Hard to turn bezel on GMT2C?

[sampelligrino]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to get TRF's opinion on this. I recently traded my Hulk for a GMT2C and the bezel is giving me a bit of resistance and is quite hard to rotate, especially when compared with my father's GMT2C which is over 2 years old. His GMT glides very effortlessly whenever you want to rotate the bezel, with mine which is newer, I have to pinch the bezel a bit harder and put a bit more effort to get the bezel to turn...

Is this something that will ease up over time like my dad's watch? Anyone else experience this?

Any tips or thoughts would be great, thanks as always guys

[T. Ferguson]

Maybe you could clarify exactly what you mean. I'm not sure I understand how tight it is because you mentioned it was quite hard to turn but then said your dad's is "effortless" and yours is just "a bit" harder and takes just "a bit" more effort. A bit more than effortless doesn't sound like a problem.

Since you're in Honolulu I'd suggest you go into one of the ADs there and test spin a few of the ones they have. That should give you a better idea if you really have a problem.

Mine does take a bit of effort, but it is smooth. Since it is on ball bearings you have to ride over the crest of the bearings to get from notch to notch (if this makes sense). But you should be able to turn it with your off hand while it is on your wrist, assuming you don't wear it loosely. I wouldn't think you'd want it to be too easy.

[newbieincali]

Since you're in Honolulu I'd suggest you go into one of the ADs there and test spin a few of the ones they have. That should give you a better idea if you really have a problem.

Totally agree!!!!!

[T.S.Eliot]

Try putting it in hot water and soap while putting slight pressure on the bezel as it might be dirty.

[james1787]

I remember this occuring with my sub and it wound up being dirty. I forget how I cleaned it but used soap and water.. it fixed the problem and worked as it should.

[sampelligrino]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Maybe you could clarify exactly what you mean. I'm not sure I understand how tight it is because you said your dad's is "effortless" and yours is just "a bit" harder and takes just "a bit" more effort. A bit more than effortless doesn't sound like a problem.

Since you're in Honolulu I'd suggest you go into one of the ADs there and test spin a few of the ones they have. That should give you a better idea if you really have a problem.

Mine does take a bit of effort, but it is smooth. Since it is on ball bearings you have to ride over the crest of the bearings to get from notch to notch (if this makes sense). But you should be able to turn it with your off hand while it is on your wrist, assuming you don't wear it loosely. I wouldn't think you'd want it to be too easy.

Sorry about that. I might not be articulating my concern as well as I could. The bezel on the GMT2C can rotate bidirectionally. My father's GMT2C, which has been routinely worn over the last 2+ years daily, rotates in either direction very easily. It takes little effort of my right hand to pinch the bezel when wearing it on my left wrist and rotate the bezel clockwise or counterclockwise.

My GMT2C, which I just received, is much newer and in near BNIB condition. To rotate the bezel on my watch, is much harder. I have to exert more pressure from my right hand to rotate the bezel in either direction.

Thanks for all the input guys, I just wanted to see if this is something unique I am dealing with or if others have also experienced this. I tried showering with it on and I'll try to watch it in warm water with some soap and see if that helps the bezel move more easily. Otherwise I'll swing by one of my ADs and see what they think, hopefully they'll be courteous even though they always pester to ask me when I walk in where I got my Rolex from.

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Originally Posted by sammyofkahala

Sorry about that. I might not be articulating my concern as well as I could. The bezel on the GMT2C can rotate bidirectionally. My father's GMT2C, which has been routinely worn over the last 2+ years daily, rotates in either direction very easily. It takes little effort of my right hand to pinch the bezel when wearing it on my left wrist and rotate the bezel clockwise or counterclockwise.

My GMT2C, which I just received, is much newer and in near BNIB condition. To rotate the bezel on my watch, is much harder. I have to exert more pressure from my right hand to rotate the bezel in either direction.

Thanks for all the input guys, I just wanted to see if this is something unique I am dealing with or if others have also experienced this. I tried showering with it on and I'll try to watch it in warm water with some soap and see if that helps the bezel move more easily. Otherwise I'll swing by one of my ADs and see what they think, hopefully they'll be courteous even though they always pester to ask me when I walk in where I got my Rolex from.

I think it just needs to be worked in a little.

[sampelligrino]

Turning my father's GMT2C bezel just feels comfortable, it feels secure but glides in a way that feels right. It feels like my bezel has much more resistance and I'm not sure if that is something that occurs with newer GMT's or something that becomes easier to rotate over time? Either way thanks again..

[AK797]

My Subc is tight, as it should be on a diver, and Id be far more concerned if it turned too easy, that would feel cheap and for a diver fatal.

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Originally Posted by AK797

My Subc is tight, as it should be on a diver, and Id be far more concerned if it turned too easy, that would feel cheap and for a diver fatal.

Not necessarily, the subs rotating bezel only rotates one way. If you were to accidentally shift it while diving, the indicator would show the user they had less time than actual of air, forcing the diver to come up prematurely. I hope I'm right here, I think I am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaHSADVB9Ag

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by AK797

My Subc is tight, as it should be on a diver, and Id be far more concerned if it turned too easy, that would feel cheap and for a diver fatal.

The OP is referring to a GMT2C, not a Sub. As for a Sub, about the only way a diver would risk running out of air early would be if the unidirectional mechanism broke and the bezel accidentally turned clockwise. But in the normal course of affairs, if the bezel gets knocked against a reef and the bezel accidental gets turned in the usual counterclockwise direction it should simply result in the diver surfacing early. I suppose it would be a problem if the diver knocks the bezel and decides he "remembers" where it was and goes with that recollection, there could be a problem. But at that point the user has himself to blame more than the watch.

