Bezel locked down on my Black Bay

[samson66]

My four-month-old Tudor Black Bay blue is experiencing a problem. Starting about a month ago on my trip to Punta Cana I started to notice the rotating bezel getting "sticky" and not turning easily. The longer it would sit without use the harder if would be to turn the bezel for the first time. Once I got it going it would seem to turn relatively normally but requiring slightly more torque than normal in my opinion. I wore this watch for a week straight in salt water conditions, pool, sand etc.

Well yesterday I wore it for the first time in about a week and the bezel has completely locked down. I can't get it to break free. I think I could apply more pressure but I'm worried I may break something and make it worse.

I take care of my watches and wash this one regularly so I don't know what the problem could be.

Any suggestions or should I just send it off to RSC for warranty service? Any chance they will deny my warranty claim and say I caused this somehow? The watch is meant for underwater use so not sure what else I could have done other than rinsing it off every day?

Thanks for the help!

[cop414]

Try holding under warm running water while gently scrubbing where the bezel meets the case with a SOFT toothbrush and dawn dish detergent. You might have some grit lodged in there.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by cop414

Try holding under warm running water while gently scrubbing where the bezel meets the case with a SOFT toothbrush and dawn dish detergent. You might have some grit lodged in there.

Thanks for the comment. Is there something specific about Dawn or can I use any dish soap?

[pensandwatches]

You can also try using dental floss to get under the bezel to remove any dirt.

Otherwise bring it to an AD.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by pensandwatches

You can also try using dental floss to get under the bezel to remove any dirt.

Otherwise bring it to an AD.

This watch got abused pretty good in DR. Snorkeling, sand, salt water, dirt, sweat. I'll give the dish soap and dental floss a try first. Just didn't want to risk making it worse and then being denied a warranty claim...

[Raza_actual]

Originally Posted by samson66

This watch got abused pretty good in DR. Snorkeling, sand, salt water, dirt, sweat. I'll give the dish soap and dental floss a try first. Just didn't want to risk making it worse and then being denied a warranty claim...

I’m not sure warranty would even cover something like this. It sounds like it’s a frozen bezel due to grit and dirt, or whatever.

Personally, I would start with a mild hand soap. Some of those dish soaps can be pretty harsh. Also, make triple sure your crown is screwed down before you start cleaning.

[watchwatcher]

I had the same issue with my Pelagos, (which I bought pre-owned and have no idea what the owner did to it)

Honestly, I just took a shower with it, and it worked perfectly after that. Go figure.

[samson66]

Interesting

Well you all have definitely convinced me to go home and give the watch a good bath and see what happens. I'll try the dental floss trick too. If neither works I guess I will have to take a trip to the AD for service. Bummer since this watch is so new.

I have a toothbrush that is specifically made for cleaning watches (very soft) so maybe that will work. Still surprised this happens since I wash my watches regularly, particularly when they have been in the ocean or pool. Hmmmmm

[ap1]

Don’t forget to floss your teeth too.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by ap1

Don’t forget to floss your teeth too.

But of course, waterpik too!

[Spoonage]

I've never had my bezels on any of my watches freeze up (BLNR, SubC, BBN, Tudor Sub). All have played in the dirt, sand, ocean, hiking, etc. etc. But I always rinse with clean water as soon as possible, and then a thorough clean when back at home, campsite, etc.

Agree with the above that a good scrubbing may be in order and the dental floss trick could help get any grit out.

[81sforlife]

Salt build up. I had to pop my bezel assembly off my Sub a couple weeks ago and clean it up. I always rinse with fresh water, but after being at the beach for a week it still had some.

Just use some warm water and dawn and a soft bristle toothbrush.

[dnslater]

This has happened to me at the beach. Usually if I submerge it in water and wiggle the bezel, it comes lose. This is assuming it is sand or something obstructing the mechanism.

