My ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST stopped working

[guitarman]

Hi All

I don't wear the watch often, because I have inherited it from my late father. But sometimes, I take it out and wear it a day or two.

Today, it was not working. It stopped, and not going. It is an automatic winding watch, so it doesn't need winding. What could be done to it? What could have caused it not working anymore? It is from 1978 vintage, and never needed service all that time.

Thanks

[Tools]

Wind it, that's what the crown is for.

Automatic winding does not mean that it winds itself up; it means that after you wind it up fully, it will continue to maintain a wind for as long as sufficient activity continues to rotate the inner winder wheel.

Naturally, if winding it fully, about 40 full winds of the crown, doesn't do the trick, it may need repair.

[guitarman]

I pulled out the crown, and kept turning it upwards. I take it this is how to wind it. I turned upwards about 40 times, but no joy.

And I just noticed, it cannot change the date either.
On the first pull, it is for winding, which I thought was never needed for automatic watches.

On the second notch of the crown pulled out, it is for adjusting time. So how do you set the date. It changes the date when the hands are moved all the way by the time adjustment of the crown, and it is exactly 12. But I thought it could be done by rotating the crown.

Sorry - I have kept this watch for now almost 3 years, but still haven't found how to adjust and set it properly.

[MasonDixon]

It's past due for service. I'm sure one of the UK members here can suggest a good watchmaker for vintage Rolex servicing.

[Ian Macdermott]

So a 42 year old watch that has not been serviced stopped working

I am guessing its turned its toes up, it has ceased to function gone tits up. It is indeed a very dead Parrot.

A long overdue trip to RSC or a decent watch maker might be on the cards.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by guitarman

I pulled out the crown, and kept turning it upwards. I take it this is how to wind it. I turned upwards about 40 times, but no joy.

And I just noticed, it cannot change the date either.
On the first pull, it is for winding, which I thought was never needed for automatic watches.

On the second notch of the crown pulled out, it is for adjusting time. So how do you set the date. It changes the date when the hands are moved all the way by the time adjustment of the crown, and it is exactly 12. But I thought it could be done by rotating the crown.

Sorry - I have kept this watch for now almost 3 years, but still haven't found how to adjust and set it properly.

Automatic watches have power reserves. If they are left to sit they reserve is used. Rolex recommends 40 turns when starting up a watch. I usually ratchet the crown back and forth about 60 times to make certain the watch is wound. What model watch is it. For date watches there are three positions. First is for winding, second is for setting the date which only advance and only when turning in one direction, and the third is for setting the time which will move the hands in two directions. Good luck with your watch. Check YouTube if you need a video to understand your watch.

[TankTom]

Originally Posted by guitarman

I pulled out the crown, and kept turning it upwards. I take it this is how to wind it. I turned upwards about 40 times, but no joy.

And I just noticed, it cannot change the date either.
On the first pull, it is for winding, which I thought was never needed for automatic watches.

On the second notch of the crown pulled out, it is for adjusting time. So how do you set the date. It changes the date when the hands are moved all the way by the time adjustment of the crown, and it is exactly 12. But I thought it could be done by rotating the crown.

Sorry - I have kept this watch for now almost 3 years, but still haven't found how to adjust and set it properly.

Wow. Talk about knowing nothing about something you own. Maybe try the very simple basics before coming on here and asking a million questions?

[guitarman]

Thanks. Yes, maybe it needs service.

But for the date adjust, is all Rolex Oyster Perpetual DateJust supposed to be able to set the date by rotating the crown pulled out?

This watch doesn't seem to do it. First pull is for winding, and 2nd pull is for time adjustment. Date changes when the hands hit 12. Is this normal?

[Carew]

time for a service... plenty of videos on internet show how to change date.. its easy after you see someone do it for the first time

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

I am guessing its turned its toes up, it has ceased to function gone tits up. It is indeed a very dead Parrot.

I think you're right. It might well be at least one of these.

[Ian Macdermott]

Originally Posted by guitarman

Thanks. Yes, maybe it needs service.

But for the date adjust, is all Rolex Oyster Perpetual DateJust supposed to be able to set the date by rotating the crown pulled out?

This watch doesn't seem to do it. First pull is for winding, and 2nd pull is for time adjustment. Date changes when the hands hit 12. Is this normal?

It might not have the quick set date feature on that model, in which case you have to wind the hands past 12 twice to advance the date one day.

[guitarman]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

It might not have the quick set date feature on that model, in which case you have to wind the hands past 12 twice to advance the date one day.

Yes, it must be the non quick set date watch !! Thanks.
I cannot believe it that it has to take 10 minutes to set right date on this watch, but then it is a almost 50 year old watch. :)

[sunnyshineday]

Originally Posted by guitarman

Thanks. Yes, maybe it needs service.

But for the date adjust, is all Rolex Oyster Perpetual DateJust supposed to be able to set the date by rotating the crown pulled out?

This watch doesn't seem to do it. First pull is for winding, and 2nd pull is for time adjustment. Date changes when the hands hit 12. Is this normal?

When pulling the crown out, the first click is for winding (40 times), the second click is to set the date, and the third click is for setting the time.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by guitarman

Thanks. Yes, maybe it needs service.?

Yes, it needs service. It is a 42 year old watch, it needs service.

After you send it in they will tell you if anything is not working, all these questions you are asking will be answered, if there is something wrong, you will find out. When you get it back in full working order, there are plenty of resources to find the proper procedures for setting and operation. Trying do figure out anything now when it may or may not have something seriously wrong with it is a waste of time.

Sent it in, get it back, then post pictures.

