VERY sticky bezel on a 16613

[TheDeuce]

Hey all!

Good news / bad news day for me. I closed a deal on a P-series 16613 and got it delivered last Friday. It looks great, winds nice, and minimal bracelet stretch. Heck, it still has some sticker on it!

HOWEVER!

The bezel is, I thought at first, seized. This AM I took it to the local unauthorized repair guy (who actually used to work at the local AD) and he gave her a good twist and she actually turned. With all his might, mind you, but it turned. "Oh, that's good and tight" he says.

I suggested that having to wrench on it like that while 70 feet under the water with dive gloves on might not work so well. So he put some lube under the bezel and that did clean up the action a bit, but not a lot. The local AD is closed today, so no answers there, but I figured I should tap the best for their take.

So, TRF! Here' are the questions. Why would the bezel be so tight? What might be wrong with it? What kind of repair bill might I be looking at?

I'll also take this opportunity to preempt the wise guys out there. No, I'm not trying to turn it clockwise




Thanks in advance for the sage advice I'm sure to receive.



m.

[kegan]

when my Dads 16710 was doing this it was easily fixed by removing the bezel and cleaning out the eight years of dirt that was under there....dont move the bezel until you've investigated this option what I cleaned off that watch seamed very abrasive you
dont want to end up with a bezel that turns to easy. hope this helps

Scott

[TheDeuce]

Originally Posted by kegan

when my Dads 16710 was doing this it was easily fixed by removing the bezel and cleaning out the eight years of dirt that was under there....dont move the bezel until you've investigated this option what I cleaned off that watch seamed very abrasive you
dont want to end up with a bezel that turns to easy. hope this helps

Scott

That was my first guess but my unauthorized guy gave me some line about it not being a good idea to remove the bezel. I might need a new local unauthorized guy.



m.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by TheDeuce

That was my first guess but my unauthorized guy gave me some line about it not being a good idea to remove the bezel. I might need a new local unauthorized guy.

m.

Avoid him; he doesn't know anything about Rolex watches.

[InVision]

Soak overnight in hot water and disk soap. Move bezel during the process should loosen up. Mike

[TheDeuce]

Originally Posted by InVision

Soak overnight in hot water and disk soap. Move bezel during the process should loosen up. Mike

Is it ok to get it wet? Won't that damage it?


I'm hitting Belize in January with the guys for some diving. This might actually become a 1% watch. As in one of the 1% that see some PADI-defined deep diving.


m.

[axecollector65]

I had the exact same thing happen to my sub's bezel. I thought it seized on me too, but I can move it with alot of elbow grease so, I took it to my AD and they sent it out to have it fixed. I just got a call from today that it's back from the RSC and the total cost was $75 plus $35 for shipping and handling. My AD said it works like new and the work is under warranty. I'm sure it's a simple fix, but I would definitely take it to a AD. Hope this helps.

[dieseldragon]

its super simple to take the bezel off. It takes 2 seconds and then give it a scrub with a nail brush. Do a search for how to change bezel insert, theres some good threads on it and they have step by step pics on how to remove the bezel.

Soaking it over night will certainly help but will not remove enough of the grime to make a real difference.

[cyglee]

The thought of taking off a bezel on a Rolex seemed a bit daunting... so I tried it first on my daily beater Tag 1000. The amount of built up gunk was surprising. Watch the thread, and be extra careful with springy springs! Or, it should be a simple task for a watch repair person.

[Tools]

Somebody probably spilled their soft-drink on it..

Use some warm water and liquid soap and wash it.. it will probably work like new...

[TheDeuce]

Originally Posted by Tools

Somebody probably spilled their soft-drink on it..

Use some warm water and liquid soap and wash it.. it will probably work like new...

It's soaking in warm water and liquid soap right now. I'll post an update if the patient's status changes.

Thx for the advice though. If push comes to shove, is removing the bezel that hard?



m.

[TheDeuce]

Well, after a nice long bath and some loving TLC the bezel is still essentially immovable. Off to the local AD tomorrow...


m.

[dieseldragon]

Is it really worth going to an AD to do a 2 min job?

This excellent post by Jocke explains it very well. He has also changed the insert, but all you are interested in is taking the bezel off to clean it.

http://www.vikbobil.se/bezel.html

[fastfras]

Originally Posted by dieseldragon

Is it really worth going to an AD to do a 2 min job?

This excellent post by Jocke explains it very well. He has also changed the insert, but all you are interested in is taking the bezel off to clean it.

http://www.vikbobil.se/bezel.html

Thank you, and of course Jock, for the info, four years later and still assisting stick bezel sub owners everywhere!

best regards,

fraser

[fishguy83]

My GMT used to stick, but I started showering with it, and the problem was fixed. Soapy water is the answer, but only if you're sure your watch is still waterproof. My bezel isn't even remotely sticky, and I had to use the jaws of life to move it before. Literally.