It is no secret that the pawn value of any item is heavily influenced by its condition. If you own a Rolex watch from the 1960’s that looks and works like the day it was made, it is going to be worth more than the same watch that’s not functioning or has a major cosmetic flaw. The best step to take to ensure your Rolex does not end up in the latter category is to practice good routine maintenance.
How to Take Care of your Rolex Watch
The first step in good Rolex maintenance is to wear your watch as often as possible. Unlike a lot of valuable assets, Rolex watches are better served when they are being used and not stored. The longer your Rolex sits unused, the higher the likelihood that oil can dry out causing the movements of the watch to stiffen. When not wearing your watch, make sure it is stored in a relatively temperature controlled space with low humidity. You do not want any moisture getting into your watch, which will cause rust to begin to form.
Of course wearing your watch daily or at least on most days will cause dirt and oils from the environment to build up on the exterior of the watch. It is important to clean your watch and remove this debris. When cleaning your Rolex watch, it is very important that you check to make sure the crown of the watch is screwed as tightly to the case as possible so that no water can make it inside. Using your hands, wipe the watch with lukewarm water and ammonia free soap to remove oils and debris. Depending on the buildup of debris on the watch, you may need to use a soft bristle brush (toothbrush will work) to sweep away grime or larger particles. Be sure you use a soft bristle brush! Once the scrubbing is done you will want to rinse the watch in lukewarm water. Submerge the watch in the water in short intervals until the soap and debris are gone. To dry, use a clean cloth to pat dry the exterior of the watch. If you like, you may also use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to dry the watch.
If at any point you are concerned that water has made its way inside the watch (typically by noticing condensation under the crystal), take your watch into a certified Rolex dealer immediately.
To ensure optimal performance and maintenance of your Rolex, have it serviced every 5 years by a certified Rolex dealer. If you own a Rolex that is over 10 years old, you may want to consider having it serviced every 2-3 years. Dealers are experts in maintaining the precision of the watch and can also help to answer any other question you may have.
Scratches are a normal part of a watch’s life. There are of course measures to take to avoid unnecessary scratches but wear and tear will occur through normal use, especially around the bracelet of the watch. The good news is that most minor scratches can be removed with polishing. We recommend having your watched professionally polished rather than attempting it on your own.
Following these basic steps can help your Rolex retain its value better and longer. After all, owning a Rolex is like owning a car: It is better when it’s used, when it’s maintained and when it looks good.