Joggers Rolex

[Nick Hacko]

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[syahriltaher]

Nick,

Based on your post above, can I conclude that it would be unwise to wear a Rolex while doing sport? I used to wear my TT YM when I play badminton... I think I'd better stop this habit...

Regards,

[mikey]

Nick, you are a true doctor of watches.

[Lane from s.c.]

I hate to think how many miles I have jogged wearing my gmt. I just forget sometimes. I will try not to do it again... but, Nick, one question, how much for the parts to replace? Just curious. I still wear to the gym 3-4 days a week but that should not be to bad. Nick thanks for all that you give us here. We are lucky, there are not many forums that have a expert among them like we have here! Thanks.

Regards,
Lane

[leopardprey]

My guess is that he wore the watch while jogging for 10 years. Rolex shoud be serviced every 5 years, especially if engaging in sport or diving activites.

[bwalkerVintage]

Nick,

I for one really appreciate your efforts to convince us to be careful with our watches.

However, I find it difficult to reconcile the apparent fragility that you portray and the fact that Rolex's have been to the top of everest and the bottom of the ocean and survived it all.

So I guess my question is whether this is more the case with the newer movements or whether you think applies to both vintage and new Rolex. If both, how do these watches survive the apparent abuse that s dished out all the time?

[Nick Hacko]

'

[bwalkerVintage]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

hi Lane -

note punch marks around the base of rotor post.
(circled in yellow). This tells me that current rotor post
is replacement part - dead giveaway of previous abuse
or lack of regular servicing. Either way bad sign.



Balance staff replacement is the most difficult repair to watch
and even when done properly post timekeeping is often out
of chronometre specs.

How much? I have no idea what Rolex would charge (service+parts)
but I guess anything under US$800-900 is good deal.

Brendan -
in two words: it's always owner's fault!
Post 1960s Rolex movements are well made, reliable and serviceable
but too many owners constantly abuse their watches.

When watch finally give up then blame goes to
1. circumstances 2. watch repairer 3. manufacturer
- it's never their fault!

Considerable amount of time is often wasted to endless arguing
and in recent times I try to keep photo record of
pre-and post-repair condition for my own sake.

In my case, if my watch's accuracy went to hell suddenly, the watch would immediately be in for service.

When you say abuse, is it typically that accuracy changes (indicating an internal problem) and the owner continues to just wear the watch until it stops?

[mikey]

Nick, 800-900 bucks worth of service?? I mean brendan is kinda making a point. The fragility of a Rolex is something to think about. Would it be better to put it on a watch winder take it off and look at it and back on the winder?

[montecristo]

I play golf with mine, but if a rolex can't stand a few swings, I guess I will simply have to give up on them.

Besides, its not like I swing like tiger woods anyway.

[mlb]

The only sport I do with the rollie on is running from the Po-Po

[John Ireland]

deal. I drove an Alfa Romeo Sedan for seven years and used it in six or seven tracke events each year. The car loved the work out. I'm guessing my Rolex will deal with an active life just as well.

[TARDIS]

If you want to wear a watch to do active sports in then wear a G Shock.

[Chris B]

Once again great post Nick, thanks for sharing.

I wonder what distance the watch covered in those 10 yrs?
Mine are safe, I've a job to jog my memory these days, lol

[Erix]

EEEeehh.. I've been jogging daily with my sub date for the last 2 years
(since I got it). I didn't know jogging could do that to a watch.

[mansion]

Jogging daily for ten years?! Just imagine how many knocks the watch took over a decade.

I would say that the golfer's watch took nowhere near that many thuds (200 swings per week, max? Including putts.) A jogger will clock up that number in less than 10 minutes!

[Earl]

great post Nick as always, what Nick has shown us is what can happen if.... because it did and has on the watch he is displaying. Bottom line would be to have it serviced during the time frame recommended I'd say, and this would have or should have rectified the current finding.

What Nicks post shows us is what could happen if you were to.... and this IMHO is good info to all and an eye opener for others.

[leopardprey]

Well not a Rolex, But I had an Omega Seamaster for 3 years that I constantly jogged with, went through intense shooting courses, went lap swimming constantly and did other extreme sports or activities in. Still working and now my brother has been wearing for the last couple months as he is going througha very intensive federal law enforcement training program. Used to be all you had were mechanical watches and they went through a lot. As for playing golf with a Rolex, well somebody better tell Rolex since they have a TV advertisement that runs all the time showing DAtejust, DDs, and a lot of Golf playing.
I think the key is to get your watch serviced every 5-6 years.

