Rolex Explorer II (226570) Lume Issue

[movey]

Originally Posted by 1William

How visible is it from standard wrist to eye distance? Is it something that you can not make it though without sending the watch for service? I would sit tight, enjoy my new watch and at some point down the road maybe have it addressed.

Not very visible, but I think when you get a new watch you're looking at it a little closer than real day to day life. I don't think it would qualify as an 'issue' but I think it can certainly be said that there's a desire for it to be more uniform. I don't like the idea of having a brand new watch opened up and repaired. I think in the realm of percentage it would be around a 3% issue.

I've looked online and seen many rolex's with different lume issues. Some have discolouration, some have dark edges and light in the middle. I guess Lume is one of those things that doesn't behave 100% the same per watch.

[SvenNikolai]

Originally Posted by movey

Here's a closer picture attached. Yes I'm a little in the middle too, it's hard to see unless you're looking for it but if you look for it you may notice it. In general day to day no one would stare at a lume that long. It's also hard to state whether it's an 'issue'. Good people have advised me that it's minuscule and not worth the pursuit. If I do get the hand changed, the lume will, shine, a little brighter.

Thanks for the picture with normal exposure. It looks ok to me now and that would be the deciding factor for me. Under these circumstances I would not send in my watch for the time being.

[movey]

Originally Posted by SvenNikolai

Thanks for the picture with normal exposure. It looks ok to me now and that would be the deciding factor for me. Under these circumstances I would not send in my watch for the time being.

I think I’m swayed towards the same outcome. I emailed rolex service centre; will post their response.

[Roddypeepa]

I have heard (entirely anecdotally) that Rolex are seeing more QC issues since they upped
Production (if they actually have).

So overall not helpful but interesting to see. Good luck, op.


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[Roddypeepa]

iPhone zoom is a watch lover’s worst enemy though.


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[ChronoZach]

Congrats, that polar is stunning piece, the mark is minimal, you can’t really see it.
This would bother me too on a $10K new watch. I would ask the AD for opinions first?
Don’t know how long you have had it. Maybe something can be done without sending it to RSC. This should be made right to your satisfaction, we are not talking about a timex.
In the event nothing can be done then I would enjoy it for a while and then do something later. Aside from that the piece is beautiful.

2nd option;
This is definitely a Rolex QC issue and they should make it right for you, have the AD contact the Rolex area representative and get him involved if need be. I would.

Best of luck,

[movey]

Originally Posted by Roddypeepa

I have heard (entirely anecdotally) that Rolex are seeing more QC issues since they upped
Production (if they actually have).

So overall not helpful but interesting to see. Good luck, op.


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Could be true. The first Explorer II the AD gave me had a damaged minutes dial. I requested a new watch and got this 4 months later.

[movey]

Originally Posted by Roddypeepa

iPhone zoom is a watch lover’s worst enemy though.


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Haha agreed, I see no lume issue! Luck favoured you!

[movey]

Originally Posted by Zach69SS

Congrats, that polar is stunning piece, the mark is minimal, you can’t really see it.
This would bother me too on a $10K new watch. I would ask the AD for opinions first?
Don’t know how long you have had it. Maybe something can be done without sending it to RSC. This should be made right to your satisfaction, we are not talking about a timex.
In the event nothing can be done then I would enjoy it for a while and then do something later. Aside from that the piece is beautiful.

2nd option;
This is definitely a Rolex QC issue and they should make it right for you, have the AD contact the Rolex area representative and get him involved if need be. I would.

Best of luck,

Agreed, at the $10K price point it's not absurd to want everything in quality order. I haven't contacted the AD yet, I'm hesitant to because I had an issue with my first Explorer II where the minutes hand dial was bent at the tip that pointed to the watch markers. This is my second watch from them.

I have emailed an image to the New York Rolex service centre. I'm not sure what to do as of yet but I think I'm leaning towards leaving it. There is tolerances within high production items, this may just be a cosmetic preference as appose to a 'technical issue'.

[Roddypeepa]

Originally Posted by movey

Agreed, at the $10K price point it's not absurd to want everything in quality order. I haven't contacted the AD yet, I'm hesitant to because I had an issue with my first Explorer II where the minutes hand dial was bent at the tip that pointed to the watch markers. This is my second watch from them.

I have emailed an image to the New York Rolex service centre. I'm not sure what to do as of yet but I think I'm leaning towards leaving it. There is tolerances within high production items, this may just be a cosmetic preference as appose to a 'technical issue'.

