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TheDeuce · 23 November 2010, 06:36 AM

Hey all!

Good news / bad news day for me. I closed a deal on a P-series 16613 and got it delivered last Friday. It looks great, winds nice, and minimal bracelet stretch. Heck, it still has some sticker on it!

HOWEVER!

The bezel is, I thought at first, seized. This AM I took it to the local unauthorized repair guy (who actually used to work at the local AD) and he gave her a good twist and she actually turned. With all his might, mind you, but it turned. "Oh, that's good and tight" he says.

I suggested that having to wrench on it like that while 70 feet under the water with dive gloves on might not work so well. So he put some lube under the bezel and that did clean up the action a bit, but not a lot. The local AD is closed today, so no answers there, but I figured I should tap the best for their take.

So, TRF! Here' are the questions. Why would the bezel be so tight? What might be wrong with it? What kind of repair bill might I be looking at?

I'll also take this opportunity to preempt the wise guys out there. No, I'm not trying to turn it clockwise

Thanks in advance for the sage advice I'm sure to receive.

m.

kegan · 23 November 2010, 06:55 AM

when my Dads 16710 was doing this it was easily fixed by removing the bezel and cleaning out the eight years of dirt that was under there....dont move the bezel until you've investigated this option what I cleaned off that watch seamed very abrasive you
dont want to end up with a bezel that turns to easy. hope this helps

Scott

TheDeuce · 23 November 2010, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kegan

when my Dads 16710 was doing this it was easily fixed by removing the bezel and cleaning out the eight years of dirt that was under there....dont move the bezel until you've investigated this option what I cleaned off that watch seamed very abrasive you
dont want to end up with a bezel that turns to easy. hope this helps

Scott

That was my first guess but my unauthorized guy gave me some line about it not being a good idea to remove the bezel. I might need a new local unauthorized guy.

m.

InVision · 23 November 2010, 07:02 AM

Soak overnight in hot water and disk soap. Move bezel during the process should loosen up. Mike

TheDeuce · 23 November 2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InVision

Soak overnight in hot water and disk soap. Move bezel during the process should loosen up. Mike

Is it ok to get it wet? Won't that damage it?

I'm hitting Belize in January with the guys for some diving. This might actually become a 1% watch. As in one of the 1% that see some PADI-defined deep diving.

m.

axecollector65 · 23 November 2010, 07:11 AM

I had the exact same thing happen to my sub's bezel. I thought it seized on me too, but I can move it with alot of elbow grease so, I took it to my AD and they sent it out to have it fixed. I just got a call from today that it's back from the RSC and the total cost was $75 plus $35 for shipping and handling. My AD said it works like new and the work is under warranty. I'm sure it's a simple fix, but I would definitely take it to a AD. Hope this helps.

dieseldragon · 23 November 2010, 07:15 AM

its super simple to take the bezel off. It takes 2 seconds and then give it a scrub with a nail brush. Do a search for how to change bezel insert, theres some good threads on it and they have step by step pics on how to remove the bezel.

Soaking it over night will certainly help but will not remove enough of the grime to make a real difference.

cyglee · 23 November 2010, 07:45 AM

The thought of taking off a bezel on a Rolex seemed a bit daunting... so I tried it first on my daily beater Tag 1000. The amount of built up gunk was surprising. Watch the thread, and be extra careful with springy springs! Or, it should be a simple task for a watch repair person.

Tools · 23 November 2010, 07:48 AM

Somebody probably spilled their soft-drink on it..

Use some warm water and liquid soap and wash it.. it will probably work like new...

TheDeuce · 23 November 2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Somebody probably spilled their soft-drink on it..

Use some warm water and liquid soap and wash it.. it will probably work like new...

It's soaking in warm water and liquid soap right now. I'll post an update if the patient's status changes.

Thx for the advice though. If push comes to shove, is removing the bezel that hard?

m.

Tools · 23 November 2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDeuce

It's soaking in warm water and liquid soap right now. I'll post an update if the patient's status changes.

Thx for the advice though. If push comes to shove, is removing the bezel that hard?

m.

Nope... stick a knife blade under it and it pops off.........

rmfnla · 23 November 2010, 08:36 AM

Start with a single-edge razor blade, then move up to the knife.

rmfnla · 23 November 2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDeuce

That was my first guess but my unauthorized guy gave me some line about it not being a good idea to remove the bezel. I might need a new local unauthorized guy.

m.

Avoid him; he doesn't know anything about Rolex watches.

TheDeuce · 23 November 2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmfnla

Start with a single-edge razor blade, then move up to the knife.

I was thinking about starting from the opposite direction. Does JJ have a spare RADO I can practice on?

rmfnla · 23 November 2010, 08:44 AM

Where's the hammer..?

TheDeuce · 23 November 2010, 03:15 PM

Well, after a nice long bath and some loving TLC the bezel is still essentially immovable. Off to the local AD tomorrow...

m.

dieseldragon · 23 November 2010, 08:41 PM

Is it really worth going to an AD to do a 2 min job?

This excellent post by Jocke explains it very well. He has also changed the insert, but all you are interested in is taking the bezel off to clean it.

http://www.vikbobil.se/bezel.html

fishguy83 · 30 January 2012, 01:39 PM

My GMT used to stick, but I started showering with it, and the problem was fixed. Soapy water is the answer, but only if you're sure your watch is still waterproof. My bezel isn't even remotely sticky, and I had to use the jaws of life to move it before. Literally.

fastfras · 2 October 2014, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldragon

Is it really worth going to an AD to do a 2 min job?

