It wasn’t safe to wear…

[10klakes]

Recently I attended a training seminar in Raton NM, and I decided to wear my BLNR (116710) on Everest for the week. I don’t spend much time in the desert, but didn’t think anything of wearing my tool watch.

Well, we spent a lot of time on the ground, going through drills, and each day we got fairly dirty. I washed my watch as anybody would (soap/water), and by the end of the week I can report back that now there is a gritty feel when I rotate the bezel. I’ve washed and rinsed it several times, but there is still just a faint bit of grit to the feel of rotating it.

I’m guessing I’ll have to send it in, but wanted to share, because I alway get a laugh at the “is it safe” threads, and now here I am with a watch that will probably need a service/cleaning from RSC. Otherwise, any tips on how to flush it out?

I would share some pics but I know certain things that go bang cannot be shared here, so I won’t elaborate on what we were doing.

[Mendota]

If you feel up to it, your bezel assembly pops off similar to how the old 16710 did. The ratcheting system is on ball bearings vs a click spring, but it's still the same concept. You can Youtube it or Google it and there are tutorials. Pop it off, flush out the area, and put it back on. Or just take it to your AD. They can do it for you.

If you have a water pik and don't want to remove the bezel, that could also work to force water into the crevices where the faucet can't reach to flush it out.

[Riledan]

Me being silly and getting alcohol on my bezel of my sub made it sticky and stiff but after letting it soak in warm water and some fairy liquid fixed it!

[10klakes]

Originally Posted by Mendota

If you feel up to it, your bezel assembly pops off similar to how the old 16710 did. The ratcheting system is on ball bearings vs a click spring, but it's still the same concept. You can Youtube it or Google it and there are tutorials. Pop it off, flush out the area, and put it back on. Or just take it to your AD. They can do it for you.

If you have a water pik and don't want to remove the bezel, that could also work to force water into the crevices where the faucet can't reach to flush it out.

I have removed the aluminum inserts, but have heard the ceramic bezels take a tool and process that is different, in order to prevent cracking it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MrGoat]

Dude, I assume you know dust and sand will make its way into anything when you’re in the desert. This shouldn’t be a singular problem. Rotate the bezel as you’re running water over it and I bet it works the sand out. If not, clearly it’s not safe to wear in the desert. Someone alert Hans he now needs to make a Desert dweller.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[10klakes]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Dude, I assume you know dust and sand will make its way into anything when you’re in the desert. This shouldn’t be a singular problem. Rotate the bezel as you’re running water over it and I bet it works the sand out. If not, clearly it’s not safe to wear in the desert. Someone alert Hans he now needs to make a Desert dweller.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have tried rotating while washing, but no luck. Had I worn an Explorer 2, would’ve not been an issue. Just sharing so others can learn from this experience, or to see if anyone has had this issue and knows a trick.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Dude, I assume you know dust and sand will make its way into anything when you’re in the desert. This shouldn’t be a singular problem. Rotate the bezel as you’re running water over it and I bet it works the sand out. If not, clearly it’s not safe to wear in the desert. Someone alert Hans he now needs to make a Desert dweller.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Desert dweller!

OP, don’t send it off. Shower with it and spin it. It’ll work out.

And yes, the bezel assembly for ceramic inserts pops off but I don’t recommend that, based on personal experience. Some may get it done. I’ve seen it done in person. But my latest attempt was unsuccessful. Full disclosure coming, when I get it back.

[10klakes]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

Desert dweller!

OP, don’t send it off. Shower with it and spin it. It’ll work out.

And yes, the bezel assembly for ceramic inserts pops off but I don’t recommend that, based on personal experience. Some may get it done. I’ve seen it done in person. But my latest attempt was unsuccessful. Full disclosure coming, when I get it back.

I’ll give it some time and more washing, thanks for the insight.

Agreed, desert dweller would be interesting- lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[myporsche]

You can try blowing canned air/blow gun around the bezel while rotating it, worth a shot.

[Chewbacca]

Soak it overnight in a warm cup of water with a lot of dish soap. Then in the morning slowly rotate the bezel while adding more liquid dish soap between the bezel and case. It’ll lift the grit.

Repeat if necessary.

[Casotakar]

I’d probably stop turning it so much and just swing by a trusted independent watch maker in your area, let em remove the bezel, do a proper cleaning and have you on your way. Super easy and stress free.

They say when your crystal cracks to hack it and put it upside down…but while I’m hearing you’ve got actual rock particles potentially shredding away metal underneath your bezel everyone keeps telling you to continue rotating it lol.

