Moisture inside case

[Finley]

So, I didn't realize that the stem had loosened and I washed my hands and got a tiny bit of water inside the case/face of my YM. Ideas on how to dry it out?

[kieselguhr]

Do you visually see moisture in the case? Or are you assuming?

Rolex professional series have a twin lock system at minimum and there is a gasket that prevents water intrusion even when the crown is unscrewed

[cydesai]

Leave it in covered in heap of rice for a few hours.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

If you can see moisture in the case get it to service.

[cdmorenot]

Send it in for service. That moisture is going to wreak havoc

[0nly5iv3Digits]

That’s not good… caseback off, put under a lamp (dial down). Then take it for service after 48 hour dry-out period.

Bad luck I’m afraid.

[Finley]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Do you visually see moisture in the case? Or are you assuming?

Rolex professional series have a twin lock system at minimum and there is a gasket that prevents water intrusion even when the crown is unscrewed

I can visually see a small area of condensation on the underside of the crystal.

[alphadweller]

Surpsing considering the YM40 has a triple lock crown. I would take it to the RSC sooner rather than later.

[WatchTimes]

As said about I'd take it to the RSC sooner rather than later.
It getting in there from something this small shows you need new gaskets

[DC116710LN]

Originally Posted by Finley

I can visually see a small area of condensation on the underside of the crystal.

If you can see condensation, best to send it in for service

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Finley

I can visually see a small area of condensation on the underside of the crystal.

Unfortunately, failures do happen. Send it for service.

May it return to you sooner rather than later

[fishingbear]

Hack the watch. Unscrew the crown and pull it out so the movement will halt.
Then get the watch to service.
This will prevent the moisture from damaging the hands/dial by stopping the movement.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Finley

So, I didn't realize that the stem had loosened and I washed my hands and got a tiny bit of water inside the case/face of my YM. Ideas on how to dry it out?

Generally speaking, having the stem/crown loose or even completely unscrewed will not allow water into the watch; it does not provide a direct route/hole into the case.

If you do believe that there is moisture/water in the case then you have more issues than simply an unscrewed crown, you have a seal failure someplace.

The only fix for seal failure is to have the seal, or all of the seals, replaced. Leaving it will allow rust to begin, and that you do not want.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by Tools

Generally speaking, having the stem/crown loose or even completely unscrewed will not allow water into the watch; it does not provide a direct route/hole into the case.

If you do believe that there is moisture/water in the case then you have more issues than simply an unscrewed crown, you have a seal failure someplace.

The only fix for seal failure is to have the seal, or all of the seals, replaced. Leaving it will allow rust to begin, and that you do not want.

Good observation, Larry. This is 100% right.

[geoach]

you almost would have to have no seals at all for this to happen.......have to ask is it real rolex

[TinFoilCat]

Don’t take any chances, get it in for a service a.s.a.p…. If you leave it too long you risk greater issues down the line.

[Finley]

Originally Posted by TinFoilCat

Don’t take any chances, get it in for a service a.s.a.p…. If you leave it too long you risk greater issues down the line.

What kind of pricing are you guys seeing for servicing? And how long will it likely take? I am getting wildly different quotes and timelines depending on who I call. It seems that Dallas RSC is a favorite option here?

[Brenngun]

Depends on what's needed but a normal service can be north of $1K and take a few months. But you have to get it in the que as soon as possible.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Sorry, OP. Forgot to add. But your hands and dial are likely going to need replacing.. which sucks! There will be residue left on the hands and hour markers of the dial from the moisture. I can almost guarantee that.

Service for you will certainly be north of $1300.00 USD.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Finley

What kind of pricing are you guys seeing for servicing? And how long will it likely take? I am getting wildly different quotes and timelines depending on who I call. It seems that Dallas RSC is a favorite option here?

It’s out of warranty yah?

[apr]

Same happened on my 39mm explorer 1, some years before.

The crown was not fully screwed in, washed my hand with cold water... in 30 seconds (!) the dial was fully fogged from inside.
Twinlock system failed :(

I hacked the movement, and brought the watch to the only official service center in my country (a Rolex boutique) on the same day when this happened.

When I picked up the watch, I was informed that no damage to movement/dial, and all gaskets were replaced. The service was free of charge, outstanding!