Tudor Black Bay - Crown Durability

[z16marine]

Hello,

Might be considering the new Blue Black Bay when it arrives. However, for those that own the red already, without a crown guard, how is the durability? I would be afraid if I hit it, I could potentially do some serious damage? Anyone else have similar concerns?

Thanks,
Mike

[padi56]

Originally Posted by z16marine

Hello,

Might be considering the new Blue Black Bay when it arrives. However, for those that own the red already, without a crown guard, how is the durability? I would be afraid if I hit it, I could potentially do some serious damage? Anyone else have similar concerns?

Thanks,
Mike

It will be fine millions of watches all brands worn daily have no crown guards and to hit any watch crown on the wrist would be very hard to do..

[77T]

Screwed down you should be fine in normal activity. IMHO, the quality is equal to that of the Explorer which also functions well in active pursuits without a crown guard.

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by z16marine

Hello,

Might be considering the new Blue Black Bay when it arrives. However, for those that own the red already, without a crown guard, how is the durability? I would be afraid if I hit it, I could potentially do some serious damage? Anyone else have similar concerns?

Thanks,
Mike

I never saw it as a problem, and never had a problem (with that) myself.
But I would have preferred a wider crown firmly screwed against the case instead of the cosmetic aluminium ring on the tube. At least to me that proved to be more problematic than the crown itself.

[beshannon]

I guess it depends on what you do while wearing a watch. I do not think I have ever hit the crown of my watch on anything, ever, other than my wrist.

[MortgageGuy]

I wouldn't give it a second thought should not be an issue

[mike]

To damage the crown I'm trying to imagine what your wrist might look like.

[Chewbacca]

only issue i've heard on the bb line is the bezel color match enamel on the threads of the crown coming off over time. that's it.

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

only issue i've heard on the bb line is the bezel color match enamel on the threads of the crown coming off over time. that's it.

Well, it happened to me.
The problem is that it is not enamel, it's anodised aluminium, just like the bezel insert. And in some cases, after use in sea water, it can corrode.
This is the ring of my one year old at the time BB, after just two diving holidays:


i was pretty mad at the time, but got it replaced under warranty, so let's hope it doesn't happen again.

[stockae92]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

Well, it happened to me.
The problem is that it is not enamel, it's anodised aluminium, just like the bezel insert. And in some cases, after use in sea water, it can corrode.
This is the ring of my one year old at the time BB, after just two diving holidays:


i was pretty mad at the time, but got it replaced under warranty, so let's hope it doesn't happen again.

That is quite unacceptable in my book. I am glad it was replaced under warranty.

[lmcgbaj]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

Well, it happened to me.

The problem is that it is not enamel, it's anodised aluminium, just like the bezel insert. And in some cases, after use in sea water, it can corrode.

This is the ring of my one year old at the time BB, after just two diving holidays:





i was pretty mad at the time, but got it replaced under warranty, so let's hope it doesn't happen again.

There goes me buying a BB for a holiday beater. That is unacceptable.

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by stockae92

That is quite unacceptable in my book. I am glad it was replaced under warranty.

Originally Posted by lmcgbaj

There goes me buying a BB for a holiday beater. That is unacceptable.

Yes indeed. It is unacceptable. Of course it was replaced under warranty without question.
Another TRF user had a similar problem on the bezel insert, and was also replaced under warranty.

In an informal conversation I had with the RSC watchmaker that replaced it he told me that Geneva had been informed and that they were aware of the problem and working on the issue.
It seems to a rather isolated problem and very few cases have been heard of, so we expect that the replacement part will not have the same anodising issues.

But it is a bit of a joke that a watch intended for diving can develop sea water allergies...

[77T]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

This is the ring of my one year old at the time BB, after just two diving holidays:





i was pretty mad at the time, but got it replaced under warranty, so let's hope it doesn't happen again.

Looks like regular contact with perspiration over many years could lead to similar results. I noted that it was on the underside.

Owners should be sure to clean that area of the stem daily after warranty is over.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

Well, it happened to me.
The problem is that it is not enamel, it's anodised aluminium, just like the bezel insert. And in some cases, after use in sea water, it can corrode.
This is the ring of my one year old at the time BB, after just two diving holidays:


i was pretty mad at the time, but got it replaced under warranty, so let's hope it doesn't happen again.

there it is. i misstated but you corrected. thanks.

well, to me thats a fail for a rolex/tudor product. but, isn't it warrantied for 2yrs???

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

there it is. i misstated but you corrected. thanks.

well, to me thats a fail for a rolex/tudor product. but, isn't it warrantied for 2yrs???

Yes, it is warrantied for 2 years.
I requested a written repair report stating that the aluminium tube had been replaced, just in case it happens again and the next time the watch is outside of the warranty period, as a proof of a recurring problem if ever needed.

Some years ago, Apple identified a manufacturing problem with the video chipset of a specific MacBook Pro model. If you happened to have that failure they would replace your motherboard "under warranty" even after 3 years of the original warranty expiration.

With Rolex we can only hope, but it would be the correct thing to do.