Freshly serviced watch running slow, AD says it's fine, local watchmaker says no
 

I got my Rolex Explorer 114270 back from RSC a few weeks ago. In the first week or so, the watch was running at zero to +1 sec/day. On the second week, the watch suddenly went to -3 seconds/day. I thought maybe the watch needed more time to settle down so I just kept wearing it.

On the third week, it was still the same -3 seconds/day. I got a bit concerned at this point so I took it to my local Rolex AD. They said everything is normal. I asked them to put it on a timegrapher and they refused. They said there's no need because it's a freshly serviced watch and there is nothing to worry about.

So I took my watch to a local watchmaker and they were happy to put it on a timegrapher. Here are the results (rate err, amp, beat err):

DU: -3s/d, 231°, 0.0
DD: -2s/d, 252°, 0.0
CD: +4s/d, 211°, 0.1
CL: -1s/d, 207°, 0.0
CU: -2/d, 225°, 0.4

The local watchmaker said the amplitude numbers are quite low and my watch needs servicing even though I just got it back from RSC.

Is the AD correct in saying everything is fine? Or do the numbers indicate something wasn't properly done and I should return it?

measure again after 24 hours, Rolex specs state 200 degrees minimum. CL position will be most likely below 200 degrees. Show the printout to your AD , else contact the RAC directly?

Min amplitude of 200 yes and generally not over 300, but after a fresh service my experience and in the forums is generally very close to 300. I'd also be unsatisfied with the rate.

I recently had a 16570 from 1999 serviced. Ran great for a couple of weeks then started losing massive amounts of time. AD wanted me to do some more tests. I tests and said I wanted it sent back. Rolex returned watch several weeks later saying there was nothing they could find! But issue is resolved.

If you need to be polite but forceful then be!


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Did this so called watchmaker do the test on machine with movement mainspring at peak power -reserve.

Sorry this is happening and if it is a problem for you then your AD should test the watch. I would go back in and have the conversation with the SA and ask again to have the watch tested. If they say no then it is the manager and up the line. If still no test then out them here as that is but another example of poor customer service for a test that only costs them a few minutes of time. I would make sure the AD does what they are suppose to do or it would be time to move on. You can always contact RSC and submit the watch yourself. My preference depending on the nature of the service. It is possible that RSC never saw the watch and an onsite tech worked on it or they sent it to an outside repair shop. This happened to me years ago from a now out of business AD when they said they submitted a Daytona for warranty work and it turned into a mess where an inhouse tech messed the watch up before it was finally sent to RSC and 20 weeks later it finally turned back up. Good luck and keep us posted.

Welcome to the forum, I hope you get this sorted:cheers:

The amplitude is too low, after 24hr those numbers would be okay. Important to remember that Rolex states 200 degrees MINIMUM at 24hr, virtually no watchmaker would be happy for a watch to be at 200 after 24hr.

Yes. I saw him wind the watch for awhile before putting it on a timegrapher.

I wasn't aware we can skip the AD entirely and send watches directly to an RSC. Thanks!

Thank you for the warm welcome! I hope so too!

I hadn't thought of measuring the watch again after 24 hours. The numbers I posted earlier were measured after a full wind so some of them will most likely end up under 200° if measured again after 24 hours :concerned:

I'll get the watch checked out again 24 hours after a full wind. Thanks for the tip!

This watch should not have left RSC with those readings! No way a 3130 will be above 200 degrees minimum when you have those values at 0hrs.

Well, Bas, welcome back! You have been missed :thumbsup:

The watch is consistently running at -3 seconds per day.
That is outstanding precision by any standard.
That reference watch was always supposed to run between +6 and -4 seconds per day.
Whilst not optimal, it's within specs by any measure.

If it's still annoying you after the World Wide Service Warranty expires, you could always take it to a highly reputable watchmaker and have it adjusted accordingly.
Personally, I would leave it be for now but try a bit of self regulation by leaving it overnight in different resting positions to see if you can pick a bit of time up:thumbsup:

But the amplitude is a concern and I would take it back to RSC myself as that's a viable option.