To Service or Not to Service

[actionkwj]

I’ve got a Rolex Explorer 2 - 216570 - that I “upgraded” from my Sub in December 2014. It has worked flawlessly and at 42mm it fits perfectly on my 8” #cavemanwrist

It’s worn in rotation once or twice per week, so typically I set the time, wind it up, and I’m good2go.

The last three times I’ve strapped this bad boy on, it will not run after setting the time and winding it. If I wear it anyway, it will typically start up about 30 minutes later. This is now happening consistently.

I guess the only thing I can do is have it serviced, but honestly I’m surprised this is happening... it’s not even 4 years old

What do you say, my Rolex family? And what in the world is happening inside this stainless steel case?




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[Jwtownse]

If it’s less than 5 years old I wouldn’t hesitate to send it in for service under the Rolex warranty.

[Nikrnic]

I'm just wondering how many times do you wind it and it still won't start? My Expll takes @ 12 turns but my SubC takes @ 23, weird or not but it seems they're all a little different but if yours isn't starting at all by winding, especially if you give it 40 turns I agree to shipping it to RSC

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[sillo]

Some of my watches don't start right upon winding. I usually wind them 20 turns and give it a little shake to start it up.

If it's still under warranty might as well send it in though.

[actionkwj]

My Explorer had the three year warranty and is now out of warranty since December 2017, so it could be costly to service. Which is really why I started this thread. If it were still under warranty, I would just send it in, but I got mine just before they switched over to the longer warranty, LOL.

Maybe I’ll try winding it more and shaking it next time. Regardless it always started up easily before so that indicates something has changed

Thanks for your feedback


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[Tools]

In an ideal world your watch should begin running when the mainspring puts enough torque into the drivetrain to begin movement.


But, it is seldom a perfect world. Torque binding, dry pallet stones, or a host of other things can hold the movement from beginning to move. A gentle tap on the side, or quick (but not overly aggressive) shake should help even out all of these opposing forces.

[RHIII]

I would try some of the aforementioned ‘fixes’ first and if no better I’d take it in for service. Shouldn’t take that long to start up after winding. That phenomenon in automatic watches could be caused by a million little things.


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[inadeje]

Most of my watches do this (rolex and others) unless I wind say 20 turns

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

I'm just wondering how many times do you wind it and it still won't start?

This. You need at least 20 turns in my experience.

[crazymcmichael]

I have to shake my 2018 explorer2 to get it started after windinG

[Nikrnic]

I also have a 2018 Expll it's been sitting for a week, I just wound it 26 turns to get it going. I don't think you should have to shake or tap any Rolex to get it running but they all seem to have a different starting point after so many turns.

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[Furrygoat]

This happens to my Daytona often. I find if you hack the balance and then push the crown back in after minimal turns, it’ll come to life.

I don’t know why this happens.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by actionkwj

Maybe I’ll try winding it more...

That would be the simplest thing to try. You don't say how many turns you give the crown before determining it won't start. That number can make a huge difference in the sensibility of the recommendations in this thread. If it's 5 or 10, then yeah, wind it more (40 or so turns is a full wind). If you're typically giving it 50 turns and it still takes 30 minutes of wearing to start, that's a whole different matter.

[Seibei]

Wind it up a bit more and give it some shakes. If that does not start it, service it.

[Dirt]

It shouldn't need a service yet.
Just wind it a few times to kick start it as required.
Set then forget.

Unless there's a timekeeping or aparent power reserve problem, leave it be.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

I also have a 2018 Expll it's been sitting for a week, I just wound it 26 turns to get it going. I don't think you should have to shake or tap any Rolex to get it running but they all seem to have a different starting point after so many turns.

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And each watch can vary within itself from one time to another.
One month it may start with 6-8 crown turns.
The next it may require 20 or more.
The next time it could be less than a dozen turns.

Too many internal variables.

[DahMan]

Should be under warranty,
Service it

[JacksonStone]

People really don't like to read, do they?

[Calatrava r]

Some new Rolexes, new stock, in the store start running almost immediately while others take a lot of winding and shaking. No rule of thumb here.

[Sweetswisssteel]

Originally Posted by Jwtownse

If it’s less than 5 years old I wouldn’t hesitate to send it in for service under the Rolex warranty.

5 year warranty only started from July 15

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[Sweetswisssteel]

Originally Posted by actionkwj

My Explorer had the three year warranty and is now out of warranty since December 2017, so it could be costly to service. Which is really why I started this thread. If it were still under warranty, I would just send it in, but I got mine just before they switched over to the longer warranty, LOL.

Maybe I’ll try winding it more and shaking it next time. Regardless it always started up easily before so that indicates something has changed

Thanks for your feedback


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Typical rolex major service $aud1000 but it wouldn't be major at less than 4 years old. Just send it to RSC.

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[bonovox]

I'm with 20 or so winds and a good shake.

[J_1964]

Originally Posted by Jwtownse

If it’s less than 5 years old I wouldn’t hesitate to send it in for service under the Rolex warranty.

This.

[Jwtownse]

Originally Posted by Sweetswisssteel

5 year warranty only started from July 15

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Just looked it up and you’re right. I didn’t realize that. I’d still have it serviced but not necessarily by Rolex.


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[WJGESQ]

Trade towards full gmt

[SearChart]

1. Fully wind the watch
2. Shake if it didn't start already
3. Set time & date
4. Wear

[grymg]

I have been told not to get used to "shaking" the watch aggressively to get it going (I know it's a bulletproof Rolex, but still..) Luckily all of mine start up fine around the 20 turn mark without any shaking. I mean, what really does shaking do? The hair spring is already unwinding itself.

[R!$]

Does this happen with your other Rolexes?