Another Rolex Quality Control Thread.

[MJaber]

Greetings,

Rolex has always represented near perfection to me. I know, that's too much to expect from a watch manufacturer, but I believe they built a reputation on getting things done right every time, and I totally expect each watch to have a fault or two.
A month ago i was fortunate enough to purchase my first Rolex, the Explorer 1 (2016). First thing I noticed is the Crown on the rehaute doesn't align with the triangle and is actually quiet off centre to the right by a large margin. Second, the E in Explorer print has some ink bleed which left the poor fella with a lump on his back. I'm surprisingly fine with both.

Now, third and what is actually irritating me is what seems to be a scratch or maybe some sort of particle on the metal part of the 2 O'clock stick. I cannot Unsee it. It stares at me every time I look at my otherwise handsome watch.

Is this something I should be upset about? And has anyone here had any experience with any of these issues? Is it covered by warranty?

Any guidance would be very much appreciated.

Sorry if the pics are not so clear but It's very difficult to capture a proper picture.

[VIG]

I get it, we all like our things to be perfect, especially expensive things, but how do you people notice this stuff?

[Thatguy]

I don't see anything worth sending it in over but if you are not happy then send to RSC.


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[rudestew]

Mmmm if you didn't mention it you'd never know but i do see your point and you do have one.

[c41006]

If you can't live with it, send it in.

[nursejm]

After reading this thread I immediately inspect my submariner bought 2days ago from ad..

The crown rehaute also is not centered.




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[TheVTCGuy]

Are you asking for my opinion? If not, then disregard this post. If yes, then here it is:

You are being WAY over the top OCD. I don't know how you can even see these things you describe without a lupe. Every watch is going to have microscopic imperfections, that's what separates it from every other watch. I say it makes it YOUR watch and gives it a bit of character. I think if Rolex replaced your Explorer, you would find something wrong with the next one, and probably the next.... Your watch is a beautiful timepiece, congratulations on getting it, be proud of it, show it off, and enjoy it.

That's my opinion, if I misinterpreted your post and you were not seeking it, then please disregard.

[sensui]

The solution is really to avoid the loupe whenever possible.

[Ec2016]

Those things would bother me. When i look at my rolex, it brings a smile to my face. That smile would be a little less big due to those imperfections. I would send it in

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Are you asking for my opinion? If not, then disregard this post. If yes, then here it is:

You are being WAY over the top OCD. I don't know how you can even see these things you describe without a lupe. Every watch is going to have microscopic imperfections, that's what separates it from every other watch. I say it makes it YOUR watch and gives it a bit of character. I think if Rolex replaced your Explorer, you would find something wrong with the next one, and probably the next.... Your watch is a beautiful timepiece, congratulations on getting it, be proud of it, show it off, and enjoy it.

That's my opinion, if I misinterpreted your post and you were not seeking it, then please disregard.

Well said!

[hoppes-no9]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Are you asking for my opinion? If not, then disregard this post. If yes, then here it is:

You are being WAY over the top OCD. I don't know how you can even see these things you describe without a lupe. Every watch is going to have microscopic imperfections, that's what separates it from every other watch. I say it makes it YOUR watch and gives it a bit of character. I think if Rolex replaced your Explorer, you would find something wrong with the next one, and probably the next.... Your watch is a beautiful timepiece, congratulations on getting it, be proud of it, show it off, and enjoy it.

That's my opinion, if I misinterpreted your post and you were not seeking it, then please disregard.

^^^ this x100 (emphasis added for the important bit).

[ash95608]

Those things would really bother me, as quite a bit of people have mentioned you are paying a lot of money for these watches and there is definitely enough margin in these watches to hire more quality control people so they don't let these leave the factory. I personally don't need a lupe to see these thing, flaws always seem to draw to my eyes and that is why all my clients are very happy with the work I do for them, in fact my company is called Attention to Detail Design so it's not a bad thing to be a perfectionist but you just tend to see all the flaws in everything.

[kid4life]

Wow OP - glad I am not OCD like you - would make for a terrible life.

[Juantxo]

Please shoot me now...!!!

