Pressure Tests: 2 shops say FAIL but Rolex says PASS

[red.earth]

I encountered a very curious situation recently, which I'd welcome your views on.

I have a 7 year old polar Explorer II, a 1 year old Explorer and a few weeks ago I bought a black dial NOS Explorer II - the Explorer IIs are both 16570s. I thought it was about time the older Explorer II got pressure tested, and since I'd been meaning to visit the watch shops of London, I thought I may as well take the Explorer to get tested too - I was wearing the new black Exp II.

Arriving in a major dedicated watch shop in Regent Street, I headed for the Service Desk and asked whether they would kindly perform the 2 pressure tests whilst I was browsing. The assistant asked whether I'd like the black Expl II tested as well. I explained it was brand new (I'd only had it a week), but he seemed entirely happy to test it as well, so I agreed.

An hour and half later, having looked at and tried on some magnificent watches, I was called back to the Service Desk. The fella said "I've got some good news and bad news". Here's what he told me:

• 7 year old polar Exp II - Pass
• 1 year old Exp - not a full Pass, but is reasonably water resistant - don't go diving with it!
• Brand new black Exp II - Total Fail.

He couldn't account for why the new Exp II failed but assured me the results were correct. Feeling pretty concerned, I thanked him for his help and headed off to another shop for a 2nd opinion. I wouldn't have doubted his advice, by default, but the watch he said had failed was brand new and I was keen just to make sure I had the facts. In the next shop, I handed over jsut the black Exp II and asked whether they would kindly perform a pressure test. They did without hesitation (I watched) and 5 minutes later reported back that the pressure test showed a total failure! This left me seriously concerned, as you can well imagine.

I started to consider various possible explanations for this, but the one possibility I struggled to accept was that it had left the Rolex factory in that condition, even though that could well have been 4-5 years earlier. Anyway, the watch was still under warranty so a few days later I took it, and the Explorer (which, remember, was a partial failure, but also still under warranty), to Rolex at St James' Square for attention. As I booked them in, the reaction of the member of staff was one of surprise, although I must compliment her for managing to remain absolutely professional, despite being suspicious about the history of the watches.

A week later, I phoned for an update. Can you guess what they said? They said they had tested both watches and found nothing wrong with either! I repeated that my 3 watches had been tested by a shop nearby and that 1 had passed, 1 didn't quite pass and 1 totally failed pressure tests, but they assured me there was nothing wrong. I also explained that a 2nd shop tested the total failure and came up with the same result. At this point, the Service Department representative became concerned that 2 shops could both independently find a significant problem with a new Rolex watch, which in their view didn't exist. He said he would get in touch with the shops concerned to investigate the problem. In another call, I was advised that they had had the backs off the 2 watches, checked that everything was in order, and had them on test (presumably watch winder then timing) before returning them to me. Finally, they arrived back yesterday, 3 weeks after having dropped them off.

I don't know the result of their enquiries with the shops concerned, but at least I am pleased to report that all of the Rolex staff I spoke to were courteous, professional and a pleasure to deal with.

I discussed this situation at the recent GTG in London, and found their views very interesting indeed. Just thought I'd throw it open to the rest of my TRF chums to see what you think.

It's very odd, don't you think?

[Psmith]

This does sound odd, but I would probably be inclined to go with the RSC results.

[travisb]

Strange. I also wonder how two separate dealers came up with the same result.
I'd be at ease though after taking the steps you did.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Psmith

This does sound odd, but I would probably be inclined to go with the RSC results.

Have to agree would like to know the testing method of the two other shops in question.

[thewatchguy93]

Gosh Adam, I bet you felt confused and frustrated after all of this.


I would stand by RSC's word, they wouldnt make a mistake. Trouble is with most AD's, they are being ran by "shop assistants" not watchmakers or jewellers (speaking for the most part in the UK). What was the final result? Did you take the watches back from St.James?



Dino

[red.earth]

I certainly do feel at ease now the RSC has checked them both out, and was very happy to get them back from Rolex yesterday. It's just that the 2 dealers who performed the pressure tests weren't small players - they're both huge and very well known! If the first one had faulty pressure testing kit, it would make no sense that my polar Exp II passed. And for both to report that the black dial Exp II failed... well, something doesn't add up.

[The Joker]

Maybe after RSC fitted the backs again, this solved the issue.

Unless you are going diving with them I wouldn't worry.

[nello]

Who to believe?
I would trust RSC.
Very odd though. I could not relax without seeing them tested myself after that kind of story.

[watchwatcher]

Hmmm...I think I would follow up with the other 2 shops and share RSC results with them. I'm sure they would want to know.

[SUBversive]

What were they trying to sell you?

[AK797]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Hmmm...I think I would follow up with the other 2 shops and share RSC results with them. I'm sure they would want to know.

Yes, what were the stores?

[knightsfield]

Can you take the watches back to the stores where they failed to see if they now pass?

