Screw down crown / bezel question

[ejcoreup]

Hello all,

My 16233 has a custom bezel that it was purchased with. When buying it, I didn't really look at this closely. To me, I have minimal Rolex experience (this was my first one), it looks like the screw down crown is being blocked from screwing down all the way by the bezel. Does anyone think I'm right, or does this look normal (how far it's fastened down)? I think it looks like it's, definitely, not fastened all the way, but I could be wrong. This raises some concern for me, not about the purchase (I love the watch), in the area of using it in water. If it is indeed being blocked, I'll avoid using it in water at all. I have avoided water up until this point. I have been looking at it for a few weeks and forgot I could get some opinions from experienced Rolex enthusiasts on here. Here are some pics. Thanks in advance for any input.

[tifosi]

That bezel is definitely larger than the factory one for sure.

That being said, I don't think the crown will screw on much further regardless.

[ejcoreup]

Originally Posted by tifosi

That bezel is definitely larger than the factory one for sure.

That being said, I don't think the crown will screw on much further regardless.

Thanks for your input. I understand that the crown wouldn't screw down much further, even with a factory bezel. My concern is that minimal amount of space, if there even is one (I've never seen how far a crown would screw down on a factory bezel 16233), could make a difference if it were used in water letting moisture in.

[S7gpt]

just get it pressure tested to be sure

[ejcoreup]

Originally Posted by S7gpt

just get it pressure tested to be sure

That's a good option that I've read about some people doing on this forum. I'm ignorant of how that process works. Where do you get it done at? Can it be done at a local watch shop? Do you have a recommendation? I don't know if Rolex does it (I would prefer they do anything I need done to this watch), but I've read that they won't touch it due to the bezel and dial (refinished). Perhaps I'm a bit overprotective of it, but I am hesitant to let just anyone do anything to it. Could the pressure test affect the watch, in any way, if there was leakage due to the crown not being screwed in all the way? Sorry for the flood of questions. I hope asking them clarifies where I'm at with the suggestion.

If I have to I'll play it on the safe side and just never use it in water, although I would get it pressure tested if the business doing it was reputable and recommended.

Should I worry about dust getting in over time, affecting it's performance years down the road, you think?

[GradyPhilpott]

The seals for the crown are inside, so if the seals are okay, then the watch is waterproof regardless of whether or not the crown is screwed down properly.

So, the real question is, are the seals okay.

I personally would not make such a presumption, given that the watch has been altered. I would also want to know if the stem is in good order.

I think you should have it checked by a professional, preferably Rolex, so that the watch can be restored to its original specifications, even if it would mean replacing the bezel.

Can you post an image that includes the whole watch?

[ejcoreup]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

The seals for the crown are inside, so if the seals are okay, then the watch is waterproof regardless of whether or not the crown is screwed down properly.

So, the real question is, are the seals okay.

I personally would not make such a presumption, given that the watch has been altered. I would also want to know if the stem is in good order.

I think you should have it checked by a professional, preferably Rolex, so that the watch can be restored to its original specifications, even if it would mean replacing the bezel.

Can you post an image that includes the whole watch?

Thanks for your reply. Of course, here's a pic of the whole watch.

Thanks for the info on the crown not having to be screwed down properly for the watch to remain waterproof, IF the seals were OK. I'm assuming the pressure test would verify this for me? Educate me if I'm wrong please. I am willing to have it checked by a professional (Rolex would be my preference), but I've been told that they won't touch the watch because of the bezel and dial having had been refinished. It also has an aftermarket crystal (all of this was disclosed at time of sale).

I know what you mean about having it restored to original specifications (including replacing bezel), but I'm not interested in doing that. I love the watch and how it performs/looks for now. I'm waiting on an AD's call. I let them know I'll take any two tone Datejust or Sub as soon as they can get it to me. I think they took me seriously, but I don't know how long it will take OR if they are even going to call? (SA seemed to be trying to talk me into something Stainless, I politely declined). I've never played this game. I purchased this one to "hold me over".

