Owning a Rolex is a significant achievement, a testament to hard work, success, and a discerning appreciation for horological excellence. However, even the most meticulously crafted timepieces can encounter issues. The frustration of a malfunctioning Rolex, particularly a Submariner, a watch renowned for its robustness, is amplified by the expectation of unwavering reliability. This article explores the potential causes behind a non-functional Rolex, focusing on a specific case study and addressing common concerns.
The scenario presented involves a Submariner that winds when worn but not when manually winding the crown. Furthermore, the crown progressively tightened over the past month before a watchmaker lubricated the O-ring gaskets, improving crown operation. This points to a crucial aspect of Rolex maintenance and the complexities involved in diagnosing mechanical watch malfunctions.
Rolex Service Before and After: A Tale of Two Crowns
Before delving into the specifics of this Submariner, it's vital to understand the importance of regular Rolex servicing. Rolex, like all mechanical watches, relies on intricate movements with numerous delicate components. These components, constantly subjected to friction, wear, and the accumulation of dust and debris, require periodic lubrication and cleaning. Omitting scheduled servicing invites problems like the one described: a stiffening crown and ultimately, a watch that refuses to wind.
* Before Service: In this case, the tightening crown indicated a problem with lubrication and potentially the O-rings. The O-rings, responsible for maintaining water resistance, can swell, harden, or become brittle over time, hindering smooth crown operation. Lack of lubrication exacerbates this, causing increased friction and resistance. The watch might still wind from wrist movement due to the automatic winding mechanism, but manual winding became increasingly difficult and eventually impossible. The watch's internal mechanism, deprived of sufficient lubrication, might have also started to experience increased friction, leading to inconsistent timekeeping or complete stoppage.
* After Service: The lubrication of the O-rings addressed the immediate problem of crown stiffness. The improved crown operation suggests that the lubrication restored the necessary smoothness for manual winding. However, this doesn't guarantee complete functionality. The underlying cause of the initial stiffness might still affect the watch's long-term performance. The lubrication was a temporary fix, addressing a symptom rather than the root cause. Further investigation might be necessary to ensure the watch operates reliably. A thorough Rolex service, beyond simply lubricating O-rings, would involve a complete disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication of the entire movement, inspection for wear and tear, and replacement of worn parts.
How to Adjust Rolex Time: A Delicate Operation
Adjusting the time on a Rolex involves using the crown. Given the described issues, attempting to adjust the time before addressing the crown's stiffness would be unwise. Forcing the crown could exacerbate existing problems or cause further damage. The correct procedure involves:
1. Pulling out the crown: Carefully pull the crown out to the first position. This allows you to adjust the time.
2. Adjusting the time: Turn the crown clockwise to advance the time and counter-clockwise to rewind.
3. Pushing in the crown: Once the correct time is set, gently push the crown back into its original position.
Attempting to adjust the time with a stiff or malfunctioning crown can damage the crown itself, the stem (the connecting shaft), or even internal components of the movement. In this case, the watchmaker's lubrication was a necessary precursor to any time adjustment.
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