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Lisa · 11 August 2011, 01:38 AM

A tech question from a very non-tech person. Two years ago my husband bought a pre-owned SD, M serial I believe, which performed well until about three months ago when he dropped it on a tile floor and it stopped running. I took it back to the gray dealer's watchmaker, and I was told a screw was put back into place.

(ok, good enough for me.)

From that point on, the watch would stop and start randomly. It would work for a few days before stopping again. After returning it for the third time, finally my husband was told that it was discovered a jewel on the bridge was placed upside down. The dealer mused that perhaps this upside down jewel had been placed at a previous service elsewhere from the previous owner.

So I wonder: if we bought the watch two years ago with an upside down jewel, why did it run well and keep time for nearly two years? Did the shock of dropping it have anything to do with the misplaced jewel's performance?

At any rate, cost to replace the jewel will be something like $120.

Thoughts?

Numismatist · 11 August 2011, 01:43 AM

Sounds like a fish story to me. Perhaps the 'watchmaker' further damaged the watch during repair and is trying to recover?

Lisa · 11 August 2011, 01:50 AM

And Chris, here's something I forgot to mention - when I took the watch in right after it was dropped, I also asked for a full service (being told it would receive the same treatment as the RSC would do). Why wasn't the upside down jewel discovered at that time? Are the jewels removed during service?

This guy's supposed to have a good reputation, but as I am learning, this doesn't mean there aren't screwups.

Numismatist · 11 August 2011, 02:12 AM

As I understand, a full RSC service will dis-assemble the entire watch.

Braniff · 11 August 2011, 04:33 AM

Send it to an RSC, when you play around in the "grey" area you should expect grey results. It is an investment, treat like one is my suggestion.

Numismatist · 11 August 2011, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braniff

Send it to an RSC, when you play around in the "grey" area you should expect grey results. It is an investment, treat like one is my suggestion.

Well I suppose; although we've all heard equal horror stories from Rolex RSC as well.

I've had exemplary grey experiences - it's always buy the seller first.

All this aside, it probably is time to give up and send it to RSC

mjm800 · 11 August 2011, 04:53 AM

Sure there are many very good watchmakers employed by gray dealers personally I would rather send my watch to an AD or RSC where I know the watchmaker is Rolex certified.

I bought a watch from a gray dealers it comes with a three year warranty but that warranty is not worth a hill of beans since now the watch is at an RSC because despite their claim that the watch was serviced by them it needed a complete overhaul from Rolex.

Send it in sure you have to go 4-8 weeks without it but when you get it back it will be good as new.

Rikki · 11 August 2011, 11:55 AM

The balance jewel on top of the balance bridge like all capped jewels has a hole jewel that has a recess for the cap jewel so if it was upside down I'm not sure the shock spring would close to hold the jewels in place something has a slight odor I think. Plus the hole jewel has a bevel to fit into the insetting so I believe sumtin aint right lol. Rikki

Lisa · 11 August 2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikki

The balance jewel on top of the balance bridge like all capped jewels has a hole jewel that has a recess for the cap jewel so if it was upside down I'm not sure the shock spring would close to hold the jewels in place something has a slight odor I think. Plus the hole jewel has a bevel to fit into the insetting so I believe sumtin aint right lol. Rikki

Thank you, Rikki... I think I need to find some pics to help me understand this...

edit: so does the balance bridge look like this?

Rikki · 11 August 2011, 10:23 PM

Yes if you look at the jewel you'll see that the cap jewel is recessed into the hole jewel pretty sure they don't fit in upside down. It's the balance for an older movement but they are all pretty much the same. Rik

Lisa · 12 August 2011, 01:06 AM

Thanks, Rik. I see what you mean... it's really not possible for a jewel to be inserted upside down due to its shape. Thanks for your explanation.

I think we need better communication among the watchmaker and the dealer and us.

11 August 2011, 01:38 AM	#1
Lisa "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 15,741	Sea-Dweller with upside down jewel? A tech question from a very non-tech person. Two years ago my husband bought a pre-owned SD, M serial I believe, which performed well until about three months ago when he dropped it on a tile floor and it stopped running. I took it back to the gray dealer's watchmaker, and I was told a screw was put back into place. (ok, good enough for me.) From that point on, the watch would stop and start randomly. It would work for a few days before stopping again. After returning it for the third time, finally my husband was told that it was discovered a jewel on the bridge was placed upside down. The dealer mused that perhaps this upside down jewel had been placed at a previous service elsewhere from the previous owner. So I wonder: if we bought the watch two years ago with an upside down jewel, why did it run well and keep time for nearly two years? Did the shock of dropping it have anything to do with the misplaced jewel's performance? At any rate, cost to replace the jewel will be something like $120. Thoughts?

11 August 2011, 01:43 AM	#2
Numismatist "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Chris Location: Camden ME & STT Watch: 116600 Posts: 6,350	Sounds like a fish story to me. Perhaps the 'watchmaker' further damaged the watch during repair and is trying to recover? __________________ Rolex 116600 Sea-dweller Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White Legrand FP Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White RB Montblanc Meisterstück Diamond Mozart BP Montblanc Meisterstück Mozart BP

11 August 2011, 02:12 AM	#4
Numismatist "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Chris Location: Camden ME & STT Watch: 116600 Posts: 6,350	As I understand, a full RSC service will dis-assemble the entire watch. __________________ Rolex 116600 Sea-dweller Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White Legrand FP Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White RB Montblanc Meisterstück Diamond Mozart BP Montblanc Meisterstück Mozart BP

11 August 2011, 04:53 AM	#7
mjm800 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,950	Sure there are many very good watchmakers employed by gray dealers personally I would rather send my watch to an AD or RSC where I know the watchmaker is Rolex certified. I bought a watch from a gray dealers it comes with a three year warranty but that warranty is not worth a hill of beans since now the watch is at an RSC because despite their claim that the watch was serviced by them it needed a complete overhaul from Rolex. Send it in sure you have to go 4-8 weeks without it but when you get it back it will be good as new. __________________

11 August 2011, 11:55 AM	#8
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	The balance jewel on top of the balance bridge like all capped jewels has a hole jewel that has a recess for the cap jewel so if it was upside down I'm not sure the shock spring would close to hold the jewels in place something has a slight odor I think. Plus the hole jewel has a bevel to fit into the insetting so I believe sumtin aint right lol. Rikki __________________ Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder.

11 August 2011, 01:50 AM	#3
Lisa "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 15,741	And Chris, here's something I forgot to mention - when I took the watch in right after it was dropped, I also asked for a full service (being told it would receive the same treatment as the RSC would do). Why wasn't the upside down jewel discovered at that time? Are the jewels removed during service? This guy's supposed to have a good reputation, but as I am learning, this doesn't mean there aren't screwups.

11 August 2011, 04:33 AM	#5
Braniff "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: J Scott Location: Vancouver Watch: DRSD Posts: 8	Send it to an RSC, when you play around in the "grey" area you should expect grey results. It is an investment, treat like one is my suggestion.

11 August 2011, 10:23 PM	#10
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	Yes if you look at the jewel you'll see that the cap jewel is recessed into the hole jewel pretty sure they don't fit in upside down. It's the balance for an older movement but they are all pretty much the same. Rik __________________ Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder.

12 August 2011, 01:06 AM	#11
Lisa "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 15,741	Thanks, Rik. I see what you mean... it's really not possible for a jewel to be inserted upside down due to its shape. Thanks for your explanation. I think we need better communication among the watchmaker and the dealer and us.

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