Explorer 2 date wheel stuck

[sportsfan0704]

Recently picked up this 216570 from a very reputable dealer. The watch is running well and keeping great time. However, the date change wheel is getting stuck. At 12:01 the wheel clicks and begins to change, but it doesn’t fully change over to the next day until around 2:17. I’ve tried to change the date both using the hour hand and all hands over a number of days and nothing is giving. Any ideas?




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[Cassian739]

Needs to go to RSC, or a local AD with a Rolex service department. Since you are in NY, RSC NY is on 5th Ave x 52nd.

ROLEX SERVICE CENTER NEW YORK‬
650 Fifth Avenue
10019 New York
United States

[WatchTimes]

Send it in...
Unless you have the tools to open it yourself and know what you're doing that is going to be the smart option.

[joe100]

Time for a service.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

Needs to go to RSC, or a local AD with a Rolex service department. Since you are in NY, RSC NY is on 5th Ave x 52nd.

ROLEX SERVICE CENTER NEW YORK‬
650 Fifth Avenue
10019 New York
United States

It definitely needs work. The question is more about what kind of work. If I could avoid a full service that would be nice, and that’s my hope given the watch is running very well otherwise


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[Easy Rhino]

Definitely needs a service. Do you have any idea when it was last serviced and by who it was serviced? Given its performance problem, personally I would not shy away from a full service, as to get to the date mechanism gets the watchmaker so deeply into the mechanism of the watch you would get the parts cleaned and properly lubed for essentially no added costs.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

Definitely needs a service. Do you have any idea when it was last serviced and by who it was serviced? Given its performance problem, personally I would not shy away from a full service, as to get to the date mechanism gets the watchmaker so deeply into the mechanism of the watch you would get the parts cleaned and properly lubed for essentially no added costs.

Not sure when it was last service, if ever. I did just buy it from a reputable dealer, so I am sure that they did whatever they do when they get a Watch in, so I am surprised that this didn’t get caught. I’m trying to diagnose the problem before I determine whether to follow up with the dealer or just send it in for service on my end. If the problem doesn’t seem that significant, then I would send it back to the dealer and have their watchmaker try and fix it, but if it is more significant and service related I would go rsc


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[Harry-57]

The date change did this on my 116610LV. My AD wound the date change backwards and forwards a few times with the hands well away from midnight and it cleared. IIRC you flip the date with the hour hand on the Explorer II. If you've tried to flick it in both directions and it sticks, an AD or RSC is your next move. I wouldn't want the seller to take the back off.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

The date change did this on my 116610LV. My AD wound the date change backwards and forwards a few times with the hands well away from midnight and it cleared. IIRC you flip the date with the hour hand on the Explorer II. If you've tried to flick it in both directions and it sticks, an AD or RSC is your next move. I wouldn't want the seller to take the back off.

Yes Rolex uses a cam system and sometimes can get a bit dry,but cycling the date around a few time usually rectify the slight problem.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

The date change did this on my 116610LV. My AD wound the date change backwards and forwards a few times with the hands well away from midnight and it cleared. IIRC you flip the date with the hour hand on the Explorer II. If you've tried to flick it in both directions and it sticks, an AD or RSC is your next move. I wouldn't want the seller to take the back off.

Good idea/ advice

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes Rolex uses a cam system and sometimes can get a bit dry,but cycling the date around a few time usually rectify the slight problem.

If it’s just a lubrication problem with the date wheel and not fully movement related, think I can avoid a service?

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

The date change did this on my 116610LV. My AD wound the date change backwards and forwards a few times with the hands well away from midnight and it cleared. IIRC you flip the date with the hour hand on the Explorer II. If you've tried to flick it in both directions and it sticks, an AD or RSC is your next move. I wouldn't want the seller to take the back off.

Generally yes. Though it’s from European watch co as opposed to a typical secondary seller who isn’t much of a watchmaker or is in the business of quick flips. I’d rather not send it back to them and not have to go for a full service either!

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

I’d rather not send it back to them and not have to go for a full service either!

