Sorry they all do that sir....?

[Bonehead33]

Hi all

First post so be gentle with me

Earlier this year I bought my first Rolex - a new Submariner non date.

Didn't spot it initially in the shop as I had shiny new watch blindness but when I got home I noticed the bezel triangle does not exactly line up with the 12 o'clock marker.
After numerous attempts trying to rotate to fall bang on 12 and rotating the bezel against the stop clockwise the best I could manage is around a third of a second off.

I have returned to my AD who has sent the watch off to the RSC three times but it's come back the same every time. They are all like that sir has been the response.

Now I know some may say it's minor but on a precision timepiece I expect, well, precision and although the bezel isn't critical for function I would expect the bezel to align perfectly. Worse now I know it's imperfect I can't help noticing it.

I am about to sell the Sub because of a this and I now realise a Sea Dweller has a date but no cyclops so this will be next on my list.
Thing is all SD in shop windows that I have viewed appear to all have the triangle off to the left by up to 1mm or so.

Can anyone tell me if my quest to find a new aligned SD is futile?

Thanks in anticipation

[Brushpup]

It's not entirely uncommon and it shouldn't keep you from enjoying the watch. Wear it, and enjoy it.

[brandrea]

That would drive me nuts. Mine have all lined up perfectly. In light of the fact you bought the watch from them and they've tried to correct the problem, I'd ask them to find you another .

It seems odd to me that if their stance is that " they're all like that" they'd send it in for service to correct for the misalignment ..

[joli160]

No, not all of them do that. Ask your AD to compare. I doubt your AD sent it to a RSC. If they have a technician in-house than it is an easy fix. Otherwise look for an independent watchmaker who can fix it for you. No big deal and enjoy your watch

[Bonehead33]

It was Watches of Switzerland that sent it in for me. The manager there agreed with me but the service centre couldn't/wouldn't help. It's no problem now as it will be for sale shortly -thought I could get away without a date as I'm not a cyclops fan but now realise an SD has a date and no cyclops so I will be actively looking for a perfectly aligned SD from an AD. My question to any SD 4000 owners is are your bezels PERFECTLY aligned or are my expectations too high and I might as well buy an omega (who after close scrutiny appear perfectly aligned!)

[KBM]

Originally Posted by Bonehead33

It was Watches of Switzerland that sent it in for me. The manager there agreed with me but the service centre couldn't/wouldn't help. It's no problem now as it will be for sale shortly -thought I could get away without a date as I'm not a cyclops fan but now realise an SD has a date and no cyclops so I will be actively looking for a perfectly aligned SD from an AD. My question to any SD 4000 owners is are your bezels PERFECTLY aligned or are my expectations too high and I might as well buy an omega (who after close scrutiny appear perfectly aligned!)

The new SD has a date, no cyclops AND 3mm extra in height, so be sure to try it on for comfort before buying!

[Bonehead33]

Originally Posted by kauebm

The new SD has a date, no cyclops AND 3mm extra in height, so be sure to try it on for comfort before buying!

Thanks for the advice- I sure will providing the triangle's straight first ahem...

[ming the merciless]

Originally Posted by Bonehead33

It was Watches of Switzerland that sent it in for me. The manager there agreed with me but the service centre couldn't/wouldn't help. It's no problem now as it will be for sale shortly -thought I could get away without a date as I'm not a cyclops fan but now realise an SD has a date and no cyclops so I will be actively looking for a perfectly aligned SD from an AD. My question to any SD 4000 owners is are your bezels PERFECTLY aligned or are my expectations too high and I might as well buy an omega (who after close scrutiny appear perfectly aligned!)

I took my wife's Datejust into Watches of Switzerland in Manchester a week or two back for a minor repair to the bracelet.
The guy behind the counter very sadly told me they were no longer representing Rolex therefore they couldn't do the job. He personally walked me around to Mappin and Webb who are still with Rolex and could do the job.

[azguy]

IDK, it's why older is better, I love my 14060M

[Rogdogg]

I think it's incredible that they don't all line up exactly. I have a Sub that lines up very nicely but the fact that this is even an issue with anybody at all annoys me. I mean, why not just design it to line up.... end of.... nobody would ever mention it again. They must be aware that it will annoy people. The OP is going to get rid of his watch because of it.

[Bonehead33]

I took it into another AD for a second opinion and the manager checked his own hulk Sub and it was very slightly off to the left. He cursed me for pointing it out he hadn't noticed before. He said I was the third person he had spoken to that month with bezel misalignment problems...

