5 – Timing Calibrations. The core of any Rolex watch movement is the balance wheel, which has a frequency of over 690,000 beats per day. To ensure precision in the timekeeping, the watchmaker makes meticulous adjustments to the balance wheel then electronically tests the timing accuracy. The entire Rolex movement is then thoroughly tested and monitored for several days to verify its performance.

  • Step 6 – Refinishing the Case and the Bracelet. The same level of care goes that goes into the servicing of the movement also goes into servicing its case and bracelet. After the initial cleaning, the case and bracelet are closely examined for any wear or damage, with any necessary replacements being made with certified Rolex parts. The case and bracelet are then finished to an exceptionally high standard.

  • Step 7 – Full reassembly. The entire watch is then fully reassembled, completing the Rolex watch repair.

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