Inside Martin & Co Jewellers’ Rolex Authorised Service Centre in Cheltenham, Stuart Mason works on watches that can be worth tens of thousands of pounds and carry decades of family history. As Gloucestershire’s only Rolex Authorised Service Centre, the workshop combines Rolex-trained expertise with the painstaking inspection, regulation and testing required to return a mechanical watch to dependable service.
From independent jewellery to Rolex-trained watchmaker
Mason began his career in the 1990s at a small independent jeweller. After working in several jewellery-industry roles, he spent about a decade on Martin & Co’s retail side, building a detailed understanding of Rolex watches and their movements before moving into specialist servicing.
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His formal watchmaking education included a 1,800-hour, full-time course at the British School of Watchmaking near Manchester. That was followed by additional Rolex training and accreditation. At the time of the interview published by SoGlos on 14 October 2026, Mason had been servicing Rolex watches for five years.
He describes the job as a combination of aptitude, fine motor control, patience, cleanliness and strict process discipline. “Sometimes we’re working in microns,” he says. “Fractions of a millimetre can make a big difference.” Every operation has to happen in the correct sequence and to a consistently high standard.
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What an authorised Rolex service centre means
Rolex trains the watchmakers working at the centre, while the workshop and its equipment must meet the standards Rolex sets for authorised service facilities. For owners, that status is intended to provide confidence that the watch is being handled within the manufacturer’s servicing framework.
The Cheltenham centre undertakes both minor work, such as adjusting bracelet links, and complete services. After a complete service, Martin & Co provides a two-year international service guarantee.
How often should a Rolex be serviced?
Mason says the interval depends on the model and how it is used, but the recommendation for modern Rolex watches is approximately every 10 years. Calendar time is not the only signal. Owners should arrange an inspection sooner if a watch develops a new sound or rattle, or if it suddenly feels stiffer when winding.
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What happens during a complete Rolex service?
The stated objective is to ensure that the watch is precise, waterproof and autonomous, with its automatic winding system operating efficiently. A complete service follows a controlled sequence:
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- Initial inspection and approval: The watch is examined and the customer approves the proposed work.
- Complete disassembly: The case, dial, hands and movement are taken apart so each relevant component can be assessed.
- Movement inspection: The watchmaker checks for wear and replaces parts where necessary.
- Cleaning, lubrication and regulation: The movement is serviced, correctly lubricated and regulated for performance.
- Case finishing, if selected: Polishing can be carried out sympathetically, taking the watch’s existing condition into account rather than treating every case as new.
- Extended testing: The reassembled watch is tested for nearly a week before release.
Most complete services are completed within 15 working days, although the inspection and the work approved for a particular watch determine the actual schedule.
Why the Cosmograph Daytona is especially demanding
Mason has progressed to servicing the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. Its chronograph, or stopwatch, function adds mechanical complexity and increases the number of tolerances that must be controlled. He describes Daytonas as among the most challenging Rolex watches from a watchmaker’s point of view: “There are a lot of tolerances involved and you need real attention to detail.”
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Watches that outlive their owners
The workshop serves a wide range of owners: people who received a Rolex as a gift, saved to buy one, inherited one or have built a collection. Watches aged 60 or 70 years regularly arrive for maintenance.
That longevity gives servicing a significance beyond keeping time. A Rolex may remain with one family for a lifetime and then pass to another generation. Preserving its mechanical function, water resistance and condition can therefore protect both a valuable object and a piece of family history.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to arrange a service in Cheltenham
Owners can contact Martin & Co through its website or by phone, visit the Promenade store, or make an appointment. Some straightforward jobs can be assessed immediately. More involved cases may need to be left at the store for inspection before an estimate is prepared.
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Bringing the watch for an assessment is appropriate whether the owner is seeking a full service, investigating a new symptom or simply confirming what work is necessary. The centre’s specialist workshop is located inside the jeweller’s Promenade store.
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Martin & Co Jewellers’ Promenade store, Cheltenham |
| Status | Gloucestershire’s only Rolex Authorised Service Centre |
| Watchmaker | Stuart Mason, Rolex-trained and accredited |
| Formal training | 1,800-hour full-time course at the British School of Watchmaking, followed by Rolex training |
| Modern service guidance | Approximately every 10 years, depending on model and use |
| Typical complete-service timing | Most completed within 15 working days, including nearly a week of testing |
| Guarantee | Two-year international service guarantee after a complete service |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Rolex be inspected even if it does not obviously need servicing?
Yes. Martin & Co accepts watches for inspection, and an assessment does not necessarily lead to repair or a complete service.
What symptoms should prompt an earlier inspection?
A new sound or rattle, or a winding action that suddenly feels stiffer, are signs Mason says owners should have checked rather than waiting for the usual interval.
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