Recently serviced Sub 16610 dilemma

[walds11]

I recently had my Sub 16610 serviced by a local independent watchmaker that was recommended to me. I thought he did a decent job, but when I got home the day I picked the watch up, I noticed some dust and lint on the dial. Went back down and he cleaned the dial off. Now the problem is the watch slows down or stops early in the morning. For example, I woke up just before 5am this morning. The watch was keeping good time. A few minutes later, I noticed that the watch stopped. I wear it all day and night and only take it off when I shower. This happened a bunch of times. I gave the watch to my dad to give to the watchmaker almost two weeks ago (convenient for me to do that as my dad works downtown near the watchmaker). My dad said it was running fine the few days he had it. The watchmaker did some testing and said it was fine. I got the watch back from the dad this past Thursday. It stopped three times since then! It should not be doing that. At this point, the watchmaker needs to tear the watch down to find the problem instead of just "testing" it or give me a refund. He is tough to deal with, so not sure if he will give me a refund, although he does guarantee his work, what ever that means. I ran the situation by Rikki the TechXpert. He said it could be an auto winding or balance wheel problem. What now? Chalk it up as a loss and go to a different watchmaker to get it fixed or insist that he fixes it?

[swissautopro]

Adam, chalk it up and get your Sub to someone truly qualified to work on it, or it will never be right.

[walds11]

Mike, thanks for the advice. Apparently this guy has over 40 years of experience, Rolex parts account, etc. Oh well. Even if I give it to another watchmaker to service, I am still ahead of the game compared to sending it to an RSC.

Originally Posted by swissautopro

Adam, chalk it up and get your Sub to someone truly qualified to work on it, or it will never be right.

[Psmith]

I would send it to the RSC. Sounds as though the watch has been through enough already...




Cheers

[RolexPete]

Maybe you could share who did the service, and who recommended him to you?

[walds11]

My dad recommended the watchmaker to me. I will not share who did the service until I get a resolution from him or if I decide to bury the hatchet and use another watchmaker.

Originally Posted by RolexPete

Maybe you could share who did the service, and who recommended him to you?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by walds11

I recently had my Sub 16610 serviced by a local independent watchmaker that was recommended to me. I thought he did a decent job, but when I got home the day I picked the watch up, I noticed some dust and lint on the dial. Went back down and he cleaned the dial off. Now the problem is the watch slows down or stops early in the morning. For example, I woke up just before 5am this morning. The watch was keeping good time. A few minutes later, I noticed that the watch stopped. I wear it all day and night and only take it off when I shower. This happened a bunch of times. I gave the watch to my dad to give to the watchmaker almost two weeks ago (convenient for me to do that as my dad works downtown near the watchmaker). My dad said it was running fine the few days he had it. The watchmaker did some testing and said it was fine. I got the watch back from the dad this past Thursday. It stopped three times since then! It should not be doing that. At this point, the watchmaker needs to tear the watch down to find the problem instead of just "testing" it or give me a refund. He is tough to deal with, so not sure if he will give me a refund, although he does guarantee his work, what ever that means. I ran the situation by Rikki the TechXpert. He said it could be an auto winding or balance wheel problem. What now? Chalk it up as a loss and go to a different watchmaker to get it fixed or insist that he fixes it?

Would agree with Rikki to a point but its strange it was running fine with your Father.IMHO your watch was not wound enough when you got it back,have you tried a full manual wind ??.Say give it 40 full crown turns clockwise then wear as normal try it then see if it stops after wearing.Then try the power reserve on a ful manual wind should run between 39 to 48 hours off wrist.

[walds11]

Padi, I agree, it's strange that it was running fine for my dad (and the watchmaker). I am not sure if it was fully wound when I got it back from my dad, but it was before I gave him the watch. Anyway, I gave the crown 40 cranks this morning. We shall see what happens. Rikki said that the watchmaker should start over and tear the watch down if the problem persists.

