YM Bezel query

[Boopie]

At lunch today friends brought me to a reputable watch dealer in Los Angeles to check out the wares. The dealer had an amazing collection of vintage Rollies (including old Subs, some boys'-size Rolexes), Pateks, and others.

The shop's owner spotted my ladies' YM and brought over a used gold mens' YM (the style with the white face and black dots). He said the watch had been owned by a celebrity (he gave the name, but I won't mention it), that the watch had been in a horrendous condition when he acquired it, and that his watchmaking staff spent a long time fixing it up. The work included extensive work on the gold bezel. I have no reason to doubt him.

Being a bezel fiddler, I immediately went to turn the bezel...it turned in only one direction (and rather stiffly at that). I know that the YM has a bi-directional bezel, but I didn't want to say anything about it.

He had an extensive selection of vintage Subs, GMTs, and Daytonas, but as best as I could tell this was the only YM he had. Because he is more of a vintage watch dealer, perhaps he wasn't as familiar with the YM line.

What could have possibly caused the bezel to turn only one way? Any ideas? Should I have mentioned something to the dealer? I'd appreciate the group's thoughts.

As an aside, he said that the word about the BH RSC closing was that the RSC didn't have enough business. He said that many West Coast Rolex dealers would ship watches to the Texas RSC for service, not BH. He also said that he didn't see the RSC closing as a problem, as all of the watch technicians will get jobs elsewhere in LA.

[Cato]

What dealer was it?

[Z-Sub]

Either it's a fake, or they put in the wrong pin that either allow the bezel to turn one way or both

[Lol-x]

Yes if they inserted a submariner click spring into the bezel, then that may prevent the bezel spinning in both directions

Here in Melbourne Rolex Australia were so nice to me yesterday when I picked up my YM. It is a "D" serial and they did a timing adjustment for free.

I asked what the cost of having a scratch from my YM bezel would cost and they said they would need to send it back to Rolex Switzerland to get it re-finished and that would cost $1,000.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Yes if they inserted a submariner click spring into the bezel, then that may prevent the bezel spinning in both directions

Here in Melbourne Rolex Australia were so nice to me yesterday when I picked up my YM. It is a "D" serial and they did a timing adjustment for free.

I asked what the cost of having a scratch from my YM bezel would cost and they said they would need to send it back to Rolex Switzerland to get it re-finished and that would cost $1,000.

I can certainly vouch for that last bit, Steve. My AD said the same thing.

Gotta be extremely careful with Platinum!!

[Lol-x]

I think I can live with a hairline scratch on my YM. The YM bezel insert is matt and the scratch is a kind of gloss hairline, so it really isn't a big deal to me........just that every time I look at my watch I focus on it and then I feel this incredible amount of stress as I feel the few remaining hairs I have fall out of my head onto my shoulders and the floor

Hahaha only joking.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

I think I can live with a hairline scratch on my YM. The YM bezel insert is matt and the scratch is a kind of gloss hairline, so it really isn't a big deal to me........just that every time I look at my watch I focus on it and then I feel this incredible amount of stress as I feel the few remaining hairs I have fall out of my head onto my shoulders and the floor

Hahaha only joking.

What do you mean joking?? How the hell do you think I turned bald?

[Lol-x]

Well JJ I'm catching up to you that is for sure. But if I looked half as cool and suave as you I would be a happy man.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Well JJ I'm catching up to you that is for sure. But if I looked half as cool and suave as you I would be a happy man.

You do look cool and sauve, Steve. You just don't know it. Just ask James!!!

[Omega_Precision]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Yes if they inserted a submariner click spring into the bezel, then that may prevent the bezel spinning in both directions

Here in Melbourne Rolex Australia were so nice to me yesterday when I picked up my YM. It is a "D" serial and they did a timing adjustment for free.

I asked what the cost of having a scratch from my YM bezel would cost and they said they would need to send it back to Rolex Switzerland to get it re-finished and that would cost $1,000.

Just like what Steve said.

Submariner pin points toward the grooves (counter-clockwise) and prevents you to turn clockwise because the pin would be in one of those grooves.

A YM pin would be different, I believe they are symmetrical, so you should freely turn in either direction.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Yes if they inserted a submariner click spring into the bezel, then that may prevent the bezel spinning in both directions

Here in Melbourne Rolex Australia were so nice to me yesterday when I picked up my YM. It is a "D" serial and they did a timing adjustment for free.

I asked what the cost of having a scratch from my YM bezel would cost and they said they would need to send it back to Rolex Switzerland to get it re-finished and that would cost $1,000.

Wow, how much is a new bezel ?