Agreed - the consumer should definitely take up any issues that show up. These are not seikos after all. They’re expensive with usual incredible consistency.


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[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by movey

Yeah I think it's faintly there. This is my second watch from the AD. The first one they gave me had a faulty minutes hand where the pointed end was broken. So I'm just hesitant to go back and start the whole process of pointing out the flaw of the watch again.

I think I'm gonna send it for a service and get it done rather than let the dude at the shop repair it.

I mean you or your AD no disrespect - the cynic in me wonders if you got your second Polar relatively quickly because someone else rejected it at purchase. Not very charitable of me to suggest this, I must admit.

As Peter says, the hands are not made in house, but Rolex are supposed to have this no compromise QC process, as would be expected at the prices they charge.

Personally I would take it back. It's obviously nagging, it would me too. All the best with it.

[movey]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I mean you or your AD no disrespect - the cynic in me wonders if you got your second Polar relatively quickly because someone else rejected it at purchase. Not very charitable of me to suggest this, I must admit.

As Peter says, the hands are not made in house, but Rolex are supposed to have this no compromise QC process, as would be expected at the prices they charge.

Personally I would take it back. It's obviously nagging, it would me too. All the best with it.

It took me 4 months to get a replacement, I’m sure some form of decline may have happened for me to get the call. The manager was adamant he would replace it for me soon as he got a replacement in so I trust they handled it accordingly. I don’t know if this qualifies as QC as it technically works and is legible. I do think it falls under cosmetic and I’m sure they would replace it for me immediately. I’m just leaning towards waiting for a service rather than getting it opened. It could just be pandora’s box, next thing you know the hands don’t align perfectly etc.


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[dba]

I'd consider stop looking at the watch with a magnified lens.

[movey]

Originally Posted by dba

I'd consider stop looking at the watch with a magnified lens.

This is true. Before pinch to zoom no one was a QC expert

[CyberPaol]

Wait the end of holiday season. Bring the watch to the AD and ask warranty repair. It will take only a few weeks and then you will fully enjoy your lovely Polar ;)

[1William]

Originally Posted by movey

Agreed, at the $10K price point it's not absurd to want everything in quality order. I haven't contacted the AD yet, I'm hesitant to because I had an issue with my first Explorer II where the minutes hand dial was bent at the tip that pointed to the watch markers. This is my second watch from them.

I have emailed an image to the New York Rolex service centre. I'm not sure what to do as of yet but I think I'm leaning towards leaving it. There is tolerances within high production items, this may just be a cosmetic preference as appose to a 'technical issue'.

I would send an email to the Dallas RSC also. What could it hurt and see if they give you the same answer. I have used both NY and Dallas RSC's before an way prefer the Dallas service experience, customer service and interaction. This is across several services and repairs. I have always had good phone calls with both. Get on the phone and call and see. let us know.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 1William

I would send an email to the Dallas RSC also. What could it hurt and see if they give you the same answer. I have used both NY and Dallas RSC's before an way prefer the Dallas service experience, customer service and interaction. This is across several services and repairs. I have always had good phone calls with both. Get on the phone and call and see. let us know.

Nothing to lose by doing this ^^^

[movey]

Originally Posted by 1William

I would send an email to the Dallas RSC also. What could it hurt and see if they give you the same answer. I have used both NY and Dallas RSC's before an way prefer the Dallas service experience, customer service and interaction. This is across several services and repairs. I have always had good phone calls with both. Get on the phone and call and see. let us know.

Thanks for the recommendation! I’m gonna reach out to them. Over the last few days I noticed it’s not that bad especially when you’ve had it charged in the sun. But if you look closely you can find it. It appears to me as a natural discolouration of like which occurs mainly on the edges of lume but in this case it seems slightly to the middle.


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Right now you are in the hyper-vigilant stage of acquiring a new watch. It’s understandable but you have five years of warranty to have this addressed. There will be scuffs and scratches and maybe even dings over the upcoming years, just wear the watch and enjoy it for what it is, a brand new Rolex. Even if it was perfect in this moment it wouldn’t stay perfect for long with regular wear. Play the long game, send it in towards the end of warranty and enjoy your watch.

[movey]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Right now you are in the hyper-vigilant stage of acquiring a new watch. It’s understandable but you have five years of warranty to have this addressed. There will be scuffs and scratches and maybe even dings over the upcoming years, just wear the watch and enjoy it for what it is, a brand new Rolex. Even if it was perfect in this moment it wouldn’t stay perfect for long with regular wear. Play the long game, send it in towards the end of warranty and enjoy your watch.