Originally Posted by padi56

Would agree with Rikki to a point but its strange it was running fine with your Father.IMHO your watch was not wound enough when you got it back,have you tried a full manual wind ??.Say give it 40 full crown turns clockwise then wear as normal try it then see if it stops after wearing.Then try the power reserve on a ful manual wind should run between 39 to 48 hours off wrist.

[R1@160@alltimes]

Since you've already invested in the watchmaker, I'd have him give it one last try in making it right. Then if he still can not make it right - take your refund and go elsewhere.

Hope you get your Sub fixed right - good luck.

[walds11]

That's the plan, although he is tough to do business with, so a refund may not happen.

Originally Posted by R1@160@alltimes

Since you've already invested in the watchmaker, I'd have him give it one last try in making it right. Then if he still can not make it right - take your refund and go elsewhere.

Hope you get your Sub fixed right - good luck.

[TimeToGo]

We have discussed the level of "overhaul" details different watchmakers will perform on a watch. It is obvious that a $150-200 overhaul is not the same as an RSC or reputable tech experts, although I am sure there are exceptions.

I am sure your watchmaker gave a warranty and will make the repair whole!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by walds11

Padi, I agree, it's strange that it was running fine for my dad (and the watchmaker). I am not sure if it was fully wound when I got it back from my dad, but it was before I gave him the watch. Anyway, I gave the crown 40 cranks this morning. We shall see what happens. Rikki said that the watchmaker should start over and tear the watch down if the problem persists.

Well lets hope you can sort it out but IMHO its got to be something simple.And yes if you have a problem now thats was not there originally the watchmaker should put it right.And perhaps give the watch a longer test before he returns it to you.

[Evan614]

I have found doing business with "tough to do business with" individuals are stubborn and often blame others even if it is there fault. I suggest getting your watch resolved from him after you have confirmed it isn't a winding issue.
Then never go back-- for any reason.

[Rscmaine]

How many "my watch stopped" threads are resolved by winding? I can think of 3 right off the top of my head recently.

Side bet - OP says he wound it this morning - anyone want to bet that this solves the problem?

[Speed]

I would not do business with someone who is "tough" to deal with - unless he was some master / genius craftsman and no one else could do the job.

[nko51]

He may have gotten something drop down into the movement, this is why I send mine to a Rolex service center.

[zeuloa]

RSC.... Bite the bullet!

[walds11]

Thanks for all of your feedback. As Padi recommended, I gave the crown 40 cranks this morning and will see what happens tomorrow morning. If it stop again, I will give the watchmaker one more shot. If he can't get it right, then I am going to bite the bullet and give it to someone else to service.

[jnmarshall]

Depending on how you paid the guy? Have it estimated by someone else or the RSC. If there is a problem found get it doecmented and take it back to have this first guy fix it. Based on what you described I wouldn't have much confidence in that so I would get it fixed at the new place. If you paid by credit card to the first guy simply dispute your charges. You should have records/claim checks of the times spent there and you'll have the new place provide a receipt with what was repaired. If you paid by cash or check you'll have to hope this guy is honest and will give you a refund for you hassle when you prove to him there was a problem by the diagnoses and repair at the new place.

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

How many "my watch stopped" threads are resolved by winding? I can think of 3 right off the top of my head recently.

Side bet - OP says he wound it this morning - anyone want to bet that this solves the problem?

Unfortunately a full manual wind is not the complete analysis of the watch.
He could still fully wind it and get 48 hours.. Then have an issue with the auto wind not being fully operational and lose reserve.

Did he replace parts or just a simple clean?

[Tylden Reed]

If you are worried that the watchmaker has done less than a satisfactory job and he is recognised by Rolex and authorised to obtain material from them maybe you should ask Rolex to inspect the work undertaken reciently. They have a duty to make sure that the watchmaker is doing work to their standards. I understand they take this problem very seriously. Tylden.

[walds11]

As far as I know, he did a full overhaul.

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Unfortunately a full manual wind is not the complete analysis of the watch.
He could still fully wind it and get 48 hours.. Then have an issue with the auto wind not being fully operational and lose reserve.

Did he replace parts or just a simple clean?

