Rotor - audible action??

[Zdenek]

Have you ever heard the winding rotor in your Rolex watches in action? Me never.
Some people mentioned hearing the "noise" of the rotor in PP or AP and maybe another brand.
Is Rolex perfect also in the silent rotor action?

[TSW]

Never heard a noise from any of my Rolex or AP's.

[dddrees]

I've never heard anything in regards to any of mine.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Not with my Rolex.

[azguy]

Me either, never hear or feel it. I do with my Breitlings though

[omegabenz]

I can hear the rotor when I shake it, but not during normal wearing activities. However, I can hear it ticking often when it is quiet. It has a different sound than my Omega, which I appreciate both. I do feel my Omega's rotor though. I guess I have pretty good hearing, but don't tell the wife that! I guess I have selective hearing for mechanical action.

[Mickey®]

Never heard it.
Sometimes I miss the Valjoux 7750 Wobble but...not for long!!

[btrue]

I can certainly hear mine when I hold it very close to my ear.

[ArcticMoose]

I can only hear it if I hold the watch to my ear and shake it.

[mjclark32]

I don't think so

[Wolfgang427]

Never on any Rolex I had....

[i5475p]

Sub C ... No
DSSD ... if you shake it just right and put your ear up to it ( just barely)

[Perdu]

Never had but the rotor axle is arguably the weakest part of Rolex design. They do not use ball bearings but just a metal sleeve instead.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Mickey®

Never heard it.
Sometimes I miss the Valjoux 7750 Wobble but...not for long!!

Ah, funny, that's what is in my Breitling I referenced earlier

You have a very discerning wrist Mickey

[btinl]

Today, I noticed a very subtle clicking in my SubC when I held it close to my ear and shook it a little bit. I'm glad to see that it's a normal occurrence.

[Z-Sub]

Daytona gives out a slight swirling sound.

As for other 31xx powered watches, no sound unless I hold them and shake them then slight clicking sound is noted.

[dbphotos]

Yes, when one of the gear teeth broke off. Bob Ridley quickly repaired it and now quiet once again.

[sushisummo]

Never on my Rolex

But yes on Cartier, IWC and tudors

[Lion]

Neither of my two Rolexes make a sound.....or they do and I am deaf!!!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Zdenek

[COLOR="Blue"]Have you ever heard the winding rotor in your Rolex watches in action? Me never.
Some people mentioned hearing the "noise" of the rotor in PP or AP and maybe another brand.
Is Rolex perfect also in the silent rotor action?[/COLOUR]

Rolex still don't not use ball rotor bearings rotors for most of there watches (now present in the new 4130 Daytona)Instead, there use a plain sleeve bearing,which is very efficient in winding and quiet compared to some movements, but it has its weak points, and proper oiling is critical so important to service every 5-7 years. When the lubricant evaporates or migrates, the metal axle experiences wear against the rotor shaft jewel bearing.Replacing the axle if worn will solved the problem,most Rolex watches have rotor axles with different size pivots at the ends. The one nearest the rotor is usually fairly large, but the one nearest the movement is relatively small,IMHO this is a Rolex movements weakest point.Rolex lubricates this with special grease,now this grease tends to dry-out especially in warmer climates and when it does, the rotor pivots are left without any lubrication.When the pivots become worn,or from lack of grease the bearing is able to move excessively from the normal plane of motion that makes the very slight rattle noise,and sometimes rubs on the case back.But in general the sleeve type Rolex rotors are quite problem free,now some movements like in the AP RO and Valjoux 7750/1 based watches.Now you can sometimes feel and hear the winding rotor on wrist now this is not a fault its just how the movement is built.But being silent in operation dont mean its better,same equation being heavier is better.Rolex movements have been made by Aeglar since the 1920s till present time,and have always been excellent in all departments.While a few so called high end movements over the many years have been quite average.But today most of the movements made world wide are very reliable and most well made and most autos today use a ball bearing rotor.

[Eeyore]

I had heard that the rotor tends to be a weakness in Rolex movements so the comments above are interesting.

As far as I can see from pictures of movements, it looks as if the rotor is unsupported at its circumference and just swings round the post. In some expensive movements like the AP Jumbo and Lange the rotor rests on ball bearings or rollers.

Is that correct, and does it put additional stress on the rotor bearings?

[dysondiver]

omega it would deafen you , rolex , not a thing.

[VIW9419]

My Deepsea can be heard if I spin it and hold it to my ear, my Air King is/was Audible but is now being serviced by a local Independent and having a new rotor stem fitted, so should be silent again.

My Breitling SA has a noticeable whir and the infamous wobble, it had a rotor bearing replacement at last service, same noise.