Sigh.....dropped my Datejust

[LarryC]

This is my first post, and I wish it was a happier occasion.

A moment of inattention with my Datejust sitting on one side of the desk and me moving something on the other side....and the Datejust hit the floor. Crystal is broken, but looks like no other damage.

Questions:

1. Given the current lockdown, I'm not sure I'm going to find a local (and reputable) repair shop still operating (I'm in Orange County, CA, USA). Would you recommend I send it to someone, and if so, whom? (BTW, I didn't buy it from an AD, I bought pre-owned via Chrono24.)

2. If anyone is local to me and there -is- a reputable repair shop operating here, could you let me know?

3. I happen to be in possession of a spare 116610LN crystal. I know this is silly before I even ask, but there's no chance a Sub and Datejust use the same crystal, is there?

Thanks!

I'd attach a pic, but I don't have the minimum post count to do so. Will try to get there.

[42itus]

Hack the movement of you haven’t done so yet.


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[thejl]

First and foremost, I would make sure you hack
the movement to prevent any pieces of broken crystal
from finding their way inside the gears and causing damage
to the movement.

[LarryC]

Sorry....explain or post link to hacking the movement, please?

Also -- forgot to include this before. It's a 126334.

[LarryC]

Ah, just pull the crown out & stop the movement, right? Done.

[Ny325]

LarryC, I feel your pain. I dropped my 36m DateJust in the bathroom, on porcelain tile last fall. My crystal shattered. Fortunately, I have a friend who’s a watchmaker for Rolex. She had to do a entire overhaul, because she said the crystal could get inside the movement, and damage it. She had the watch for several weeks, and repaired for me. I would go to a Rolex AD, when things start to settle down. This way you know the repair was done right. It’s not going to be cheap, however, your going to have a piece of mind. The crystal alone is around $150-$200. My repair would’ve cost me around $700-$1000. I paid no where near that. Good luck.

[illiguy]

Agree with hacking movement and finding a watchmaker as soon as reasonable given quarantine.

[Ihatecheese]

Yep gotta get it to the repair shops as they always worry about the crystal getting in in all the tiny gaps and messing up the movement. May need to service as well as replace crystal at Rolex ad :( perhaps pop in a box for s few months till things normalise.

[AG23]

Sorry to hear this Larry. Seems like it could be a while tiil you can get it repaired, so it’s probably the right time to expand your collection! Seems like a number of AD’s are still operating online in the US.

[LarryC]

Originally Posted by AG23

Sorry to hear this Larry. Seems like it could be a while tiil you can get it repaired, so it’s probably the right time to expand your collection! Seems like a number of AD’s are still operating online in the US.

Well, even before this happened, I was on the lookout for an Explorer 1 with the Mark II dial....

[gejay99]

Ouch sorry hopefully it Doesn’t happen again


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[brmott]

Man, that sucks. Been there myself with a Planet Ocean. Didn’t bust the crystal but dented the case really good.

There is a Rolex specialist in Tulsa that has been around for years. I use them for servicing my watches. Give them a call.

https://www.tulsatimerepair.com/

[Jari from Finland]

I have accidentally dropped couple of watches on the floor resulting to
have them repaired by AD. I know how tricky it is. Have your watched checked by a Rolex trained watchmaker.

[CKizzy]

If you are in NorCal give RolliWorks in Campbell a call for repairs and service.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by CKizzy

If you are in NorCal give RolliWorks in Campbell a call for repairs and service.

Closed due to virus!!!!!

[Bigblu10]

Time Care Inc. (Rik Dietel) is currently open but he is in Florida. You would have to ship the watch.

[LarryC]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Time Care Inc. (Rik Dietel) is currently open but he is in Florida. You would have to ship the watch.

Thanks. I don't mind shipping if I have to. Preference would be to find someone here (Orange County) I can take it to. Under ordinary circumstances, there'd be several places around here I can take it.

If there's no one here that's currently open, I'll have to weigh shipping vs. waiting.

[pradeepraavi]

Oh no. Never a good thing to let a watch hit the floor, let alone a Rolex.