Thanks, agreed. I realise when I glance at the watch I truly don’t notice it much, if I look for it I’ll realise it. I’m committed to just leaving it, getting a hand changed for a 2% difference based on how I think it should look is not worth the hassle. When it goes in for service I’ll address it.


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[movey]

Also quick question for anyone who had a GMT hand, is it normal for the GMT hand lume to appear dimmer than the other dials quicker?

[Muhammad556]

If you can't stand it, it's best to send it for treatment as soon as possible. After all, repairs also take time. After the repair, you will have a very perfect luminous artwork, right? No one can guarantee that this black spot will disappear over time.

[MikeMWatchFan]

I wouldn’t think anything of it except maybe sending it in for warranty just before 5yeara is up. If I even remember at that point.

[movey]

Originally Posted by MikeMWatchFan

I wouldn’t think anything of it except maybe sending it in for warranty just before 5yeara is up. If I even remember at that point.

Yeah I realise it’s imperceptible on most days. I emailed Rolex Service Centre to see what they say but it’s likely I’m going to leave it. I only notice when I focus specifically on the GMT hand. Would I have preferred a full uniform look, yes, but I’ve scoured the internet and realised there’s many cases of different variations of how the lume presents, some perfect and some terrible. Although I wonder if I had never mentioned the hand no one would have noticed it.

[movey]

So quick update. I let my watch charge under the sun while I was out and took some updated images to show how it looks with more context.

[ChronoZach]

Op, I didn’t know this was your second one from the AD? That changes things a bit , if you complain again you might be looked at as a problem client and you don’t want that. How good is your relationship with them? If it’s very good, I would pass bye and mention it not as a complaint but as a concern, play dumb and see what they recommend. Or move on.

Like , I noticed this the other night? Is this a problem or will be in the future?
Something like that. Or wait to hear from RSC and then decide.

Again, I don’t think it’s that noticeable and yes it would bother me but not enough to burn the bridge with the AD and being labeled as a problem client and never sold to again. Although you are definitely within your rights.

The bottom line is that, this is not the ADs fault and Rolex will make it right if you want the hand replaced. Enjoy it for now and wear the hell of it.. when you add another piece to your collection and the honeymoon has passed with this one send it in.
These things happen and I’ve seen defects on pieces at the AD on display.

Rolex QC is not 100% no watch brand is!

Cheers,

[77T]

Originally Posted by movey

I emailed Rolex Service Centre to see what they say but it’s likely I’m going to leave it.

I would do the same thing for a while and perhaps see if I could handle the minor anomaly.


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[movey]

Originally Posted by Zach69SS

Op, I didn’t know this was your second one from the AD? That changes things a bit , if you complain again you might be looked at as a problem client and you don’t want that. How good is your relationship with them? If it’s very good, I would pass bye and mention it not as a complaint but as a concern, play dumb and see what they recommend. Or move on.

Like , I noticed this the other night? Is this a problem or will be in the future?
Something like that. Or wait to hear from RSC and then decide.

Again, I don’t think it’s that noticeable and yes it would bother me but not enough to burn the bridge with the AD and being labeled as a problem client and never sold to again. Although you are definitely within your rights.

The bottom line is that, this is not the ADs fault and Rolex will make it right if you want the hand replaced. Enjoy it for now and wear the hell of it.. when you add another piece to your collection and the honeymoon has passed with this one send it in.
These things happen and I’ve seen defects on pieces at the AD on display.

Rolex QC is not 100% no watch brand is!

Cheers,

100% agree, I did not want to come across as a difficult customer. I'm in line for a GMT Master II and I do not want to jeopardise that. The relationship has been good, the first fault was unmistakable so they offered me an immediate refund and worked with me to get me a replacement which took 4 months.

Yes I think I will bring it up in the fashion you mentioned, although I think the fix is so easy I'd rather just wait until I get another piece (hopefully later this year) and then send it in for a warranty service.

I honestly don't notice it unless I sit there and look for it, I think in realtime it does not appear as a QC issue but more as a cosmetic issue. QC would be the case if it was failing which the lume isn't, although I have noticed that when the lume discharges the GMT hand fades slightly quicker. Not sure if that's a reflection of anything.

Appreciate the advice!

[movey]

Originally Posted by 77T

I would do the same thing for a while and perhaps see if I could handle the minor anomaly.


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I think I'm in a hyper analytical mode as I wanted this Polar dial for a while. I think I'll leave it alone and learn to move on.

[geoach]

get it fixed now it's not rolex standards AD should agree..........you will never not see this......