Rolex Service Made Me …

[illiguy]

Replace the crown on my 18238. They said that it is now a Rolex requirement. Something about a monobloc, but I didn’t fully understand. I wanted the watch movement serviced, and this was a stipulation.

Anyone else experience this?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Replace the crown on my 18238. They said that it is now a Rolex requirement. Something about a monobloc, but I didn’t fully understand. I wanted the watch movement serviced, and this was a stipulation.

Anyone else experience this?

On the TT watches prior to approx 2007 the crowns were just gold capped over solid steel crown. But from around 2008/9 they started what they call monobloc crowns,now these are made from solid gold but the center is machined out, to accommodate a stainless steel sleeve, with s.steel threads. Other wise the gold crown if it had gold threads would wear very quickly, but the amount of gold weight difference between the two types is a very very very small amount.The same monoblocks type crowns are used on the solid gold models.

[George58]

Originally Posted by padi56

On the TT watches prior to approx 2007 the crowns were just gold capped over solid steel crown. But from around 2008/9 they started what they call monobloc crowns,now these are made from solid gold but the center is machined out, to accommodate a stainless steel sleeve, with s.steel threads. Other wise the gold crown if it had gold threads would wear very quickly, but the amount of gold weight difference between the two types is a very very very small amount.The same monoblocks type crowns are used on the solid gold models.

I get what you're saying but what I never understood 18038s have a steel tube but the 18238s have gold tubes. Question I have is, the crown treads gold or steel but either way how can the gold treads on the gold tubes hold up ?

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by padi56

On the TT watches prior to approx 2007 the crowns were just gold capped over solid steel crown. But from around 2008/9 they started what they call monobloc crowns,now these are made from solid gold but the center is machined out, to accommodate a stainless steel sleeve, with s.steel threads. Other wise the gold crown if it had gold threads would wear very quickly, but the amount of gold weight difference between the two types is a very very very small amount.The same monoblocks type crowns are used on the solid gold models.

Thanks, Padi. Very helpful. I’ll be curious to see what marking will be on the new crown. The original crown for the 18238 had a simple “underline” (and not dots).

[padi56]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Thanks, Padi. Very helpful. I’ll be curious to see what marking will be on the new crown. The original crown for the 18238 had a simple “underline” (and not dots).

[ainterian]

I just had my sub serviced and they required the crown to be replaced even though it seemed and functioned flawlessly. I think it's just a wear part that they replace so they can guarantee water proofness.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by ainterian

I just had my sub serviced and they required the crown to be replaced even though it seemed and functioned flawlessly. I think it's just a wear part that they replace so they can guarantee water proofness.

Same here for my SS GMT II. Not a biggy as the cost was a reasonable (for Rolex) $46.00. I didn't argue with them.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by ainterian

I just had my sub serviced and they required the crown to be replaced even though it seemed and functioned flawlessly. I think it's just a wear part that they replace so they can guarantee water proofness.

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

Same here for my SS GMT II. Not a biggy as the cost was a reasonable (for Rolex) $46.00. I didn't argue with them.

Crowns and crown tubes are just normal serviceable item's,and often replaced at routine service, crown tubes are always replaced.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by ainterian

I just had my sub serviced and they required the crown to be replaced even though it seemed and functioned flawlessly. I think it's just a wear part that they replace so they can guarantee water proofness.

No it’s a business model for the RSC. They also always advise me to replace the crystal even you cannot see a mark on it.

I don’t care about it and let them do what they think is best. One or two hundred more on a service is not worth the hassle

[gtbouch]

The assumption is that all Rolex owners are rich and money does not matter.