Tudor Submariner Stiff Crown

[Andrew.I01]

Hi all,
I am new to this site and I am wondering if anyone is able to help me with this.
I have this Tudor Submariner Prince Oysterdate (7021) where the crown seems to be very stiff. The crown is stiff every time I try to set the time, especially when I screw down the crown. Granted this watch probably hasn't been clean for a while, but I was wondering whether or not this is normal? I have not opened the case back as I feel I do not know what I am doing, nor do I have the tools to do so.

Also does the 7021 movement have a quick date function, or do I have to continuously set the time to change the date?

Thank you for your help.

[Dan S]

I can't follow the details necessarily (stiff when you screw it down?), but it probably needs a service. The lubrication degrades over time. Date is non-quickset IIRC.

[harry in montreal]

Yes, the crown gets stiff when dirty. If it keeps time I would just live with it. A 7021 should not have a quickset.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by Andrew.I01

Hi all,
I am new to this site and I am wondering if anyone is able to help me with this.
I have this Tudor Submariner Prince Oysterdate (7021) where the crown seems to be very stiff. The crown is stiff every time I try to set the time, especially when I screw down the crown. Granted this watch probably hasn't been clean for a while, but I was wondering whether or not this is normal? I have not opened the case back as I feel I do not know what I am doing, nor do I have the tools to do so.

Also does the 7021 movement have a quick date function, or do I have to continuously set the time to change the date?

Thank you for your help.

Can I suggest you post a picture of your watch as well. Depending on condition, we might be able to tell if it was serviced a while ago or potentially not at all which may explain the crown "resistance".

[Andrew.I01]

Sorry, I mean I can feel most of the resistance when screwing down the crown. But I can also feel resistance when changing the time and setting the hands.

[Andrew.I01]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

Can I suggest you post a picture of your watch as well. Depending on condition, we might be able to tell if it was serviced a while ago or potentially not at all which may explain the crown "resistance".

I would love to upload a photo, however I am having trouble meeting the requirements for the photo upload. From my view, the watch is in very good condition with only a few scratches but it does not have the original bracelet. Is there a way to tell if this has been serviced?

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by Andrew.I01

I would love to upload a photo, however I am having trouble meeting the requirements for the photo upload. From my view, the watch is in very good condition with only a few scratches but it does not have the original bracelet. Is there a way to tell if this has been serviced?

best option is to upload a picture to a image hosting site and embed it in your reply via the "picture" icon when you go to type a message.

[Mike Wood]

Sounds like the gasket inside the pendant tube is dry and binding on the stem / winding crown.

A little dab of silicon grease may ease this, applied with a very fine bladed screwdriver / oiler at the point where the screw-down winder goes into the case tube...

[TimeLord2]

You can post pics with only a single post, just not a URL. Use the "Go Advanced" option instead of "Post Quick Reply". Then click the paper clip icon and follow the directions in the popup window to size and post images correctly. good luck!

[Andrew.I01]

Sorry for the late reply, here is a picture of the watch. Should I also upload a close up of the stem?

[alwayshere]

Wow amazing watch! Dial, bezel and hands look fantastic.

Looks like a 702 crown - the tightness could be either the movement where the stem engages or the crown itself with the crown tube. I suspect it’ll be the former which will need a watchmaker to look at and potentially service.

Looking at the watch, it doesn’t appear to have any service replacements (wait for the experts to chime in) - look at that kissing four insert! Don’t let Rolex touch this (though RSC Australia no longer touches vintages Tudor from memory)

[Andrew.I01]

Thank you all for your responses they have been very helpful, I will have to think about where to service this watch, but just the last question. Now that I am aware that this movement is not a quick date set movement. Is there anyway to change the date without continuously cycling through a day? I have seen on other forums that with these slow changing movements you should wind the hands backwards, but I am not comfortable doing this on such a lovely piece. Thank you.

[Andrew.I01]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

Wow amazing watch! Dial, bezel and hands look fantastic.

Looks like a 702 crown - the tightness could be either the movement where the stem engages or the crown itself with the crown tube. I suspect it’ll be the former which will need a watchmaker to look at and potentially service.

Looking at the watch, it doesn’t appear to have any service replacements (wait for the experts to chime in) - look at that kissing four insert! Don’t let Rolex touch this (though RSC Australia no longer touches vintages Tudor from memory)

Thank you, I imagined that this problem would emerge from the movement itself. Also is there any reason as to why Rolex would no longer service these vintage Tudors?

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by Andrew.I01

Thank you all for your responses they have been very helpful, I will have to think about where to service this watch, but just the last question. Now that I am aware that this movement is not a quick date set movement. Is there anyway to change the date without continuously cycling through a day? I have seen on other forums that with these slow changing movements you should wind the hands backwards, but I am not comfortable doing this on such a lovely piece. Thank you.

its worth double checking but I think winding back the hands to 8pm then advancing again past midnight is the "quickset" hack for the older non-quickset models. I suspect the same applies to the 7021. From memory, these were eta based movements and the "quickset" hack is not considered detrimental to the movement.