I've just had a service without refurbishment for my 216570. Cost was UK £592. FYI.

[worldofoyster]

need some lube

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

need some lube

On the date wheel?


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[Guppydriver]

How recently did you acquire this? If it's weeks, then I would would maybe reach out to the grey dealer and let them know. Maybe there is something they could do to help. Competition is fierce amongst some of these dealers, and their reputation is everything.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

How recently did you acquire this? If it's weeks, then I would would maybe reach out to the grey dealer and let them know. Maybe there is something they could do to help. Competition is fierce amongst some of these dealers, and their reputation is everything.

About 2 weeks ago


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[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

About 2 weeks ago


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Heck ya, I'd let him know. Send him videos on what's going on, I bet he makes it right or at least helps make it right. They live on reputation.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

If it’s just a lubrication problem with the date wheel and not fully movement related, think I can avoid a service?

Well if cycling the date around a few times and it cures it then fine, but if it comes back then yes watch needs a service.

[HKperf]

It sounds like the date change mechanism might need servicing. Since you recently bought it from a reputable dealer, check if it’s under warranty. If so, they should handle the repair. If not, take it to a certified Rolex watchmaker to get it checked out. It’s best to address this sooner rather than later to avoid further issues.

[USMC034L]

I just had this same issue with my BLNR. It was bought new from my AD in January 2023. I noticed a couple of months ago that it happened, but went away. The issue re-appeared a week or two ago and is now persistent with every date change, but does finally click over between 0130-0200. That being said, the smart move is to send it in while it's still under warranty for Rolex to rectify. I was pretty sad about having to send mine in, but it's the right move. Best of luck to you!

[MannyMann]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

Needs to go to RSC, or a local AD with a Rolex service department. Since you are in NY, RSC NY is on 5th Ave x 52nd.

ROLEX SERVICE CENTER NEW YORK‬
650 Fifth Avenue
10019 New York
United States

+1
You need to service the watch.

[sportsfan0704]

Heard from the dealers watch maker. What does everyone think of this:

“Most likely, the spring for the date wheel cam yolk failed. This is a consumable
component and can be replaced.”


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[Law52]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

Heard from the dealers watch maker. What does everyone think of this:

“Most likely, the spring for the date wheel cam yolk failed. This is a consumable
component and can be replaced.”


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Sounds like a BS reply, for I don’t buy into consumable parts in a Rolex movement. If they don’t cover this under a store warranty, then I wouldn’t call them a reputable grey market dealer.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Law52

Sounds like a BS reply, for I don’t buy into consumable parts in a Rolex movement. If they don’t cover this under a store warranty, then I wouldn’t call them a reputable grey market dealer.

What does that mean exactly?


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[Tools]

The jump hour hand is the only hand that changes the date. You can change the date both forwards and backwards, so turn the jump hand through the midnight change in both directions to confirm that it isn't engaged.

If this does not unstick it, then yes, I agree it is not a lube problem.

Naturally, everything on a Rolex can be fixed. A watchmaker may only address the date issue, but the RSC will likely only do a full service.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Tools

The jump hour hand is the only hand that changes the date. You can change the date both forwards and backwards, so turn the jump hand through the midnight change in both directions to confirm that it isn't engaged.

If this does not unstick it, then yes, I agree it is not a lube problem.

Naturally, everything on a Rolex can be fixed. A watchmaker may only address the date issue, but the RSC will likely only do a full service.

What do you think about the spring for the date wheel cam yoke?


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[77T]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

What do you think about the spring for the date wheel cam yoke?


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It's an educated guess by a trained watchmaker who only has a few facts.

How many times he may have seen this in a relatively new watch would be a surprise to me - so it's a guess.

Everyone has been guessing. Only giving it to a good watchmaker will get you the right answer.


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[3HandsNoDate]

I had this happen on a 16570 after a local non-RSC service once.

[Law52]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

What does that mean exactly?


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I’ll get a second opinion from a experienced Swiss trained watchmaker and see exactly what parts are consumable in a Rolex Movement.