Rolex 16570 Crown action - what to expect? In need of service?

[WeThe]

Hi all!

What could be expected from a Rolex Explorer II 16570 (with a 3186) regarding Crown action / handling?

The situation at hand:

The watch works fine, only a little fast at + 6 s per day. I can use the crown to make all changes, but when I go between hack 1 and 2, there are some problems, 25% of the time.

Sometimes 1 -> 2 doesn't engage without some fine tuning (rotation).

Sometimes I have to rotate one way, say CCW before I in hack 2 can set the hour hand to the prefered time, rotating CW.

Sometimes 1 -> 2 means that I get stuck in a nomans land, where I don't wind the watch or set the hour hand, this is rather rare though.

To go 2 -> 1 I have to push rather hard and quick.

Going into (out of) hack 3 isn't "problem" free, but just like any other mechanical watch might need a little sensible fingers rotating etc.


All in all the watch works, and I can do what I want with it. But I would like it to be more "digital" in the crown action. Now, this is a mechanical watch so perhaps what I've described above is normal? What do you think? In need of service?


Have a nice weekend!

[padi56]

Well first it does not matter its a 3186 thats only a modded 3185 now the winding crown is a 2 part spring-loaded stem,now when you push it in from the wind position it releases it from from the movement so you can screw it down. From time to time mainly from lack of use the 2 part piece in you crown can get stuck. So it could be quite hard to pull it out to the 2nd and 3rd position. Sometimes just turning it back and throe push back in to reset the crown will make it work if this dont work then you have a problem.Now if your watch is say over 5-7 years old then yes its time for a service but myself would not worry about it as long as watch is keeping time and yes it mechanical with gears etc and not instant like electronic digital.

[Jadam]

The crown and stem on my late 1990's exp 2 was finicky also and during service with bob Ridley I had him replace them. Even with replacement, the actions are still much less smooth than the crowns on my other 3 Rolex models

[Tools]

I have never had a mechanical watch that worked "digitally" when trying to find the right detent for setting..

They all take a bit of fiddling on occassion..

[WeThe]

Thank you all for your answers.

This is my watch with most complication in the crown:
screw down
wind
jumping hour
set time

but all my other watches are more distinct in their operation.

Given that the watch is still under warranty, would you bother going to the AD and have them try to make it better?

This watch has seen very little use over time, so as Padi writes, that might be the problem?

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by WeThe

Thank you all for your answers.

This is my watch with most complication in the crown:
screw down
wind
jumping hour
set time

but all my other watches are more distinct in their operation.

Given that the watch is still under warranty, would you bother going to the AD and have them try to make it better?

This watch has seen very little use over time, so as Padi writes, that might be the problem?

imho, if it's under warr, send it in. safe than sorry.

[WeThe]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

imho, if it's under warr, send it in. safe than sorry.

For sure, but could it really be some serious issue?

It's a hassle to send it in, and I won't have it for some weeks...

Padi56 and Jadam seems to think I shouldn't...