The info I was really looking for was if I can use this watch in water. I think I'm getting from this conversation that a pressure test to see if the seals were OK are my next step?

[twalt77]

Comparison with my 124270 bezel, that custom one doesn’t look right at all to my eye.




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[ejcoreup]

Originally Posted by twalt77

Comparison with my 124270 bezel, that custom one doesn’t look right at all to my eye.




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LOL, yes you are correct. Thanks for the pic. I'd be curious to see a pic of someone with a 16233 factory bezel, although I believe your pic is a good preview of what I might see.

I can already say I don't think this watch is going to see any use in water. :P

Have a good evening.

[SAP7]

Originally Posted by twalt77

Comparison with my 124270 bezel, that custom one doesn’t look right at all to my eye.




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Is that a 19mm nato? Make? Looks a good fit for a watch with an unusual lug width?
I might try mine on a green one and don’t want to be experimenting with fit. Mind you, I don’t think the original steel bracelet can be beaten and I suspect I’d have it back on in days.

[GradyPhilpott]

It's not that Rolex won't touch the watch, it's that they will only take it if they can remove the aftermarket parts and replace them with original parts.

Since you're so happy with the watch and you're on a waiting list for two more watches, I would suggest that you find a watchmaker who can do a pressure test to determine if the watch is waterproof.

If it doesn't pass the test, get the seals replaced and if that doesn't work or only provides limited water-resistance, don't use the watch for swimming and wait for the incoming watches.

The bottom line is that no one, except a professional, is qualified to offer you relevant advice concerning the condition of the watch.

[Tools]

Only you can tell us if the crown is hitting the bezel. Stick a feeler gauge in there or run some dental floss to check.

As to the crown screw down, it should never screw down and contact the case. If it does then the gasket inside the crown can never make contact and provide that extra seal - crown to case is not a sealing surface.

[ejcoreup]

Originally Posted by Tools

Only you can tell us if the crown is hitting the bezel. Stick a feeler gauge in there or run some dental floss to check.

As to the crown screw down, it should never screw down and contact the case. If it does then the gasket inside the crown can never make contact and provide that extra seal - crown to case is not a sealing surface.

Ahh! Thanks for the education, that sheds some much needed light on things. The crown isn't meant to contact the case, at all. I do see a gap in the pic posted earlier on this thread (leather strap SS piece), I was wondering about it. Now, I know that a pressure test is the only way to find out the information that I'm looking for. I do have feeler gauges and dental floss, but I am sure the crown is hitting the bezel. Now, I'm curious if a factory diamond bezel's crown ever hits? It seems to me, in my limited experience, that they tried to imitate (the best that they could) a factory diamond bezel. I think they did an OK job :rolls eyes: Only a pic like mine and "twait77's" of a factory diamond bezel 16233 would tell, I think. (if they made one). I assume that it will not.

Have a great evening.

[Tools]

If you look at post 8, the angle around the base of the Rolex bezel matches the angle on the base of the crown, increasing the clearance.

Yours seems to be flat at the base. A simple angle cut will provide clearance, a job that any watchmaker or machinist with a lathe should be able to do.

[ejcoreup]

Originally Posted by Tools

If you look at post 8, the angle around the base of the Rolex bezel matches the angle on the base of the crown, increasing the clearance.

Yours seems to be flat at the base. A simple angle cut will provide clearance, a job that any watchmaker or machinist with a lathe should be able to do.

Good idea. I was thinking a modification, like you mentioned, could work. You have been a lot of help. Thanks.

[ejcoreup]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

It's not that Rolex won't touch the watch, it's that they will only take it if they can remove the aftermarket parts and replace them with original parts.

Since you're so happy with the watch and you're on a waiting list for two more watches, I would suggest that you find a watchmaker who can do a pressure test to determine if the watch is waterproof.

If it doesn't pass the test, get the seals replaced and if that doesn't work or only provides limited water-resistance, don't use the watch for swimming and wait for the incoming watches.