By the way, next time you buy a watch, go to the store with a microscope and check the watch thoroughly before paying for it. Oh, and don't you buy a Patek Philippe or you'll end up in the psych ward.

[FTX I]

That's why I use my loupe before buying.

[Lumberjact]

Try to enjoy your watch. Any differences are tiny and not worth thinking about.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by FTX I

That's why I use my loupe before buying.

This is why I don't have a loupe

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by brandrea

This is why I don't have a loupe

I get your point my friend but they have always served me well. No regrets.

[rolexnub]

Nothing is perfect in life.

p.s. it's a good thing nobody yet from TRF has used a microscope to inspect their Rolex watch.

[Shaky]

If I had loupes for eyes it would bother but seeing as I don't then no it really wouldn't send it back for those two things.

As far as I am aware they are not designed to be viewed through a magnifying glass

[Steve36Efc]

I can see the crown is not aligned but from the photos I cannot see the other 2 issues. At the end of the day if it's going to spoil your enjoyment you need to get it sorted.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I get your point my friend but they have always served me well. No regrets.

I'm only half teasing too

[blue16613]

Originally Posted by kid4life

Wow OP - glad I am not OCD like you - would make for a terrible life.

I was hoping after the rebuke another poster got yesterday (JustBlueFish's thread) that this kind totally inappropriate stuff would stop for a while.

Apparently not, some people can't happy unless they can find something nasty to say.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I'm only half teasing too

[mementomori1983]

Rolexes are mass-produced watches that are partially hand-assembled. As such, there are going to be certain "flaws" in the assembly/manufacturing process that will be acceptable to Rolex as being within the tolerances that they set. For instance, there is a certain amount of play when the dial is screwed down to the case, which could cause the marker on the dial not to line up perfectly with the coronet on the rehaut.

As for the scratch on the 2 o'clock marker, I could see how that could bug you. The markers on Rolex dials are hand-applied, so I can see how flaws can arise from that process.

There are basically three types of Rolex owners: 1. Those that don't notice flaws in the fine datails at all (the vast majority, I'd say 90% of Rolex owners) 2. Those that notice small imperfections, and can't get over them (I'd say maaaybe 5% of Rolex owners?), and 3. Those that notice the small imperfections, but are able to accept these and still enjoy they watch (maaaybe the last 5%?).

Life can be very miserable if you're in the 2nd category. You might be able to find the perfect brand new watch, but it's still going to leave your hands when service time comes in 5-7 years. Will you still enjoy that perfect watch when it comes back from service with dial not perfectly aligned with the coronet? Or a speck of dust under the crystal?

I think the key to happiness in any hobby is being able to let certain things go.


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[nursejm]

OP now is getting lambasted here.. Prolly he is away, and will get surprised when he revisited this thread..


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[Xerxes77]

I see a lot of high end watch with more problems!

[tommi_6o]

Originally Posted by nursejm

After reading this thread I immediately inspect my submariner bought 2days ago from ad..

The crown rehaute also is not centered.




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Mine is also just a bit to the right on my 2017 114060.

[Minimalist]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I noticed a couple of things not quite right with my watches too, some straight away and others weeks after owning them. But after a short while I got over the imperfections and learned to appreciate the watch for what it is, and now these things don't bother me, I just consider myself very fortunate to even own them. I'm sure you'll get over it and also learn to love your new watch.

On a side note, I can't see the scratch you mention on the 2 o'clock marker. The picture probably doesn't show it.

Congrats buddy on the Explorer. The new model is gorgeous! Enjoy it in the best of health!

[RaceDoc]

Well said.

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Are you asking for my opinion? If not, then disregard this post. If yes, then here it is:

You are being WAY over the top OCD. I don't know how you can even see these things you describe without a lupe. Every watch is going to have microscopic imperfections, that's what separates it from every other watch. I say it makes it YOUR watch and gives it a bit of character. I think if Rolex replaced your Explorer, you would find something wrong with the next one, and probably the next.... Your watch is a beautiful timepiece, congratulations on getting it, be proud of it, show it off, and enjoy it.

That's my opinion, if I misinterpreted your post and you were not seeking it, then please disregard.