SD 43 accuracy issue

[kostal2093]

Hi,

I know this issue has probably been raised in the past, and apologies for raising it again, but I need some advice. I purchased a new SD43 (Mk ii) exactly a year ago from a grey dealer based in Spain. Up until three weeks ago, my watch was running consistently at -2sec/day. However, this then drifted to -5sec/day and earlier this week reached -8sec/day. To my horror, I am just after checking it again now, and over the past 24 hours, it has lost -18sec/day. I notice from the app that there was one loss of -15sec/day last week before it went back to losing -8sec/day.

The problem I have is that the Rolex AD's are currently closed due to Covid-19 lock-downs, but until they reopen, as I causing any damage to my watch by wearing it in the interim? While the watch is still under warranty, my concern is that I am only causing further damage by continuing to wear it. I trust that I am just unlucky and that the watch can be repaired satisfactorily.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. I love my watch and am just a little concerned at how erratic it has now started to run.

[chicagowatchman]

Did you wind it 40 times and see how it operates
I doubt that you are doing damage so it’s ok to keep it running

[Dirt]

Sounds just like you have all the classic symptoms of the dreaded 32xx movement virus.
It will require a service by Rolex under warranty as it's caused by a known lubricant issue with that movement.
You're not the only one so don't worry

I would probably set the watch aside and wait for the service centre to open again then send it in.
In the interim and seeing as we don't know how long this business going to go on for, I would be inclined to write a nice letter to Rolex in Switzerland outlining your problem and ask for some assistance.
That way it will be in the system and everything that follows will come straight from the top.
They will look after you

[kostal2093]

Thank you for your replies and advice- I really appreciate it. So long as the issue is fixable and there is no long-term damage caused, I really dont mind having to send it back to Rolex.. Thank you again.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum Sean

I’d continue to wear it and enjoy it, (provided you can deal with the timing issue). The fix will be covered under warranty.

[Boaters]

Mine is wearing and running just fine. Sorry to hear your having issue's.

[Soulvaccination]

Mine was pretty much exactly as you described yours, slowing gradually over the first 12-18 months. A quick trip to the service dept under warranty and it’s been rock steady at +2s/d for the last several months.

[pbubsy]

I bought mine from my AD in December 2019. Was running ~neg 12 seconds per day. Wore it for a month thinking it might break in and the time keeping would settle but it stayed consistent. In every position, worn or unworn. Had RSC take a look and it came back running +.6. Also came back with a few deep scratches (I'd only had light wabi when it was sent off) but what can I do there... don't want them to polish it and they're not going to replace my watch. Anyhow, it's running great now. Was worth the month without it.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by kostal2093

Hi,

I know this issue has probably been raised in the past, and apologies for raising it again, but I need some advice. I purchased a new SD43 (Mk ii) exactly a year ago from a grey dealer based in Spain. Up until three weeks ago, my watch was running consistently at -2sec/day. However, this then drifted to -5sec/day and earlier this week reached -8sec/day. To my horror, I am just after checking it again now, and over the past 24 hours, it has lost -18sec/day. I notice from the app that there was one loss of -15sec/day last week before it went back to losing -8sec/day.

The problem I have is that the Rolex AD's are currently closed due to Covid-19 lock-downs, but until they reopen, as I causing any damage to my watch by wearing it in the interim? While the watch is still under warranty, my concern is that I am only causing further damage by continuing to wear it. I trust that I am just unlucky and that the watch can be repaired satisfactorily.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. I love my watch and am just a little concerned at how erratic it has now started to run.

First none of these so called timing apps are 100% accurate and depending on the power-reserve mainspring there will be almost daily variations.Take my advice bin your app as its looks like you have caught the deadly {CCTS} CONSTANT CHECKING TIME SYNDROME.

[kostal2093]

To be honest the app seems fairly accurate, but even if it wasn't, the fact remains that my watch has lost over two minutes over the past two weeks and seems to be getting worse. I am only checking accuracy to see the daily deterioration - today it is showing to have slowed by 18 seconds over the past 24 hours. There is obviously something seriously wrong with this movement. I wear it daily so it is, I would imagine, kept wound. When I do occasionally manually wind the watch, it does not take many winds until the 'grinding' sound appears - I assume this is also normal?

