Frequently Asked Questions About Caring For Your Rolex Watch
- Congratulations, you purchased a Rolex Watch. We receive a lot of questions from our customer when they purchase their first Pre-Owned Rolex Watch. on this page we will try to answer the most frequently asked questions. The most important things you need to know is how to care for your new timepiece. When you purchase a Rolex From Estate Watch and Jewelry Buyers, you can rest assured that your timepiece has been recently & properly serviced. That is how we can offer every customer a 1 year warranty on their timepiece. So let’s start to answer the most common questions.
- Q: “Do I need to get a battery replaced when my Rolex stops running.”
- A: No. Rolex is world renowned for their automatic (perpetual) movement. The watch actually charges as you wear the watch. In most cases your Rolex will continue to run for 1-3 days off your wrist. If you have not worn your Rolex for a few days we suggest VERY lightly shake your watch and see if it starts to run. If it does, unscrew the crown which will put it in the winding position. Turn the crown until it starts to get tight. Do not overwind your watch as you can break the mainspring. If you need we are happy to show you how to tell when to stop winding. But you can feel when the spring is tight. You never want to force it once it tightens up.
- Q: But what happens once you have had the watch for a while? A: Rolex watches use an automatic or perpetual movement which means you never need to replaced a battery again. However with an automatic movement, after a few years the movement will need to be serviced. Do not take your Rolex watch just anywhere to have it serviced. We offer watch servicing with Rolex trained watchmakers. When the movement is serviced the watchmaker will actually take the movement apart, replace the gaskets, replace the oil and rebuild the movement. Once the movement is ready it will go on a timing wheel to make sure your Rolex it keeping perfect time. Then if requested they will properly put a light polish the case, band and crystal. A watchmaker who is not used to working on Rolex watches can easily polish the sharp edges off the lugs or the side of the case. That is why picking the watchmaker so important.
Q: “How do I tell if I need to have my Rolex serviced?” - A: So this is the most commonly asked question we hear. If your Rolex watch is gaining or losing time or if the watch just stops running you may need a service. Please follow the guide above about winding and charging the power reserve just above this answer. If you do not feel comfortable trying this on your own the first time bring it by our showroom at 1330 Westheimer or give us a call at 713-521-4444 and we can try and walk you through it. If you are not sure if it needs a service, bring it to our showroom and we can inspect the timepiece and let you know if it needs to be service. We do not charge to check if you need a service, you only pay if you need a service. If you purchase a watch from Ace Watch Estate Watch and Jewelry Buyers Inc. you get a 1 year warranty from the date of your purchase. If for any reason your Rolex needs a service during the 1 year warranty period we will send the watch back to our watchmaker at no cost to you. Please DO NOT take your Rolex to another watchmaker as it will VOID your warranty.
- Q: “How often do I need to have my Rolex Serviced?
- A: Normally every 3 to 5 years. Unless you notice an issue. For example, your watch is losing or gaining time or just stop running. Rolex watches should keep perfect time as long as you continue to wear it. On a full charge your Rolex should continue to run for 2 to 3 days. If you know you are not going to wear your watch you can always pick up your watch and VERY gently shake the watch to see if it starts to run. If it does then you should wind your watch. Again to wind your watch unscrew the crown which will put your Rolex into the winding position and wind it 7-8 times or until you feel resistance to charge the power reserve. DO NOT continue to wind the watch once you feel the resistance. If you overwind a automatic movement, especially a Rolex you risk breaking the mainspring.
- Q: What is the most common sign my Rolex needs a service?”
- A: Gaining, losing time or is a sure sign your Rolex needs to be serviced. If you are not sure we are always happy to inspect your Rolex and we will let you know if it needs a service. One way to check yourself is to unscrew the crown and turn the hands until the hands go around 24 hours. If it feels tight or crunchy the oil is bad and you need a service. If you hear something rattling inside the case, that is another sign you need a service.
- Q: What do I need to know about daily wear?
