New (to me) Submariner woes. Water involved

[river rat1]

So last week I finally took ownership of my grail watch, a no date sub. I bought the watch from Bobs watches and everything went smoothly. A few days after I owned the watch I was swimming all day and later that night as I was admiring my new watch I noticed that the case back was super loose. I emailed Bobs watches asking what I should do and I haven't heard back from them yet. I don't see any moisture in the watch but have yet to remove the back. Anything I should be doing, or just wait to hear back from Bobs? Thanks guys!

[Old Expat Beast]

By 'super loose' do you mean you can unscrew it by hand? I'd take a look inside if so.

[river rat1]

Yeah, like easily unscrewed by hand. It was barely even snug

[Old Expat Beast]

Do they have a return policy? I'd send it back.

[mailman]

Their website doesn't say if they're open on the weekend or not. I'd give them until 9am PST and call them.

https://www.bobswatches.com

[DamienStepien]

There is no excuse for a malfunction such as this to occur, especially within a week of ownership. Return it. Plain and simple. Accept no BS on their part.

[watchwatcher]

Yeah...that doesn't sound right. Curious as to how they're going to respond.

[brandrea]

Keep us posted, most interested to hear what they have to say.

[river rat1]

It's really going to stink to have to send my new Subby back after only owning it for days. What a mess.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by river rat1

It's really going to stink to have to send my new Subby back after only owning it for days. What a mess.

Look inside for water.. If there isn't any, tighten it up and move on..

Not sure why something loose is a reason to send it back unless it caused damage..

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Tools

Look inside for water.. If there isn't any, tighten it up and move on..

Not sure why something loose is a reason to send it back unless it caused damage..

Is it as easy is looking inside to see water? We're dealing with a pretty small space here, isn't it possible there could be moisture or a tiny amount of water inside unseen on the surface and to the naked eye?

Additionally, the OP is not a watchmaker, so your suggestion is really to hand tighten his Rolex and move on? It will certainly have to be tightened and pressure tested by a pro.

This is all a headache a new buyer shouldn't have to deal with.

Looks like it all worked out, but some of the nonchalant "just relax" advice from senior members and mods just baffles me.

[rebel_1]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Is it as easy is looking inside to see water? We're dealing with a pretty small space here, isn't it possible there could be moisture or a tiny amount of water inside unseen on the surface and to the naked eye?

Additionally, the OP is not a watchmaker, so your suggestion is really to hand tighten his Rolex and move on? It will certainly have to be tightened and pressure tested by a pro.

This is all a headache a new buyer shouldn't have to deal with.

Looks like it all worked out, but some of the nonchalant "just relax" advice from senior members and mods just baffles me.

Good thing the OP didn't allow his lack of experience effect his judgment and Bobs Watches showed outstanding customer service.

[azguy]

......and why should Bob's not think the buyer fooled with watch, not saying he did, but come on. Unless there's a record of Bob documenting the watch to have been pressure tested I'd think Bob's isnt simoly going to rollover on this one...-

[Lpugliese]

Years ago bobs watches let me return after 4 days because something was not as listed

[river rat1]

I don't know what they are going to do, but I certainly don't think I should be sent a five thousand dollar watch with the case back not even hand tight. I would t be concerned if I had not spent 5 hours floating in a pool before discovering the issue. Isn't there a tool or something that needs to be used to tighten up the back? If so, I don't have that tool.

[Tools]

Any Dealer with a watchmaker will tighten your case back and probably do a quick pressure check.

[locutus49]

The right answer as expected.

Originally Posted by Tools

Any Dealer with a watchmaker will tighten your case back and probably do a quick pressure check.

[cht]

Since the watch is obviously NOT waterlogged, its NOT a big deal and NOT something you need to send it back for. If it was waterlogged, then send it back.
Why is the caseback loose, good question. ASk them.

But it may only have moisture to deal with.

That being the case, first, take off your dress and put your man pants on.
then, take off the caseback, set the watch dial down in a tuperware filled with rice, put the lid on the tuperware, then wait a day. this will remove the little bit of potential moisture.
Put the case back on as tight as you can with your fingers keeping in mind NOT to twist the gasket.
take it to any watch place and they can tighten and pressure test for you.
If not free it's like $15.
Email bob and tell them the catastrophy you avoided and that the caseback was loose so they'll take more care in the future.
lastly, (if you want, put your dress back on) enjoy your watch!

good luck.

