Submariner Bezel worry!

[Submariner1990]

Hey guys,

I have just noticed something with my Submariner - The bezel can be pushed in slightly. i.e. if you press on the ceramic bezel it almost feels a little bit "springy" and can be ever so slightly pushed in with it springing back up.

I purchased it new from an actual Rolex retailer, so I don't exactly want to go back and ask the question and they end up laughing at me, so here was my best bet!

Is this normal? are the Bezels on a submariner supposed to do this? I asked my brother who has a Datejust and he assumed maybe it had something to do with Air pressure chambers - or perhaps even simply enough, allowed for easier rotation of the bezel. Any thoughts guys?

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by Submariner1990

Hey guys,

I have just noticed something with my Submariner - The bezel can be pushed in slightly. i.e. if you press on the ceramic bezel it almost feels a little bit "springy" and can be ever so slightly pushed in with it springing back up.

I purchased it new from an actual Rolex retailer, so I don't exactly want to go back and ask the question and they end up laughing at me, so here was my best bet!

Is this normal? are the Bezels on a submariner supposed to do this? I asked my brother who has a Datejust and he assumed maybe it had something to do with Air pressure chambers - or perhaps even simply enough, allowed for easier rotation of the bezel. Any thoughts guys?

Completely normal, nothing to worry about

The bezel runs on spring-loaded ball-bearings, hence the movement you describe


PS: Welcome

[bayerische]

Normal.

[Submariner1990]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Completely normal, nothing to worry about

The bezel runs on spring-loaded ball-bearings, hence the movement you describe


PS: Welcome

Thank you so much! I was freaking out a little bit haha.. It's my first Rolex!

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by Submariner1990

Thank you so much! I was freaking out a little bit haha.. It's my first Rolex!

No worries, enjoy

[nauticajoe]

Perfectly normal.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Submariner1990

Hey guys,

I have just noticed something with my Submariner - The bezel can be pushed in slightly. i.e. if you press on the ceramic bezel it almost feels a little bit "springy" and can be ever so slightly pushed in with it springing back up.

I purchased it new from an actual Rolex retailer, so I don't exactly want to go back and ask the question and they end up laughing at me, so here was my best bet!

Is this normal? are the Bezels on a submariner supposed to do this? I asked my brother who has a Datejust and he assumed maybe it had something to do with Air pressure chambers - or perhaps even simply enough, allowed for easier rotation of the bezel. Any thoughts guys?

Thats simply because the ceramic bezels run on 3 spring loaded ball bearings drilled into the case ring.Its a different system to the old far simpler sub bezels and very expensive to replace if you get a problem.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Completely normal, nothing to worry about

The bezel runs on spring-loaded ball-bearings, hence the movement you describe


PS: Welcome

[MIKE_WATCH]

Absolutely normal. No worries.

[Htab]

Normal wear it and enjoy

[Tools]

It's springy because it's mounted on springs..

[Tri-National-Man]

No springyness in non-ceramic Submariners!!

[Art 1]

[Rallyboat]

My DSSD does the same.

[TSW]

Normal.

[mjclark32]

Normal, welcome

[43builder]

just like everyone else - normal. my DSSD does the same

[Roller07]

Hmmmmm, I'm going to try it on my 116610 LV and see if its springy

[Roller07]

Yep, mine feels springy too

[mmmk604]

LOL I just pushed my ceramic bezel in and realized it did sink in a bit.

[crowncollection]

that's the way they are now with the new design

[77T]

I think that should be in the Rolex booklet's new FAQ...

Q: What if my bezel can be depressed slightly, and then springs back?
A: Perfectly normal.

[samuel019]

Never noticed that on mine. Until now that is.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Yes, at stated, it has the springy feel due to the springloaded ball bearings...

I wouldn't worry about the springy feeling... what I WOULD worry more about, though, is the fact that the bezel runs (and is held by) a VERY THIN plastic ring that can wear down pretty quickly.... once worn down completely, off the bezel goes. You could call that thin plastic ring the "Achilles heal" of the DSSD..

A watchmaker on a German watch forum I frequent has reported this recently... he's taken apart several Deepseas over the time and has often found critically worn plastic rings under the bezels...

Here's a couple of Deepseas shown... but in principle the Sub C bezel has the same construction...............














(Pic courtesy: "Chronometerhemmung"; watchlounge.com).

[Bangel]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Yes, at stated, it has the springy feel due to the springloaded ball bearings...

I wouldn't worry about the springy feeling... what I WOULD worry more about, though, is the fact that the bezel runs (and is held by) a VERY THIN plastic ring that can wear down pretty quickly.... once worn down completely, off the bezel goes. You could call that thin plastic ring the "Achilles heal" of the DSSD..

A watchmaker on a German watch forum I frequent has reported this recently... he's taken apart several Deepseas over the time and has often found critically worn plastic rings under the bezels...

Here's a couple of Deepseas shown... but in principle the Sub C bezel has the same construction...............

Great info Bo. Thanks for posting.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Yes, at stated, it has the springy feel due to the springloaded ball bearings...

I wouldn't worry about the springy feeling... what I WOULD worry more about, though, is the fact that the bezel runs (and is held by) a VERY THIN plastic ring that can wear down pretty quickly.... once worn down completely, off the bezel goes. You could call that thin plastic ring the "Achilles heal" of the DSSD..

A watchmaker on a German watch forum I frequent has reported this recently... he's taken apart several Deepseas over the time and has often found critically worn plastic rings under the bezels...

Here's a couple of Deepseas shown... but in principle the Sub C bezel has the same construction...............

Good illustration Bo. However I don't share the watchmaker's sentiment about the weakness of delrin gaskets being used by Rolex to keep their ceramic bezels in place. A) delrin has a long history of use as a compression fitted part in watches with few issues and b) it's supposed to be replaced EVERY time the bezel is removed.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Good illustration Bo. However I don't share the watchmaker's sentiment about the weakness of delrin gaskets being used by Rolex to keep their ceramic bezels in place. A) delrin has a long history of use as a compression fitted part in watches with few issues and b) it's supposed to be replaced EVERY time the bezel is removed.

Have to agree Delrin is not just plastic and today they use a Delrin or Copolymer Acetal gaskets as a very versatile engineering polymer that bridges the gap between metals watch crystals and ordinary type plastics.Delrin Acetal has great mechanical strength, stiffness and toughness,Delrin also has high impact strength and maintains very good dimensional stability with low water absorption. It is used in many static and dynamic industrial applications and it often replaces the usual materials like Steel,Copper, Brass, Bronze, and Aluminum gaskets or washers.The use of Delrin products have greatly improved the part life because of better wear when used as shims or gaskets and last well, but are replaced as part of normal service and if removing say a rotating bezel.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Oh, definately it's "not just plastic", I'm aware of that... my bad to use that simple word for it.

Thing is the watchmaker has been witness to worn down Delrin or Copolymer Acetal gaskets ... critically worn down ones. I guess the degree of wearing down depends on 1) how much dirt is under the bezel [ / how often the watch is cleaned], and 2) how often the bezel is turned.