Again, thanks for all your replies - it is a concern that there was the experience of the RSC scratching a watch during service - I hope I avoid this happening.

As a matter of interest, has anyone experienced the problem re-occuring after getting the issue 'fixed' by RSC?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by kostal2093

To be honest the app seems fairly accurate, but even if it wasn't, the fact remains that my watch has lost over two minutes over the past two weeks and seems to be getting worse. I am only checking accuracy to see the daily deterioration - today it is showing to have slowed by 18 seconds over the past 24 hours. There is obviously something seriously wrong with this movement. I wear it daily so it is, I would imagine, kept wound. When I do occasionally manually wind the watch, it does not take many winds until the 'grinding' sound appears - I assume this is also normal?

Again, thanks for all your replies - it is a concern that there was the experience of the RSC scratching a watch during service - I hope I avoid this happening.

As a matter of interest, has anyone experienced the problem re-occuring after getting the issue 'fixed' by RSC?

Yes, there's been a small number who have had it happen again after corrective action by Rolex.
Whether the corrective action was carried out in strict accordance with the procedure laid down by Rolex or not is another matter which we shall never be privy to.

[kaven]

My 126200 datejust has the exact same issue. I bought it new from an AD about a year ago and it was running at +2spd out of the box. After a few months, it slowly drifted to where it is now at -5spd. I’ll send it in for service as soon as the RSC reopens.

Meanwhile, my U serial 16233 is still at +1spd since its last service in 2014.

Cheers!


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[padi56]

They did have a lubrication slight problem with the early 32 series movements that could be your problem.But myself would not worry about it to much till after this present pandemic problem has settle then if needed send it in for service under warranty.

[SearChart]

Yep, that is the common issue, you'll need a warranty service.

I did a thread on this issue a while back, think you'll probably find it interesting

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=664616

[lowmandfl]

I know magnetism usually speeds up, but any chance it’s magnetized? Did you check it over a compass?

[D.P.G.]

Is it possible in USA to send a watch under warrantee back to the factory as opposed to domestic Rolex Service Center? Or again the same question but for routine service?

[goodolejr]

Originally Posted by Boaters

Mine is wearing and running just fine. Sorry to hear your having issue's.

Was this supposed to be comforting somehow?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Yep, that is the common issue, you'll need a warranty service.

I did a thread on this issue a while back, think you'll probably find it interesting

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=664616

Thanks for the refresher Bas

[kostal2093]

Thank you sincerely for this - that is a fantastic thread and very informative. As a matter of interest, does the seconds wheel pivot normally be replaced during such a service or is it just a matter of re-lubricating and no permanent damage done? Once re-lubricated, is it likely that the issue will reoccur in another year or is it more probable that it would hold out until the next service interval? Thanks again for all your assistance and advice with this.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by kostal2093

Thank you sincerely for this - that is a fantastic thread and very informative. As a matter of interest, does the seconds wheel pivot normally be replaced during such a service or is it just a matter of re-lubricating and no permanent damage done? Once re-lubricated, is it likely that the issue will reoccur in another year or is it more probable that it would hold out until the next service interval? Thanks again for all your assistance and advice with this.

Movement parts are cheap. All this talk of “permanent damage” is needless concern.

I had my vintage 16660 seize on me - one of the parts had stuck (not long after acquiring it from a dealer here). Anyhow, the offending part was replaced for $40 during a service. Seriously not a big deal.

Anyhow, I’ll be interested to see if my 126660 develops this issue, these threads are useful.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by lowmandfl

I know magnetism usually speeds up, but any chance it’s magnetized? Did you check it over a compass?

His watch is not magnetised

Originally Posted by kostal2093

Thank you sincerely for this - that is a fantastic thread and very informative. As a matter of interest, does the seconds wheel pivot normally be replaced during such a service or is it just a matter of re-lubricating and no permanent damage done? Once re-lubricated, is it likely that the issue will reoccur in another year or is it more probable that it would hold out until the next service interval? Thanks again for all your assistance and advice with this.

