Question: Pulling on the crown

[elau1958]

I don't wear my Sub that much and therefore I have to set the date and time each time I take it out of the safe. Is it me being paranoid? I find it difficult pulling the crown out each time, so afraid I will pull the whole stem out. None of my other watch has that much resistance. Is it normal or should I send it in for service?

[EEpro]

Occasionally. After unscrewing the crown I usually have to roll the crown forward a bit until it pops away from the case into position 1. Once there it usually goes to position 2 just fine. All Rolex will sometimes need to be fiddled with to let the crown out easily. I've had this on 3 DJ41, 4 subs, and 4 GMTs so agree it's a thing.

Don't apply a lot of force. Roll the crown a quarter turn and try again.

[Andad]

Read post 2.

[taitun4life]

Originally Posted by eepro

occasionally. After unscrewing the crown i usually have to roll the crown forward a bit until it pops away from the case into position 1. Once there it usually goes to position 2 just fine. All rolex will sometimes need to be fiddled with to let the crown out easily. I've had this on 3 dj41, 4 subs, and 4 gmts so agree it's a thing.

Don't apply a lot of force. Roll the crown a quarter turn and try again.

+1

[padi56]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Occasionally. After unscrewing the crown I usually have to roll the crown forward a bit until it pops away from the case into position 1. Once there it usually goes to position 2 just fine. All Rolex will sometimes need to be fiddled with to let the crown out easily. I've had this on 3 DJ41, 4 subs, and 4 GMTs so agree it's a thing.

Don't apply a lot of force. Roll the crown a quarter turn and try again.

Exactly that.

[Tools]

The base of the crown is a socket. It needs to line up with the hex at the top of the stem, as well as get by all the other obstacles.

The odds of it lining up perfectly each time it is unscrewed is likely very high. Forcing it won't do much if it isn't already close to engaging - give it a wiggle, it likes it.

[frankflapjack]

Originally Posted by elau1958

I don't wear my Sub that much and therefore I have to set the date and time each time I take it out of the safe. Is it me being paranoid? I find it difficult pulling the crown out each time, so afraid I will pull the whole stem out. None of my other watch has that much resistance. Is it normal or should I send it in for service?

And to be asking an obvious question - you're unscrewing the crown, right? e.g. turning the crown counterclockwise as you face it? Because if you don't unscrew the crown, then yeah, you're going to have a REALLY hard time pulling on the crown stem.

Beyond that, I agree with the other suggestions here - wiggle the crown a bit back and forth (clockwise and counterclockwise) perhaps until it "pops" out a bit more from the case - that should be position 1 for manual winding.

Tug a bit more on the crown stem for position 2 (date adjustment) and then again a bit more for position 3 (for time adjustment).

If you have unscrewed the crown stem to position 1 and still have a hard time pulling/tugging it further, then I would suggest a trip to your AD or sending your Sub to RSC for service.

Frank

[Andad]

Thanks Frank……..

[jamesbondOO7]

I know, there is absolutely no pleasure in operating it. Makes me cringe each time, yet my watches are perfectly serviced.

[elau1958]

Thanks for all the replies.

[77T]

Originally Posted by elau1958

Is it normal or should I send it in for service?

If your Sub is more than 10 years old (I didn’t see anyone ask this) and the answer in post #2 doesn’t remedy the symptom you mentioned, then yes you may be due for a service.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Rolex1982]

If you have it all the time instead of occasionally and it’s been a long time since service then i agree with 77T that it might just be in need of a service.

[painexpert]

Make sure that the crown is fully unwound. Then you should experience the crown just pop out. After this, wind the watch and set the date and time. Do not overtighten the crown down. Snug, but no more.

[swexlin]

Originally Posted by frankflapjack

And to be asking an obvious question - you're unscrewing the crown, right? e.g. turning the crown counterclockwise as you face it? Because if you don't unscrew the crown, then yeah, you're going to have a REALLY hard time pulling on the crown stem.

Beyond that, I agree with the other suggestions here - wiggle the crown a bit back and forth (clockwise and counterclockwise) perhaps until it "pops" out a bit more from the case - that should be position 1 for manual winding.

Tug a bit more on the crown stem for position 2 (date adjustment) and then again a bit more for position 3 (for time adjustment).

If you have unscrewed the crown stem to position 1 and still have a hard time pulling/tugging it further, then I would suggest a trip to your AD or sending your Sub to RSC for service.

Frank

Interesting discussion.

I have a brand new (from AD) YM 40 two weeks now. It pulls into postion 2 just fine, but can be (sometimes) difficult to get into Position 3 (hacking). It just barely clicks, and hacks, then I touch it, and it's back to Pos 2. It's not a very pronounced "click". I have a couple others with this movement, and they don't do it. I'll monitor it, it may just be normal for this watch. I'd hate to have to send a new watch in for warranty already.

[maximilianmuller]

have the same hesitation as some of mine. Always makes me stress. My wife refuses to pull her crowns because her nails are too thick, or else she says it's difficult, so that means more for me to do. :(

[rlee58]

I like to cycle between watches so I'm setting times somewhat often. I always worry about pulling the crown straight out and not canted at an angle as to put undue stress on the stem.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by elau1958

I don't wear my Sub that much and therefore I have to set the date and time each time I take it out of the safe. Is it me being paranoid? I find it difficult pulling the crown out each time, so afraid I will pull the whole stem out. None of my other watch has that much resistance. Is it normal or should I send it in for service?

What about the manual wind watches Rolex included they got wound up daily for decades. Many crown related problems today are simply down to the crown not being used enough.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Rolex watches are known to be robust as hell… I don’t worry about stuff like that. Don’t be “ham-fisted”, Ofc, but don’t worry about handling the watch either. They’re not “precious”.