[Brandon(phila)]

It turns too easily. I had a sub C and that was about the same.
Love both watches but that is my only complaint is the bezel turns too easily.

But I will survive....I just spin it back around

To the OP....I would try cleaning first....if no change...then stop into an AD and try others, but I have played with GMT's and it shouldn't have much more resistance than a SUB or DSSD

[AK797]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

The OP is referring to a GMT2C, not a Sub. As for a Sub, about the only way a diver would risk running out of air early would be if the unidirectional mechanism broke and the bezel accidentally turned clockwise. But in the normal course of affairs, if the bezel gets knocked against a reef and the bezel accidental gets turned in the usual counterclockwise direction it should simply result in the diver surfacing early. I suppose it would be a problem if the diver knocks the bezel and decides he "remembers" where it was and goes with that recollection, there could be a problem. But at that point the user has himself to blame more than the watch.

Youre right in most cases, my point was that if the bezel was very loose not only could it break easier but it could actually spin so far on a couple of bumps as to be equivalent to a small clockwise turn and thus be dangerous. Obviously unlikely but possible on a loose bezel and I have handled some on cheaper watches that were like a spinning top so I want mine tight, even on a GMTc and again it speaks to a cheap feeling if it isnt.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by AK797

Youre right in most cases, my point was that if the bezel was very loose not only could it break easier but it could actually spin so far on a couple of bumps as to be equivalent to a small clockwise turn and thus be dangerous. Obviously unlikely but possible on a loose bezel and I have handled some on cheaper watches that were like a spinning top so I want mine tight, even on a GMTc and again it speaks to a cheap feeling if it isnt.

Gotcha, that makes sense. I'm no diver but if the bezel was free wheeling I do believe I'd head straight up. I suppose I'd actually make a mental note of where the marker is and if I bump it or for any reason even think it may have moved I'd go straight to the surface. Running out of air is not like running out of gas in your car.

[AK797]

Yeah its fun to talk like Im a serious diver when I mostly use the bezel for timing a roast or lasagne!

[joe100]

I soloed with my GMT Master but I still time my eggs with the bezel haha

[patb]

Originally Posted by xxthe_remedyxx

Not necessarily, the subs rotating bezel only rotates one way. If you were to accidentally shift it while diving, the indicator would show the user they had less time than actual of air, forcing the diver to come up prematurely. I hope I'm right here, I think I am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaHSADVB9Ag

The bezel has no bearing on how much air you have remaining in your tank. A pressure gauge is used for that. The bezel is used to time your dive and any decompression you may have. Hope this helps.

[Tools]

One of the complaints with the GMT ceramics first came out was that the bezel turned too easily.. It would turn by shirt or jacket cuffs..

When you say that yours turns with more difficulty than one that is perhaps too loose, it makes it impoossible to diagnose..

Too hard may be just right for somebody else... If you are concerned, you should get it looked at..

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by patb

The bezel has no bearing on how much air you have remaining in your tank. A pressure gauge is used for that. The bezel is used to time your dive and any decompression you may have. Hope this helps.

Thanks, that is helpful because the Rolex website says "For safety reasons it rotates only counterclockwise so there is no chance of overestimating dive time or the amount of breathing mix remaining in the tanks..."

http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...rotating-bezel

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Thanks, that is helpful because the Rolex website says "For safety reasons it rotates only counterclockwise so there is no chance of overestimating dive time or the amount of breathing mix remaining in the tanks..."

http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...rotating-bezel

Thank you both for the information :)

[VetteBandit]

Something sounds funky. My 2c turns with some resistance to start, but glides and drops into place. It should take some pressure to move, but should be a smooth movement. I agree that a trip to an AD should help. Tough to compare diver and GMT, different function and mechanisms.

[George Ab]

Likely the bezel needs to be disassembled, cleaned, and lubricated with Fromblin grease. It is a five minute job for a watchmaker. You can try running water over it while you turn the bezel. However, five minutes with a watchmaker and it is done right.

I could not find an exploded view of the bezel assembly for the GMT IIc. I thought I remember Larry (Tools) may have posted in the reference section.

[sampelligrino]

Thanks for all the input guys. I took the GMT today to my local AD (Ben Bridge here in Honolulu at Ala Moana) and they said that their watchmaker did not have the right tools to open my bezel which made me scratch my head as its a brand sparkly new Ben Bridge with the full marble treatment and huge transparent office for the watchmaker studying watches with his loupe. However, I did get to try on one of their brand new GMT2C's and that confirmed that my bezel has some sort of problem, both the new GMT2C at my AD and my dad's rotate much much easier than mine. The AD said that they would be willing to ship my watch to Seattle to the Ben Bridge HQ, but after talking with my TRF seller who traded me my watch, he kindly offered to take care of shipping the watch back to him and having his watchmaker take care of it ASAP.

I think the problem is what George said above... water running over the bezel and even using soap didn't help at all, it actually made turning the bezel even harder maybe (honestly!). The weirdest thing is that my entire bezel, the ceramic part and the metal part, can be pushed slightly up and down which I don't think is normal. I had the Hulk and knew that the ceramic bezel there could be pushed up and down but I don't think the bezel on the GMT is supposed to do this.

I'll keep you guys updated, and thanks again for all the replies.

[Joey_V]

My GMTIIC was a little hard to turn initially then after several months, it's become significantly easier.

My thoughts - it's normal.