No in the early release of the 32 movements it was not lubricated they just re lube in now, so dont worry about it you will not harm your movement.Once its re-lubed will be good till next routines service 5-10 years depending on use.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by padi56

His watch is not magnetised


No in the early release of the 32 movements it was not lubricated they just re lube in now, so dont worry about it you will not harm your movement.Once its re-lubed will be good till next routines service 5-10 years depending on use.

What is the date range of the problem in question roughly?

Would it be just 2017 or possibly affecting 2018 watches also?


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[kostal2093]

It would appear that the issue is not confined to 2017 movements - my watch is a MK ii purchased in 2019.

I wear the SD43 daily, and while I mostly work in front of a computer, I would move about sufficiently during the course of the day for the autowind mechanism to operate. However, I have noticed that I need to manually wind the watch every 2-3 days. I assume this is also contributing to the loss in accuracy but is this normal? When I move the watch I can feel the rotor moving - so it is not that it is restricted/stuck. Another thing to mention when getting the watch serviced I suppose.

[TswaneNguni]

In 3135 I trust (I do own 3235s too )

[wantonebad]

My SD43 is losing 2 minutes a week now, getting worse, I sent it to Rik Dietel for a look see and he said the Palette fork and pivot jewels were bone dry. He oiled them for me and put it back together but he can't get parts for the 3235 cause they are all under warranty so he didn't want to go any further. My question to the tech experts is can I wear it and continue to use it or should I just leave it dormant until the pandemic subsides?

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Yep, that is the common issue, you'll need a warranty service.

I did a thread on this issue a while back, think you'll probably find it interesting

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=664616

I've just read in a thread about the dreaded Tudor GMT date issue that a forumer's DJ41 has started losing time again after the service by Rolex. Are you aware of similar cases?

Inviato dal mio SM-T719 utilizzando Tapatalk

[psv]

Sean, bad luck. You are just going to have to wait out until RSC (Rolex Service Center) opens up and then they will fix it for you. This is why you don't only one nice watch! :-)

[Rori]

Between this 3235 issue and Tudor gmt issue I prefer to live with the Tudor one.
Home my SD won’t show this.


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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

My SD43 is losing 2 minutes a week now, getting worse, I sent it to Rik Dietel for a look see and he said the Palette fork and pivot jewels were bone dry. He oiled them for me and put it back together but he can't get parts for the 3235 cause they are all under warranty so he didn't want to go any further. My question to the tech experts is can I wear it and continue to use it or should I just leave it dormant until the pandemic subsides?

I personally would simply put the watch away to prevent any further damage that may occur.
An alternative view would be to get Rolex to put everything right under warranty regardless of the extent of damage when they can get to it.

[MikeyV]

Originally Posted by fmc000

I've just read in a thread about the dreaded Tudor GMT date issue that a forumer's DJ41 has started losing time again after the service by Rolex. Are you aware of similar cases?

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That was me. Same exact symptoms described in this thread.

Took about 12 months to manifest initially and 18 months to the point of losing 7-9 spd, and waaaay more if you sat it anything other than face up at night).

Sent it in, returned in 4 weeks with no explanation (didn't expect one). This was July 2019.
It's gone back to losing about 5-7 spd now. It ran perfectly (literally, like exactly spot on of you rest it right) for 3-4 months after I got it back. Just like it did when I just bought it in June 2018. New from a dealer.

Rolex and my Dealer have been great. I'll try to be nice when I bring it back later.

FWIW, I always notice it would lose the same set number of seconds each day...then if I let it stop (which I did every 2 months or so, otherwise worn 20 hours a day)..when I would wind it, it would start losing an additional 1-2 spd, same every day. So if it was losing 2 spd, and I let it stop, upon starting again, it would be losing 4 spd, like clockwork, every day. Then if I let it stop, upon restarting again, it would be 6 spd slow, spot on, every day.

Anyway, I still enjoy my watch, just wish they'd lick this problem.