[LarryC]

Originally Posted by pradeepraavi

Oh no. Never a good thing to let a watch hit the floor, let alone a Rolex.

No kidding. I didn't see it -- I heard it, thought, "what was that?" looked around to see if glasses or a drinking glass were on the desk, got confused for a second, realized what it was, heart sank, went over to the other side of the desk and saw it on the floor, and heart sank again....all in the span of about four seconds.

[doramas]

Originally Posted by LarryC

This is my first post, and I wish it was a happier occasion.

A moment of inattention with my Datejust sitting on one side of the desk and me moving something on the other side....and the Datejust hit the floor. Crystal is broken, but looks like no other damage.

Questions:

1. Given the current lockdown, I'm not sure I'm going to find a local (and reputable) repair shop still operating (I'm in Orange County, CA, USA). Would you recommend I send it to someone, and if so, whom? (BTW, I didn't buy it from an AD, I bought pre-owned via Chrono24.)

2. If anyone is local to me and there -is- a reputable repair shop operating here, could you let me know?

3. I happen to be in possession of a spare 116610LN crystal. I know this is silly before I even ask, but there's no chance a Sub and Datejust use the same crystal, is there?

Thanks!

I'd attach a pic, but I don't have the minimum post count to do so. Will try to get there.

Publish some photos please

[LarryC]

Originally Posted by doramas

Publish some photos please

I have to get my post count to 10 first....but will do.

[kieselguhr]

LA Watch Works in Pasadena would be your best bet. They do a great job and I believe they’re open. Try Monday morning and ask for Edvi.

[LarryC]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

LA Watch Works in Pasadena would be your best bet. They do a great job and I believe they’re open. Try Monday morning and ask for Edvi.

Much appreciated! First reaction was "that's a two-hour drive," but then I realized that right now it's more of a one-hour drive. :-)

[johnliley]

I dropped mine too last week currently at my watch maker

timed it and it was off like 46 secs in 48hrs

big dent in the case at 9 and the crown has a noticeable flat spot

tried to give it a full wind but sounded like a bag of potato chips.

I stopped immediately and got her in to the ER

my fellow thinks the spring end broke off not sure till he does some more investigation

I was trying to put the watch on I have it on a strap and I'm 6"4" it fell chest height onto the kitchen tile.

Well shes in good hands

I may have shed a tear as thats the first time I've done that in 20 plus years of collecting.

Makes door jam knocks tolerable now. (maybe)

JL

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by LarryC

Much appreciated! First reaction was "that's a two-hour drive," but then I realized that right now it's more of a one-hour drive. :-)

45 minutes. Also no smog!

[LarryC]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

45 minutes. Also no smog!

Well....I'm at the south end of Orange County. :-)

[77T]

Originally Posted by LarryC

Much appreciated! First reaction was "that's a two-hour drive," but then I realized that right now it's more of a one-hour drive. :-)

Be careful on that trip if you make it soon. Some jurisdictions are now ticketing people right at the point of parking at a non-essential location.

Maybe go to In-N-Out
2114 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

It’s around the corner - get a burger and walk around the block to LA Watchworks.




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[LarryC]

Originally Posted by 77T

Be careful on that trip if you make it soon. Some jurisdictions are now ticketing people right at the point of parking at a non-essential location.

Maybe go to In-N-Out
2114 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

It’s around the corner - get a burger and walk around the block to LA Watchworks.




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Yeah -- good idea. But I talked to Beau there, and he said they're not doing drop-off or pick-up, I have to ship to them.

The place in Mission Viejo doesn't have the crystal in stock, and since Rolex is closed, it's unlikely they can get one (but he's checking with one person).

[dsquared24]

I’m not sure if he’s still operating but I would contact Kelly Hayes of Hayes Jewelers in Mission Viejo. I don’t have enough posts to post a link but google it. Good luck!


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[LarryC]

Originally Posted by dsquared24

I’m not sure if he’s still operating but I would contact Kelly Hayes of Hayes Jewelers in Mission Viejo. I don’t have enough posts to post a link but google it. Good luck!


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No worries, I found them. Thanks! Much closer to me -- just about 5 mi away.....and they ARE still operating.