[Flyjet601]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Well not a Rolex, But I had an Omega Seamaster for 3 years that I constantly jog with, went through intense shooting courses, went lap swimming constantly and did other extreme sports or activities in. Still working and now my brother has been wearing for the last couple months as he is going througha very intensive federal law enforcement training program. Used to be all you had were mechanical watches and they went through a lot. As for playing golf with a Rolex, well somebody better tell Rolex since they have a TV advertisement that runs all the time showing DAtejust, DDs, and a lot of Golf playing.
I think the key is to get your watch serviced every 5-6 years.

I have played golf with mine for years, biked, run and never had any problems. I thought these were tool watches

Originally Posted by leopardprey

I think the key is to get your watch serviced every 5-6 years.

I agree 100%. I've never understood the idea that you should just keep wearing the watch until there is a problem. To me that is just neglect. Tool watch or not, parts wear over time, and the longer you let it go between servicing, the greater the chance that something will wear to the point that additional damage is done. The newer movements have a bearing on the rotor post so this may be less of an issue, but still things wear. I'm not sure the bearings Rolex uses have steel balls or not, but if so then lubrication is still an issue even though there is a bearing. It's less of an issue with ceramic balls in the rotor bearing. Of course, 99% of all bearing failures out there are due to either improper installation or lubrication faults (not just talking about watches either).

If the post that uses the "plain bearing" like the example shown wears enough, then the rotor can start rubbing on the plates/bridges, and you not only have additional damage there but more contaminants floating around inside the watch. I've read all the posts on all the forums that say people have worn their watches for decades without servicing - yes you can "get away with that" but why not protect your investment and avoid more serious issues by getting the recommended servicing done?

[Alcan]

Nick, what's your opinion of ball bearing rotor pivots? Rolex must have a reason for not using them.

[STB]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Nick, what's your opinion of ball bearing rotor pivots? Rolex must have a reason for not using them.

I'm interest to know too. Just like the one use on JLC's autotractor (ceramic ball bearings)

[mikey]

I believe you should get the watch fixed when it breaks especially Rolex. That seems to be an isolated case of broken pivot cuz noone has said there watch has broken after years of activity.

[Solo118]

I wonder what the outside looks like!

[Lane from s.c.]

Years ago when I was a crew member on C-130`s (2000 hr. club) I had alot of navy seals, army and marine special ops guys wear`em and beat them around, running, shooting heavy cal. all kinda of stuff some guys with very old watches. I guess service is the ticket. At any rate, Nick thanks for the post, its something to think about.

Lane

[Nick Hacko]

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[Lol-x]

In relation to what you say about the ball bearing rotor it is a little disappointing that in the recently announced and yet to be released SS GMTII, the latest and greatest movement from Rolex does not have a ball bearing rotor.
It seems that the price of the new SS GMTII is going to be about US$6000 and it does not have a quick-set date feature.
The 3186 movement does have:
(a) the ability to set the hour hand more precisely.
(b) a more temperature resistant one hairspring.
(c)A taller case to provide enough space for the new movement.
(d) new solid oyster bracelet and improved clasp.
The same can be said for the new Milgauss which will similarly have only a jewelled rotor rather than a ball bearing rotor.
It isn't as if Rolex doesn't have the technology for a ball bearing rotor as they have it already on their current model Daytona movement.

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

yet to be released SS GMTII, the latest and greatest movement from Rolex does not have a ball bearing rotor.

Seems like there has been a reported spotting of the new GMTII in SS in an AD in Athens, Greece, so it's out already :)

[kipsy]

i was running up the stairs in my house and i felt resistance in my wrist. my dealer agreed it was the rotor and i was due for my 5 year anyway. 1 year later, the rotor is making same problem. rolex said abuse. i started jogging in jan of this year on a treadmill 3 x week. i swim. is this abuse ?

2001 explorer 2 white

sent to rolex 1st time under initial warranty, bad sound when winding
5 year service includsing rotor problem
running 30 seconds fast in 1st year after 5 year, sent to rolex
rotor problem again 9 months after , rolex ok'd one time repair

what is abuse ? working out ? working in my yard ? i wear the watch 24/7

[kipsy]

what exactly is abuse as deemed by NYC rolex service center ? my rotor caused resistance in my wrist (feeling) when going up stairs, needed 5 yr service anyway. 15 months later (now), rotor bad again. rolex said the watch has been abused. i started running in jan on treadmill 15k per week. i swim. is this abuse ?