Sub rattling and keeps stopping

[Jshodgson]

I have a beautiful day 10 year old submariner that I purchased brand new from an AD in the UK. It has had an easy life and doesn’t get worn daily. In recent weeks it has stopped whilst I’m wearing it after a few days (having fully wound it up at the start) and today I have noticed that if I shake the watch it has a rattle coming from inside. It has never been serviced or received any damage. Any ideas?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Jshodgson

I have a beautiful day 10 year old submariner that I purchased brand new from an AD in the UK. It has had an easy life and doesn’t get worn daily. In recent weeks it has stopped whilst I’m wearing it after a few days (having fully wound it up at the start) and today I have noticed that if I shake the watch it has a rattle coming from inside. It has never been serviced or received any damage. Any ideas?

The main Achilles heel in most all of the Rolex 3 series movements like the cal 3135 Cal 3155, cal 3185/6 is the rotor shaft bearings, and IMHO its the 3 series movements weakest link the rotor winding sleeve bearings. Now these need proper lubrication and its very critical its done right,if it dries out especially in warm climates you will get severe wear in the bearing jewels.Looks like to me Rolex has sacrificed a bit in the engineering department for better winding efficiency. IMHO the small diameter winding post don't offer enough support to the rotor weight, but again some go on for decades without service, but many fail for the lack of.But if your rotor or bearings do need replacing then you can be 100% sure the movement needs a full service as well.

[garyk]

Sounds like off to RSC...

[Aberdein]

My GMT would stop after less than 8 hours off my wrist and made a rattling sound when shaken. Had it serviced by Rolex and they had to replace a "fractured oscillating weight'. I should add its a lot older than your Sub.
Sounds like you need to get it to a RSC.

[Dirt]

Sounds very much like your watch is in need of a service.
As Padi clearly points out, there is an Achilles heel with the design of your movement.
If you send your watch off to Rolex for its long overdue service sooner rather than later, you may be able to avoid any further unnecessary damage.
It's all down hill from now on and the risks of further damage on another level increase every day you are wearing the watch from now on.

[Jshodgson]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Sounds very much like your watch is in need of a service.
As Padi clearly points out, there is an Achilles heel with the design of your movement.
If you send your watch off to Rolex for its long overdue service sooner rather than later, you may be able to avoid any further unnecessary damage.
It's all down hill from now on and the risks of further damage on another level increase every day you are wearing the watch from now on.

My understanding from Rolex is that the watch should be serviced every 10 years. What do you mean by “long overdue service”?

[Jshodgson]

Had the watch serviced by Rolex. Brilliant experience, they took a lot of details from me and sent the watch off. I received a call to say the watch was back and ready to be picked up within 2 weeks of sending it. They charged me just the service cost via the AD at £575. They had warned me that there could have been further costs if they found any faults but they didn’t. Watch works and looks perfect and the next service is due in 2031.