JUST serviced Rolex has condensation under the crystal

[amh]

I don't accept it as normal either. The tech should have held his breath when screwing on the case back. Send a puff of dry air from a can while you're at it!

[DoctorsOrders]

Any pictures OP? I'd contact RSC Toronto directly.

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by WillyC

Will Rolex itself acknowledge this service and the associated warranty or not?

I don't see why not as long you're within the warranty period, which sounds like you are since you got the service "very recently". Why not just send it in and see what they say? You've already dished out money for the service, send it in and see if they'll cover it under warranty.

You not making the 1.5hr drive 1 way isn't going to solve anything.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by WillyC

Hi all. I recently inherited a 1970s Datejust.

Very shortly after I had it serviced at an authorized service centre (“Rolex Boutique Global Watch Company” in downtown Vancouver BC).

Now, about a month later, there is condensation under the crystal. It was about $1200 CND for the service (all in, including crystal replacement).

My inclination is to be fairly upset by this. It is a lot of time for me to drive there, drop it off, and have to go back and fetch it. Each trip is about 1.5 hours (including the ridiculously long time they have me just sit there and wait - over 20 minutes). Like many Rolex owners, I suspect, this time investment is enormous and is really the biggest cost of this.

So 4 trips to town and back - in the end this will be 6 hours of my time.

The shop looks like a pawn shop and the people working there have a sketchy used car salesman vibe. It is absolutely not luxury but this is where Rolex asks I service my watch.

Anyway - I’ve already contacted them to correct this but I guess what I want to know is - how infuriated should I be? I’m feeling about a 7/10. Maybe this is just an expectation in the luxury watch community? I dunno but in my other “luxury communities” this would be absolutely unacceptable.

Hope this get sorted out soon!

Originally Posted by SearChart

And it's not always reason for concern.

Air contains moisture, when a watch is closed that air is trapped together with its ambient moisture. Thermal shock will show condensation on the crystal, but if it's a small spot that disappears within a minute it is within Rolex tolerance.

Thanks for sharing Bas!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Singslinger]

Maybe guaranteeing full waterproofness of a 50-year old watch isn't possible?

Apologies, I'm no expert but I do know of a friend who took a 1970s GMT-Master to the Rolex Service Centre in Singapore to be serviced, and was told that they couldn't guarantee the watch would be waterproof after service, and advised him not to swim in it.

In any case, perhaps just return it to the AD who handled your service, IMHO condensation isn't acceptable and should be fixed.

Good luck!

[physicist]

Condensed vapor on the inside of the crystal is never acceptable, in my opinion.

[amh]

Originally Posted by physicist

Condensed vapor on the inside of the crystal is never acceptable, in my opinion.

Yes. I'd like to see pics of condensation from all those who say this is perfectly normal - on _their_ watches not some web pic.

I bet we'll see zero!

[watchmaker]

What help will a photograph be if you refuse to accept the explanation of why it can happen?

Nobody is saying condensation is good for a watch, but a small amount is not harmful. That moisture is already in the air inside the case. Sometimes it condenses and is visible.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by amh

I don't accept it as normal either. The tech should have held his breath when screwing on the case back. Send a puff of dry air from a can while you're at it!

You can not accept it, but your opinion will not change Rolex tolerance, nor will anyone really care.

It can be that there's too much vapour in OP's watch, it could also be very well within tolerance. It needs to be looked at either way.