This excellent post by Jocke explains it very well. He has also changed the insert, but all you are interested in is taking the bezel off to clean it.

http://www.vikbobil.se/bezel.html

Thank you, and of course Jock, for the info, four years later and still assisting stick bezel sub owners everywhere!

best regards,

fraser

23 November 2010, 06:36 AM	#1
TheDeuce "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Michael Location: Winnipeg Watch: DD&YM&DaytonaOMy Posts: 294	VERY sticky bezel on a 16613 Hey all! Good news / bad news day for me. I closed a deal on a P-series 16613 and got it delivered last Friday. It looks great, winds nice, and minimal bracelet stretch. Heck, it still has some sticker on it! HOWEVER! The bezel is, I thought at first, seized. This AM I took it to the local unauthorized repair guy (who actually used to work at the local AD) and he gave her a good twist and she actually turned. With all his might, mind you, but it turned. "Oh, that's good and tight" he says. I suggested that having to wrench on it like that while 70 feet under the water with dive gloves on might not work so well. So he put some lube under the bezel and that did clean up the action a bit, but not a lot. The local AD is closed today, so no answers there, but I figured I should tap the best for their take. So, TRF! Here' are the questions. Why would the bezel be so tight? What might be wrong with it? What kind of repair bill might I be looking at? I'll also take this opportunity to preempt the wise guys out there. No, I'm not trying to turn it clockwise Thanks in advance for the sage advice I'm sure to receive. m.

23 November 2010, 07:15 AM	#7
dieseldragon "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Ian Location: Spain Watch: Ω & ♛ Posts: 1,321	its super simple to take the bezel off. It takes 2 seconds and then give it a scrub with a nail brush. Do a search for how to change bezel insert, theres some good threads on it and they have step by step pics on how to remove the bezel. Soaking it over night will certainly help but will not remove enough of the grime to make a real difference. __________________ Rolex GMT, Zenith Chronomaster Sport, Zenith Pilot type 20 40mm, IWC mkXVI, Tudor BB58, Glashütte Original SeaQ 39. 5

23 November 2010, 07:48 AM	#9
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	Somebody probably spilled their soft-drink on it.. Use some warm water and liquid soap and wash it.. it will probably work like new... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

23 November 2010, 08:36 AM	#12
rmfnla "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Richard Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: TT DJ Posts: 4,456	Start with a single-edge razor blade, then move up to the knife. __________________ Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here... Lug Hole Lover®

23 November 2010, 08:44 AM	#15
rmfnla "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Richard Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: TT DJ Posts: 4,456	Where's the hammer..? __________________ Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here... Lug Hole Lover®

23 November 2010, 06:55 AM	#2
kegan "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 604	when my Dads 16710 was doing this it was easily fixed by removing the bezel and cleaning out the eight years of dirt that was under there....dont move the bezel until you've investigated this option what I cleaned off that watch seamed very abrasive you dont want to end up with a bezel that turns to easy. hope this helps Scott

23 November 2010, 07:02 AM	#4
InVision Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mike Location: Destin, FL USA Watch: Outerspace DayDate Posts: 2,662	Soak overnight in hot water and disk soap. Move bezel during the process should loosen up. Mike

23 November 2010, 07:11 AM	#6
axecollector65 Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New England Watch: Casio G-Shock Posts: 199	I had the exact same thing happen to my sub's bezel. I thought it seized on me too, but I can move it with alot of elbow grease so, I took it to my AD and they sent it out to have it fixed. I just got a call from today that it's back from the RSC and the total cost was $75 plus $35 for shipping and handling. My AD said it works like new and the work is under warranty. I'm sure it's a simple fix, but I would definitely take it to a AD. Hope this helps.

23 November 2010, 07:45 AM	#8
cyglee "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Gordon Location: California Watch: Gmtll,LV,SD,GV,etc Posts: 627	The thought of taking off a bezel on a Rolex seemed a bit daunting... so I tried it first on my daily beater Tag 1000. The amount of built up gunk was surprising. Watch the thread, and be extra careful with springy springs! Or, it should be a simple task for a watch repair person.

23 November 2010, 03:15 PM	#16
TheDeuce "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Michael Location: Winnipeg Watch: DD&YM&DaytonaOMy Posts: 294	Well, after a nice long bath and some loving TLC the bezel is still essentially immovable. Off to the local AD tomorrow... m.

23 November 2010, 08:41 PM	#17
dieseldragon "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Ian Location: Spain Watch: Ω & ♛ Posts: 1,321	Is it really worth going to an AD to do a 2 min job? This excellent post by Jocke explains it very well. He has also changed the insert, but all you are interested in is taking the bezel off to clean it. http://www.vikbobil.se/bezel.html __________________ Rolex GMT, Zenith Chronomaster Sport, Zenith Pilot type 20 40mm, IWC mkXVI, Tudor BB58, Glashütte Original SeaQ 39. 5

30 January 2012, 01:39 PM	#18
fishguy83 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Patrick Location: Minneapolis Watch: Rolex 16700 Posts: 2	My GMT used to stick, but I started showering with it, and the problem was fixed. Soapy water is the answer, but only if you're sure your watch is still waterproof. My bezel isn't even remotely sticky, and I had to use the jaws of life to move it before. Literally.

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