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Dave_T26 · 20 April 2011, 01:49 PM

I've been having a bit of a problem with the bezel on my Sea-Dweller (circa '84). About once a day or so, when I go to turn the bezel, it doesn't click until I snap it down-- not a huge snap, but a little push down counter-clockwise and then it's fine. If I don't do that, it can rotate in both directions (without clicking) but it maintains its tension (it doesn't spin freely).

I used to go diving with the watch but I haven't done so in a long time, and I don't foresee doing so in the future, so I'm more worried about possibly losing the bezel than having it spin in the wrong direction while diving. I can live with it for now unless this sounds like a problem that needs immediate attention (does this sound like a potential "bezel-losing" issue?).

I'm not sure if this should be handled at an AD, RSC walk-in (I'm close to NYC), etc.

Any feedback is appreciated.

sleddog · 20 April 2011, 02:13 PM

Possibly a slightly bent spring clip Dave.....If so, a cheap and easy fix!

Ask at an AD if they have an inhouse watchmaker or you could try RSC NYC if you're close..
Best of luck!

etp095 · 20 April 2011, 02:35 PM

If your so close to an rsc,i'd go that route.

George Ab · 20 April 2011, 02:48 PM

Any competent watchmaker will have that taken care of inside of 15 minutes..... tops.

Remove, clean, replace spring (if necessary), lub, reinstall. That will be $35...

Jannal · 20 April 2011, 02:50 PM

Try using WD40 (lubricant)?

padi56 · 20 April 2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Ab

Any competent watchmaker will have that taken care of inside of 15 minutes..... tops.

Remove, clean, replace spring (if necessary), lub, reinstall. That will be $35...

X2 Its a very simple job.

Dave_T26 · 20 April 2011, 08:18 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

rl96701 · 22 April 2011, 08:29 PM

I have the exact same issue with my 16660.... let us know how the fix goes

buke45 · 22 April 2011, 11:17 PM

easy to do it yourself!!

pawnshopkiller · 23 April 2011, 12:08 AM

My watch tech says he has some kind of tool to reshape the Rolex sports model bezels when they get like this. I will ask him whats up with it and report back. He has fixed loose bezels like you describe for me in the past. I don't think its the spring.

pawnshopkiller · 23 April 2011, 12:10 AM

Ok I just called him. The tool is made by Rolex the Reference number is 1006. He said you can only get it from Rolex and on the tool it says Tool for revolvable bezels.

Dave_T26 · 23 April 2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buke45

easy to do it yourself!!

Perhaps easy for you, but I'm not comfortable with a DIY on something that I've never done before, especially when a pro repair is apparently fairly inexpensive.

I'm sure we've all heard stories about attempts at easy repairs by novices going horribly wrong, either with watches or with whatever else (sounds like an interesting thread topic).

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawnshopkiller

My watch tech says he has some kind of tool to reshape the Rolex sports model bezels when they get like this. I will ask him whats up with it and report back. He has fixed loose bezels like you describe for me in the past. I don't think its the spring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawnshopkiller

Ok I just called him. The tool is made by Rolex the Reference number is 1006. He said you can only get it from Rolex and on the tool it says Tool for revolvable bezels.

Thanks for the info. I wouldn't think it's anything as dramatic as having to "reshape" the bezel. Some background-- the bezel is original to the watch and it had a new insert installed at RSC in early '07, no issues in terms of it rotating other than the issue of occasionally needing to be "snapped down" (for lack of a better term). Even when it needs to be snapped down, it doesn't feel like it's going to fall off and looks pretty much normal as it sits on the watch.

This week I'll take it to a local watchmaker and I'll call an AD just to see what they say.

onryo · 23 April 2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jannal

Try using WD40 (lubricant)?

Do not use WD-40 on anything Rolex.

WD stands for water displacer and will damage your gaskets. Use a bike chain or light 2nd amendment-style lubricant. You'll thank me later.

Jannal · 23 April 2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onryo

Do not use WD-40 on anything Rolex.

WD stands for water displacer and will damage your gaskets. Use a bike chain or light 2nd amendment-style lubricant. You'll thank me later.

Thank you!

pawnshopkiller · 23 April 2011, 11:44 PM

ok it's over 20 years old and you don't think it might be slightly misshapen?

Dave_T26 · 24 April 2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawnshopkiller

ok it's over 20 years old and you don't think it might be slightly misshapen?

