Condensation in Crystal... any recommendations?

[Solo118]

So I got a diamond bezel (aftermarket) installed on my Wife's Datejust 36mm not too long ago.

She took a shower with the watch on as usual, ensuring the crown was closed and about an hour after the shower the crystal is foggy and full of condensation.

It has been a couple of hours and it has gone away, but only because I knew to pop out the crown and leave the watch to breathe.

My question is, in order to get this watch fixed does anyone know of a place that I can get this fixed in Midtown Manhattan? I would like to maybe get a new crystal gasket installed to be safe, and of course do a water test to ensure she can shower and swim lightly with the watch as its meant to do.

I just dont trust the guy that installed it in the first place (in the diamond district of nyc 47th st)

If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it!

[Tools]

1st. Since you have an aftermarket bezel, you need to find an independent watchmaker who will work on it.. I suspect that there are plenty. The Rolex RSC used to have a list of watchmakers they handed out for those watches they won't work on.. You could also ask any Dealer or check to see if they have a watchmaker on staff..

2nd. You need a pressure test first to know where it is leaking from.. Doesn't do any good to just guess...

3rd. On a Rolex, you cannot just open the crown and let the watch 'breath'. All Rolex Oysters have a seal in the tube that captures the stem and this provides the waterproof seal, not just screwing down the crown.. The watch is waterproof even with the crown unscrewed if the seals are intact..


Lastly, it is important that you take care of this immediately. Much of the metal inside is bare and will begin to rust quickly. Even if you think the moisture is out, itis only off the crystal. It's best to do a full clean, oil, and adjust service to ensure no water is trapped in any bushing, jewel, or between surfaces...

[Solo118]

Wow Tools, thank you for that explanation. I am going to get it checked out tomorrow!

I guess I will go through the yellow pages for a proper watchsmith that has the proper skill to find the leak and double check with a pressure test/water test.

Again, if anyone in the NYC area has a recommendation I would greatly appreciate it!

[horseco]

bring it back to the Diamond district & make them fix it...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Solo118

So I got a diamond bezel (aftermarket) installed on my Wife's Datejust 36mm not too long ago.

She took a shower with the watch on as usual, ensuring the crown was closed and about an hour after the shower the crystal is foggy and full of condensation.

It has been a couple of hours and it has gone away, but only because I knew to pop out the crown and leave the watch to breathe.

My question is, in order to get this watch fixed does anyone know of a place that I can get this fixed in Midtown Manhattan? I would like to maybe get a new crystal gasket installed to be safe, and of course do a water test to ensure she can shower and swim lightly with the watch as its meant to do.

I just dont trust the guy that installed it in the first place (in the diamond district of nyc 47th st)

If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it!

I expect what has happened here is that a tiny bit of air with moisture in it was trapped in the watch case when dial was changed.Heat the watch up quickly from say from cold condensation on crystal.If condensation goes away in a a short time and no water droplets on crystal you should be OK but its best to get it checked out.

[travisb]

Originally Posted by Tools

1st. Since you have an aftermarket bezel, you need to find an independent watchmaker who will work on it.. I suspect that there are plenty. The Rolex RSC used to have a list of watchmakers they handed out for those watches they won't work on.. You could also ask any Dealer or check to see if they have a watchmaker on staff..

2nd. You need a pressure test first to know where it is leaking from.. Doesn't do any good to just guess...

3rd. On a Rolex, you cannot just open the crown and let the watch 'breath'. All Rolex Oysters have a seal in the tube that captures the stem and this provides the waterproof seal, not just screwing down the crown.. The watch is waterproof even with the crown unscrewed if the seals are intact..


Lastly, it is important that you take care of this immediately. Much of the metal inside is bare and will begin to rust quickly. Even if you think the moisture is out, itis only off the crystal. It's best to do a full clean, oil, and adjust service to ensure no water is trapped in any bushing, jewel, or between surfaces...

x2 - says it all

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by horseco

bring it back to the Diamond district & make them fix it...

I would take it back to the installer but to be honest it doesn't look like he has the high tech items for a pressure test. He had a tiny workbench and some tools. I will definitely raise hell to the shop that sold it to me though because they recommended this installer.

[rolexertion]

Folks, don't have aftermarket accessories, parts or finishes applied to your Rolexes. The risk is too high, and it takes the watch off the list for authorized Rolex service.

To the OP, sorry it happened. If it were me, I'd ask RSC NYC if they would agree to return the watch to original condition, or possibly remove the aftermarket bezel and install a Rolex diamond bezel. That way it could be serviced as an actual Rolex. It's worth a try.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by padi56

I expect what has happened here is that a tiny bit of air with moisture in it was trapped in the watch case when dial was changed.Heat the watch up quickly from say from cold condensation on crystal.If condensation goes away in a a short time and no water droplets on crystal you should be OK but its best to get it checked out.

I read it as a bezel change and not the dial?

It's most likely leaking around the bezel as a lot of the aftermarket ones are not made up to spec and doesn't put enough pressure on the crystal.

Hurry up and get it serviced or you'll end up with a useless rusty movement.

[Speed]

Try yelp.com and look up some local watch repair places.

You were kidding re: Yellow Pages weren't you? ;-)

This interwebs thing is cool. The Google also works well !

Good luck!

[slcbbrown]

Run, don't walk, to your local watch guy to have this looked at. I would think that moisture in the watch just from showering (not diving) means the water is pouring in from somewhere. Pulling the stem out may stop the movement but won't do anything to help dry out the watch. Good luck.