Noise from 5968A Aquanaut Rotor

[Smy404]

I picked up my new 5968A today. Love it by the way. But I hear a sound coming from the rotor as soon as I move my wrist. It is pretty loud. Sounds similar to rotating a bezel.
Anyone here with an 5968A hear the same sound? I am not worried as I have the warranty but I was caught off guard to hear such a loud rotor winding sound from a Patek. But I am new to this brand, so any insight would be appreciated.

[HMHM]

Yeah it’s fine. I think it’s just part of the idiosyncrasy of the movement. And also the transparent case back makes it easier to transmit sound as opposed to a solid case back like Rolex. Congratulations

[Smy404]

Thanks. It is just that none of my Rolex and AP's make that sound. You can hear it, but barely compared to the Aquanaut.
I will run it by my AD next time I stop by.

[yoast]

Ceramic ball bearings in the rotor

[DK7]

normal

[Smy404]

Thanks

[vitalsigns]

Normal but unfortunate.

I'll take steel ball bearings and silence (and shorter service intervals) over ceramic ball bearings and noise (and longer service intervals).

IMO, noise is not luxury.

Patek isn't as bad as others. I've sworn to myself no more display back automatic JLCs. It really is a nuisance...

[Xpatcan1]

Iv grown to really enjoy the sound the rotor makes, especially when wearing my 5167, when wearing longer sleeves I forget I have it on, then you hear the rotor and it reminds you. Part of the charm of a patek imo.

[Smy404]

And it looks like I had them cut the strap a little too small. In the showroom, it felt great. But after wearing it yesterday and today, I need it a little larger. I have my scaphoid bones removed on both wrists and a titanium plate in my left. By product of falling 30' backwards. So I am prone more to wrist swelling. And I hate wearing constrictive items. That is why I do not wear rings. The micro adjustment on the 5811 sounds amazing. And I love the quick adjust on the new Rolex's.
The good thing is my SA said the new straps were not expensive. I am going to have them cut the new strap once it comes in so PP does not think I am a flipper. This is a keeper to pass on to my son once I am done wearing it.

[Smy404]

Originally Posted by Xpatcan1

Iv grown to really enjoy the sound the rotor makes, especially when wearing my 5167, when wearing longer sleeves I forget I have it on, then you hear the rotor and it reminds you. Part of the charm of a patek imo.

Does not bother me. I was just surprised that it was so loud. I am assuming the dress model watches do the same?

[ts3]

That was quick after all. Congrats!

[Rushne]

Originally Posted by Xpatcan1

Iv grown to really enjoy the sound the rotor makes, especially when wearing my 5167, when wearing longer sleeves I forget I have it on, then you hear the rotor and it reminds you. Part of the charm of a patek imo.

I’m with you in that one. I love the sound it makes. I mean an old Panerai I had used to have the valjoux 7750 wobble and a little noise but I didn’t enjoy that as much. The sound of the ball bearings sounds great to me.

[Ryann24]

All of my pateks rotors can be heard.. Normal

[KVNNSCHNG]

My 5167 is loud and proud haha

[Smy404]

Originally Posted by ts3

That was quick after all. Congrats!

Thank you.

[capjand1]

Initially it surprised me that the sound is quite loud, and I did consult with my AD and seems like that's the case for most Patek rotors.

[fsprow]

“You never actually own a Patek Phillippe, you just pass it along to make the next generation deaf”

[Smy404]

Originally Posted by fsprow

“You never actually own a Patek Phillippe, you just pass it along to make the next generation deaf”

LOL good one.
If I did not own a Patek, and I heard the rotor, my first thought would have been hey I hear someone having sex (bed squeaking).

[srvrf]

Originally Posted by Smy404

And it looks like I had them cut the strap a little too small. In the showroom, it felt great. But after wearing it yesterday and today, I need it a little larger. I have my scaphoid bones removed on both wrists and a titanium plate in my left. By product of falling 30' backwards. So I am prone more to wrist swelling. And I hate wearing constrictive items. That is why I do not wear rings. The micro adjustment on the 5811 sounds amazing. And I love the quick adjust on the new Rolex's.
The good thing is my SA said the new straps were not expensive. I am going to have them cut the new strap once it comes in so PP does not think I am a flipper. This is a keeper to pass on to my son once I am done wearing it.

You may have them cut the new strap 2-3 "links" longer than your current strap. As the weather warms up you may even have more wrist size changes and of course you can't put them back once you've cut them. Even my 5167R is pretty light and wearing it a little loosely is still very comfortable.

[dlmocdm]

Totally normal. Your movement employs unidirectional winding. Therefore, in the direction opposite to winding, the rotor will free spin. The rotor uses ceramic ball bearings, and these make an audible noise that the sapphire crystal case back barely mitigates.
JLC movements are also like this, but as you point out, Rolex are not. Rolex employs bi-directional winding so the rotor will not free spin to start with. My understanding is that unidirectional binding is more efficient than bidirectional.

[George58]

I don't get this because my 5066 makes no noise or vibration. Even when in my hand and moving it to my ear and my hand no vibration Yes it's real 330sc movement 1999 bought new

[vitalsigns]

Originally Posted by George58

I don't get this because my 5066 makes no noise or vibration. Even when in my hand and moving it to my ear and my hand no vibration Yes it's real 330sc movement 1999 bought new

Your 5066 predates Patek's use of ceramic ball bearings in the rotor, hence its silence.

[Smy404]

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

Your 5066 predates Patek's use of ceramic ball bearings in the rotor, hence its silence.

This person is who I call a true PP enthusiast.

[vitalsigns]

Originally Posted by Smy404

This person is who I call a true PP enthusiast.

Hah...

No, I just have one from each era. Cal. 315 is silent; cal. 324 is noisy.

[George58]

Originally Posted by Smy404

This person is who I call a true PP enthusiast.

thanks for the info often wondered often why but I have 330 movement

[vitalsigns]

Originally Posted by George58

thanks for the info often wondered often why but I have 330 movement

Yes, its the date when made (~1999) rather than the particular movement, so cal. 330 of that era is the same in this regard as cal. 315, although Patek likely rolled the ceramic ball bearings out over some time period.