3186 Broken Hour Wheel Click Spring

[RastabanStar]

I have an Explorer 2 16750 with a 3186 Movement. The hour wheel click spring recently broke so that when I move the crown to the 2nd position, the hour hand moves smoothly instead of clicking from hour to hour. It also does not line up correctly with the minute hand. After researching the boards, I see that this is a common, known issue by Rolex.

What should I expect to pay for RSC to fix the spring, given that this is a know manufacturing problem? I prefer not to send my watches to RSC as I don't want any polishing or dial/hand replacement. Finally, will a new replacement spring fix the problem or should I expect this to remain a weakness throughout the life of the watch?

[GradyPhilpott]

You really should talk to RSC or a watchmaker.

People here can opine, but whoever fixes your watch will be who decides the price and whether or not the watch needs additional care.

[Thatguy]

How old is the watch? I would guess it's time for a service anyway.


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[Dedot]

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

I have an Explorer 2 16750 with a 3186 Movement. The hour wheel click spring recently broke so that when I move the crown to the 2nd position, the hour hand moves smoothly instead of clicking from hour to hour. It also does not line up correctly with the minute hand. After researching the boards, I see that this is a common, known issue by Rolex.



What should I expect to pay for RSC to fix the spring, given that this is a know manufacturing problem? I prefer not to send my watches to RSC as I don't want any polishing or dial/hand replacement. Finally, will a new replacement spring fix the problem or should I expect this to remain a weakness throughout the life of the watch?

I've had this exact problem with my 16750. Brought it back to my AD. They sent it to RSC in Sydney and they replaced it with no charge even though my watch was out warranty. They said it's a known problem. Hope that helps.

[kilyung]

I've had many 3186 movement watches and this has only happened to me once. As it was outside of warranty, I had the watch serviced as well. There was no cost difference between a regular service vs just fixing it. So if under warranty, let RSC fix it. Otherwise have any reputable independent with a parts account fix it.

[JohnFair]

If I didn't need/want a full service, I would take it to my Bloomington, MN AD and let them fix it. When a spring broke on my Dad's out of warranty DJ, the Dallas RSC recommended getting it fixed at the Bloomington, MN AD. We got the impression that the RSC prefer to only do warranty work and full service. Leaving the in between service to reputable independents with a parts account.

Please keep us informed on where you get it fixed and your experience.

[mtgjr]

The 3185 is clearly a superior movement!

[Duey]

It's a common problem with the 3187 / 3186 movements that continues to this day. And Rolex is very aware of it and usually fixes them at no cost to the owner. It seems like it's been awhile since a thread on this major problem that exists with these Rolex movements has come up.

Here's a couple of links on the forum for you.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=358392

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=384696

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=367687

[SeaDweller50]

So, the dodgy parts are replaced with dodgy parts? Hmm. Won't ge getting another GMT for a while, in that case.

[douglasf13]

It's a bit odd to me that the 3186 16710 is going for so much these days, since this is a known issue with the 3186 movement.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You really should talk to RSC or a watchmaker.

People here can opine, but whoever fixes your watch will be who decides the price and whether or not the watch needs additional care.

Not that I disagree with you Grady, but If the watch isn't under warranty, it can't hurt for the OP to ask for some opinions as well as hear prior experiences. Also getting an idea of what others have had to pay for this repair seems like it'd be useful info.

[Duey]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Not that I disagree with you Grady, but If the watch isn't under warranty, it can't hurt for the OP to ask for some opinions as well as hear prior experiences. Also getting an idea of what others have had to pay for this repair seems like it'd be useful info.

I sent both of my Explorer II's, Polar and Black with the 3187 movement, into Rolex Service Dallas and they fixed them for FREE and both were out of warranty

[Onikage]

I thought it was an early teething problem in the first 3186s, and after they'd been fixed they were fine, and that the problem was weeded out in later 3186 watches? This is the first I've heard of it occurring in an Explorer II. Thankfully new EXPIIs and GMTIICs don't do it for me. Pray for the souls paying stupid 3186 16710 prices indeed. Surely this isn't something Rolex will continuously fix free of charge throughout the lifetime of these watches?

[ronricks]

Pretty sure Rolex will fix this at no cost.

[77T]

I feel lucky. In over 10 years' use my Polar Explorer.II (A s/n) never faltered in this regard. And that was without any service.

For the OP, I can't help suggest what the RSC would charge if you won't send it to them in the first place - and I don't blame you. My choice would be an independent certified watchmaker with a Rolex parts account.

[havingagoodtime]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

It's a bit odd to me that the 3186 16710 is going for so much these days, since this is a known issue with the 3186 movement.

This is now the beginning of the end for that recent price run

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by havingagoodtime

This is now the beginning of the end for that recent price run

Yeah, I mean, when I was as looking at 5 digit Explorer IIs at my local shop over the summer, it was between a newer one with the 3186 and an older one with lug holes+SELs. I went lug holes.

[RastabanStar]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Pretty sure Rolex will fix this at no cost.

I'm trying to get ahold of Rik Dietel to see what he'd charge to fix the watch. It's a V serial number from 2008, so I'm going to have the movement serviced, even though it was keeping near perfect time. -1 to -2 seconds per day very consistently. Other watches like my Speedmaster might be +2 or -11 but the Explorer 2 was always the same. In my experience (price range), Rolex makes the most consistent and durable mechanical movements.

Now my main question is: will the new replacement hour wheel click spring be faulty as well? Is this a problem that I'll have to deal with again soon?

[JohnAcosta]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

It's a bit odd to me that the 3186 16710 is going for so much these days, since this is a known issue with the 3186 movement.

Exactly my thoughts.

[altesporsche]

bothers me that this has just happen to my two month old Explorer II with 3187 in it.. didn't have time to send to an AD as they gave me the run around and wanted to take the watch for 6 weeks for a full service before they would touch it. I was leaving the country so couldn't do that. had a watchmaker fix it by laser welding the spring and its ok but not as it should.. but he scratched my dial in the process..

[peterpl]

Originally Posted by altesporsche

bothers me that this has just happen to my two month old Explorer II with 3187 in it.. didn't have time to send to an AD as they gave me the run around and wanted to take the watch for 6 weeks for a full service before they would touch it. I was leaving the country so couldn't do that. had a watchmaker fix it by laser welding the spring and its ok but not as it should.. but he scratched my dial in the process..

Scratched your dail? WTF that would piss me off even more.

Thats why I always take to RSC. They wont do stuff like this on service and even if they do they will give you a new dial.

Regarding the movement I wonder if the broken part is happens when the excessive force is used on the crown as its a common issue that the crown on these gets stuck when pulling out to the time setting position. To get around that problem just rotate it a few times and it will pull out easily.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by altesporsche

bothers me that this has just happen to my two month old Explorer II with 3187 in it.. didn't have time to send to an AD as they gave me the run around and wanted to take the watch for 6 weeks for a full service before they would touch it. I was leaving the country so couldn't do that. had a watchmaker fix it by laser welding the spring and its ok but not as it should.. but he scratched my dial in the process..

So now your five-year warranty is invalid.