Sub Bezel Issue

[bradyb]

I have an older 116610 SubC that was serviced earlier this year and now the bezel indices don't stay in line with the dial minute markers as the bezel has too much back-and-forth play between clicks.

Yeah, I know this is dumb but bugs me...

Any ideas? I could take it to my local AD or watchmaker but would rather not.

Thanks!

[Roddypeepa]

Pic?


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[garyk]

Originally Posted by bradyb

I have a 116610 Sub that was serviced earlier this year and now the bezel indices don't stay in line with the dial minute markers.

If I line up the bezel with the dial and put the watch on my wrist, the bezel drifts over to one side or the other and the bezel always ends up halfway between a minute marker.

I've removed the bezel and the click springs and gasket seem OK but the bezel has too much back-and-forth play between clicks.

Yeah, I know this is dumb but bugs the heck out of me...

Any ideas? I could take it to my local AD or watchmaker but would rather not.

Thanks!

Sub serviced by RSC?

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Not dumb at all.

[Walster]

I would send to the Rolex Service Center for repair. I’ve heard they have special tools to reassemble the bezel.

[brandrea]

There’s always a smidge of play with the bezel IMO. Lining up can be fixed tho if it’s bothering you

[bradyb]

Serviced by Dallas RSC but I'm not too eager to send it back just for this.

I removed the bezel a few months ago and the click springs look to be OK but could be worn(?). This is a V-serial number from 2009, so there we go....

Anyone have any experience with this?

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Recently had my bezel off for a cleaning. Took me 4 attempts to “re-seat” it correctly. It happens sometimes. Though most of the time I get it bang on.

[bradyb]

Originally Posted by brandrea

There’s always a smidge of play with the bezel IMO. Lining up can be fixed tho if it’s bothering you

The amount of play is nearly 1 full click to the left and right and if it wasn't so visually annoying I'd just leave it alone.

I'm not a "crown has to be upright when screwed in" person but just curious to know if it's an easy tweak.

Thanks, TRF peeps!

[Fourthirteen]

Doesn’t the 116610 use the balls & springs as clicks? Are all of your balls in place on top of the springs? A different set of balls/springs might make a difference.

[Oldfellow]

I think the OP has a 16610.

[1William]

Either live with it or get it fixed. I would start with my AD.

[bradyb]

Originally Posted by Oldfellow

I think the OP has a 16610.

Nope.

[Oldfellow]

Originally Posted by bradyb

Nope.

My apologies.

[ltmgeller]

How did you remove the bezel and reinstall it? The ceramic models need equipment to remove and reinstall the bezel. The 5 digit models can be done with a credit card and have a click spring. Those can be popped back on with ease. Please post a pic.

[ltmgeller]

I believe the ceramic bezel became available on the sub in 2012 and the sub date in 2010

[bradyb]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

I believe the ceramic bezel became available on the sub in 2012 and the sub date in 2010

It's a Smurf (116619), but I typed 116610 as I couldn't remember the Smurf reference at the time. Now I get why Oldfellow thought it was a 16610 from 2009...

Bezels with ceramic inserts are removed the same way as the previous version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVoSjTU78Oo

But you're correct that removing the ceramic insert from the metal bezel is tricky and best done with a press:
https://youtu.be/UUwmGd8a0A4?feature=shared&t=22

[bradyb]

Originally Posted by Oldfellow

My apologies.

My fault as it's a Smurf from 2009 but I couldn't recall the WG sub reference so I just used 16610!

[Oldfellow]

Originally Posted by bradyb

My fault as it's a Smurf from 2009 but I couldn't recall the WG sub reference so I just used 16610!

[ltmgeller]

Originally Posted by bradyb

It's a Smurf (116619), but I typed 116610 as I couldn't remember the Smurf reference at the time. Now I get why Oldfellow thought it was a 16610 from 2009...

Bezels with ceramic inserts are removed the same way as the previous version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVoSjTU78Oo

But you're correct that removing the ceramic insert from the metal bezel is tricky and best done with a press:
https://youtu.be/UUwmGd8a0A4?feature=shared&t=22

That makes more sense. You're a braver man than I am. I wouldn't remove a ceramic bezel from my watch.

[bradyb]

Fixed. No more sloppy bezel play. Seems to have been the click-stop part (or whatever it's called, see attached circled in pink).

Cleaned the spring and flipped it over as it looked like it would be happier that way. Pesky monodirectional click part springs...

Took a break, had a wee dram of whiskey and admired my Sub without the bezel. Gave some thought about going Marlon Brando but decided to finish the job with a steady hand and my trusty zircon encrusted tweezers. Easy.

And you guys were absolutely no help whatsoever but I still appreciate most of you even after all these years. HA!

[Farran]

Not a dumb one at all, I would personally take it back to Dallas RSC where it was Serviced maybe that could help.

[Lever Escapement]

Originally Posted by bradyb

Fixed. No more sloppy bezel play. Seems to have been the click-stop part (or whatever it's called, see attached circled in pink).

Cleaned the spring and flipped it over as it looked like it would be happier that way. Pesky monodirectional click part springs...

Took a break, had a wee dram of whiskey and admired my Sub without the bezel. Gave some thought about going Marlon Brando but decided to finish the job with a steady hand and my trusty zircon encrusted tweezers. Easy.

And you guys were absolutely no help whatsoever but I still appreciate most of you even after all these years. HA!

I'm glad you got this sorted without having to take it back to where you got it serviced or risk another watchmaker causing more damage trying to "fix' the issue in the first place. Sometimes the harder you try, the worse things end up.
Again, truly glad you had a win.

[996marty]

Good to see you got it sorted yourself. I would have been panicking if it was me

[1William]

Glad you got it worked out.

[brandrea]

Glad we could help

Good work Brady

[Marcjvr]

My explorer and OP have never had bezel issues. Far superior models to subs and GMT…

[L_S_SHOE]

Originally Posted by bradyb

Fixed. No more sloppy bezel play. Seems to have been the click-stop part (or whatever it's called, see attached circled in pink).

Cleaned the spring and flipped it over as it looked like it would be happier that way. Pesky monodirectional click part springs...

Took a break, had a wee dram of whiskey and admired my Sub without the bezel. Gave some thought about going Marlon Brando but decided to finish the job with a steady hand and my trusty zircon encrusted tweezers. Easy.

And you guys were absolutely no help whatsoever but I still appreciate most of you even after all these years. HA!

Lol.


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