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Old 13 August 2015, 01:15 AM   #1
bkertzer89
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Has anyone actually broken their Rolex?

Hey Guys,

Just curious if anyone has broken or seriously damaged their rolex from use (other than scratches)? Given the fact that these watches are highly engineered I was wondering if anyone has been in a situation where their rolex failed to live up to its specs.

Thanks
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Old 13 August 2015, 01:20 AM   #2
anothernewphone
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There have been a bunch of people here that have dropped their watches, scratched them in motorcycle accidents etc. I've never read about any watches failing while in use, except for maybe an errant springbar breaking at the wrong time.
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Old 13 August 2015, 01:24 AM   #3
watchwatcher
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No, but there's always a first time...
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Old 13 August 2015, 01:28 AM   #4
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In 2006, my DateJust 16234 stopped working aged 2 years and 3 months. No obvious reason. Out of warranty, I was forced to pay to give it a service, which got it working again.
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Old 13 August 2015, 01:36 AM   #5
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In 1999, I was working the last day of Mardi Gras on the parade route, and a trombone player with one of the high school bands that was marching hit my Sea Dweller with its slide when he swung around dancing. My watch stopped, and had to be sent to RSC. Luckily it was right around the 5 year mark, so I was going to send it in anyway. 😜
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Old 13 August 2015, 01:40 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogue884 View Post
In 1999, I was working the last day of Mardi Gras on the parade route, and a trombone player with one of the high school bands that was marching hit my Sea Dweller with its slide when he swung around dancing. My watch stopped, and had to be sent to RSC. Luckily it was right around the 5 year mark, so I was going to send it in anyway. ��
There you have it, the definitive "is it safe?" Stay away from dancing trombone players during Mardi Gras!!!
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Old 13 August 2015, 11:24 PM   #7
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There you have it, the definitive "is it safe?" Stay away from dancing trombone players during Mardi Gras!!!
WIN!!
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Old 13 August 2015, 01:35 AM   #8
kilyung
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I've broken a Rolex. Disassembled one while self-learning watch repair. Finally got it put back together... a year later.
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Old 13 August 2015, 01:46 AM   #9
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I've broken a Rolex. Disassembled one while self-learning watch repair. Finally got it put back together... a year later.
not much longer than some RSC
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Old 13 August 2015, 02:21 AM   #10
jonnyz1245
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Originally Posted by kilyung View Post
I've broken a Rolex. Disassembled one while self-learning watch repair. Finally got it put back together... a year later.



At least you got it back together. If I had tried that, it would still be all over my desk and I would have lost half the parts, if I didn't break them using the wrong tools
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Old 13 August 2015, 02:23 AM   #11
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At least you got it back together. If I had tried that, it would still be all over my desk and I would have lost half the parts, if I didn't break them using the wrong tools
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Old 13 August 2015, 03:07 AM   #12
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I've broken a Rolex. Disassembled one while self-learning watch repair. Finally got it put back together... a year later.
Hehe sounds like an expensive course!
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Old 13 August 2015, 01:50 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkertzer89 View Post
Hey Guys,

Just curious if anyone has broken or seriously damaged their rolex from use (other than scratches)? Given the fact that these watches are highly engineered I was wondering if anyone has been in a situation where their rolex failed to live up to its specs.

Thanks
Yup.

Me - beating the heck out my mailbox post with an aluminum bat trying to do a temporary fix after a vehicles knocked it down on me. Rolex DateJust simply stopped after that from the severe vibrations and needed to be sent for service. $900 and a month or so later, was back and ready to pound on mailbox again if need be.

Wife - dropped her DateJust on tile floor, destroying the crystal as well as hands and dial. $2,700 later and a month or so, back in business.

It happens at one point or another but usually from abuse like this, not regular use.
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Old 13 August 2015, 02:15 AM   #14
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I went to wind my sub the first of the year and nothing...I don't really think it was anything I did but it was the first one that I had the broke down.
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Old 13 August 2015, 02:25 AM   #15
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Sure. I've had the date mechanism quit working after a hard knock. I've also had a mainspring break. And they need regulation from time to time.
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Old 13 August 2015, 02:27 AM   #16
Gasoil4ever
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Broke my bank account twice with a Rolex... But never a watch itself...
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Old 14 August 2015, 12:58 PM   #17
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haha
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Broke my bank account twice with a Rolex... But never a watch itself...
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Old 13 August 2015, 02:45 AM   #18
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Never. And I tried.
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Old 13 August 2015, 03:11 AM   #19
Etschell
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Never. And I tried.
"An interesting room is the stress test room. Here watch movements, bracelets, and cases undergo simulated wear and abuse on custom-made machines and robots. Let's just say that it would not be unreasonable to assume your typical Rolex is designed to last a lifetime (or two)."

http://www.businessinsider.com/10-th...ld-know-2015-1
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Old 13 August 2015, 03:49 AM   #20
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"An interesting room is the stress test room. Here watch movements, bracelets, and cases undergo simulated wear and abuse on custom-made machines and robots. Let's just say that it would not be unreasonable to assume your typical Rolex is designed to last a lifetime (or two)."



http://www.businessinsider.com/10-th...ld-know-2015-1

Amazing report there, you should make a topic out of it.
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Old 13 August 2015, 04:45 AM   #21
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I've broken a Rolex. Disassembled one while self-learning watch repair. Finally got it put back together... a year later.
You are very...let's call it brave()...to test these skills while learning on a Rolex!

Quote:
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not much longer than some RSC
I'm not sure about RSC, but from the looks at the Patek subforum, it sounds similar to their duration!
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Old 13 August 2015, 09:29 PM   #22
kilyung
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Hehe sounds like an expensive course!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjnd08 View Post
You are very...let's call it brave()...to test these skills while learning on a Rolex!
You should see how many ETAs I broke before I got around to a Rolex movement.
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Old 13 August 2015, 07:31 AM   #23
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Amazing report there, you should make a topic out of it.
It's been a topic in the past...
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Old 13 August 2015, 02:57 AM   #24
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There was a post a little while back about a diver who's DSSD was letting moisture into the case.
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Old 13 August 2015, 03:33 AM   #25
LumpHammer
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No Rolex has ever broken. It's a fact.
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Old 13 August 2015, 12:25 PM   #26
AzHadEnuf
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After 21 years of daily winding the crown broke off of my 6263. 23 years later broke a mainspring. Considering my terrible maintenance schedual, two services in 44 years, I'd say Rolex builds a pretty solid product. Getting ready to send my 21 year old Sub out for its first service. Still running but it's running about 15 sec fast a day. I know, bad watch care! Please don't judge me.
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Old 13 August 2015, 04:41 PM   #27
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Not yet but I have an "All risks" insurance policy
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Old 13 August 2015, 07:31 PM   #28
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Slight altercation with stone floor! Back from RSC tomorrow hopefully.
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Old 13 August 2015, 07:35 PM   #29
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I thought someone on here had shattered the sapphire crystal... A drop I think... It was either a hulk or a Kermit...
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Old 13 August 2015, 08:46 PM   #30
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Yes a few times. Dropped it and broke the balance staff and mainspring broke on me also once


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