My watch "vibrates" occasionally. (It's not an Apple Watch...!)

[Lumberjact]

Hiya folks,

I have a quick technical question. I have a 214270 Explorer (2011 model, 3132 movement) which is worn almost all of the time and doing everything. In the last week or so I've noticed a funny sensation with the watch on my wrist: it seems to vibrate for less than a second every now and again. It feels a bit like one of those "smart" watches telling me something, except it isn't! It tends to happen with sharp and repetitive downward movements of my arms (for example, pushing my kids on a swing, etc). I've managed to recreate it by holding the watch in my hand (like one would hold a stopwatch) and moving it quickly left and right with my wrist only. After about 20-30 shakes, I feel a vibration and a hear a slight "rubbing" noise. If I were to guess, it feels like the rotor is not moving smoothly. The watch hasn't experienced any particular trauma (other than falling off my bedside table onto a wooden floor) but I'm sure that wouldn't have caused any damage.

I'm little concerned by this since I haven't noticed it before. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether this is normal? The watch itself is performing fine - no timekeeping issues, and I've no problem with this "feature" provided it's not doing any harm.

Thanks in advance.

[MonBK]

A warning signal?

[Thatguy]

Time for a service?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Quailhunter]

Did the watch exhibit the vibration before falling onto the floor? If not, and the watch was mine, I'd send it in for service.

[brandxbrand]

I had this exact issue with my Tudor Black Bay.

Send it in for service. Mine ended up requiring a full overhaul, however I ended up just being offered a new watch because the AD voided the factory warrenty by trying to service themselves.

The believed magnetization was the root cause but we'll never know.

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by brandxbrand

I had this exact issue with my Tudor Black Bay.

Send it in for service. Mine ended up requiring a full overhaul, however I ended up just being offered a new watch because the AD voided the factory warrenty by trying to service themselves.

The believed magnetization was the root cause but we'll never know.

Interesting. Was it due a full overhaul anyway, or did this issue represent something requiring a full overhaul? Magnetism would affect the timekeeping wouldn't it?

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by Quailhunter

Did the watch exhibit the vibration before falling onto the floor? If not, and the watch was mine, I'd send it in for service.

I don't think it did - not sure to be honest - but thanks for the advice

[brandxbrand]

Originally Posted by Lumberjact

Interesting. Was it due a full overhaul anyway, or did this issue represent something requiring a full overhaul? Magnetism would affect the timekeeping wouldn't it?

The watch was 12 months old. All of a sudden it started doing it. Magnetization speeds up the watch - can be a lot, can be subtle depending on how strong the magnetization is. Your Explorer has the parachrome spring which is meant to prevent it, but there are other components that magnetization might effect.

The reason I believed it to be a magnet issue is the store ran the watch through a de-magnetizer a few times and the vibrating symptoms did improve a big, bit not enough for me to take it back without a warranty check.

Anyho, get the watch checked out. You don't want to neglect it and it cause a bigger issue down the line.

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by brandxbrand

The watch was 12 months old. All of a sudden it started doing it. Magnetization speeds up the watch - can be a lot, can be subtle depending on how strong the magnetization is. Your Explorer has the parachrome spring which is meant to prevent it, but there are other components that magnetization might effect.

The reason I believed it to be a magnet issue is the store ran the watch through a de-magnetizer a few times and the vibrating symptoms did improve a big, bit not enough for me to take it back without a warranty check.

Anyho, get the watch checked out. You don't want to neglect it and it cause a bigger issue down the line.

Thanks pal!

[KrismanX]

I'd say better safe than sorry and have a pro take a look. WCS you're paying for piece of mind. I'm also no expert, so best of luck and I hope it's nothing serious

[rolexnub]

You have a hybrid Rolex watch.

[Lumberjact]

Hi folks,

Just wanted to update on my vibrating watch issue from a couple of months back. I took the watch into a very reputable Parisian AD and asked them about it. The watchmaker came straight up and had a look. He took it into his atelier for about 10 minutes and came back and said that it was nothing other than a bit of oil which had gotten dirty, he cleaned it out, re-oiled it, and said it's fine for another 5 years. €50 all in. Have to say I'm pretty relieved with the diagnosis and pleased not to have to shell out €500 for a full overhaul just yet.

No bearing issue, no jewel damage, no magnetism - just plain old dirt build-up.

Have a great weekend all.

[Uhtred59]

Good that you caught it early:-)

[AF_Rob]

That's great news! Mine had a similar problem, it ended up being a minor issue with the rotor.

[mercman]

How did the dirt get into the watch?.

[SeaDweller50]

Unless you work at CERN you're highly unlikely to magnetise your Rolex.

[Thatguy]

Great outcome!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk