Waterproofing QC at Rolex !!

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

Some of you have recently posted concern about having immersed your Rolex watches into water with the crown unscrewed!!

No worries, guys. A major part of the Quality Control at Rolex is ensuring that their watches undergo waterproofing tests even with the crowns open. Of course, this is not recommended at very great depths when the crown must be screwed down.

Cheers - JJ

[colemanitis]

That's good to know, JJ. Thanks for sharing.

[homeboy11]

thanks for the info ,

[Submadatejust]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

....Of course, this is not recommended at very great depths when the crown must be screwed down.

Cheers - JJ

Darn it! I guess everyone who was invited to my underwater Rolex crown-opening party is gonna be disappointed.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Submadatejust

Darn it! I guess everyone who was invited to my underwater Rolex crown-opening party is gonna be disappointed.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Submadatejust

Darn it! I guess everyone who was invited to my underwater Rolex crown-opening party is gonna be disappointed.

[moccamachine]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi guys,

Some of you have recently posted concern about having immersed your Rolex watches into water with the crown unscrewed!!

No worries, guys. A major part of the Quality Control at Rolex is ensuring that their watches undergo waterproofing tests even with the crowns open. Of course, this is not recommended at very great depths when the crown must be screwed down.

Cheers - JJ

Hi, sorry to resurrect an old thread but I just found this tread form searching the forum. I wonder how did you find out about the quality control at Rolex. Not that I doubt your comment but I tried searching for some technical info about Rolex test but came up with nothing.

I actually have a related question as well. I noticed that the twinlock crown on my GMT-II can be tighten a little bit more than when I first got the watch. Now, thinking back, I'm not sure if I tight the crown in enough initially so I worry about the water resistant a little bit. If the twinlock crown do have some water resistant even when it is unscrewed, then I am very much relieved (since mine is screw in but not very tight :)

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by moccamachine

Hi, sorry to resurrect an old thread but I just found this tread form searching the forum. I wonder how did you find out about the quality control at Rolex. Not that I doubt your comment but I tried searching for some technical info about Rolex test but came up with nothing.

I actually have a related question as well. I noticed that the twinlock crown on my GMT-II can be tighten a little bit more than when I first got the watch. Now, thinking back, I'm not sure if I tight the crown in enough initially so I worry about the water resistant a little bit. If the twinlock crown do have some water resistant even when it is unscrewed, then I am very much relieved (since mine is screw in but not very tight :)

Hi Mocca,

A big welcome to TRF!! I do get some good first-hand info from my AD.

As regards your GMT-II, there is no 'O-ring' on the stem as this model is fitted with the TWINLOCK crown. However, there is a seal on the inside of the crown which you can't see. As you tighten the crown down onto the stem of your watch, the seal inside does get compressed. Thus, you will notice you can tighten the crown a little more than before.

My advice to you is NEVER tighten too much. Just enough until the crown STOPS turning and enough that you should be able to unscrew it again without too much of an effort.

Yes, the GMT-II will remain waterproof even with the crown unscrewed. There are seals around the stem of the crown which act as hermetic seals.

However, I would not recommend anyone do this on a regular basis...i.e. leaving the crown unscrewed. Please make it a habit to always screw down the crown and make sure you don't tighten it too much.

Cheers - JJ

[moccamachine]

Thanks :) Very good info.

[fat-sam]

Please make it a habit to always screw down the crown and make sure you don't tighten it too much.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by fat-sam

Please make it a habit to always screw down the crown and make sure you don't tighten it too much.

I just said that, Sammy....and why are you crying?

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I just said that, Sammy....and why are you crying?

He's upset that you said it first. He wanted to be the one to pass on this good advice.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

He's upset that you said it first. He wanted to be the one to pass on this good advice.

[fat-sam]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I just said that, Sammy....and why are you crying?

i deleted the quote marks while editing... i'd love to keep my crown screwed in.... if i could find it

[Flyjet601]

I am just curious as to how people know about how Rolex's QC is conducted. Specifically testing the watch for waterproofing with the crown unscrewed. Where was this information obtained? or is it just word of mouth from different dealers/collectors. I would imagine that Rolex is pretty secretive about their QC and this info is not easily obtainable.
I am not about to test this theory with an expensive item like these watches, but this topic just perked my curiousity.
No doubt that there are some very knowledgable people on this forum, just wondering what the source of this info was......

[mike]

Originally Posted by Flyjet601

I am just curious as to how people know about how Rolex's QC is conducted. Specifically testing the watch for waterproofing with the crown unscrewed. Where was this information obtained? or is it just word of mouth from different dealers/collectors. I would imagine that Rolex is pretty secretive about their QC and this info is not easily obtainable.
I am not about to test this theory with an expensive item like these watches, but this topic just perked my curiousity.
No doubt that there are some very knowledgable people on this forum, just wondering what the source of this info was......

Hi Flyjet,

Actually Rolex themselves speaks to this. Go to the offical Rolex website--50 years of the Submariner,first tests.
You will see a letter from a Mr.Rebikoff--Vice President of the Institute of Submarine Research.
A letter submitted by him detailing tests of the orginal prototypes states in item #7 several dives were conducted with the winding crown in the hand setting position with no ill effects.
Worth noting the was with the orginal twinlock design as opposed to the modern triplock with an additional 0-ring.
Pic of modern triplock--from Rolex;


Additionally, it's my understanding the Royal Marines, prior to adopting the Sub as issue equiment conducted dives (I have no details as to depth) with the winding crown unscrewed with the watches remaining functional.

A rather bad pic, but hopefully one showing the internal set up of the triplock from a maintance manual


Would I do this--No, but as JJ stated it does speak to the internal seals contained in the watch.
IMHO what is important is these gaskets be replaced on a regular basis to insure protection and the watchchecked every 12 to18 months if used for diving where pressure is a critical issue.
one last cut-a-way of the internal configuration of the triplock

[Flyjet601]

HI Mike

Thanks. I knew I would get a great answer. It is a interesting design. I love to see how things work......expanding of my horizons.
BTW, the picture of the book that you used...what book is that?

I appreciate the effort and thank you.

[JJ Irani]

Great pics and some superb info, Mike. Many thanks!!

[mike]

Originally Posted by Flyjet601

HI Mike

Thanks. I knew I would get a great answer. It is a interesting design. I love to see how things work......expanding of my horizons.
BTW, the picture of the book that you used...what book is that?

I appreciate the effort and thank you.

I got that when I was researching the purchase of my 5513. Another collector was helping me out. I believe thats from a tech manual.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by mike

I got that when I was researching the purchase of my 5513. Another collector was helping me out. I believe thats from a tech manual.

Hey Mike,

In that last picture, do you know what the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent? I know they are seals of some sort, but do you have some more details?

Thanks - JJ

[mike]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hey Mike,

In that last picture, do you know what the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent? I know they are seals of some sort, but do you have some more details?

Thanks - JJ

4 is the external o-ring you see. 1&2 are internal seals, 3 is in the crown.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by mike

4 is the external o-ring you see. 1&2 are internal seals, 3 is in the crown.

Thanks a lot, Mike. So my AD was right....the TRIPLOCK is actually a QUADRALOCK (with four seals!)

[mike]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Thanks a lot, Mike. So my AD was right....the TRIPLOCK is actually a QUADRALOCK (with four seals!)

Yep!

[Green Sub]

This is such a great thread, I just had to resurrect it.

I've been playing with the hack mechanism on my LV and once my fingers were the least bit damp after washing them before I touched the crown. Oh no, I thought.

Duh, the triplock sounds like one tough cookie. I should have nothing to worry about.

[Letsgodiving]

That cutaway of the trip-lock is excellent. I'ver seen that before.

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Thanks a lot, Mike. So my AD was right....the TRIPLOCK is actually a QUADRALOCK (with four seals!)

Does that mean a TWINLOCK is actually a TRIPLOCK as well?

[jac67]

Nice info Mike, as always.

I also remember reading that Comex divers as well as navy divers used to unscrew the crown of their Subs to let the helium escape rather than popping off the crystal.


John.

[Green Sub]

Originally Posted by BiG JeEzY

Does that mean a TWINLOCK is actually a TRIPLOCK as well?

I see you were making a cute remark, but for those wondering ....

I have no idea what the FACTS are for the Twinlock, but I do know that I had the Twinlock unscrewed on my mid-size TT DJ in the early 90's one day when taking a shower. The crystal fogged up and off to the RSC she went.

So my vote from experience is NO

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by eq2675

I have no idea what the FACTS are for the Twinlock, but I do know that I had the Twinlock unscrewed on my mid-size TT DJ in the early 90's one day when taking a shower. The crystal fogged up and off to the RSC she went.

So my vote from experience is NO

Well over time the seals on the crown do wear down and may not be sufficient enough to protect the movement on their own without the crown fully screwed down. Im guessing though that if the seals and gaskets had been replaced after a service, it probably would have been a different outcome. I personally would not want to experiment with it though.

[-Subsevens]

Originally Posted by homeboy11

thanks for the info ,

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