[TomLou]

Sorry to hear
Of course there are particles of sand and dirt…Rolex is a good tool away from hardships.
I would do a service and go with a Casio next time to your Intuitive DS.

[George58]

dunk the watch in warm water rotate the bezel under the water while moving the watch around

[StillTrying]

I had similar issues when I would surf with my submariner; san getting stuck under bezel. Now I wear an Explorer and do not have that problem. Like chewy suggested, soak overnight and repeat rinsing under running warm water while gently turning bezel.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Casotakar

I’d probably stop turning it so much and just swing by a trusted independent watch maker in your area, let em remove the bezel, do a proper cleaning and have you on your way. Super easy and stress free.

They say when your crystal cracks to hack it and put it upside down…but while I’m hearing you’ve got actual rock particles potentially shredding away metal underneath your bezel everyone keeps telling you to continue rotating it lol.

I would tend to agree. I wouldn’t turn the bezel until you have it properly cleaned out. It’s akin to sandpaper on the bearings. An AD or watch maker should be able to help you out with this…

[10klakes]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Soak it overnight in a warm cup of water with a lot of dish soap. Then in the morning slowly rotate the bezel while adding more liquid dish soap between the bezel and case. It’ll lift the grit.

Repeat if necessary.

I’ll give this a run, thanks for the insight.

[Ganymede]

Originally Posted by 10klakes

Recently I attended a training seminar in Raton NM, and I decided to wear my BLNR (116710) on Everest for the week. I don’t spend much time in the desert, but didn’t think anything of wearing my tool watch.

Well, we spent a lot of time on the ground, going through drills, and each day we got fairly dirty. I washed my watch as anybody would (soap/water), and by the end of the week I can report back that now there is a gritty feel when I rotate the bezel. I’ve washed and rinsed it several times, but there is still just a faint bit of grit to the feel of rotating it.

I’m guessing I’ll have to send it in, but wanted to share, because I alway get a laugh at the “is it safe” threads, and now here I am with a watch that will probably need a service/cleaning from RSC. Otherwise, any tips on how to flush it out?

I would share some pics but I know certain things that go bang cannot be shared here, so I won’t elaborate on what we were doing.

Short of removing the bezel, you can try the following:

Get yourself a spray bottle with a stream setting. Fill it with soapy water. Spray vigorously under the bezel at 3, 6, 9, 12 and rotate the bezel along the way.

Simply holding the watch under running water won’t get it done.

[fsprow]

Don't stress it. Takes 10 minutes for you or a watchmaker to remove, clean and reinstall.

[Gerardus]

Had the same thing years ago with my 16610. I sprayed WD40 under the bezel and after a few minutes it was possible to rotate.

[Marcjvr]

No bezel is the best.

[WatchGuy1966]

It will work it's way out. Use the tips above plus dental floss

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

No bezel is the best.

See, desert dweller right there!!!

[Finslayer83]

Whittington?

[Master_Grogu]

So much for “tool” watch heh!

[Combine man]

Originally Posted by Gerardus

Had the same thing years ago with my 16610. I sprayed WD40 under the bezel and after a few minutes it was possible to rotate.

Exactly the best and easiest fix for this,my SD43 gets like this and WD40 or similar always works,biggest problem?? Makes the hairs stick to your arm!

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I’m confident that I would buy a Desert Dweller in a heartbeat.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I’m confident that I would buy a Desert Dweller in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

Desert dweller!

OP, don’t send it off. Shower with it and spin it. It’ll work out.

And yes, the bezel assembly for ceramic inserts pops off but I don’t recommend that, based on personal experience. Some may get it done. I’ve seen it done in person. But my latest attempt was unsuccessful. Full disclosure coming, when I get it back.

Originally Posted by garyk

See, desert dweller right there!!!

Originally Posted by 10klakes

I’ll give it some time and more washing, thanks for the insight.

Agreed, desert dweller would be interesting- lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I will get Geneva on it next conference call.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[10klakes]

Originally Posted by Finslayer83

Whittington?

Yessir…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bp1000]

Got dust sand and dirt under the bezel of my 5 digit gmt.

A few goes with soap and water and it eased up completely

[HideMyWalletPlease]

This is not Rolexes fault. You wore a commercial pilots watch but you were not flying commercial aircraft. Upon landing you should have switched to an explorer. That was obviously the appropriate Rolex for the activity.