Can I Wear My Rolex in the Sun?

Rolex watches are made to withstand extreme conditions, the history of Rolex is a prime example of this; they have been worn by professional swimmers, mountain climbers and people who work in extreme weather environments.

When you’re looking for something that’s durable and can be worn for an occasion then Rolex has proved time after time they’re one of the best timepiece makers on the market.

We know Rolex watches can withstand extreme weather conditions, can withstand bangs and even be worn in water BUT can they be worn in the sunlight?

YES you can expose your Rolex to sunlight BUT there are obviously a few things to keep in mind when doing so. It’s important not to expose your watch for long periods of time, if you’re on holiday and laying on the beach for long periods of time you may want to take it off.

In certain temperatures the sun's rays are scorching and like any metal object your watch will attract the sun, not only will it absorb the rays it is likely to become unbelievably hot causing pain and discomfort. If you're looking for an alternative to wear on hotter days it’s worth investigating in a ceramic watch. (Rolex do not make ceramic watches)

It’s important to keep in mind your Rolex’s movement when exposed to extreme sunlight. It's obviously going to be affected over time even though Rolex is one of the most hardwiring on the market. If you continue to wear your watch I’m extreme sunlight on a regular basis you may find that your watch's movement does become affected and it will need to be serviced more regularly.

Exposing any kind of material to extreme sunlight causes fading and damage, so why would your watch be any different? Rolex strives to bring the utmost quality products to their customers and want their watches to stay in perfect condition from the day or purchase to the day it’s passed on. Although Rolex technology has improved massively over the years it doesn’t mean that your watch is protected from the general wear and tear of everyday life such as scuffs, scratches and fading due to sun damage.

If your Rolex is a vintage one then it’s important to keep in mind that it won’t be as durable as a modern Rolex as technology has advanced massively over recent years. One of the main technologies Rolex uses today is Chroma light. It's more sustainable and withstands sunlight a little more, not completely.

If you’re exposing your Rolex watch to extreme sunlight more than you should be, it's inevitable that over time your watch's gaskets will become hard or dry out; this jeopardises your watch's water resistance. Gaskets otherwise known as seals are made from rubber. They will become less resilient over time and need to be replaced if your watch is exposed to extreme sunlight you may find the gaskets need to be replaced sooner. If you do not replace the gaskets then your watch is at risk of unfixable damage.

All Rolex watches are sealed so if they are exposed to extreme sunlight there is no way of built up pressure to escape this could also cause gasket damage.