[Justinmg]

Originally Posted by cht

Since the watch is obviously NOT waterlogged, its NOT a big deal and NOT something you need to send it back for. If it was waterlogged, then send it back.
Why is the caseback loose, good question. ASk them.

But it may only have moisture to deal with.

That being the case, first, take off your dress and put your man pants on.
then, take off the caseback, set the watch dial down in a tuperware filled with rice, put the lid on the tuperware, then wait a day. this will remove the little bit of potential moisture.
Put the case back on as tight as you can with your fingers keeping in mind NOT to twist the gasket.
take it to any watch place and they can tighten and pressure test for you.
If not free it's like $15.
Email bob and tell them the catastrophy you avoided and that the caseback was loose so they'll take more care in the future.
lastly, (if you want, put your dress back on) enjoy your watch!

good luck.

Really!!!

[trackntrail]

Originally Posted by cht

Since the watch is obviously NOT waterlogged, its NOT a big deal and NOT something you need to send it back for. If it was waterlogged, then send it back.
Why is the caseback loose, good question. ASk them.

But it may only have moisture to deal with.

That being the case, first, take off your dress and put your man pants on.
then, take off the caseback, set the watch dial down in a tuperware filled with rice, put the lid on the tuperware, then wait a day. this will remove the little bit of potential moisture.
Put the case back on as tight as you can with your fingers keeping in mind NOT to twist the gasket.
take it to any watch place and they can tighten and pressure test for you.
If not free it's like $15.
Email bob and tell them the catastrophy you avoided and that the caseback was loose so they'll take more care in the future.
lastly, (if you want, put your dress back on) enjoy your watch

Why so much hostility? This is the op's first Rolex and it was just purchased so he wants to make sure there are no problems. Sending it back to return it or just have it checked out as he is doing is the best option. Also how is it not a big deal? Water inside a case, if not remedied properly, can and will destroy the internals of the watch over time.

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by cht

Since the watch is obviously NOT waterlogged, its NOT a big deal and NOT something you need to send it back for. If it was waterlogged, then send it back.
Why is the caseback loose, good question. ASk them.

But it may only have moisture to deal with.

That being the case, first, take off your dress and put your man pants on.
then, take off the caseback, set the watch dial down in a tuperware filled with rice, put the lid on the tuperware, then wait a day. this will remove the little bit of potential moisture.
Put the case back on as tight as you can with your fingers keeping in mind NOT to twist the gasket.
take it to any watch place and they can tighten and pressure test for you.
If not free it's like $15.
Email bob and tell them the catastrophy you avoided and that the caseback was loose so they'll take more care in the future.
lastly, (if you want, put your dress back on) enjoy your watch!

good luck.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by cht

Since the watch is obviously NOT waterlogged, its NOT a big deal and NOT something you need to send it back for. If it was waterlogged, then send it back.
Why is the caseback loose, good question. ASk them.

But it may only have moisture to deal with.

That being the case, first, take off your dress and put your man pants on.
then, take off the caseback, set the watch dial down in a tuperware filled with rice, put the lid on the tuperware, then wait a day. this will remove the little bit of potential moisture.
Put the case back on as tight as you can with your fingers keeping in mind NOT to twist the gasket.
take it to any watch place and they can tighten and pressure test for you.
If not free it's like $15.
Email bob and tell them the catastrophy you avoided and that the caseback was loose so they'll take more care in the future.
lastly, (if you want, put your dress back on) enjoy your watch!

good luck.

WTF?!?!

Ridiculous post!....

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by cht

Since the watch is obviously NOT waterlogged, its NOT a big deal and NOT something you need to send it back for. If it was waterlogged, then send it back.
Why is the caseback loose, good question. ASk them.

But it may only have moisture to deal with.

That being the case, first, take off your dress and put your man pants on.
then, take off the caseback, set the watch dial down in a tuperware filled with rice, put the lid on the tuperware, then wait a day. this will remove the little bit of potential moisture.
Put the case back on as tight as you can with your fingers keeping in mind NOT to twist the gasket.
take it to any watch place and they can tighten and pressure test for you.
If not free it's like $15.
Email bob and tell them the catastrophy you avoided and that the caseback was loose so they'll take more care in the future.
lastly, (if you want, put your dress back on) enjoy your watch!

good luck.

