Flooded GMT Master II

[uncleluck]

Originally Posted by scruffydoo

If it was recently then I sympathise but how long ago it was done really has a bearing on context for your views on how robust it should be.

It has never been serviced, not due to lazyness or unwillingness, more due to lack of knowledge. I have a long history with Rolex, they have always performed perfectly and look great, they are the world's best watch for the adventurous guy no? I always just assumed they were fully waterproof or at least splash proof and the servicing was just a check up to fix any minor faults etc.

Obviously I have to suck up this expensive lesson and change my opinion of how I think the world's best watch should perform.

I think the GMT master 2 was introduced in the early 80’s so it’s hard to know whether you should be annoyed or not.

Got any pics of it now? Be interested to see what it looks like. I see the pics posted with the rusted movements and have seen them myself but this is usually salt water. I’ve serviced recently flooded watches and you’ve got a good window before fresh water writes off a movement.

Originally Posted by joli160

It’s a pity this happened and would bugger me. I would have lost my joy in owning it and a new engine would not do it for me.
Scrap the thing and buy a 6 digit

Jeez, some people are harsh, scrap it haha.


It’s kind of like complaining about a ‘bullet proof’ Honda engine breaking and then finding out it’s never had one service in 20 years and 100k miles!

[Kliminator]

Originally Posted by scruffydoo

I didn't realize the crown wasn't down fully then went in a jacuzzi.

I love Rolex but not sure I want to stress about showering or swimming to the tune of $6-7k a pop.

That sucks but your watch really isn't to blame. Just make sure your crown is screwed down at all times and you will have no problems!

Good luck

[Bozack90]

Originally Posted by SearChart

They drilled through the case

man that is depressing, taking a great watch and ruining it.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by SearChart

For reference, this is what it looks like when it is flooded.

Screws will al be rusted shut, studs are rusted. Rust is the ultimate loctite... Honestly, I've tried salvaging movements like this, tried it several times.

THAT is ugly...

So do you have any first aid recommendations for a flooded movement? A couple of ideas come to mind but since I don't know anything about watch internals they could be wayyyyy off...

1. Remove the case back and soak the internals in something like WD40?

2. Remove the case back, rinse with fresh water then place in a warm oven? (NOT hot, like maybe 100F)

3. ?????

[Bozack90]

Originally Posted by scruffydoo

I'm also advised independently that keeping as many of the original parts (damaged or not) retains more value as does not polishing out the wear marks. I think I'll get a some pricing from independents and RSC's on my travels and report back... as a comparable heads up for others who will no doubt have this problem, particularly if you wear your watch daily as I do. I know I'd definitely be happier keeping it on and risking a leak than taking it off for every wash/shower/swim and risk losing it.

Keep ya posted

I think the number of folks who prioritize value retention and originality is growing which is why there are so many focused on this....growing up I remember my father loved when he sent his Sub in and they polished it up for him, but they were not nearly as expensive nor as difficult to find as they are now.

I would try to get it fixed sooner if it were me, and I also would totally try an independent given that cost....but with some of the posts about hot tubs and issues I would have a hard time taking one in....sure hindsight is 20/20....I have one watch that I have yet to service and at best I just rinse the bracelet off from time to time. I remember even in the 80s my father wouldn't wear his sub in the water....surely one can make a case for possessions owning them vs owning your stuff but I'd rather not deal with water damage when I know I am that far out of service.

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by scruffydoo

[I]

I'm also advised independently that keeping as many of the original parts (damaged or not) retains more value as does not polishing out the wear marks. I think I'll get a some pricing from independents and RSC's on my travels and report back... as a comparable heads up for others who will no doubt have this problem, particularly if you wear your watch daily as I do. I know I'd definitely be happier keeping it on and risking a leak than taking it off for every wash/shower/swim and risk losing it.

Keep ya posted

This is not a rare watch, so keeping damaged parts is not going to add any value. You can tell the RSC not to polish your watch if that is your wish.

Keep us up to date, and all the best to you. It would be great if you could post pictures of your watch now and what it looks like when it has been restored. A colleague of mine had his father's old Rolex Submariner restored by Rolex for a price approaching what you have been quoted. Was it worth it? Hell yes. Does he regret that the watch does not still have worn out original parts? Hell no. The watch is from the eighties and it looks like it did the day Rolex made it.

[mmaggi]

Hearing stories like this I'm happy I sent my recently purchased F-Series 16710 off to RSC Dallas for a full service.

[scooba]

I had a look for a 3185 movement and found several beat up examples for $1000 on fleabay parts only .

I found another on vintage Rolex market from 2001 and it was $2995 usd this was a new movement

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

THAT is ugly...

So do you have any first aid recommendations for a flooded movement? A couple of ideas come to mind but since I don't know anything about watch internals they could be wayyyyy off...

