5018 Problems

[Ky fan]

Any recommendations for a watchmaker outside of the US who might be able to repair a 1949 Rolex? I tried a search but it returned hundreds of irrelevant hits.

The issue is that I am unable to adjust the time using the crown (meaning that the watch doesn't even tell the right time twice per day!). As a side note, beware of Antiquorum's note "Service recommended".

[jban5]

Hey, Just for a start, are you familiar enough with Rolex watches that you know the normal operating procedures? You do know that the crown screws down and you have to release it before you can pull the crown out to set?

[R.W.T.]

As jBan5 said...there are some ins and outs...

If it needs service I can definitely help you.

RolexWatchTime@att.net

It's a 9 3/4 size NA or 630 calibre movement. It is automatic wind..but..

As he said you have to unscrew the crown from the case to operate the set mechanism and the hand winding function.

So...once we get past that....

You unscrew the crown counterclockwise...it will pop off of the tube...you may need to rock it back and forth a little to get the clutching mechanism the crown to disengage...you are now in the hand winding position. If you pull the stem out one click the hands will set. Clockwise sets the hands backwards, counterclockwise sets them forward. Once the watch is set...push the crown back in one click, then hand wind the watch about 20-30 turns on that one. You may feel it tighten and then sort of slip....that is normal once that happens you need not go further. That means it has reached the top of the wind and the bridle under max tension has slipped or clutched inside the barrel.

Now push the crown back toward the tube and then screw it back down on the tube clockwise to seal the case.

Now wear the watch normally and take it off and rest it at night...I would advise first dial up position. Then you can keep wearing it when you wake up the next day and throughout the day and repeat the removal and rest in the dial up. As long as you keep wearing it on consecutive days it should continue run reasonably on time.

IF you decide to STOP wearing it for some time...a day or several days...when you start to wear it again...HAND WIND IT AGAIN...

The automatic mechanism was only designed to KEEP the watch wound...NOT to wind if from a cold start. It will never catch up...you must hand wind the watch to start with. This early automatic mechanism only winds the watch in one direction of rotation...the other direction is free wheeling so it is only 50% efficient.

Hope that helps. If you have problems with the watch don't hesitate to contact me.

T

[Ky fan]

Thanks guys but need a recommendation for someone who specializes in vintage Rolex watches in London or Milan.

[CaveDweller]

There's a guy in Chiswick (London W4) that does vintage Rolex - bought one from them recently

Can we post links on here ?

[Ky fan]

Thank you!

[lee fowler]

You could try Graham at Superlative Time in West London.