Submariner Date Bezel Seized Up

[likemyrolex]

I have a Submariner date picked up from my AD about a month ago. I went to rotate the bezel today and it is seized up. I cannot move it by hand.

Any thoughts on what the issue is and how to rectify. For reference, the watch has yet to touch water.

Thanks in advance.

[onigiri]

don't force it and contact RSC.

[Doood]

Turn it the other direction

Sorry couldn’t resist.

[worldofoyster]

You can only turn the bezel counter clockwise. It's not supposed to rotate clockwise.

[likemyrolex]

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

You can only turn the bezel counter clockwise. It's not supposed to rotate clockwise.

It will not move in either direction. I know the answer is bring it back to watchmaker at my AD, but more looking for reasoning and if I should be concerned long term.

[enjoythemusic]

no concern long-term. Send to RSC.

[Napoleon]

Is it possible you have sand or some sort of debris inside? Try soaking it in some warm water and dish soap for a little bit. Then run some water over it as you try to turn it.

[WhiskeyKoffee]

A couple of years ago I was throwing some firewood into the fireplace and the edge of a log struck the edge of my Submariner (Hulk) and knocked the bezel completely off. The bezel wasn't damaged in the slightest, but it was completely off. I studied the mechanism but couldn't figure out how to get it back on. I sent it by mail to a Rolex service center and they fixed it for very little cost. I've had zero issues with it since. I know this doesn't answer your question, but I feel confident you will have no long term issue if Rolex fixes the bezel.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Surely the AD sold it to you with some kind of guarantee if pre-owned or the Rolex warranty if new. Start there.

[likemyrolex]

You were all right. There was debris under the bezel so a simple fix which is good. But it got me thinking, which is never good. If the super tough Submariner requires a trip to the AD after a month with about 15 days wear, maybe it is not a rugged as I hoped?

[Bryan81]

Originally Posted by likemyrolex

You were all right. There was debris under the bezel so a simple fix which is good. But it got me thinking, which is never good. If the super tough Submariner requires a trip to the AD after a month with about 15 days wear, maybe it is not a rugged as I hoped?

I wouldn’t doubt the ruggedness just because something happened in the first 15 days. I’d just chalk that up to unlucky timing. The same incident that necessitates a trip to the AD could happen either 15 days or 15 years after purchasing. Now, if it was a frequent experience across the purchasing population that service was needed shortly after purchase, that would be a different story.


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by likemyrolex

You were all right. There was debris under the bezel so a simple fix which is good. But it got me thinking, which is never good. If the super tough Submariner requires a trip to the AD after a month with about 15 days wear, maybe it is not a rugged as I hoped?

A lingering question is what activity were you participating in that exposed the bezel to debris?

[likemyrolex]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

A lingering question is what activity were you participating in that exposed the bezel to debris?

And a fair question at that. I don’t recall doing anything out of the norm, but maybe it was user error.

[Mystro]

You won’t have these problems with regular washing your Rolex with Dawn dish soap and a running faucet. Takes maybe 30 seconds to do and your hands will get washed at the same time.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by likemyrolex

It will not move in either direction. I know the answer is bring it back to watchmaker at my AD, but more looking for reasoning and if I should be concerned long term.

try giving it a good wash with soap and water good be just gunge under the bezel.

[RRGHOST1]

There is a lot of overthinking regarding their watches.

[travisb]

Easy fix. Don't overthink it. The Sub is one of the most rugged mechanical watches produced and will likely outlast you.

[TonyD]

I got a ton of really fine sand in the bezel mechanism of my DSSD. Just run it under the kitchen faucet at full blast and it will rinse away. Turn it slowly to let it work itself clean. Could even use a waterpik on it I suppose.

I was surprised the mechanism isn't sealed with a gasket but happy that its open enough to rinse clean.

[~Ocho1~]

Sometimes the bezel on my GMT Master becomes very hard to turn. I just drop it into a cup with warm water & maybe a little bit of dish soap & after it again turns smoothly.

A lot of time some gunk builds up under the bezel, especially if you wear it a lot.

[Chaucer1787]

Originally Posted by Mystro

You won’t have these problems with regular washing your Rolex with Dawn dish soap and a running faucet. Takes maybe 30 seconds to do and your hands will get washed at the same time.

+1

This has been my experience and I wear mine hard.
Actually, on my last sub LN (moved for the LV) I removed the bezel. I don’t recommend this because there’s a very fragile very thin rubber gasket that is like a one-time-use sort of thing. I managed to get it back on but once you remove the bezel there are spring activated pins and it is impossible to re-install the bezel and push it on without re-seating this very delicate gasket. Just wash daily. Problem solved.


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[geoach]

sand and subs don't play nice together