Explorer ii problem.

[samuelhuntington]

Hi everyone. I have a explorer ii 16570 random serial with the 3186 movement. This watch was purchased from ad in July of 2011.

I was just setting the time after about two weeks of non use and when I had the crown in the second position, where just the hour hand jumps in one hour increments, when the hour hand stopped jumping and started moving smoothly. I moved the crown in and out of its different positions and the hour hand no longer moves in one hour increments like it should. The date still changes when it goes past 12 but I fear something is broken.

Has this happened to anyone? Do you think rolex will give me a break since its only 6 months after the warranty ended or am I looking at a full service? I know I'll just have to send it in but if anyone has any experience with this I would love to hear. Thanks so much

[Brenngun]

Has never happened to any of mine. Go back and see your friendly AD. They may be able to work something out.

[samuelhuntington]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Has never happened to any of mine. Go back and see your friendly AD. They may be able to work something out.

Yah I would but I bought here used from a Trf trusted seller. Probably just have to deal with NYC rsc...

[xjeeunitx]

try pulling out the crown to its third position and rotate it until you progress to next few days. Then go back and try moving in the 2nd position again.

[Z-Sub]

Move crown in both directions. It probably is not a difficult fix. Best of luck!

[samuelhuntington]

Originally Posted by xjeeunitx

try pulling out the crown to its third position and rotate it until you progress to next few days. Then go back and try moving in the 2nd position again.

Yup just tried this as well as moving both directions. When I move the minute hand the hour hand sometimes moves with it and then it just stops. Off to rsc I guess.

This is quite frustrating on a two and a half year old watch. I know these watches are mechanical and these things happen, I just really don't want to get soaked for a full service on such a new watch.

[ceconomakis]

Many people have tried various quick fix solutions and some do work.
But, these are precision watches so if something like this does occur in my opinion, stop playing with it and send for repairs.
All comments and opinions will not pay the possible additional damage that could occur.
It is bad luck this happened but it has happened to many who bought a watch new and a few months after warranty expires, it breaks.

[samuelhuntington]

Originally Posted by ceconomakis

Many people have tried various quick fix solutions and some do work.
But, these are precision watches so if something like this does occur in my opinion, stop playing with it and send for repairs.
All comments and opinions will not pay the possible additional damage that could occur.
It is bad luck this happened but it has happened to many who bought a watch new and a few months after warranty expires, it breaks.

Sound advice. Thank you all. Sending it in tomorrow.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by samuelhuntington

Yup just tried this as well as moving both directions. When I move the minute hand the hour hand sometimes moves with it and then it just stops. Off to rsc I guess.

This is quite frustrating on a two and a half year old watch. I know these watches are mechanical and these things happen, I just really don't want to get soaked for a full service on such a new watch.

Sounds like a easy fix there have been a few reports very similar to yours on forum and all with the 3186.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by samuelhuntington

Yup just tried this as well as moving both directions. When I move the minute hand the hour hand sometimes moves with it and then it just stops. Off to rsc I guess.

This is quite frustrating on a two and a half year old watch. I know these watches are mechanical and these things happen, I just really don't want to get soaked for a full service on such a new watch.

It is frustrating but it is a failure of the early 3186 movements that we have heard of and is documented in the Forum..

I believe that I would let Rolex know that this is a well known manufacturing fault and even though the watch is out of warranty, it should be repaired as a warranty issue. Rolex is well aware that many 3186 movements are ticking time bombs in this regard.

[samuelhuntington]

Originally Posted by Tools

It is frustrating but it is a failure of the early 3186 movements that we have heard of and is documented in the Forum..

I believe that I would let Rolex know that this is a well known manufacturing fault and even though the watch is out of warranty, it should be repaired as a warranty issue. Rolex is well aware that many 3186 movements are ticking time bombs in this regard.

Thanks. That was the info I was looking for. Ill do a search and read up on the 3186 issues before I talk to them. I had no idea. I sent it in today and it will be there at the end of the week. I hope for the best. Thanks everyone

[samuelhuntington]

So I just got the repair estimate from rolex NYC. They said the movement needed service. Since the watch is only 6 months out of warranty the took $200 off the service fee to make it a $400 fix. I called and spoke with a rep there and told him this was a well documented issue with the 3186 movement. I asked for a bigger discount and they are going to talk to manager and call me tomorrow. So if they only give me the 200 off does that seem fair to you? Should I write a letter to rolex Geneva and take it farther or just pay. What would you do in my spot. Any advice appreciated. Thanks

[HL65]

Originally Posted by samuelhuntington

So I just got the repair estimate from rolex NYC. They said the movement needed service. Since the watch is only 6 months out of warranty the took $200 off the service fee to make it a $400 fix. I called and spoke with a rep there and told him this was a well documented issue with the 3186 movement. I asked for a bigger discount and they are going to talk to manager and call me tomorrow. So if they only give me the 200 off does that seem fair to you? Should I write a letter to rolex Geneva and take it farther or just pay. What would you do in my spot. Any advice appreciated. Thanks

I think the fact the watch is only 2 and a half years and needs a service is clearly due to an issue with the movement. It is nice they will take $200 off but for a watch that new and 6 months out of warranty I would expect more. Look forward to hearing response. I think you could write to Geneva but not sure how easy it would be to communicate with the mother ship. I would ask AD to contact Rolex and ask them to step up. Best of luck Sam!

[Old Expat Beast]

Well it is a known problem but not to the extent that Rolex will do a product recall. Your watch lasted for its warranty period, which is all was promised by Rolex. I'd let it go.

[Grey.Coupe]

Resolved in the 3187, I guess...

[samuelhuntington]

Update. After a little back and forth I got a call today from Isabella from rolex. She was much more helpful than the previous gentleman I talked with before. This is what they offered me: they will fix the problem free of charge and return the watch unpolished and without a new 2 year warranty. just a quick fix like some of you thought.

Or, they will service the watch and give me the 2 year warranty for the price of $300.

What would you do? I was thinking that I might flip this watch in the near future and I'm sure it would be easier to sell with the warranty but would I get 300 more for it??? Or just fix and flip? It's still just a 2.5 year old watch. Thanks

[RRGHOST1]

If you are thinking of flipping the watch in the near future,i would get the service and warranty for $300,it will be a good selling point IMO.

[watchwatcher]

If you're going to flip it, I don't think I would pay the $300...just my two cents.

[petenyc]

I would not get the warranty

[samuelhuntington]

Originally Posted by RRGHOST1

If you are thinking of flipping the watch in the near future,i would get the service and warranty for $300,it will be a good selling point IMO.

Yah I am leaning towards the service as I'm sure it would be easier to sell but it might be a waste of 300 as the watch will sell either way. Thanks