The bezel does have mileage on it, but I don't think that's necessarily the problem. The issue isn't in the rotation, at all. If it was out-of-round or misshapen in some way, I think there'd be an issue with the rotation. The issue is that the bezel isn't staying 100% flush on the watch all the time. It feels like there's an occasional tension issue underneath the bezel. I do appreciate your suggestion and I'll definitely keep it in mind in case the cheaper/easier fix mentioned earlier in the thread isn't what's ultimately recommended (or if the AD/watchmaker says that the issue is the shape of the bezel itself, as you suggested). I'm planning on taking it in this week and I'll post an update. Posting pics here wouldn't help because it pretty much looks exactly the same whether the bezel is in place or not.

pawnshopkiller · 24 April 2011, 11:32 PM

I don't mean the bezel is out of round. There is a bezel underneath the bezel you see that it clips to. I mean this tool reshapes the edge on the underside that actually clips on to the bezel underneath. If this joint between bezels were more in factory tolerance the spring that others have mentioned wouldn't be able to push the bezel with the insert up like its doing. Think about it. all the spring is supposed to do is cause a little tension so the click spring will click when you turn the bezel no push the bezel up like its doing.

rl96701 · 25 April 2011, 07:04 AM

Initially I would notice the bezel would move from time to time. It also had 1-2mm of play up and down, and could once in a while move backward if lifted and rotated.

Yesterday I went to my watch guy, he said the spring was "no good"? took about 5 minutes to fix.

Now the bezel is tight, clicks well and has no up and down play.

Dave_T26 · 28 May 2011, 12:13 PM

You guys were right about it being a bent click spring and not a major issue, but in the course of getting this evaluated, I have an interesting story about a local AD. I was at the mall with my kids, and saw a Tourneau (yeah, I know) and figured I'd just go in and just ask them about it. I hadn't yet stopped by my AD to discuss the issue at that point, nor had I consulted a local watchmaker, so I just was curious about what they had to say. I walked in and talked to the first guy behind the counter (I really wasn't necessarily interested in actually having anything done there, but I was just curious to see how they'd handle it, so I didn't ask for their "watch guy" right away) and told him the situation.

As I showed him the watch and described the problem, he raised his eyebrows, let out a long, slow sigh, and shook his head slowly--- you'd think I'd just showed him a Rolex that had been run over by a tank, the way he reacted. He said that any time there was an issue where the bezel had to be removed, they had to send it out to Rolex for service. The guy confirmed that they had an in-house watchmaker (who wasn't there at that moment), but that regardless, they had to send it out before they could even give me an estimate, and that would take a few weeks.

Later, I called a local jeweler that I've gone to a few times, and had their watchmaker check it over. He confirmed that it would be a $30 repair to have the spring adjusted, in/out the same day. The watchmaker has a Rolex parts account and he's Rolex certified. Any minor repair (like this) I'd probably use this place, anything more serious I'll just walk it in to RSC in Manhattan.

Thanks again to everyone for all the advice (in this thread, and in this forum in general).

sleddog · 29 May 2011, 09:43 AM

Great to hear you got it sorted Dave....

From you're discription on your first post I was fairly confindent that was the issue...
Enjoy for years to come!

20 April 2011, 01:49 PM	#1
Dave_T26 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Watch: 16660, 116660 Posts: 139	16660 Bezel Issue I've been having a bit of a problem with the bezel on my Sea-Dweller (circa '84). About once a day or so, when I go to turn the bezel, it doesn't click until I snap it down-- not a huge snap, but a little push down counter-clockwise and then it's fine. If I don't do that, it can rotate in both directions (without clicking) but it maintains its tension (it doesn't spin freely). I used to go diving with the watch but I haven't done so in a long time, and I don't foresee doing so in the future, so I'm more worried about possibly losing the bezel than having it spin in the wrong direction while diving. I can live with it for now unless this sounds like a problem that needs immediate attention (does this sound like a potential "bezel-losing" issue?). I'm not sure if this should be handled at an AD, RSC walk-in (I'm close to NYC), etc. Any feedback is appreciated.

20 April 2011, 02:13 PM	#2
sleddog TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Rob Location: Nearby. Posts: 24,931	Possibly a slightly bent spring clip Dave.....If so, a cheap and easy fix! Ask at an AD if they have an inhouse watchmaker or you could try RSC NYC if you're close.. Best of luck! __________________ He who wears a Rolex is always on time, even when late!! TRF's "After Dark" Bar & Nightclub Patron-Founding Member..

