GMT Master Service Question

[Phil G.]

A few months ago, I had my 1996 N16700 SS GMT Master (Pepsi) in for service, as the watch was neither keeping accurate time, nor staying wound. I took it to a local AD who sent it to Liditz PA for service. The watch was returned twice to them, first because of a cosmetic defect in the internal bezel (replaced) and then due to the fact that after wearing it for 2-3 days, it would stop after around 12-14 hours. I simply forgot to give it the 40x manual wind before I put it on. Now, when I don't wear it for several days, I remember to manually wind it. It seems to be better, but maybe once weekly, even after winding it and wearing it for a few days, it will stop running in <24 hours. Not sure what my next step should be. I love the watch and paid significant $$ to have it serviced. The AD is on the Main Line outside Philly, is reputable, and has been very supportive. Suggestions?

[captain_NEMO]

Ugh. Sorry about your misfortunes with the watch. I know the feeling when your beloved timepiece is off - akin to one of your kids being sick.

Comb through the threads here and I'm sure you'll run into names like Rikk or Vanessa. They are the perennial favorites here, and for a good reason. I'm sure they can give you options or at least point you to the right direction. Many swear by them, and will not take their watches anywhere else.

You can also bite the bullet and send your watch to the RSC. The cost of an out-of-warranty repair is far from nominal ($600 and up - waaay up at times and more often, much more than the above option). You do get a 2-yr movement warranty and your watch will be done up the "Rolex" way. There is some disparity between which RSC is the better one, so do your due diligence.

There are people who would rather pay the premium to take their Hondas to a Honda dealership vs an independent mechanic. End results being equal (your watch running within COSC), both options are legitimate.

Good luck and post your results for posterity!!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Phil G.

. . . It seems to be better, but maybe once weekly, even after winding it and wearing it for a few days, it will stop running in <24 hours. Not sure what my next step should be. I love the watch and paid significant $$ to have it serviced. The AD is on the Main Line outside Philly, is reputable, and has been very supportive. Suggestions?

Has your level of activity changed, or do you spend a lot of time at a desk or in the recliner?

It does not matter how much time it spends on your wrist, it is activity (movement) that winds it. I would say that many folks only put about 20 or so hours of wind in their watch and do not "top it off" fully while wearing it.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by Tools

Has your level of activity changed, or do you spend a lot of time at a desk or in the recliner?

It does not matter how much time it spends on your wrist, it is activity (movement) that winds it. I would say that many folks only put about 20 or so hours of wind in their watch and do not "top it off" fully while wearing it.

Not as much activity as previously, so will watch it more carefully (and wind as needed). I mentioned that I did send the watch to Liditz PA for routine servicing and reconditioning which ran ~$800. It is an RSC - so if I find the watch is worn for several days with some activity and then continues to stop in 24hr or less after taking it off, I will insist that the AD has the problem (if it is one) taken care of by an RSC (Liditz or an alternative). I don't find I have this issue with my older Datejust. Just wondering, how often should the watch be manually wound to keep it running, and when fully wound shouldn't it run for >36 hours off my wrist??

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by captain_NEMO

Ugh. Sorry about your misfortunes with the watch. I know the feeling when your beloved timepiece is off - akin to one of your kids being sick.

Comb through the threads here and I'm sure you'll run into names like Rikk or Vanessa. They are the perennial favorites here, and for a good reason. I'm sure they can give you options or at least point you to the right direction. Many swear by them, and will not take their watches anywhere else.

You can also bite the bullet and send your watch to the RSC. The cost of an out-of-warranty repair is far from nominal ($600 and up - waaay up at times and more often, much more than the above option). You do get a 2-yr movement warranty and your watch will be done up the "Rolex" way. There is some disparity between which RSC is the better one, so do your due diligence.

There are people who would rather pay the premium to take their Hondas to a Honda dealership vs an independent mechanic. End results being equal (your watch running within COSC), both options are legitimate.

Good luck and post your results for posterity!!

Thanks - I did some research on the Liditz PA center which is an RSC, and it has received generally favorable reviews. I do feel more confident in having my watch serviced by an RSC, or at least I did when I had this and my other watches in for routine service. See my post above.

[Tools]

Wind it fully and then let it sit to find out how much power reserve it has.

To wind it, wear it for a few days, then take it off, will not tell you much.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by captain_NEMO

Ugh. Sorry about your misfortunes with the watch. I know the feeling when your beloved timepiece is off - akin to one of your kids being sick.

Comb through the threads here and I'm sure you'll run into names like Rikk or Vanessa. They are the perennial favorites here, and for a good reason. I'm sure they can give you options or at least point you to the right direction. Many swear by them, and will not take their watches anywhere else.

You can also bite the bullet and send your watch to the RSC. The cost of an out-of-warranty repair is far from nominal ($600 and up - waaay up at times and more often, much more than the above option). You do get a 2-yr movement warranty and your watch will be done up the "Rolex" way. There is some disparity between which RSC is the better one, so do your due diligence.

There are people who would rather pay the premium to take their Hondas to a Honda dealership vs an independent mechanic. End results being equal (your watch running within COSC), both options are legitimate.

Good luck and post your results for posterity!!

Think he's already done that according to the OP.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by Tools

Wind it fully and then let it sit to find out how much power reserve it has.

To wind it, wear it for a few days, then take it off, will not tell you much.

Wound it when I got it back from the RSC and worked fine (>36 hours), but recently, wound it then wore for few days and didn't last much more than 12 hours, but as you state, could be due to minimal activity. I'll take your suggestion and see what it does. Thanks.

[Phil G.]

Tools, took your advice and let it completely run down. Wound it x 40, then let it run without wearing. Ran for around 36 hours, so I'm assuming all is well with this watch. I'll keep an eye on it.

[Loevhagen]

36h is just 3/4 of the power reserve, so I would get it serviced. Heck, my now sold 1680 Red Sub had 48 hours power reserve during such a test.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

36h is just 3/4 of the power reserve, so I would get it serviced. Heck, my now sold 1680 Red Sub had 48 hours power reserve during such a test.

Not worth it to me to have it dismantled again and pay additional $$$ for repairs. Sufficient reserve for me at this time at least. As much as I love the watch, if I decide it's an issue I'll trade or sell it for a new one, either Explorer II or Yacht-Master. I love both of those. As much as I love the Pepsi ceramic GMT Master II, it only comes in gold and runs upwards of $27-30K. Not an everyday watch for me, unfortunately.

[TheVTCGuy]

I would send it to Vanessa here on the forum, it sounds to me like SOMETHING is amiss. I am not smart enough to venture a guess as to what, but you can trust her to find it. I know it will cost money, but you can be assured this time, it will be done right.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I would send it to Vanessa here on the forum, it sounds to me like SOMETHING is amiss. I am not smart enough to venture a guess as to what, but you can trust her to find it. I know it will cost money, but you can be assured this time, it will be done right.

I PM'd her - will let you know what she suggests. Is she the "guru" for repairing these watches??

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Phil G.

I PM'd her - will let you know what she suggests. Is she the "guru" for repairing these watches??

There is none better, check out this thread:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=517157

Good luck and let us know what happens.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

There is none better, check out this thread:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=517157

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Talked to Vanessa earlier today. Her advice was to wind the watch 60-80 times to make sure I've been giving my 40 winds the full 360 degree treatment. She agrees that the watch should run for approximately 48 hours. Keep you posted.

[GMT Aviator]

40-60 winds should defo see it run for a good 40 hours or so.

Let us know.