Dropped Rolex President 279138 Datejust 28mm on Tile Floor

[904VT]

Originally Posted by DuchessofWinward

Quick update:
1. I am new to this forum, and will not be posting photos of the watch.
2. Yes I have it insured. I am very reluctant to post a claim.
3. Again, given the claims on Rolex's website that there are drop tests and it can resist the force of 5000G's what type of Drop tests are they doing? This watch fell 2.5-3 ft not 500 ft.
4. I have been told it failed the pressure test. If I chose not to replace the bezel, and it does not pass the pressure test...what next?
5. I have similar "high end" watches, NONE are this fragile....are there other "cautions" that more experienced ROLEX owners can recommend?

FINALLY-Thank you for your answers-most are very helpful. Duchie

So what was the point of your thread then

[Jim Smyth]

Originally Posted by Rocket launcher

As far as I am concerned this did not happen without photos...
Well done on your first post
Some threads need photos this is one of them

Exactly, its one after another outlandish post from a New Member with a 1 post count. Trying to rile up the masses. Sorry its very hard to believe you, pictures or it didnt happen...............

[LesserBlackDog]

Originally Posted by DuchessofWinward

Quick update:
1. I am new to this forum, and will not be posting photos of the watch.
2. Yes I have it insured. I am very reluctant to post a claim.
3. Again, given the claims on Rolex's website that there are drop tests and it can resist the force of 5000G's what type of Drop tests are they doing? This watch fell 2.5-3 ft not 500 ft.
4. I have been told it failed the pressure test. If I chose not to replace the bezel, and it does not pass the pressure test...what next?
5. I have similar "high end" watches, NONE are this fragile....are there other "cautions" that more experienced ROLEX owners can recommend?

FINALLY-Thank you for your answers-most are very helpful. Duchie

You have other luxury mechanical watches you’ve dropped on tile?

[locutus49]

Why get your watch insured if you won't use it? This thread makes no sense to me.

[Reddy_Kilowatt]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Why get your watch insured if you won't use it? This thread makes no sense to me.

Yeah, insure or self-insure. Pick one.

[173rdabn]

Newton meets tile floor. AAAAARGH

[NeoAnderson]

Show a pic, geez

[Al1969]

Time to move on from this thread.

[siempreko]

For the first time, I am thankful that I live in a padded cell!

[77T]

Originally Posted by DuchessofWinward

And I am shocked by the amount of damage. I get the sapphire breaking. I don't get that the bezel and case are damaged. I have other 18kt diamond watches, I have dropped them on tile flooring..NONE have had this amount of damage and this high of a repair bill.

It’s a crying shame that it happened.

But to set the record straight, the tests you cited before with excessive G-force were executed to measure shock resistance of the movement.

None of the tests at that level are expected to yield zero external case or crystal damage.

I agree you shouldn’t file a claim. You also don’t need to solely rely on Rolex RSC repairs. The greatest cost is likely a new 18k midcase and the diamond bezel. These might be repairable by a skilled watchmaker for much less.

It’s your money - do what you wish - but if it were me, I’d decline and ask to have it shipped back. Then look at some of the trusted watchmakers here who can give you better options. The worst case is you eventually go back to the RSC route. But a second opinion that could save $$$thousands is worth it IMHO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Rashid.bk]

Dropped multiple high end watches on tile with no damage?? Don't want to use insurance on the perfect example of using the insurance??
Now I'm skeptical.

It is really difficult to believe this thread now with the other watches comment.
And how can a person that owns so many luxury goods be surprised at the repair costs...
Simple math:
Crash a Honda Accord costs are normal
Crash a Porsche GT3 and the costs are ludicrous.

This thread makes no sense. Photos please...

And for goodness sakes don't handle your watches over tile floors, you are a self admitted watch dropper. Perhaps consider full carpeting.

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Why get your watch insured if you won't use it? This thread makes no sense to me.

This.

[HogwldFLTR]

Sounds like they want to replace the dented case. Bezel replacement isn't cheap either. Crystal and service is likely over $1K alone. There are others that might be able to repair the case. Internal damage could add to the cost. The bezel can't likely be repaired. $9K sound feasible to me. If you have insurance now's the time to use it. Don't worry about the later rise in rate. Try not to drop your watch in the future. I've seen too many stories of the forum about Rolex interactions with tile floors and they never end well. It might be a worth while for you to sell it and go with something that doesn't have as high a repair cost.