1. Remove the case back and soak the internals in something like WD40?

2. Remove the case back, rinse with fresh water then place in a warm oven? (NOT hot, like maybe 100F)

3. ?????

3. Accept that none of that will work and you need a new $$$ movement.

[scruffydoo]

A bit more useful info for owners is I'm told it was more likely the quick temp difference that caused the damage not the jacuzzi itself. i.e. jumping out of a cold swimming pool into a hot tub. I'd been doing the same thing daily for years without issue. Neither were salt water and I didn't notice any problems until several hours later when a slight mist appeared on the glass (inside). I did the usual old wives tales.. oven, bag of rice etc. and although it dried it out it left a couple of small water marks on the face and hands. I checked the crown and it wasn't out or loose (I no doubt would have spotted that before swimming), just not fully tight... so I just assumed this was the culprit but I guess the leak could have come from elsewhere.

I took it to an AD next day who took the back off and told me it was toast, corrosion had already set in. He advised it would need a new movement because repair it still expensive and not guaranteed to work long term. He also said it was no problem to keep using it given it wouldn't make a difference to the outcome and it would slowly grind to a halt eventually. It ran like a champ for around 8 months then just stopped...of course.

I understand it should have been serviced more regularly (the forum have certainly let me know this) but I'm also told this is no guarantee of avoiding this type of damage as the watch just isn't designed for water/temp shifts, so I just have to accept that Rolex has it's limitations and suck it up although my view remains that more emphasis should be made in the documentation of the possible problems (a do's and dont's) instead of just the hype about the exceptional waterproofness of an oyster case, which , given there is no servicing caveat, any buyer like me would believe but obviously isn't 100% accurate...if it says it's waterproof to 100m then you'd expect it to be right?...just thought I'd post as info/warning for others.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by Seibei

I highly recommend replacing the bracelet. You will be delighted when you get your watch back from the service.

If he is going to spend almost $2,000 on a bracelet, maybe he can source a glidelock bracelet on his own and put that on--I thought I read that the glidelock will work on 5-series Subs, so maybe GMTs, too?

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by scruffydoo

I took it to an AD next day who took the back off and told me it was toast, corrosion had already set in. He advised it would need a new movement because repair it still expensive and not guaranteed to work long term.

You took it to the AD the next day, and he told you after 24 hours in chlorinated water that it needed a new movement? That corrosion had set in? Is it possible that the AD is being overly conservative, like when they try to get customers to replace the hands or dial, or even the case, when the watch comes in for a routine service. He did say he "advised" a new movement. Sometimes thats key for "I'm trying to upsell you." He also said it wasn't "guaranteed" to work. Hmmm....I don't know. Maybe a good Indy would have a different opinion.

Originally Posted by scruffydoo

He also said it was no problem to keep using it given it wouldn't make a difference to the outcome and it would slowly grind to a halt eventually. It ran like a champ for around 8 months then just stopped...of course.

Wait....that was 8 months ago and you just let it run until it died?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by scruffydoo

. . . there is no servicing caveat, any buyer like me would believe but obviously isn't 100% accurate...if it says it's waterproof to 100m then you'd expect it to be right?...just thought I'd post as info/warning for others.

Keeping the seals undamaged and viable, a Rolex will be waterproof for decades.

Going from hot water to cold water temperatures will have no affect, other than potential condensation of moisture already trapped in the case.

[Thenwcomr]

Originally Posted by scruffydoo

[I]" I know I'd definitely be happier keeping it on and risking a leak than taking it off for every wash/shower/swim and risk losing it.

Keep ya posted

How the hell are you going to lose your watch by simply taking it off before you "swim" or "shower"? LOL C'mon, this sounds ridiculous. It's like you're 5 year old child with a marble.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Thenwcomr

How the hell are you going to lose your watch by simply taking it off before you "swim" or "shower"? LOL C'mon, this sounds ridiculous. It's like you're 5 year old child with a marble.

Beautiful.
I like that

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Wait....that was 8 months ago and you just let it run until it died?

And now he can't believe it is going to cost money to fix the damage...

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by Thenwcomr

How the hell are you going to lose your watch by simply taking it off before you "swim" or "shower"? LOL C'mon, this sounds ridiculous. It's like you're 5 year old child with a marble.

[scruffydoo]

Originally Posted by Seibei

And now he can't believe it is going to cost money to fix the damage...

you might want to think about cooling the attitude fella, literally nothing useful to contribute to this thread except smart comments

[scruffydoo]

Originally Posted by Thenwcomr

How the hell are you going to lose your watch by simply taking it off before you "swim" or "shower"? LOL C'mon, this sounds ridiculous. It's like you're 5 year old child with a marble.

daily ocean swimming, or should I just leave it on the beach.. smart mouth

[scruffydoo]

Originally Posted by exador

As you're travelling through HK, take it to Michael Young for a quote (he does watches as well as bracelets).

Thanks man, good lead, spoke to them and will drop in next week