First time Rolex owner winding question

[aliasneo07]

Hey guys,

First time Rolex owner. Well, technically first time automatic Rolex owner - I have a vintage manual wind from my grandfather.

2021 41mm two tone sub.

I notice that if the power reserve runs out and I go to wind it, I need to turn it approximately 15 times before the seconds hand starts moving. With my Omegas and Seikos, they pretty much start moving immediately after one or two turns, or shaking the watch a tiny bit.

I just want to make sure this is normal. I don't have too much anxiety about the watch being authentic -- it was purchased on this forum by a somewhat established dealer, but you never know.

Sorry for the noob question, and thanks! Cool to be in the cool kids club now

[Sgooter]

All normal - enjoy.

[Napoleon]

Yes, that’s normal. I believe the manual states 25 turns at a minimum should be made.

[padi56]

To fully wind you need 40 plus full crown turns clockwise only and after a wind some might need a swirl to start all normal.

[Potawatomi]

Originally Posted by padi56

To fully wind you need 40 plus full crown turns clockwise only and after a wind some might need a swirl to start all normal.

I like to play and game with my rolex watches and see how many winds I can go before it starts ticking. It all comes down to how still I hold it while winding.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

I like to play and game with my rolex watches and see how many winds I can go before it starts ticking. It all comes down to how still I hold it while winding.

Cannot understand why as long as it ticks and tells the time thats all that matters.

[novae500]

The SA winds mine 35 rotations on a new watch that i purchased.

[Tricolore66]

It’s all in the owners manual.

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

It’s all in the owners manual.

This - doesn’t anyone read a manual nowadays? After all it’s not a long read, it can be read cover to cover whilst you drink your coffee.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

This - doesn’t anyone read a manual nowadays? After all it’s not a long read, it can be read cover to cover whilst you drink your coffee.

This. RTFM.

[aliasneo07]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

It’s all in the owners manual.

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

This - doesn’t anyone read a manual nowadays? After all it’s not a long read, it can be read cover to cover whilst you drink your coffee.

Originally Posted by Robf52

This. RTFM.

It didn't come from an AD and didn't have the manual, but you're right, I should have looked one up.


Thanks all.

[RJRJRJ]

Normal with Rolex. My ETA based watches will start ticking with maybe one wind, or sometimes just the movement of picking them up. Rolex takes about 10-15 winds to start ticking.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by aliasneo07

It didn't come from an AD and didn't have the manual, but you're right, I should have looked one up.


Thanks all.

I disagree that this is simply a "RTFM" situation. Years ago when I bought a 16710 I was a bit alarmed by how many winds it took to start ticking. My new Sub is similar. It seems that the Rolex escapements simply need more mainspring tension to unlock the palette fork that first time. I can give my Hamilton literally 1 turn and it'll start ticking. The Sub manual says "A minimum of 25 turns is required for adequate partial winding", but this is completely independent of the number of turns required to actually start the second hand moving. I have not seen that addressed in the manual so I think your question was valid (and your watch is normal).

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by aliasneo07

It didn't come from an AD and didn't have the manual, but you're right, I should have looked one up.


Thanks all.

If no manual then the Rolex website would have been my first port of call, but now you have looked and all is good?

[mozchron]

My neo-vintage ExpII needs 14-15 winds to start ticking. So does my modern Airking.

My ETA-based Tudors start ticking with one wind.

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by aliasneo07

Hey guys,
I notice that if the power reserve runs out

Which model ref do you have ?
The newer models have a 70+ hour power reserve.

How long are you leaving your watch for before winding is needed ?

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by aliasneo07

2021 41mm two tone sub.

I notice that if the power reserve runs out and I go to wind it, I need to turn it approximately 15 times before the seconds hand starts moving.

I just want to make sure this is normal.

Winding is often discussed.
Quantified here:
https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...postcount=1704

[Meyrin]

Same here, no need to worry. That's perfectly normal!