[GMT Aviator]

My late fathers 1972 DJ was serviced at RSC Kings Hill about 2 years ago.

If yours hasn’t been served all that time, then in all honesty it’s done spectacularly well, but like everything, it’s time for some TLC. Send it in, get it done, and it’ll last you another lifetime as well.

[guitarman]

Originally Posted by sunnyshineday

When pulling the crown out, the first click is for winding (40 times), the second click is to set the date, and the third click is for setting the time.

They say that my Rolex is non quick set date model? I must keep passing the hands for 12 manually to set the right date?

At first, I was suspecting either the watch has more faults, or maybe the watch is not genuine? But it is a genuine Rolex from 1978. I have seen my late father buying it and wearing it for all that years before he passed away 2017. I inherited the watch.

[guitarman]

What would be rough estimate price for the service? It is Oyster Perpetual DateJust men's wrist watch 1978.

[LChanyungco]

€800

Originally Posted by guitarman

what would be rough estimate price for the service? It is oyster perpetual datejust men's wrist watch 1978.

[ROLEXster]

Serviced my dad's 44 yr old DJ a few months ago in Canada.

- Total = $ 1300 cad (dropped off at AD ... included shipping both ways)
- Wait time = about 2 months from drop off to pick up

- no polish
- no changing hands or dial
- replaced acrylic crystal and crown
- Full service
.
.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by ROLEXster

Serviced my dad's 44 yr old DJ a few months ago in Canada.

- Total = $ 1300 cad (dropped off at AD ... included shipping both ways)
- Wait time = about 2 months from drop off to pick up

- no polish
- no changing hands or dial
- replaced acrylic crystal and crown
- Full service
.
.

Dude, that is very very cool.

[guitarman]

Originally Posted by ROLEXster

Serviced my dad's 44 yr old DJ a few months ago in Canada.

- Total = $ 1300 cad (dropped off at AD ... included shipping both ways)
- Wait time = about 2 months from drop off to pick up

- no polish
- no changing hands or dial
- replaced acrylic crystal and crown
- Full service
.
.

Wow. Great, although it sounds very expensive for the Service.
That watch looks same one as my late father's 1978 watch.

[Thuilln]

No service ever probably means it’s overdue for a little maintenance...

[Wood&Leather]

Originally Posted by guitarman

Wow. Great, although it sounds very expensive for the Service.

You could always pay $6,000 for a new one...

[SubGMTExplorer2Fan]

Originally Posted by guitarman

Wow. Great, although it sounds very expensive for the Service.

Don't let any "watch snobs" bother you. You are a true one watch person who can fully enjoy their Rolex for what it is. Every watch collector dreads who was the previous owner. You have it easy. So many fakes out there. People can easily be jealous of you. Don't get it polished. Don't change the dial. If the acrylic crystal is cracked get that replaced. Get it fully serviced, regulated, and pressure tested. Your watch will be good as new after that, and you can enjoy the same watch your father did and so on. Cheers mate!

[guitarman]

Originally Posted by SubGMTExplorer2Fan

Don't let any "watch snobs" bother you. You are a true one watch person who can fully enjoy their Rolex for what it is. Every watch collector dreads who was the previous owner. You have it easy. So many fakes out there. People can easily be jealous of you. Don't get it polished. Don't change the dial. If the acrylic crystal is cracked get that replaced. Get it fully serviced, regulated, and pressure tested. Your watch will be good as new after that, and you can enjoy the same watch your father did and so on. Cheers mate!

Thank you for your great advice. Much much appreciated.

Mine is just it was when it came out of the shop in Singapore 1978. My late father was working in there at the time. He bought it brand new from the Rolex shop.

Nothing had been done to it. No service no polish. My father had been wearing it everyday until his last day. It came to me as a part of the inheritance.

I didn't know anything about Rolex watches. Well I still don't know much about it :)

When it stopped working a couple of days ago, I did panic. But now I realise that it needs a full service. Thank you for all your info and advice. Really helpful to me and I am grateful to you.

I will just keep it as it is most original 1978. I will get some photos next time and upload them. It looks quite nice and classic to me. And most of all, it was my late father's valued possession and it is also special to me too.

I am going to wait until some cash funds are saved for the service. It will have to be next spring, and get it fully serviced by the authorised Rolex Watch shop. My nearest city is Edinburgh and Glasgow, and I know there are the streets with jewellers and the Rolex watch branches in there, and will take it through one day for the service. Meanwhile I will keep learning more about the Rolex watches. I will always have just one Rolex watch, and it is this one.
I am not a collector, so don't need any other watches, and will not trade it for anything or any amount of cash.:)

[LFDAmelio]

Just to add, that’ s not expensive for a service. There is a lot of skilled labor involved as well as replacement of parts. Well worth it for that watch objectively. When you add in the sentimental aspect it’s a no brainer. Check on the top sticky post on the WatchTech forum here and you will get an appreciation of what a service involves.

[214270Explorer]

Hey guitarman. Good advice about getting a service.

You can then enjoy it for decades - maybe even pass it along some day.


Stay safe over there across the pond!

[FlashinSD]

As others have mentioned, regular service is crucial for any technical watch. Yes, it's rather pricey.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by guitarman

Wow. Great, although it sounds very expensive for the Service.
That watch looks same one as my late father's 1978 watch.

Note that is in Canadian dollars (in case you missed that); most likely it will be under $1K US.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by LChanyungco

€800

That's the absolute lowest price. If no service for 42 years and worn a lot I'd expect it closer to €1500. (I've made a lot of Rolex service price estimates btw)