Dropped 1016 stopped working

[Nicholas Bedworth]

My 1972 Rolex 1016 was dropped onto a tile floor, and suffered a slight crack in the crystal around the 6 o'clock numeral. And it's running erratically. Winding the watch or shaking it gently causes the second hand to sweep, but then it stops moving.

What's a likely cause for the failure? Believe it or not, here in Kathmandu, we have a lavishly equipped RSC on the high-end shopping street.

[schaumburgla]

It could be a # of things, but it's obviously not holding a power reserve. I've never seen an acrylic crystal "crack", so indeed it did take a hard fall :(
Any competent Rolex watchmaker can diagnose & fix this easily. The main thing is that none of the Lume came loose & the dial was not damaged so nothing of great concern because crystals & internal parts are easily sourced.
Hope it turns out to be a minor fix!
Best
Justin

[Richard Carver]

Sounds like the balance spring may be twisted or the balance itself might have slipped its moorings. That can cause erratic running. A competent watchmaker can probably sort that out for you.

Anyway you can show a pic of the cracked crystal?

[U5512]

Broken balance staff is a very high possibility.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

It was a bad way to start the day...

Thanks for the encouragement regarding getting it repaired.
As mentioned, fortunately there's no damage to any visible surface, apart from the acrylic crystal. The second hand does sweep around for 30 seconds or so, and let's hope the replacement parts if necessary are available.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Vanessa at Jewelers On Time did an excellent job overhauling the watch almost a year ago. It is 45+ years old, and was running very well, but losing about 15 seconds a day, so the present repair will be an opportunity to regulate it after having had several months to settle in after the overhaul.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Picture of cracked crystal has been uploaded, waiting for approval.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

@U5512 you get the prize!

It was a broken upper balance staff. The watchmaker at Regency Watch here in Kathmandu had the watch taken apart in minutes and identified the main problem... he'll do a full overhaul while he's at it, with a 2 year Rolex guarantee. For such an obscure location, they have a huge range of parts, although the exact 1016 crystal wasn't in his drawer (of hundreds). He thinks he can has one that's equivalent, just has to check the cross reference tables.

He suggested buffing the bracelet, etc., but I told him just to clean it and leave the patina of age :) as it was. The entire process of stripping the watch to smithereens, cleaning it in various oil removing baths, regulation, testing and so forth takes about 3 calendar days altogether.

A tiny fleck of lume fell out of the minute hand, but he spotted it immediately and retrieved it from the watch face with a soft rubber instrument.

So far, so good.

BTW how much do US RSC charge for an overhaul, replacement of crystal, winding stem, tunnel, balance shaft and so forth?

[Richard Carver]

That crystal is amazing, you have bad ass tiles Kathmandu!

[U5512]

Originally Posted by Nicholas Bedworth

@U5512 you get the prize!



BTW how much do US RSC charge for an overhaul, replacement of crystal, winding stem, tunnel, balance shaft and so forth?

I think a full service from RSC runs about $800 minimum.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Thanks for the RSC likely charges. Here they want about $450, and I was very impressed with the watchmaker.

BTW the asking prices for vintage 1016 watches seems to be astronomical these days... they range from $10-13K for ones with original box and all that. Seems like the price is going up radically.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Raju, watchmaker at the Rolex Service Center here in Kathmandu, Nepal. They have a lavish array of testing and cleaning devices, cabinets full of parts, etc. Raju has extremely sharp eyes, and spent an hour with me yesterday educating me on how the watch works, what the problems were and so forth. Very nice experience that reflects well upon the brand.

[Aceldama]

Nice opportunity to see a craftsman in action!

[U5512]

Nice Tudor the watchmaker is wearing!!!

[sensui]

Wow. That is some insider tour for sure. Looks like you're in good hands.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

It was Friday afternoon, he wasn't busy, and was happy to show me what he does.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by U5512

Nice Tudor the watchmaker is wearing!!!

Looks like a Hydronaut II

Very interesting, Nicholas. Great to see there is an RSC in Nepal. I don't think there was one when I was last there in 1989

[Nicholas Bedworth]

A lot has changed since the halycon days of 1989... basically there is so much pollution from dust, agriculture and cars that the sky (over most of South Asia) is a permanent overcast. At least in HK you are by the ocean. Every once and a while, we have a (relatively) clear, cool, blue sky day and suddenly it's 1965 all over again. From my house, I can see Ganesh Himal (7420 m) on such days.

Yup, looks like a Tudor Hydronaut. Remind wear one the next time I'm diving to 200 m. :)

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by Nicholas Bedworth

A lot has changed since the halycon days of 1989... basically there is so much pollution from dust, agriculture and cars that the sky (over most of South Asia) is a permanent overcast. At least in HK you are by the ocean. Every once and a while, we have a (relatively) clear, cool, blue sky day and suddenly it's 1965 all over again. From my house, I can see Ganesh Himal (7420 m) on such days.

Yup, looks like a Tudor Hydronaut. Remind wear one the next time I'm diving to 200 m. :)

Sad about the pollution.