Explorer Not Working after Knock on Counter

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by SirHillary

I was wearing my 14270 (~1991) when I knocked it on the edge of my kitchen's quartz countertop. I didn't think it was particularly hard, but my wife joked: "way to go, you ruined your watch." To my surprise/devastation, my watch was no longer running when I looked down. I tried to wind it, but was faced with immediate resistance, so did not try to wind it further. And now I hear and feel something loose in the case (a large object, maybe the rotor?).

The watch is insured, and I'm going to take it to a repair shop tomorrow to get an estimate, but I'm just dying inside a little bit and also wondering how a watch of this quality just completely broke after one knock. I bought the watch preowned from a reputable dealer less than a month ago (authenticity guaranty, inspected and serviced) - it has been working great since I got it, but now I'm wondering if there was some sort of defect.

Has this happened to anyone else and, if so, what was the result?

Welcome to the world of mechanical watch ownership
As my Grand father used to say. "There's no experience like the experience you pay for".

As others have wisely counciled.
A trip to a Rolex service centre or a highly respected independent watchmaker such as LA Watchworks(that has a Rolex parts account) will be in order to remedy your troubles and it takes as long as it takes.
Besides, you have to pop your cherry at some point and there's no better occassion like you now have especially as you have no service history with the watch.

As an example.
I have recently sent one of mine in for a movement service to our only RSC and it took about 2 weeks for a quote to come back with an unexpected surprise contained within it which I hadn't anticipated at all as the watch basically seemed just fine, except for a slightly notchy feeling when manually winding that was intermittent. Timekeeping was great as well
I think it was caught in the nick of time
The expected turn around without polishing is potentially 12-14 weeks according to a verbal estimate from my contact at the Rolex dealer who i went through.
Then again i have it in print from someone higher up that it will probably take considerably longer. Then again, that person originally assessed the watch upon casual inspection as probably not really needing a service
Take from that what you will, but I'm inclined to go with my direct contact on this one

Many things can go wrong with these little machines and the numbers can add up unexpectedly.
There's a fairly recent post over at the watchmaking sub-forum which can bare witness to the scope of work that may be encountered on a 33 year old watch.
Vanessa had outlined a number of years ago how she goes about a standard service.
It's worth just checking that sub-forum out in order to familiarise yourself as to how these things can go

[SirHillary]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

What does insurance have to do with this issue?

Just providing extra detail. FWIW, my insurance has been great to work with on this and is already proving worth its cost. Would highly recommend.

Just in from the watchmaker at the Rolex Authorised Service Centre: the balance bridge screw broke and what I heard loose in the case was the balance bridge which, by virtue of moving freely in the case, was damaged. They are recommending a full service and replacement of the balance bridge. The silver lining is that, once I get it back, I'll know that the watch is in tip-top shape and I'll be confident that everything is genuine and authentic. I'm seeing the value of going through RSC for this.

Thanks again for everyone's input!

[johnliley]

Have you tried knocking it on the other side? Just kidding. I’ve done the same on my Datejust. 4ft onto a tile floor right on the crown BOOM. Took it to my local guy the shock broke a pin he fixed it in 48hrs.


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[ganagati]

Originally Posted by SirHillary

I was wearing my 14270 (~1991) when I knocked it on the edge of my kitchen's quartz countertop.

Quartz and Rolex really don’t belong together.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by ganagati

Quartz and Rolex really don’t belong together.

Whatever you say.

[ganagati]

Originally Posted by Andad

Whatever you say.

There are exceptions to every rule!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Fake News!!!!

But due to your solid service here I’ll accept this, for now. But I will consult top minds to debunk this tomorrow.

I thought you were smarter than that…..

[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by SirHillary

Just providing extra detail. FWIW, my insurance has been great to work with on this and is already proving worth its cost. Would highly recommend.

Just in from the watchmaker at the Rolex Authorised Service Centre: the balance bridge screw broke and what I heard loose in the case was the balance bridge which, by virtue of moving freely in the case, was damaged. They are recommending a full service and replacement of the balance bridge. The silver lining is that, once I get it back, I'll know that the watch is in tip-top shape and I'll be confident that everything is genuine and authentic. I'm seeing the value of going through RSC for this.

Thanks again for everyone's input!

Smart move. Expensive but worth it. FWIW I think you were just very unfortunate and will have years of worry free use to come.

[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Fake News!!!!

But due to your solid service here I’ll accept this, for now. But I will consult top minds to debunk this tomorrow.

Hahahaha Brilliant. I await consultation.

[skkali168]

Originally Posted by SirHillary

I was wearing my 14270 (~1991) when I knocked it on the edge of my kitchen's quartz countertop. I didn't think it was particularly hard, but my wife joked: "way to go, you ruined your watch." To my surprise/devastation, my watch was no longer running when I looked down. I tried to wind it, but was faced with immediate resistance, so did not try to wind it further. And now I hear and feel something loose in the case (a large object, maybe the rotor?).

The watch is insured, and I'm going to take it to a repair shop tomorrow to get an estimate, but I'm just dying inside a little bit and also wondering how a watch of this quality just completely broke after one knock. I bought the watch preowned from a reputable dealer less than a month ago (authenticity guaranty, inspected and serviced) - it has been working great since I got it, but now I'm wondering if there was some sort of defect.

Has this happened to anyone else and, if so, what was the result?

Wow! Good thing not exploring somewhere :)


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[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by SirHillary

The watch is insured, and I'm going to take it to a repair shop tomorrow to get an estimate

[Chewbacca]

Bas told me to get lost and lay off the rum balls because I’m losing it.

Still, not exactly a wholehearted vote of confidence to this FakeNews! I’m asking more Top People.

[Jessiecopeland]

I don’t understand the term, service dial.
Is a new dial somehow different than the original dial

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by Jessiecopeland

I don’t understand the term, service dial.
Is a new dial somehow different than the original dial

Yes, it’s not an original. It’s a dial that goes in for service reasons.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jessiecopeland

I don’t understand the term, service dial.
Is a new dial somehow different than the original dial

Sometimes. Mainly noticeable on certain pre-1999 watches whose Luminova service dials have Swiss or Swiss Made on the bottom instead of the Tritium original's Swiss T <25.

[SirHillary]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Sometimes. Mainly noticeable on certain pre-1999 watches whose Luminova service dials have Swiss or Swiss Made on the bottom instead of the Tritium original's Swiss T <25.

That’s right. The dial on my watch was originally a Tritium dial, but the previous owner must have sent it to RSC at some point, and they replaced the dial with a Luminova dial with “Swiss Made” at the bottom. This was general practice at RSC for some time.

[HogwldFLTR]

Send it to Rolex and let them make it right!

[GGGMT]

I’m confused — RSC time. Am I missing something? $750 and , like new.


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[Jessiecopeland]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Bas told me to get lost and lay off the rum balls because I’m losing it.

Still, not exactly a wholehearted vote of confidence to this FakeNews! I’m asking more Top People.

It would be impossible for the watch to lose power reserve if the crown is pulled. Unless the watch is a 1500 or older.
Most 1500 movements have a hack mechanism. Everything produced after the 1500 series has a hack lever.
A hack lever, stops the balance wheel from moving. The power cannot leave the mainspring if the balance wheel is not moving.

The only way that could actually happen, if a pivot is broken in the train wheels.