My automatic Rolex slows by 20mins in 3hours when I wear it ...BUT keeps acurate time when not being worn. Why?

Hi Bob,

Unfortunately, Rolex automatics, like all mechanical watches, must be serviced every 3-5 years. This is because the oils in the movement dry and congeal on the bottom of the wheels (gears) and dust and debris in combination work like sandpaper to cause wear on the parts.

Think of it like a fine automobile, one would never neglect the oil change in their new Mercedes because the engine could be damaged. In this case it is the movement that can have excessive wear. Also, the mainspring at this point may need to be replaced, which is the power source of your movement. We service Rolex and all other high grade watches, and always beat the price of the Rolex service center, their time frame, and can provide discontinued parts where they cannot.

We are happy to service your timepiece at a much better price than that offered. Feel free to contact us through email or phone.

http://www.watchandpen.com/id76.html

Expert watch repair for Rolex Breitling Tag Heuer Movado

I suggest you talk to Rolex or thier local dealer to see if the slowness you are concerned about is outside the guaranteed accuracy for the watch.

I can't find any reference to accuracy on the Rolex site but other makers have mentioned 15 seconds per month for the accuracy of an automatic watch. This seems poor compared to the accuracy that we have become used to from electronic watches but it is a mechanical watch!

Speaking to the maker might clarify what you can expect from your watch and if it is outside their tolerances, I would expect them to put it right under their warranty.

Your Rolex sounds like it has a problem with the automatic winding gear train.A Rolex needs regular servicing when parts can be inspected and replaced.Servicing is about 3-5 year intervals.
You need a specialist Rolex watchmaker as only they can obtain Rolex parts.Try www.rolexrepairs.co.uk a full service will take 2-3 weeks.

mcdevito75 here, Yes it is normal, especially if your Rolex is an automatic watch. The motion of your Wrist / Hand keeps your watch wound thru the Counter balance on the movement, as the counter balance turns it winds the mainspring little by little, thus keeping your watch wound. Once you take off your watch, if long enough the mainspring simply un-winds and slows and will eventually stop your watch completely. You can keep your Rolex wound even when you take it off by means of a watch winder, a small machine that will keep your watch in motion, or by hand, by rocking the watch back and firth in your hand for about 30 seconds, say before you gpo to bed at night, this way there is always some wind to your watch.

A Rolex watch is automatic.It needs to be worn 8 hours per day to store enough power to run 36 hours off the wrist.Assuming that you are wearing the watch daily if it still stops there is a problem with the auto winding or mainspring.As a new watch it will be under the Rolex guarantee so return it to the place of purchase.If you dont have a guarantee contact www.rolexrepairs.co.uk for advice or a free estimate.
Regards

Hi Sggann. You shouldn't need to wear a Rolex automatic watch all the time for it to be kept wound, and you can in any event manually wind it 30 times to top-up the mainspring. You don't say how long you've had the watch, or when or if you've serviced it, but it sounds like it might need a clean and service; this replaces the oils which can thin out over time and effect the timekeeping of the watch, and the watch will be tested to ensure it runs well. Get Rolex to do it, unless you know a capable and accredited watchmaker - it's not cheap (around £250), but then again the watches cost a lot! All the best; Eagle58

hi friend,
i think your rolex watch must be a automatic one. this kind of watch, you don't need to put battery, after in full power, i can last 24-48 hours. if you wear it, it will not stop, but if you don't wear it for long time, it will stop automatic. to adjust the time, you just need to wind the crown counterclockwise, and then pull out the crown, and then you will hear the sound of "click" and then find the right position, and then wind the crown to change the date. please note that the date have to change from small number to big number. after adjust it, you have to screw down the crown to a good water proof capability.

source form: Swiss ETA watch

If not worn, you should wind it about 50 turns before wearing. If worn every day after, and you are active you shouldn't have to wind it again. If you wear it every once in awhile, then about 50 turns should do. What happens is people think that when they put on their automatic watch, and it starts it is going, but it needs that back-up power to run correctly and not run slow.

You need to go to a place that sells watch and jewelry supplies, because there is a certain tool for opening a Rolex. I am interested in knowing why you need to open it up though. If this is a Authentic Rolex ALL womans Rolex watches are automatics. Try unscrewing the crown (the part used to set the time ) counter clockwise and then clockwise turn the crown and listen to hear it winding, if it is infact an automatic, wind it 50 times. After winding, push crown in ( it is spring loaded) and screw in clockwise. It should run. If wearing every day you will not have to wind again, if wearing less frequently rewind as specified.

Your watch is an automatic watch which means it winds itself as long as you are wearing it. If you don't wear it for several days it will stop working. To solve this situation buy an automatic watch winder to keep your watch in while you are not wearing it and it will keep the correct time.