Sub not waterproof????

[Thatguy]

My sub is just under 2 years old. I wear it in water a lot and even dive with it occasionally. I figured I would get it pressured checked just to be on the safe side. When I went in they told me because it was so new I was crazy to check it but they did anyway. Well, it failed!
My question is whether or not Rolex will fix it under warranty. I am thinking they will just tell me it was my fault somehow. The watchmaker today looked at it under a loupe and couldn't see anything indicating that it had dropped.
Has anyone else had this issue?


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[Chad072]

2nd test?

[gwozhog]

Send it in. Of course its under warranty.I would pressure test every year to be on the safe side.

[Tools]

How did it fail ?

A proper pressure test will tell you what seal is faulty. As to Rolex covering it under warranty, if it is from normal wear and tear, it is not a warranty issue. You would have to have them look it over to see if it is a covered manufacturing defect.

I believe that they recommend an annual pressure test if it is used for extended water use..

[Thatguy]

Originally Posted by Tools

How did it fail ?



A proper pressure test will tell you what seal is faulty. As to Rolex covering it under warranty, if it is from normal wear and tear, it is not a warranty issue. You would have to have them look it over to see if it is a covered manufacturing defect.



I believe that they recommend an annual pressure test if it is used for extended water use..

I was told they did a dry test and can't tell what seal failed?
I am very confused on what Rolex recommends. 1 AD said don't pressure test it and it is good until service. Another told me to have them do a "gasket service" every 2 years. I had it done for piece of mind at a reputable watchmaker near me.


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[ctang]

That's sad. They should stand behind the model that made them famous as a company that makes professional grade watches

[Mick P]

Chaps

I recently purchased a 2003 Sub from my local AD and it is due to go in for a full service in a few weeks time as part of the deal.

They recommended a pressure test once a year and they will do this for nothing on an ongoing basis.

I actually use my Sub for swimming, so it is a sensible precaution to get it done. It certainly takes the fear out of using it

Regards

Mick

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Tools

As to Rolex covering it under warranty, if it is from normal wear and tear, it is not a warranty issue.

What sort of normal wear and tear causes a seal to fail? Using the watch as a hammer, maybe? Let's see "I wore the watch and it failed. That's normal wear and tear and because it wasn't locked in a safe I'm at fault." Not much logic there. I'd tend to believe if a Rolex seal fails due to normal wear and tear that by definition is a warranty issue.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

What sort of normal wear and tear causes a seal to fail? Using the watch as a hammer, maybe? Let's see "I wore the watch and it failed. That's normal wear and tear and because it wasn't locked in a safe I'm at fault." Not much logic there. I'd tend to believe if a Rolex seal fails due to normal wear and tear that by definition is a warranty issue.

Send them a watch that has clearly has been used hard and you will not get warranty work done for anything less than a clear manufacturing defect.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

I was told they did a dry test and can't tell what seal failed?
I am very confused on what Rolex recommends. 1 AD said don't pressure test it and it is good until service. Another told me to have them do a "gasket service" every 2 years. I had it done for piece of mind at a reputable watchmaker near me.

A so-called dry test is a chamber pumped with air (and the watch), then the air is evacuated and they check for any case deviation using a dial-indicator touching the crystal.. The theory is that the initial air pumped in will enter the watch, expanding it slightly, and then the vacuum will suck air out and movement will shot that air going in and out of the watch..

It is not the best test method.

. Most AD's don't know what they are talking about. A failed crystal seal, the most common fail, will let water in. You don't want to find out about that when you are under the sea.

. Gasket service "every 2 years" isn't necessary unless you have an issue, that's likely the main reason Rolex uses "~5 depending on use" as their guide.

. Your reputable watch shop may just want to do the work.. Find another pressure test for a second opinion..

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Tools

Send them a watch that has clearly has been used hard and you will not get warranty work done for anything less than a clear manufacturing defect.

That probably wouldn't be considered normal wear and tear; more like using it as a hammer.