Help with 16610 Accuracy

[bax_tron]

Have had my 16610 for exactly a week now. Must say I love the way the watch wears and the simple beauty of the design.

It is, however, running quite fast so I am coming to the forum for advice.

A little relevant background: I purchased the watch from a store here in town that sells tons of pre-owned Rolexes. My AD sends folks there that are looking for out of production models and the head salesman has told me that he buys and sells pieces from the owner all the time. Additionally, the sales guy (who is kind of a buddy of mine now.. we talk watches every time I go in to the AD) has told me privately that the store services older models for him. All that to say, it is a reputable shop.

Now when I purchased my Sub Date the store owner told me it had been serviced (like all of the watches on offer there). I cannot verify this myself, but I trust the guy. The shop provides a one year warranty with every Rolex.

My problem: the watch has been consistently running +12s/day. I shrugged it off the first four of five days, thinking to myself that maybe the watch had been sitting in the cabinet for years and needs to work itself back in to accuracy. I have been sleeping in the watch so the last two nights I have left it on my nightstand in a crown-up position, as recommended, in an attempt to positionally regulate. Still gaining time on a +12s/day rate.

I think I know what I should do, but would appreciate your take. I feel like I have four options:

1) Let the power reserve run down then wind it up and see how it works for a week or so. I don't know why I feel like this is an option.

2) Take it in to the shop I bought it from, utilize my 1 year warranty, and ask them to regulate it. I am assuming this won't cost me anything but in the back of my mind I am thinking if they serviced the watch and it is running fast, who's to say they can regulate it to the point where I will be happy (within COSC requirements)?

3) Take it in to my local AD and ask for one of their Rolex certified watchmakers to regulate it. Any guesses on what this would cost me? Would they do this despite the fact that I did not buy it from them? Would they perform this procedure without servicing the watch completely? (I don't want to start incurring unnecessary costs)

4) Send it to RSC Dallas. This seems like an extreme solution, but a solution nonetheless.

Thanks in advance for your advice. I love this watch and having it run a little fast is not super disappointing at the moment, but to me Rolex is the epitome of watchmaking because they deliver the entire package. Right now I have a tank of a watch that has and will continue to stand the test of time. Just want to get the accuracy issue sewed up.

[kromdom]

option 2

[bax_tron]

A few pictures... because everyone likes those.

[ACWATCHES]

I have the exact same problem..im wondering if its slightly mangetised as mine has been in the dealers safe before i purchased it. I would go for option 2 also first.

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[UptownExchange]

I'd utilize option 2 as well, these watches are workhorses, something is off, whether it be demagnetized or re regulated.

[Sandblaster]

i'd let the power reserve run out and then see if it's fast for the next day or two.

then take it to the AD. you have about 50 weeks left on that 1 year warranty so i'd see if that solves the issue vs. having them open it up and start messing around.

if it doesn't solve the issue, then you'll know the next step is for them to open it up.

[surrounded21]

I thought it was crown down to slow it down

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[peterskinner]

My experience has been that 'servicing' outside of the formal Rolex network can mean everything, or nothing. I know of one big UK second-hand dealer who simply measures the watch, without even opening the back. I bought an expensive watch, with 'full service' before sale, but when I took it to my own watch guy it turned out the watch hadn't even been lubricated.
It's just so difficult to know what is really being done, in a 'service' of a used watch before sale. These days, I assume they have often not been serviced in any meaningful sense.

[ming the merciless]

Originally Posted by peterskinner

My experience has been that 'servicing' outside of the formal Rolex network can mean everything, or nothing. I know of one big UK second-hand dealer who simply measures the watch, without even opening the back. I bought an expensive watch, with 'full service' before sale, but when I took it to my own watch guy it turned out the watch hadn't even been lubricated.
It's just so difficult to know what is really being done, in a 'service' of a used watch before sale. These days, I assume they have often not been serviced in any meaningful sense.

I agree with that.

My 30yr old Sub was regulated when I had it serviced a year or two back. It gains 1 second a day now. Your watch should be capable of the same.

[RW16610]

In your shoes I would take advantage of option 2. They "serviced" it yet failed to see the accuracy was 12 second / day? Part of the service process as we all know is timing the watch on the machine. Either way, things happen and it seems like a good shop (so they should resolve this). Before you know it you'll be enjoying this classic within COSC specs!

[Tools]

As you have found out, "positional" timing is only for adjustments of fractions-of-a-second, not for such a large variance.

If you are comfortable with the vendor you bought it from, take it there (option 2) for regulation; it ain't rocket science.

Nothing wrong with taking it in to a Dealer with a watchmaker on staff too. Ask them what their charge is for regulation. Expect to pay about an hour for labor.

[bax_tron]

Thanks everyone. My inclination was to take it back to the shop I purchased it from and have them regulate it. Glad to hear so many suggest this is the best option.

I guess I was unsure if I could trust the place to regulate the movement after selling me a "serviced" watch that isn't keeping correct time. But it doesn't sound like that uncommon of a deal and the regulation itself doesn't seem too complex.

Should the shop be able to regulate my watch in a day? Or, how long should I expect them to hold on to it?

[bax_tron]

Originally Posted by Tools

As you have found out, "positional" timing is only for adjustments of fractions-of-a-second, not for such a large variance.

If you are comfortable with the vendor you bought it from, take it there (option 2) for regulation; it ain't rocket science.

Nothing wrong with taking it in to a Dealer with a watchmaker on staff too. Ask them what their charge is for regulation. Expect to pay about an hour for labor.

Thanks for the advice. May go see what my AD would charge first. Sounds like a quick procedure, too! Was worried I would fork it over for a day or so. But, the accuracy is worth it to me.