Worse advice ever, and not sure where the op is reacting in a way implying a dress.....

Very happy to hear Bob's is making this right, this will increase their reputation and image positively as a seller. I think this was one of the best outcomes, report back and let us know....however I would still have it checked when it comes back from Bobs, for some definitive assurance...but that's just me.

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by cht

Since the watch is obviously NOT waterlogged, its NOT a big deal and NOT something you need to send it back for. If it was waterlogged, then send it back.
Why is the caseback loose, good question. ASk them.

But it may only have moisture to deal with.

That being the case, first, take off your dress and put your man pants on.
then, take off the caseback, set the watch dial down in a tuperware filled with rice, put the lid on the tuperware, then wait a day. this will remove the little bit of potential moisture.
Put the case back on as tight as you can with your fingers keeping in mind NOT to twist the gasket.
take it to any watch place and they can tighten and pressure test for you.
If not free it's like $15.
Email bob and tell them the catastrophy you avoided and that the caseback was loose so they'll take more care in the future.
lastly, (if you want, put your dress back on) enjoy your watch!

good luck.

Cht, just letting you know that an un-potty-trained child is using your account.

[Lord]

Originally Posted by cht

Since the watch is obviously NOT waterlogged, its NOT a big deal and NOT something you need to send it back for. If it was waterlogged, then send it back.
Why is the caseback loose, good question. ASk them.

But it may only have moisture to deal with.

That being the case, first, take off your dress and put your man pants on.
then, take off the caseback, set the watch dial down in a tuperware filled with rice, put the lid on the tuperware, then wait a day. this will remove the little bit of potential moisture.
Put the case back on as tight as you can with your fingers keeping in mind NOT to twist the gasket.
take it to any watch place and they can tighten and pressure test for you.
If not free it's like $15.
Email bob and tell them the catastrophy you avoided and that the caseback was loose so they'll take more care in the future.
lastly, (if you want, put your dress back on) enjoy your watch!

good luck.

Harsh. But funny too. Mood-subjective humour!

Apologies to be Jonny-come-lately, but have you actually used the rice technique on micro mechanics CHT?
I'd suggest the silica gel sachets as a better option due to the super-low/no dust factor, rather than dusty rice. IMO rice is ok for electronics (w/o sensors etc.) rather than intricate mechanics.

Nice to see the excellent response from Bob's too OP, enjoy the comfort factor from great service like this

BTW, did you not fully inspect the piece when it arrived? easy to say after the fact perhaps... and this is the voice of the internet buyer of a good few years standing (with a few slip-ups along the way)

[river rat1]

Just got the call. They are sending a return label. They want to go through the watch to make sure nothing got messed up. He said sometimes the remove the backs after the pressure tests to take pictures and stuff. So yup, I'll be without my watch for a bit :(

[997.2]

Originally Posted by river rat1

Just got the call. They are sending a return label. They want to go through the watch to make sure nothing got messed up. He said sometimes the remove the backs after the pressure tests to take pictures and stuff. So yup, I'll be without my watch for a bit :(

Happy they are making it right.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by river rat1

Just got the call. They are sending a return label. They want to go through the watch to make sure nothing got messed up. He said sometimes the remove the backs after the pressure tests to take pictures and stuff. So yup, I'll be without my watch for a bit :(

that is good service

[WyoWatch]

Originally Posted by river rat1

sometimes the remove the backs after the pressure tests to take pictures and stuff.

Who takes a caseback off AFTER the pressure test?! Isn't the point of a pressure test to ensure the seals are in tact? Holy smokes... Anywho, it sounds like you've been taken care of by a company that has great customer service so I'm sure all will end well with this.

[goldfixer21]

Originally Posted by WyoWatch

Who takes a caseback off AFTER the pressure test?! Isn't the point of a pressure test to ensure the seals are in tact? Holy smokes... Anywho, it sounds like you've been taken care of by a company that has great customer service so I'm sure all will end well with this.

It could be that it was pressure tested with the movement out of the watch, and the case back not secured properly afterwards. It can be "dry pressure tested" with the movement in the case, but a "wet test", if I am correct, is done with the movement removed. The case back is seldom ever a cause of water intrusion, unless it hasn't been tightened correctly. The crown or crystal gasket will almost always be the culprit. If the caseback gasket is in good condition, and lubricated properly, it's seldom an issue IMO