Crunchy Explorer update!

[rkb]

Today I took the watch to my local watchmaker and had him have a look. He showed me how that when the watch is wound the process of winding rotates the gears in the automatics as well as winding the mainspring. When the automatics are removed and the watch is wound there is no sensation of rough/sticking (crunchy) gears. The problem seems to mainly occur when the mainspring is fully wound and begins to slip within the barrel but I have also felt the roughness shortly after beginning to wind it as well. His thoughts are that there is some grime or lack of lubricant in the automatics that are causing the sensation.

It is my guess this would be more exaggerated when there is no play in the gear train of the automatics when they are under the increased tension of a fully wound mainspring. But, like I said that's just a guess on my part.

This is my third Rolex and one of many mechanical watches and I have never had this sensation when winding one before.

Anyhoo- tomorrow it will make the journey to the mothership in Dallas as it is still under warranty they can make it all better.