214270 Gritty Winding

[htrap2294]

Hello all,

I was wondering if it's normal for the Explorer I 214270 with the 3132 movement to have gritty winding?

When I'm winding the crown slowly, it almost feels like there is a grain of sand or something scraping against the crown. When I wind it quickly, it feels smooth.

It keeps time great, at +0.5 seconds per day. It's just not something I've noticed before and wondering if I should get it looked at or not. It's an October 2020 watch, so still well within warranty.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by htrap2294

Hello all,

I was wondering if it's normal for the Explorer I 214270 with the 3132 movement to have gritty winding?

When I'm winding the crown slowly, it almost feels like there is a grain of sand or something scraping against the crown. When I wind it quickly, it feels smooth.

It keeps time great, at +0.5 seconds per day. It's just not something I've noticed before and wondering if I should get it looked at or not. It's an October 2020 watch, so still well within warranty.

Depends on how you are winding it you should wind clockwise only if you wind back and throe then you might feel the winding ratchet.And when movement is fully wound the mainspring just slips in the spring-barrel.Try letting watch run right down and stop,then give it a manual wind but doubt if you have any problem.

[RolexEDC]

My wife’s DJ36mm had the same issue. Kept good time but wasn’t buttery smooth like my subC. My AD sent it off to the RSC, came back smooth again. Originally the AD checked it and said it’s optional if I wanted to send it off or not.

[77T]

Like Peter said, it could be the slipping ratchet operating as it should.

Also, as it’s fairly new to you, and the mainspring grease hasn’t been fully distributed, letting it run down several times over the coming month will help spread the lube in the barrel.

Winding should feel smooth when the mainspring is relaxed, and then when fully wound (and the ratchet is working) it should feel different.


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[Jack T]

Originally Posted by RolexEDC

My wife’s DJ36mm had the same issue. Kept good time but wasn’t buttery smooth like my subC. My AD sent it off to the RSC, came back smooth again. Originally the AD checked it and said it’s optional if I wanted to send it off or not.

My wife’s DJ 31 had the same issue, my AD didn’t hesitate, sent it off to Rolex, awaiting resolution.

[htrap2294]

Thanks for all the input, I will let it die down completely and report back in a few days.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by htrap2294

Thanks for all the input, I will let it die down completely and report back in a few days.

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[Paul7]

Should not be gritty.

[nmchin12]

I had the same issue. Sent it off to RSC and its been smooth since.

[vette boy 52]

As has been recommended give it awhile with running it down a few times and if the gritty feel continues, do send it to RSC to get corrected. Best of luck

[htrap2294]

Yeah, looks like there is something wrong. I just wound it a few minutes ago from after it was completely dead. It winds up fine, but it's not smooth. It almost feels like at every quarter turn, it's scraping on something or grinding on something and then it starts being smooth again until the next quarter turn of the crown. Quickly winding it makes that issue go away.

I'll take it in.

Thank you guys very much!

[TimeAZ]

Originally Posted by htrap2294

Yeah, looks like there is something wrong. I just wound it a few minutes ago from after it was completely dead. It winds up fine, but it's not smooth. It almost feels like at every quarter turn, it's scraping on something or grinding on something and then it starts being smooth again until the next quarter turn of the crown. Quickly winding it makes that issue go away.

I'll take it in.

Thank you guys very much!

FWIW I have an exp. 1 (ref. 214270) and an OP39 that both use the same 3132 movement and both of them have gritty, awful crown action. I just ignore it as they run reasonably well and keep consistent time, don't see a reason to send it out for any repair or service.

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

FWIW I have an exp. 1 (ref. 214270) and an OP39 that both use the same 3132 movement and both of them have gritty, awful crown action. I just ignore it as they run reasonably well and keep consistent time, don't see a reason to send it out for any repair or service.

Interesting, so you think I should leave it? The reason I’m hesitant is because it’s a new watch and if I send it in only to get it back with a plethora of scratches, I would be pretty annoyed.


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[EEpro]

If it's running well otherwise I'd wait until year 4 of the warranty.