The Rolex Explorer II has long been recognized as one of Rolex's most reliable professional tool watches. Designed for explorers, mountaineers, and frequent travelers, it combines exceptional durability with the precision of the in-house Calibre 3285 automatic movement.
Like all mechanical watches, however, even a Rolex requires regular servicing. Without proper maintenance, lubricants gradually deteriorate, increasing friction inside the movement and affecting long-term performance.
Customer Complaint
The owner had worn this Explorer II almost every day for over eight years without a complete movement service.
Recently, several issues began to appear:
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Daily time loss of approximately 35 seconds
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Reduced power reserve
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Manual winding felt noticeably heavier
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Slight resistance when adjusting the GMT hand
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Rotor noise became more obvious during normal wear
Concerned about possible movement damage, the customer brought the watch in for a comprehensive inspection.
Professional Inspection
The watch was first tested on a professional timing machine, where the movement showed low amplitude and inconsistent accuracy.
After complete disassembly, our watchmaker identified the following conditions:
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Lubricants had significantly dried out
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Dust and residue had accumulated inside the automatic winding system
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Increased friction on several gear trains
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Aging waterproof gaskets
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Minor wear on the winding components caused by insufficient lubrication
Fortunately, no major movement parts required replacement.
Complete Service Procedure
To restore the watch to optimal condition, a full overhaul was carried out, including:
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Complete movement disassembly
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Ultrasonic cleaning of every movement component
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Inspection of the gear train, escapement, and winding system
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Replacement of all waterproof gaskets
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Application of fresh Swiss-grade lubricants
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Precise movement reassembly
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Timing regulation and calibration
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Waterproof pressure testing
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Multi-day accuracy and power reserve testing
Each step was completed according to professional Swiss watch servicing standards.
Final Performance Results
After servicing, the Explorer II demonstrated excellent performance:
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Daily accuracy improved to approximately +2 seconds
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Stable movement amplitude
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Smooth manual winding
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Efficient automatic winding performance
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GMT hand adjusted smoothly
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Waterproof performance passed pressure testing
The customer commented that the watch performed almost like new after the overhaul.
Why Regular Maintenance Is Important
Luxury mechanical watches contain hundreds of precision-engineered components working together continuously. Over time, lubricants naturally degrade, even if the watch appears to function normally.
Professional servicing every 3 to 5 years helps:
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Maintain timekeeping accuracy
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Reduce internal wear
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Preserve waterproof performance
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Extend the lifespan of the movement
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Prevent costly future repairs
Routine maintenance is one of the best ways to protect the long-term value and reliability of a fine mechanical timepiece.
Professional Watch Service
Professional Watch Service specializes in the repair and maintenance of luxury mechanical watches with experienced watchmakers and advanced servicing equipment.
⭐ Over 20 years of professional experience
⭐ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
⭐ Efficient turnaround time
⭐ Personalized maintenance recommendations for every timepiece
Contact Us:
https://ptwatchservice.com/pages/contact
The content and images in this article are provided for watch culture and informational purposes only. The service case has been anonymized. Images are sourced from publicly available resources and official brand websites. All rights belong to their respective owners.