[tudorbaja27]

Mine got stuck after getting back from Cuba. A little bit of sand was the issue. Run some water and try rotating it. Floss worked for me to get the small sand particles out

[samson66]

Great tips everyone, thank you. I'm gonna mess with it tonight and will report back.

[toxicavenger]

The tolerances are so close if anything gets in there it will cause this issue. Super common on the Pelagos. So do like everyone said.

[Old Geezer]

Not kidding, if you have a Waterpik, try that. It might be just enough to flush out any grit that may have gotten under the bezel. I’ve used one on my sub when it’s particularly gunky with sunscreen, perspiration and sand with no ill effects. It’s not like the Waterpik is an industrial pressure washer.
Good luck and please don’t attempt remove the bezel. You could go from bad to worse if you don’t the right tools and know what you are doing.

[samson66]

Wanted to report back in my progress. Last night I took the watch and soaked in warm water and soap in the bathroom sink. Let it sit for 10 min or so then messed with it. The bezel did free up and appears to be rotating normally. The "clicks" sound right and it doesn't have that slushy feeling like it did the last time I freed it. I'm guessing salt was probably the cause (and maybe some sand too) and the soaking eventually caused the salt to dissolve. I'll try it again tonight to make sure it still rotates easily. Many thanks for all the replies! Love this board

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by samson66

Wanted to report back in my progress. Last night I took the watch and soaked in warm water and soap in the bathroom sink. Let it sit for 10 min or so then messed with it. The bezel did free up and appears to be rotating normally. The "clicks" sound right and it doesn't have that slushy feeling like it did the last time I freed it. I'm guessing salt was probably the cause (and maybe some sand too) and the soaking eventually caused the salt to dissolve. I'll try it again tonight to make sure it still rotates easily. Many thanks for all the replies! Love this board

could we get a picture of the bb?

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Etschell

could we get a picture of the bb?

Sure - here ya go!

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by samson66

Sure - here ya go!

awesome.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Etschell

awesome.

Thank you. Love the watch. Really filled a need I had for an extra-casual watch. Perfect for places where you don't necessarily want the world to notice you are wearing a Rolex and elsewhere where you want a more of a backyard BBQ look. Such a great under-the-radar watch, especially on the nato.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thank you. Love the watch. Really filled a need I had for an extra-casual watch. Perfect for places where you don't necessarily want the world to notice you are wearing a Rolex and elsewhere where you want a more of a backyard BBQ look. Such a great under-the-radar watch, especially on the nato.

yes i have the loud one but enjoy it

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Etschell

yes i have the loud one but enjoy it
Attachment 969658

That is really nice! Maybe a little louder but still under-the-radar in it's own way. And hey, you have a date! I wanted a no-date version but I can't even count the number of times I have looked down at my BB for the date before realizing for the 100th time that it doesn't have one LOL

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Etschell

yes i have the loud one but enjoy it
Attachment 969658

...and (unlike the SD4K) they put the date window where it BELONGS!

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by samson66

...and (unlike the SD4K) they put the date window where it BELONGS!

Ty

[Raza_actual]

Originally Posted by samson66

That is really nice! Maybe a little louder but still under-the-radar in it's own way. And hey, you have a date! I wanted a no-date version but I can't even count the number of times I have looked down at my BB for the date before realizing for the 100th time that it doesn't have one LOL

Glad you got the bezel unstuck! For me, no date is a big feature. Most of the watches I wear are no date, and the only one I wear commonly with a date I only ever check the date when I put it on or set it to make sure it’s right. Not a big fan of date windows.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Raza_actual

Glad you got the bezel unstuck! For me, no date is a big feature. Most of the watches I wear are no date, and the only one I wear commonly with a date I only ever check the date when I put it on or set it to make sure it’s right. Not a big fan of date windows.

I purposely wanted a no-date black bay since my other two watches have date windows and I prefered the simple cleaner look this time around. But I can't say i don't miss it. I don't regret not getting a date, but it is a useful feature to have. But overall on this particular black bay I thought the simpler the better. It is nice to set the time and not have to worry about am/pm or a date I have to say