The bottom line is that no one, except a professional, is qualified to offer you relevant advice concerning the condition of the watch.

Thanks for your quick response.

Hmm...I didn't know that Rolex would take in the watch if they could replace everything that's not factory. That sounds like it might be a good option way down the road. I appreciate you telling me that. Yes, I am happy with it, for now (I just got it a couple months ago). That doesn't mean I won't look into this option later when I get bored with it, or something like that. I'm not on the waiting list for TWO more watches LOL, it's either or a two tone DateJust (any size would do) or two tone Sub. Whatever they can allocate to someone like me, first. That might be never? They said maybe a year or so. I'll tastefully check in every couple of months or so to see what's going on. They seemed to be trying to talk me into something stainless. I love them, they're beautiful, but not particularly of my taste. We'll see what happens?

About the pressure test. Is there someone on this forum highly recommended to send it to? I'm assuming I might have to look into someone local, but will definitely do my research before trusting anyone.

I understand that no one, except a professional, is qualified to tell me the condition of the watch. How do I find a qualified professional that guys who know what they're talking about recommend? I'm in South Texas.

The reason for the thread was to find out if the way my crown looks against the bezel was abnormal. I'm getting that it is, almost certainly. The pic earlier helped, but I'd still be curious to see a 16233 with a factory bezel's pic, at an angle like the ones I posted, to see if the crown hits the bezel. I would love to see a pic of factory diamond dial 16233's crown/bezel area (if they even made one, excuse my ignorance of history).

Yes, it looks like I'm not going to use the watch for swimming or anywhere near water, for that matter. LOL

I suppose I could go into a jeweler who had one of the above mentioned watches, that I wanted a pic of, for sale and look, but it's not my style to go in messing with salesmen unless, getting their hopes up, unless I'm buying.

Thanks for your help and advice.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by ejcoreup

I'll tastefully check in every couple of months or so to see what's going on.

This is the most effective way to get a Rolex from an AD, without throwing your money away on stuff you don't want or paying premiums.

It's one thing to put your name on a list and it's quite another to have the money ready to go when you get the call.

Tactfully checking in on a regular basis is one sure way to make sure that an SA will have your name and face in his memory banks when the time comes.

I'd even recommend stopping in once or twice a month, just to have a look around and chat up the staff a bit.

If they're not busy, they usually don't mind showing off what stock they might have, even if they know that you're not interested.

If you do run across some item you really like and buy it, you've really scored twice.

[ejcoreup]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

This is the most effective way to get a Rolex from an AD, without throwing your money away on stuff you don't want or paying premiums.

It's one thing to put your name on a list and it's quite another to have the money ready to go when you get the call.

Tactfully checking in on a regular basis is one sure way to make sure that an SA will have your name and face in his memory banks when the time comes.

I'd even recommend stopping in once or twice a month, just to have a look around and chat up the staff a bit.

If they're not busy, they usually don't mind showing off what stock they might have, even if they know that you're not interested.

If you do run across some item you really like and buy it, you've really scored twice.

Thanks for the input and advice. Yes, I plan on popping in every once in a while to let them know I’m still interested. I have, already, a couple of times when I was shopping at other places in the mall they are located in. Im never pushy, don’t ask too many questions, and one time the conversation didn’t have anything to do with watches at all. I know they know what I want. I must say, I do see some people going about it the “wrong way”, when I’m in there. You can tell from the conversation anyone couldn’t help but overhear while waiting. I believe they’re taking me seriously. I understand it’s not easy allocating these pieces, and that they must have some big spenders to cater to. Perhaps, I might get lucky when all of “those” customers aren’t interested in a two tone piece they get. My SA said they are going to find me something and to be patient. I feel she’s being truthful.

Yes, about the list and paying when you get the call, it will be a bittersweet moment (the call) for guys like me. It would be awesome to get the call (a wonderful day), but then you actually have to pay for the sh*t! LOL

Have a good night, sir. It’s been a pleasure talking with you.