[AK DeepSea]

Thread of the year

[AdamG]

Originally Posted by Rocket launcher

As far as I am concerned this did not happen without photos...
Well done on your first post
Some threads need photos this is one of them

this

[PST_Jim]

If he's new he likely can't post pics since you have to have 10 posts first.

Sent from the most complicated pocket watch in history... a cell phone.

[Sebastian5]

Originally Posted by TimeToWatch

Gold case + gold bezel (w/diamonds) + potential movement work + refinishing + new crystal...

I believe a shattered chrystal mandates a complete overhaul/service of the movement

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by siempreko

For the first time, I am thankful that I live in a padded cell!

A nice change though from the never-ending SS shortage ramblings.....

[Likestheshiny]

This sucks, but you can't buy a watch with a bezel full of tiny diamonds and a case made out of soft metal and then complain that it's not as rugged as you wanted.

[DuchessofWinward]

Dear Team -

Just wanted to send a note to those who responded to my question. In the aftermath, this group helped me to understand the issues with a ROLEX hitting a tile floor, allay fears about reporting to my insurance company, and let me know I am not the only klutz with an expensive watch.

My insurance will cover the repairs, and I hired an engineer to do the actual calculation of the G force of my watch hitting my tile floor from 3 feet. It turns out that the G force is very close to 5000G. Something I would NEVER have guessed. I found this very interesting, and it also helped me understand what happened vs ROLEX's specifications and advertising claims.
Best-DuchessofWinward

[Andad]

I used an on line calculator and yes 5000G could be correct.

Depends on the angle your watch attacked the tiles.

In any event it is a big number.

[Laszlo]

Claim it. Move on. Don’t get it, it sucks.

[Lou wants a Rolex]

Gold is soft. 24 it is pure gold if I am not mistaken. 18 it is close to pure gold. SS is much more durable. It really stinks and I feel for you. When buying such an expensive watch you need to keep this in mind. It is always in the back of my mind and I hope it never happens to me. Good luck. I feel for you.

[EDL7]

If you buy a Ferrari..then get in an accident w/no insurance....expect BIG...BILLS..
Lil soft gold watch...hits the deck..well...
Lesson...don't ever drop watches...ever...unless you can afford to get them fixed..
But at least after you fork out the 9K..you will have a close to brand new watch back..

[Reddy_Kilowatt]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Many people do wear gold watches. Myself included. Do a search here for all the SS watches that have been dropped on tile floors. The power of gravity combined with the hardness of tile can wreck any Rolex watch, regardless of metal!

What happened to that one dude who claimed his wife threw his watches around in a fit of rage?

[Chute]

This stinks but it’s smart you have insurance.
I would look for a trusted watch repair/ restoration firm and seek their expertise.

[mmmmp]

Originally Posted by siempreko

For the first time, I am thankful that I live in a padded cell!

Lol! Funniest thing I've read all week!

As an aside - 24K is indeed pure gold. 18K is 75% gold. Big difference between the two. I'm very skeptical major damage happened to the mid-case from the description of the accident despite all the scientific silliness. If true, I'm sorry for you and hope it gets resolved. If it's not, I'm just plain sorry for you.

Mark

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

[Rashid.bk]

Very entertaining to watch this unfold, an engineer has now joined us.....that is truly awesome.
Could you please share his data analysis with us. This would be great, for science of course.
Great thread. Please contribute more.

Sent using Note 8

[Joe Smith]

pics

[037]

Lots of unknown values here... exact mass of the watch, was it dropped (gravity) or thrown (acceleration), angle of impact, distance traveled, time duration of travel, location of impact on the watch, amount of deformation of the watch, and amount of deformation/fracture (if any) of the tile.

I think that's most of it for something this small.

Originally Posted by DuchessofWinward

My insurance will cover the repairs, and I hired an engineer to do the actual calculation of the G force of my watch hitting my tile floor from 3 feet. It turns out that the G force is very close to 5000G. Something I would NEVER have guessed. I found this very interesting, and it also helped me understand what happened vs ROLEX's specifications and advertising claims.

I'd like to see your engineer's calculation showing near 5000G was achieved. You have my attention.