How to take care of your Vintage Rolex: Expert Guide

Buying Vintage watches is all the rage now. After all, the kind of value one derives after selling vintage Rolex watches is too good to miss. But like other tangible things, even a vintage Rolex will lose its value without proper care and thereby won’t fetch you your dream price.

Therefore, before you decide to sell your vintage Rolex, make sure it is working correctly. Rolex recommends every buyer a full service after ten years to ensure proper functioning. Did you do that?

If not, we suggest that you service your valuable timepiece by experts or trained professionals to draw its best value when selling Rolex. Also, one must remember that not every defect is due to a bad impact of ageing.

Rolex, especially the vintage watches, form patina that positively influences the overall value of the watch. An incorrect servicing can negatively impact that. So, understanding the nuances is another important factor.

Let’s discuss it in detail, shall we?

How to take care of your Vintage Rolex watch?

As said, professionals should perform repairs and service to vintage Rolex timepieces. However, there are certain things that you can do at home to ensure that your timepiece looks fine and runs properly.

8 Best Ways To Take Care Of Your Vintage Rolex

1. Go Mild

Unlike brand new watches; a vintage timepiece is more fragile. Moreover, years ago, there was the unavailability of the high-tech materials available today. So, when handling any vintage Rolex timepiece, we suggest being gentle and going mild to avoid irreparable damage.

2. Imperfection Looks Good

You should expect your vintage Rolex to be slightly less accurate than any other modern Rolex timepiece. As the watch is way older than you, don’t expect it to be fresh and perfect. In the case of the vintage models, it is an imperfection that makes the watch so precious.

3. No Overwinding!

Resist the urge to overwind your watch. If your Rolex is a vintage model and yet sports a self-winding movement, you can wind it only if it gets stopped completely. And, if it is a hand-winding one, you can still wind it while it’s running.

However, avoid winding it as soon as you feel some resistance in the crown. Overwinding can cause more damage than good.

4. Fear Water

Remember that vintage Rolex watches do not have the same resistance as today's models. Moreover, people used to take off their watches before going in the water in the past. So you might as well like to do that with your Vintage Rolex model.

Also Read: Why will your Rolex watch value increase over time?

5. Give it a Break!

The very word Vintage means Old. If you’re planning for a full-motion day, it is most advisable to give your Vintage watch a break! Your watch may comprise delicate and intricate elements that cannot withstand so much shock.

6. Clean To Win

No matter what Rolex you own, dust is undoubtedly an enemy to both vintage & new Rolex models. When you’re pulling out the crown to set your watch, ensure to do it in a clean surrounding. Keep the watch’s outside clean and wipe it with a soft cloth.

Additionally, wipe the case back where dirt can accumulate easily due to moisture from the skin.

7. Be Specific about the Service

As stated initially, Rolex itself recommends servicing any model after every ten years. In the case of the vintage models, ensure to service and clean the watch every two to three years. However, it is equally essential to be specific about the service provider.

Get in touch with someone who has the necessary expertise and experience to carry out mindful servicing of a vintage Rolex.

8. Box it

This perhaps comes as a no-brainer! When you aren’t wearing your vintage Rolex, keeping it securely in a box rather than placing it on the desk is best.

FINAL WORDS

If your vintage Rolex needs cleaning or servicing, it is best to take it to a professional service centre. When you take your watch to an independent watchmaker, your say in various matters is much more than if you take it to a Rolex service centre.

For instance, if there’s a scratch with a memory attached to it, you would like to preserve it. Also, replacing the old worn dials can sometimes bring down the overall value when you sell vintage Rolex watches in the pre-owned market.

You can freely state all these specifications to an independent watchmaker.

However, it is imperative to take it to someone who will wind up the task of servicing your vintage Rolex with genuine parts.

After everything is said and done, it is time to take your beloved vintage Rolex to a reliable watch buyer to attract the best value. Therefore, ensure to conduct proper research to fetch a competitive price in the pre-owned market.

Also Read: Is it worth selling a Rolex in the pre-owned market?