[The Joker]

Maybe RSC should put the AD's pressure test machine, inside it's pressure test machine. To see if it passes.

[wdin]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Maybe RSC should put the AD's pressure test machine, inside it's pressure test machine. To see if it passes.

now I know why you call yourself The Joker...

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Maybe after RSC fitted the backs again, this solved the issue.

This.

[rwleigh]

Originally Posted by red.earth

I certainly do feel at ease now the RSC has checked them both out, and was very happy to get them back from Rolex yesterday. It's just that the 2 dealers who performed the pressure tests weren't small players - they're both huge and very well known! If the first one had faulty pressure testing kit, it would make no sense that my polar Exp II passed. And for both to report that the black dial Exp II failed... well, something doesn't add up.

Don't keep us in suspense, name and shame...

[rockmastermike]

Originally Posted by knightsfield

Can you take the watches back to the stores where they failed to see if they now pass?

I agree. this would be even more interesting on top of an already interesting story.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Maybe after RSC fitted the backs again, this solved the issue.

x 2...this makes the most logical sense.

[red.earth]

The shops were in Regent Street and New Bond Street... and their names begin with... *cough* W *cough*.

[kilyung]

This is why I test my own watches.

[mikeceee]

My guess is after Rolex took the backs off to check everything and re-fitted (with new gasket) this solved the problem.

However, to fully satisfy and assuage any fears you may have I would take them back to one of the two original shops and have them re-test. I am sure they would be happy to do so and interseted to hear the results.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by mikeceee

My guess is after Rolex took the backs off to check everything and re-fitted (with new gasket) this solved the problem.

However, to fully satisfy and assuage any fears you may have I would take them back to one of the two original shops and have them re-test. I am sure they would be happy to do so and interseted to hear the results.

That would mean that Rolex shipped both of them with bad seals and both passed QC.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by MonBK

That would mean that Rolex shipped both of them with bad seals and both passed QC.

but did they fit the right bezel.

[sdiver68]

I've found a tendency of certain German luxury automobile dealership service departments to not admit any fault, yet still fix the issue. I've recently been taking pictures and/or video prior to dropping off the car.

Not saying that's what happened here, but in a case of 2 on 1...

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by sdiver68

I've found a tendency of certain German luxury automobile dealership service departments to not admit any fault, yet still fix the issue. I've recently been taking pictures and/or video prior to dropping off the car.

Not saying that's what happened here, but in a case of 2 on 1...

Right ,it s a tendency these days however i don t care until it s FOC

[ssultan]

To have two shops perform independent tests and fail the ExpII is very odd indeed OP. I'm honestly surprised this would occur with a new watch! Then to find the RSC were unable to reproduce the failure is even more concerning. I can only assume that they performed the pressure test prior to opening and reseating the back, in which case I would expect the watch to fail as expected. If they had opened the back then they could potentially have solved your problem by either reseating the gasket or changing whatever was required in stealth mode...please do keep us posted if you ended up going back to the two stores to discuss RSC testing...

[Tools]

I believe that the shops were using the old "dry test" machine.

This machine simply uses a gauge on the crystal and measures deflection when a vacuum is applied. These machines are notorious for giving false readings on sapphire watches because the crystal does not flex and any gasket compression may already be taken up by a fully seated crystal.

Rolex never uses a dry test machine.

[ArcticMoose]

There is no way a 16570 can be considered new, even if it is NOS. There is a reason yearly pressure tests are suggested, regardless of how much the watch has been used.

[red.earth]

Unfortunately, I've no plans to head back to either of the watch shops any time soon, but I'm at a bit of a loss to understand why 2 very large high end watch retailers would be using test equipment which is so unreliable. That doesn't make much sense to me at all. It's pretty unreasonable that to get my watches pressure tested regularly I need so take them to the RSC each time, on the basis that if those 2 shops don't have the right equipment then no other shop in the UK will.

The more likely scenario, if the views of quite a number of people I've spoken to are to be believed, is that Rolex simply fixed the problems and chose to report back that they found nothing wrong. Their statement about taking the issue up with the stores makes sense, except that the testing equipment worked fine on my oldest watch so that would suggest neither the test equipment, nor the user of it, was at fault.

In any case, I'm very pleased to have them both back and, of course, I'm re-assured that they are in tip top shape so nothing further to worry about. I am tempted to get them pressure tested again but, frankly... I can't be bothered.

Thanks for your views, TRF chums. Much appreciated

[MikeMc]

It sounds like the exterior dry test mentioned above. We are an authorized Rolex store with a Rolex watchmaker on staff. When we do a water test, we remove the movement, and test in a Rolex designed tank in water and in a vacuum, and try to draw air out of the case. If it fails, no damage to the movement because it's been removed. This service is not free, because of the time involved. If the watch is rated for more than 100 meters, then we also test with an external pressure test, then a heat and cold test. I don't think the stores did this thorough of testing as no price of the service was mentioned. I would have more confidence in the Rolex service center. I believe they would check out the warranted watch thoroughly.


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