- A: The most important thing before you tighten the clasp on your new Rolex watch is to make sure the crown you use to set the time is secure and screwed tight. The last thing you want is to get water in your movement. Next, make sure the watch is properly sized for your wrist. You can do this by removing a couple of links. We suggest to have it done before you walk out of the store. “But what if my wrist changes size based on the weather.” Of course it does. Everything tends to expand and contract with heat and cold. That is where the micro adjustment in the clasp comes in. You can move the pin in the clasp to tighten or loosen the watch without having to constantly remove and add links. If you need a micro adjustment just bring it into the store and we will do the micro adjustment as well as show you how to adjust it yourself. There is no charge for this service. We can normally do a micro adjustment in a minute or two. The micro adjustment is designed to get an exact exact fit to your wrist. “How do I make sure it is on AM not PM?” The easiest way is when you set your watch make sure to go around till the date changes. If the date changes at the 12 o’clock position you are on the AM setting. “How do you set the date on a Rolex?” That will depend on the model and age of your watch. Older Rolex model have a non-quickset movement which means you have to spin the hands on the watch until it hits the date you are wanting. A newer Quickset movement will have a date setting which is normally the first click when you start to push the Crown and stem in. You will hear multiple clicks when you push the stem in. The first click is the date setting the second click is the time setting. If you are not sure bring it in and let us show you how to properly set the date and the time. Don’t worry if you go past it. You can always wind the watch backwards to go back to the correct date. When you unscrew the crown you will feel either one or two clicks. If you hear one it is the non-quickset if you hear two it is a quickset movement. Again if you are not sure we are happy to show you how to work you timepiece.
Q: “How do I know the Rolex I just bought is real?” - A: The best way is to buy a Rolex with the original box and papers. However we offer a free verbal authentication process at our store. Bring it in and let our watch experts inspect your watch. With as many watches as we trade, we can spot a fake fairly quickly. We also offer an appraisal service so that you can add your watch to your insurance. There is a charge for the written appraisal, but if you just want a verbal appraisal to sell you watch there is no charge for that.We suggest that you get a couple offers before you bring your Rolex to us. That way you can make an informed decision when selling your Rolex. Doing your homework can help you get a better price for your Rolex. Don’t just take the first offer. Some stores will offer you a lot less than your watch is actually worth. Make sure to get at least 3-5 offers to make sure you are getting the right price.
Q: “What if I have a G.M.T. Master or a Daytona?”- A: Those models have more complications than say a Datejust model. The best thing you can do is bring the watch into our store and let us show you how to properly use these features. The more complicated the movement the easier it is to damage the movement. It will be much safer to come in and let our skilled professionals show you how to operate the extra features. Experimenting on a Rolex is not the best idea. We do not charge you anything to show you how to operate the extra features such as the G.M.T. features or the Chronograph feature on the Dayona. The Submariner, Rolex’s divers watch is much easier to work. You can track your oxygen when diving by just turning the bezel to make sure to keep track of how much oxygen is in your air tank. Rolex has upgraded the water resistance of the Submariner which was in 1954 from 200 meters (660 feet) until 1989, Rolex then upgraded the water resistance to 300 meters (1,000 feet). The current models come with a gasket around the crown to help the Submariner to be the best diving watch on the market. The stem gasket helps to make the Submariner from taking on water. Make sure your crown is screwed down super tight and when you are finished with your dive, dry your Rolex Submariner then unscrew the crown and make sure there is no water in the case. If you suspect you have water in the case unscrew the crown and drain as much moisture as possible. Then bring your timepiece to us so we can get the rest of the moisture out. When it comes to water in the case time is of the essence. it can not only rust your movement (causing the watch to stop), it can even damage the dial, hands and even the inside of the case. If you are not sure, bring it by the store and let us inspect your Rolex.
- Estate Watch and Jewelry Buyers have been buying and selling Pre-Owned Rolex Watches for 30+ years. We are a small family owned business in the heart of Houston with over 30 years of experience with Pre-Owned Rolex Watches, and we are members of the International Watch and Jewelry Group ( The I.W.J.G) and have extensive experience with high end luxury watches like Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Cartier, Omega and Breitling. When you are investing in a fine timepiece always go to a place that has a good reputation as well as a good selection. If you are looking for the model we do not currently have in stock just ask and we can find it for you. We would love the chance to find your dream watch.