20 April 2011, 02:35 PM	#3
etp095 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: rudolph Location: chicago burbs Posts: 2,026	If your so close to an rsc,i'd go that route. __________________ tt date circa 69' 5513 circa 81' ss sub w/date (z) pepsi gmt for dad(D) polar expy II(z) 1675 gmt circa 68' ladies datejust on jubilee for mom (z) sea dweller16600(M) SS Sub-C(g) Omega Planet Ocean,45.5 on mesh(2500D)

20 April 2011, 02:48 PM	#4
George Ab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: George Location: Seattle Watch: One of Them Posts: 6,924	Any competent watchmaker will have that taken care of inside of 15 minutes..... tops. Remove, clean, replace spring (if necessary), lub, reinstall. That will be $35... __________________

20 April 2011, 02:50 PM	#5
Jannal "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 685	Try using WD40 (lubricant)? __________________ Bell & Ross: BRS-98S Casio: G-Shock GW-5000U / GW-5000-1JF / DW-5035D 35th / DW-5030C 30th / DW-5000SP 20th / DW-5600C-9CV / Marlin W-450 Panerai: Luminor 000i Seiko: SBGX117 / SBGX335

20 April 2011, 08:18 PM	#7
Dave_T26 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Watch: 16660, 116660 Posts: 139	Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

22 April 2011, 08:29 PM	#8
rl96701 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: USA Watch: Sea Dweller Posts: 141	I have the exact same issue with my 16660.... let us know how the fix goes

22 April 2011, 11:17 PM	#9
buke45 Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Juan Location: Ponce, PR Watch: Your Butt Posts: 1,464	easy to do it yourself!!

23 April 2011, 12:08 AM	#10
pawnshopkiller Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Roscoe Location: florida Watch: 16618 Posts: 646	My watch tech says he has some kind of tool to reshape the Rolex sports model bezels when they get like this. I will ask him whats up with it and report back. He has fixed loose bezels like you describe for me in the past. I don't think its the spring.

23 April 2011, 12:10 AM	#11
pawnshopkiller Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Roscoe Location: florida Watch: 16618 Posts: 646	Ok I just called him. The tool is made by Rolex the Reference number is 1006. He said you can only get it from Rolex and on the tool it says Tool for revolvable bezels.

23 April 2011, 11:44 PM	#15
pawnshopkiller Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Roscoe Location: florida Watch: 16618 Posts: 646	ok it's over 20 years old and you don't think it might be slightly misshapen?

24 April 2011, 11:32 PM	#17
pawnshopkiller Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Roscoe Location: florida Watch: 16618 Posts: 646	I don't mean the bezel is out of round. There is a bezel underneath the bezel you see that it clips to. I mean this tool reshapes the edge on the underside that actually clips on to the bezel underneath. If this joint between bezels were more in factory tolerance the spring that others have mentioned wouldn't be able to push the bezel with the insert up like its doing. Think about it. all the spring is supposed to do is cause a little tension so the click spring will click when you turn the bezel no push the bezel up like its doing.

25 April 2011, 07:04 AM	#18
rl96701 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: USA Watch: Sea Dweller Posts: 141	Initially I would notice the bezel would move from time to time. It also had 1-2mm of play up and down, and could once in a while move backward if lifted and rotated. Yesterday I went to my watch guy, he said the spring was "no good"? took about 5 minutes to fix. Now the bezel is tight, clicks well and has no up and down play.

28 May 2011, 12:13 PM	#19
Dave_T26 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Watch: 16660, 116660 Posts: 139	You guys were right about it being a bent click spring and not a major issue, but in the course of getting this evaluated, I have an interesting story about a local AD. I was at the mall with my kids, and saw a Tourneau (yeah, I know) and figured I'd just go in and just ask them about it. I hadn't yet stopped by my AD to discuss the issue at that point, nor had I consulted a local watchmaker, so I just was curious about what they had to say. I walked in and talked to the first guy behind the counter (I really wasn't necessarily interested in actually having anything done there, but I was just curious to see how they'd handle it, so I didn't ask for their "watch guy" right away) and told him the situation. As I showed him the watch and described the problem, he raised his eyebrows, let out a long, slow sigh, and shook his head slowly--- you'd think I'd just showed him a Rolex that had been run over by a tank, the way he reacted. He said that any time there was an issue where the bezel had to be removed, they had to send it out to Rolex for service. The guy confirmed that they had an in-house watchmaker (who wasn't there at that moment), but that regardless, they had to send it out before they could even give me an estimate, and that would take a few weeks. Later, I called a local jeweler that I've gone to a few times, and had their watchmaker check it over. He confirmed that it would be a $30 repair to have the spring adjusted, in/out the same day. The watchmaker has a Rolex parts account and he's Rolex certified. Any minor repair (like this) I'd probably use this place, anything more serious I'll just walk it in to RSC in Manhattan. Thanks again to everyone for all the advice (in this thread, and in this forum in general).

29 May 2011, 09:43 AM	#20
sleddog TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Rob Location: Nearby. Posts: 24,931	Great to hear you got it sorted Dave.... From you're discription on your first post I was fairly confindent that was the issue... Enjoy for years to come! __________________ He who wears a Rolex is always on time, even when late!! TRF's "After Dark" Bar & Nightclub Patron-Founding Member..

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