Busted rotor?

[Gedanken]

Looks like my SD went funny a few days ago. When I move it around, there's a strong vibration coming from withtin the case (it's similar to the way a mobile phone vibrates), and there's a buzzing sound as well.

I'm sending it in to the RSC on Monday, and it's obviously something to do with the rotor (the rest of the movement seems to be operating perfectly), but does anybody have an idea of what the specific problem could be?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Looks like my SD went funny a few days ago. When I move it around, there's a strong vibration coming from withtin the case (it's similar to the way a mobile phone vibrates), and there's a buzzing sound as well.

I'm sending it in to the RSC on Monday, and it's obviously something to do with the rotor (the rest of the movement seems to be operating perfectly), but does anybody have an idea of what the specific problem could be?

I'm glad I'm not the only one on this forum who buys fakes!!

[Gedanken]

Uh, JJ, what say you we get some useful replies get through before going off-track?

[padi56]

James by "noisy vibration," you mean that you can hear a metallic "clanking" inside the case when you shake the watches, then your problems are related to the rotor.Worst case scenario it could be that the rotor axles are broken or excessively worn,which I would doubt. Somehow they have come loose from their stake ,(most probably), or that a jewel is broken,(doubtful}.Unfortunately, Rolex still don't not use ball bearings (now present in the new A/V GMT)Instead, there is a plain sleeve bearing, and proper oiling is critical. When the lubricant evaporates or migrates, the metal axle experiences wear against the jewel.Replacing the axle if worn will solved the problem.Most Rolex watches have rotor axles with different size pivots at the ends. The one nearest the rotor is usually fairly large, but the one nearest the movement is relatively small. IMO this is a Rolex movements weakest point.Rolex lubricates with grease,now this grease tends to dryout especially in warmer climates and when it does, the rotor pivots are left without any lubrication.When the pivots become worn,or from lack of grease the bearing is able to move excessively from the normal plane of motion that makes the rattle noise,and sometimes rubs on the case back.Hope its just lack of grease,but the AD will be able to fix it no problem.

[mailman]

That stinks James. I hope it's nothing major. How old is the watch?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Uh, JJ, what say you we get some useful replies get through before going off-track?

Apologies, James. Padi appears to be spot-on as usual...but nothing a Rolex watchmaker won't be able to fix. I can understand how you feel as you do love that SD a helluva lot.

Good luck and hope the SD is on your wrist asap!!

Cheers - JJ

[Islander]

Originally Posted by padi56

James by "noisy vibration," you mean that you can hear a metallic "clanking" inside the case when you shake the watches, then your problems are related to the rotor.Worst case scenario it could be that the rotor axles are broken or excessively worn,which I would doubt. Somehow they have come loose from their stake ,(most probably), or that a jewel is broken,(doubtful}.Unfortunately, Rolex still don't not use ball bearings (now present in the new A/V GMT)Instead, there is a plain sleeve bearing, and proper oiling is critical. When the lubricant evaporates or migrates, the metal axle experiences wear against the jewel.Replacing the axle if worn will solved the problem.Most Rolex watches have rotor axles with different size pivots at the ends. The one nearest the rotor is usually fairly large, but the one nearest the movement is relatively small. IMO this is a Rolex movements weakest point.Rolex lubricates with grease,now this grease tends to dryout especially in warmer climates and when it does, the rotor pivots are left without any lubrication.When the pivots become worn,or from lack of grease the bearing is able to move excessively from the normal plane of motion that makes the rattle noise,and sometimes rubs on the case back.Hope its just lack of grease,but the AD will be able to fix it no problem.

Very interesting padi: surely that builds a strong argument for regular servicing rather than the (up to now, seemingly equally valid) "wait until it goes wrong" school of thought?

[C.J.]

That is bad news, James I hope the remedy is quick and easy

[Gedanken]

Thanks, Peter. It's actually a buzzing - like I said, the best similarity I can provide is to the buzzing of a vrbrating mobile phone. I suspect that a gear may be jammed somewhere, and the buzzing somes from the slipping teeth of a connected wheel - I agree that something having come loose is the most probable issue.

Paul, it's just uner two years old - the warranety runs out on 22 May, so I'm sending it in on Monday to RSC Melbourne. As an extension of that, Nick, it's really not a servicing issue since it hasn't even reached the minimum three years yet.

No worries, JJ - in light of the "off-topic" thread in the Complaints and Suggestions forum, I'm just trying to moderate here and keep off-topic thing at bay until the directly relevant posts have been made - after that, feel free to take this in any direction!

Thanks for the good wishes, all of you - I'm just relieved that the problem chose to present itself while the warranty was valid!

[padi56]

Yes James it sounds like its trying to wind,and the clutch is just slipping.Think when you dropped your watch,some time ago the rotor Axel may have moved a bit, now its just possible its now come a drift.But without getting the back off its hard to pin point exactle,does your watch still maual wind smoothly?.AD will sort it and service at the same time good luck.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Thanks for the good wishes, all of you - I'm just relieved that the problem chose to present itself while the warranty was valid!

Rolex must be slipping, James. How unusual the problem should present itself before the warranty runs out.


They need to get their quality control issues straightened out.

[mailman]

It's a very good thing it's still under waranty James. No out of pocket cost to you.

[maverick]

If it is the rotor they are easily repaired. Sorry to hear you are having problems. Aren't warranties great? =) maverick

[dman]

That sucks James, but it should be a fairly easy fix mate. Keep us posted.

[Gedanken]

Thanks, guys! Peter, the manual wind still works normally, so it looks like the damage is limited to the rotor itself. Ah well, I'll send it in tomotrrow and keep you guys posted!

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Rolex must be slipping, James. How unusual the problem should present itself before the warranty runs out.


They need to get their quality control issues straightened out.

Yeah, you'd think that they would have accounted for buyers like me who don't baby their watches.

In nay case, it could well be Rolex's own doing - in December I took it down to RSC Singapore for regulation, and I'm wondering if it was a case of the technician not reassembling it properly. Surely if there was something wrong he would have spotted it then.