[Bonehead33]

It's like the last click before twelve is a third of a second before twelve so I can never get it to rest exactly even twisting it hard against the stop makes it better but still off

[Old Expat Beast]

It is annoying, but be prepared for some people to come on later and tell you it doesn't matter, wear it and enjoy it, and all that. If it matters to you, then it matters. If you took it to an RSC they would fix it for you. Its the way the insert is seated in the bezel.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It is annoying, but be prepared for some people to come on later and tell you it doesn't matter, wear it and enjoy it, and all that. If it matters to you, then it matters. If you took it to an RSC they would fix it for you. Its the way the insert is seated in the bezel.

Great advice Adam.

I actually never thought of removing the bezel and shifting it slightly to be aligned.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Great advice Adam.

I actually never thought of removing the bezel and shifting it slightly to be aligned.

I don't think it's a DIY job with ceramics though.

[Alcan]

Two ways of fixing it, either remove the bezel and reposition the insert as mentioned (and there are pictorial threads here showing how), or simply file a small amount off the end of the click spring. Either way will align the insert.

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Two ways of fixing it, either remove the bezel and reposition the insert as mentioned (and there are pictorial threads here showing how), or simply file a small amount off the end of the click spring. Either way will align the insert.

You're showing an Alu insert, sounds like the OP has ceramic since he recently bought new.

Nevertheless, if he finds it annoying it should and can be fixed.

[Racerdj]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It is annoying, but be prepared for some people to come on later and tell you it doesn't matter, wear it and enjoy it, and all that. If it matters to you, then it matters. If you took it to an RSC they would fix it for you. Its the way the insert is seated in the bezel.

Exactly!

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It is annoying, but be prepared for some people to come on later and tell you it doesn't matter, wear it and enjoy it, and all that. If it matters to you, then it matters. If you took it to an RSC they would fix it for you. Its the way the insert is seated in the bezel.

spot on!!

[The Joker]

Nothing is perfect when you analyse it down to the nth degree.

Get past it and enjoy the watch.

[Thunderbird88]

My Root Beer from '91 as reference.
Spot on!

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Thunderbird88

My Root Beer from '91 as reference.
Spot on!

Close but not spot on by my eye. "They all do that" is sales speak for, "buy it, my sale is more important than your satisfaction."

[Bonehead33]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Close but not spot on by my eye. "They all do that" is sales speak for, "buy it, my sale is more important than your satisfaction."

Perfectly put, I like that!

[Bonehead33]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Close but not spot on by my eye. "They all do that" is sales speak for, "buy it, my sale is more important than your satisfaction."

Sorry thunderbird88 but I agree, yours is slightly left too but barely noticeable. Mine is worse than this though. I hope this thread doesn't start everyone liking at their triangle too closely

[Reu]

Originally Posted by Thunderbird88

My Root Beer from '91 as reference.
Spot on!

I would argue that yours is slightly to the left...

[Bonehead33]

Originally Posted by Reu

I would argue that yours is slightly to the left...

I find it interesting that if they are out they always seem to be off to the left.
An inherent disregard to manufacturing tolerances as (maybe to Rolex) it's not a critical factor in the functioning of the watch?

[Reu]

Originally Posted by Bonehead33

I find it interesting that if they are out they always seem to be off to the left.
An inherent disregard to manufacturing tolerances as (maybe to Rolex) it's not a critical factor in the functioning of the watch?

It's always going to be biased to the left - that is the direction the bezel turns after all.

My Submariner is spot-on, however I do appreciate your frustration.

Not sure I would sell a watch because of this issue. Instead of letting WOS send it off for you why don't you visit the service centre yourself?

As someone else here has mentioned - they would probably sort it then and there for you. You can visit the London or Kent locations if you are in the South.

[dysondiver]

its a two min fix , they will prob do it while you wait ,
welcome to the forum.

[Bonehead33]

Yes it's a ceramic bezel its a 2014 Sub.

So you think I have been blagged by the shop and it didn't go to the RSC after all?

Any SD owners who can comment on their current watches?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Bonehead33

Yes it's a ceramic bezel its a 2014 Sub.

So you think I have been blagged by the shop and it didn't go to the RSC after all?

Any SD owners who can comment on their current watches?

As Adam said, I'd take it or make sure your AD takes it to an RSC. Ask them if the ceramic bezel can be re aligned to zero.

I'm sure it has more to do with how the bezel was mounted vs. the ratchet alignment of the bezel. At least this logic makes sense to me Good luck!