How to Care for a Rolex Submariner Between Services
Daily habits that keep your watch running well, when to get it serviced, and what to avoid.
By Harry · · 4 min read
A Rolex Submariner is built to take a beating, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it between professional services. The watch sits on your wrist every day, exposed to skin oils, dust, sweat, and temperature changes. Even a tool designed for underwater work needs basic maintenance to stay accurate and keep its finish looking sharp. The good news is that most of what you need to do costs nothing and takes minutes. We've been restoring Submariners in New York for years, and the owners who get the longest life and best performance out of their watches are the ones who handle them right when they're not in the shop.
Rinse It With Fresh Water After Sweat or Salt
Your Submariner's case and bracelet are stainless steel, which resists corrosion well but isn't immune to it. Saltwater and sweat leave mineral deposits that sit on the metal and can pit the finish over time. If you've been at the gym, at the beach, or even just wearing the watch on a hot day, rinse the entire watch under lukewarm fresh water for 10 to 15 seconds. Don't use hot water. Get the bracelet links and the case back too. Shake off the excess and dry it with a soft cloth. That's it. This one habit prevents most of the surface damage we see on Submariners that come in for restoration.
Keep It Dry and Store It Right
A Submariner is water-resistant to 300 meters, which means it can handle a splash or a swim. It's not waterproof. Never intentionally submerge a Submariner unless you know the gaskets were just replaced during a service. If you're not wearing it for a few weeks, store it in a cool, dry place. A watch box or soft pouch works fine. Avoid the bathroom, the kitchen windowsill, or anywhere with temperature swings or humidity. If you live in a humid part of New York or you keep the watch in a damp environment, consider a small silica gel packet in the storage box. Moisture inside the case is one of the hardest problems to reverse, and it's easy to prevent.
Don't Overwind It If You're Not Wearing It
Submariners are self-winding watches. If you wear it regularly, the rotor winds the mainspring as you move your arm. You don't need to hand-wind it. If you take it off for a few days and it stops, that's normal. When you put it back on, wear it for 20 minutes or so and it'll start running again. If you want to hand-wind it to get it going faster, turn the crown slowly and gently about 20 turns. Don't crank it hard or wind it 100 times. The mainspring only needs to be partially wound to run the watch. Over-winding can strain the mechanism and shorten the time between services.
Have the Crown Screwed Down Before Anything Wet
The Submariner's crown is screw-down, which is one of the reasons it's so water-resistant. Before you wash your hands, take a shower, or go swimming, make sure the crown is fully screwed down. You should feel it click and seat. If it's loose, water can get past the gasket and into the case. This is a quick check that takes two seconds and prevents a flooded watch. If you ever notice the crown is hard to screw down or doesn't feel right, don't force it. Bring it in. The crown gasket might need replacement, and we can handle that without a full service.
Get It Serviced Every 5 to 7 Years
No amount of home care replaces a professional service. Every 5 to 7 years, your Submariner should go to a qualified watchmaker for a complete overhaul. We open the case, clean every part, replace the seals and gaskets, and make sure the movement runs within specifications. A Submariner that's serviced on schedule will run accurately and stay water-resistant. One that's neglected will drift, lose water resistance, and eventually need much more expensive restoration work. Think of a service like an oil change for a car. It costs less than waiting for something to break.
Check the Bezel and Bracelet for Wear
The rotating bezel and the bracelet take the most visible damage. Run your finger around the bezel. Does it turn smoothly and click into place at each marker. If it's stuck, loose, or gritty, let us know. Same with the bracelet links. If any are cracked, missing, or the end links are separating from the lugs, have them looked at. Small problems are cheap to fix. Ignored problems spread and become expensive. A loose end link can damage the lugs. A stuck bezel can crack the insert. Early attention saves money.
Watch Repair & Co in New York has restored hundreds of Submariners, from vintage models to recent references. If you follow these steps between services, your watch will stay in great shape and hold its value. When it does need professional work, call us. We'll keep your Submariner running true.