Daytona in for Service Tomorrow.....Potential Ooops!

[Phrank]

Grabbed an Ultrasonic Cleaner to make sure I removed any gunk still in the watch band. Did my 16613lb Submariner with no issues.

The watch heads were on a plastic bridge and never submerged in the ultrasonic cleaner fluid.

Then did my Daytona, but used very hot water this time.

When it was finished, dread hit, there was a slight mist under the crystal that literally disappeared seconds after I took the watch out, it's been clear, no detectable liquid, drops or remaining mist.

After going through the forum filled with panic, I see that our esteemed Member padi56 has answered this question at least 6 times with the same answer....

"Condensation on the inside of the crystal is generally an indication that there may be a problem but it your case would doubt if you have any problem. Now condensation will quite normally occur when any warm/hot watch is suddenly exposed to a cold environment i.e. if you enter cold air/water then shortly after warm/hot water or visa versa. In normal circumstances this will appear as a very fine mist and should disappear in seconds, minutes, or a hour or so when the watch warms up. This is quite normal as the air trapped inside your watch after say a service will have a small amount of water vapour as its just like normal humidity in the atmosphere, if it disappears quickly all is well. Now if the misting appears as clearly definable droplets of water and does not clear quickly when warm, then it signifies that water has entered the case.Now this will NOT evaporate of its own accord and will need to be removed then afraid its off to the RSC as soon as possible,advise then to put the stopped watch in a bag of dry rice grains."

Since I've never serviced my V Serial(2009) Daytona 116520, I figured this is the "excuse" I needed to take it in, just to be sure....

Goodbye Daytona, parting is such sweet sorrow....

See you in a couple of weeks after the Spa!

[Solo118]

Good thing you are sending it off at once. If water gets inside the case it can be trouble later on with rusted movement parts, or even on the dial etc.

[Andad]

I don’t think you have an issue with water ingress but based on it being a 2009 model a service is not a bad decision.

[inadeje]

It’s a wise move sending it in. I don’t subscribe to the change in temperature and acceptable condensation theory. If the case is airtight there can be no condensation (water vapor).

[Harry-57]

You exposed the watch to pretty much the ideal conditions to cause transient condensation. Nothing to worry about. And as you say, it's getting serviced so even more peace of mind.

[travisb]

Just like Padi explained, you likely don't have a problem but a service is a good idea given the age of your watch.

[geoach]

Originally Posted by inadeje

It’s a wise move sending it in. I don’t subscribe to the change in temperature and acceptable condensation theory. If the case is airtight there can be no condensation (water vapor).

you are wrong Padi is correct

[1st amg]

I would absolutely send it in. Good call.

[jimcameron]

Grabbed an Ultrasonic Cleaner

Bad move number one. Send it to RSC asap.

[PenDelicate]

I've not heard of people putting the complete case of a watch in an ultra-sonic cleaner. I've only heard of cleaning solid parts: that is, bracelet and the individual components of the movement.

Is cleaning in an entire, cased movement really recommended?

[1William]

Keep us posted.

[Phrank]

Here I sit at Rolex Toronto, beautiful day.

Daytona being dropped off and getting an opinion on my 16700 GMT....

I'll miss my Daytona!!!

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[Robf52]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

I would absolutely send it in. Good call.

This.

[Cooper33]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

I've not heard of people putting the complete case of a watch in an ultra-sonic cleaner. I've only heard of cleaning solid parts: that is, bracelet and the individual components of the movement.

Is cleaning in an entire, cased movement really recommended?

Some cleaners have a plastic tray that you can use to hang the watch and just leave the bracelet in the water. Mine has it, but I always disassemble the bracelet to avoid any mishaps...

[logo]

Originally Posted by inadeje

It’s a wise move sending it in. I don’t subscribe to the change in temperature and acceptable condensation theory. If the case is airtight there can be no condensation (water vapor).

It’s not a matter of whether you subscribe to the theory or not, it’s physics. It just is. The watch case is not a vacuum, air is inside. Air contains water.

[Phrank]

So wandered back to RSC Toronto after chatting with the watch tech about my Daytona and 16700 GMT.

Hands, dial everything original on this Rolex 16700 GMT, he advised complete refresh...thought I'd do it when I picked up my Daytona.

Had a coffee, figured I'm here so went back to Rolex, and put it in for complete overhaul. Case and bracelet good so no polish.

Get 'er done....



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[worldofoyster]

service it due to its age

[DC116710LN]

Good decision

[karleone]

Looks like your Daytona is unpolished. You should ask and make it written no to polish the watch. Otherwise they will most likely polish it and it’s a kind of a lottery. You never know who will polish your watch and it might come back not as sharp as before with rounded lugs.

[1William]

I like your GMT.

[NorthernPike]

Subscribed. I'm anxious to see how this ends. It's been 13 years since my 16610LV was serviced at RSC Toronto. It's losing 7 seconds a day, and I think it's time for another visit. My conundrum is: To polish or not to polish. Any advice? Any experiences with Toronto polishing?

[Phrank]

Originally Posted by NorthernPike

Subscribed. I'm anxious to see how this ends. It's been 13 years since my 16610LV was serviced at RSC Toronto. It's losing 7 seconds a day, and I think it's time for another visit. My conundrum is: To polish or not to polish. Any advice? Any experiences with Toronto polishing?

I'm with the poster above a few replies back, chances are it will be a great job, on the other hand, it could be done in a way that lessens the look, rounds the lugs etc...

For both the GMT and Daytona I requested no polish. I absolutely wear my watches, don't baby them, but I'm not "out in the field" or anything like that, so aside from some desk diving scuffs the watch has been "babied".

Desk diving scratches will come back, otherwise the case on both are in great shape.

So no polish for me today!!

[NorthernPike]

Mine is worn every day through thick and thin, including diving.

[PaulMiami]

I used to travel quite a lot for work and had a simple stainless and gold Datejust at the time. On one of these trips I had to adjust the time for a timezone change, I was exhausted and took a shower without tightening the crown. Immediately after, you could see the condensation on the crystal. On my flight back I decided to try letting the low pressure, low humidity airplane air dry the watch out. I had the crown unscrewed for the entire flight. It didn’t take long for the watch to dry out. It ran perfectly for many years after. Never ever needed to service it.

[NorthernPike]

Paul, you are wise.

[Phrank]

Scheduled appointment to pick up both this week.

Excited to see the fully restored GMT and of course to have my Daytona back.

Will post pics when in hand

[Phrank]

Here I sit at RSC Toronto to pick up my Daytona and GMT after full service on Daytona and GMT.

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Phrank

Here I sit at Rolex Toronto, beautiful day.

Daytona being dropped off and getting an opinion on my 16700 GMT....

I'll miss my Daytona!!!

Sent from my SM-S918W using Tapatalk

Love it there, been many times myself over the years.

They really need a cappuccino machine to take it to the next level

[brandrea]

Curious if you needed an appointment?

I haven’t gone since 2021 and we were in the midst of covid and they required an appointment then. Prior to that, I used to just pop in with my watches.

Can’t wait to see the reveal

[Phrank]

Wow!! Like a new GMT!!

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