[walds11]

He does have a Rolex parts account. I have no idea in what capacity he is recognized by Rolex. I will look into it.

Originally Posted by Tylden Reed

If you are worried that the watchmaker has done less than a satisfactory job and he is recognised by Rolex and authorised to obtain material from them maybe you should ask Rolex to inspect the work undertaken reciently. They have a duty to make sure that the watchmaker is doing work to their standards. I understand they take this problem very seriously. Tylden.

[Tools]

First, of course, you need to determine what, if anything, is wrong..

I find it very curious that both the watchmaker, who "did some testing", and your father who had it for a couple of weeks do not have the same problem..........

[Casey VP-26]

I always try to use RSC, I guess we all have problems with the cost. Just picture a watchmaker in his shop as he drops a screw from your watch and it lands on the floor and he cannot find it, I picture that watchmaker finding a substitute replacement as close as possible from his parts bin. Whereas at RSC I see the watchmaker looking up the correct part number an going to the parts department and replacing with an original replacement screw. IMHO. I hope it all works out for you Good Luck

[walds11]

I find it very curious as well. Atleast I pinned down to when it has stopped (just when I wake up after about 7-8 hours of sleep), which probably does not make a difference.

Originally Posted by Tools

First, of course, you need to determine what, if anything, is wrong..

I find it very curious that both the watchmaker, who "did some testing", and your father who had it for a couple of weeks do not have the same problem..........

[Tools]

Originally Posted by walds11

I find it very curious as well. Atleast I pinned down to when it has stopped (just when I wake up after about 7-8 hours of sleep), which probably does not make a difference.

That could make a very big difference if you are not a very active person..

Just wearing a watch is not enough to actually wind it.... and some like to wear their watch loosely too. It needs about 900 "wrist rotations" (or 650 complete rotations on a winder) daily to keep it topped off.... quite a feat for a non-athlete.

A watch will lose power until it only has what a person actually puts into it for the time it is worn...sometimes this is only a few hours, and if it sits idle, or you are idle; the watch will stop.

I have had my watch stop on my wrist when I was ill and somewhat inactive..

[MikeyTX]

[walds11]

Well, I find it very odd that I did not have this problem before the watch was serviced, same wearing habits. There has to be a problem with the watch.

Originally Posted by Tools

That could make a very big difference if you are not a very active person..

Just wearing a watch is not enough to actually wind it.... and some like to wear their watch loosely too. It needs about 900 "wrist rotations" (or 650 complete rotations on a winder) daily to keep it topped off.... quite a feat for a non-athlete.

A watch will lose power until it only has what a person actually puts into it for the time it is worn...sometimes this is only a few hours, and if it sits idle, or you are idle; the watch will stop.

I have had my watch stop on my wrist when I was ill and somewhat inactive..

[delldeaton]

Originally Posted by walds11

I recently had my Sub 16610 serviced by a local independent watchmaker that was recommended to me. I thought he did a decent job, but when I got home the day I picked the watch up, I noticed some dust and lint on the dial. Went back down and he cleaned the dial off. Now the problem is the watch slows down or stops early in the morning. For example, I woke up just before 5am this morning. The watch was keeping good time. A few minutes later, I noticed that the watch stopped. I wear it all day and night and only take it off when I shower. This happened a bunch of times. I gave the watch to my dad to give to the watchmaker almost two weeks ago (convenient for me to do that as my dad works downtown near the watchmaker). My dad said it was running fine the few days he had it. The watchmaker did some testing and said it was fine. I got the watch back from the dad this past Thursday. It stopped three times since then! It should not be doing that. At this point, the watchmaker needs to tear the watch down to find the problem instead of just "testing" it or give me a refund. He is tough to deal with, so not sure if he will give me a refund, although he does guarantee his work, what ever that means. I ran the situation by Rikki the TechXpert. He said it could be an auto winding or balance wheel problem. What now? Chalk it up as a loss and go to a different watchmaker to get it fixed or insist that he fixes it?

Kinda makes a guy (me) feel validated for taking an anal retentive approach to having my Rolex watches serviced.

That said, sorry to hear this story.