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tom1969 · 25 February 2020, 03:11 AM

Hello,

I recently stumbled onto my first Rolex - a 2008 Explorer 114270 in near mint condition (on the outside). I love that watch and its stubborn precision -- it gains 2.5 sec a day no matter which orientation I place it at night (measured over two 10-day periods). Amazing.

As a bit of a watch nerd of course I must insist that the minute hand lines up exactly with a minute mark when the second hand is at 12 o'clock. I found that this is not so easy because the coupling between crown and dials seems to be quite loose. When I rock the crown back and forth between points of larger resistance (where the hands would actually start to move against the friction), the minute and hour hands rock back and forth as well, with an "amplitude" of about one minute. When I set the minute hand exactly to a minute mark (in forward direction) and push the crown in, it takes about 20 second until the minute hand starts moving. In other words, if I want a perfect lineup, I need to stop the watch with the second hand at the 4 o'clock position, set the minute precisely, and then push the crown in.

This doesn't bother me. I just want to know if this is normal behavior for the 3130, or if I should have it looked at. From a couple of ETA watches I own I'm used to a positive, slack-less coupling between minute hand and crown.

Tools · 25 February 2020, 04:10 AM

It's normal for any machine with a gear train.

Slack is required for tolerance and expansion. If you have a clutch that will direct drive the posts and pinions, it is only an appearance of "no slack"; once you re-engage, it will slip into the gear train either fore or aft.

jeorge · 25 February 2020, 09:43 PM

If you want it the min hand to line up perfectly take the slack out first then line up the hand. The second put on the 11 mark.

enjoythemusic · 26 February 2020, 05:31 AM

Yes, that moment has slack. Normal.

Not all mechanical watches have this slack, such as my Tag Heuer Monaco Gulf edition.

tom1969 · 27 February 2020, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeorge

If you want it the min hand to line up perfectly take the slack out first then line up the hand. The second put on the 11 mark.

Yup, works perfectly. Thanks everybody!

DDDan · 26 March 2020, 06:03 PM

You explained it better than I could have. My 216570 does this, but my Tudor BB GMT does not. Good to see that it’s a normal issue.

25 February 2020, 03:11 AM	#1
tom1969 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Belgium Watch: Explorer 114270 Posts: 24	Caliber 3130 -- lots of slack when setting the watch? Hello, I recently stumbled onto my first Rolex - a 2008 Explorer 114270 in near mint condition (on the outside). I love that watch and its stubborn precision -- it gains 2.5 sec a day no matter which orientation I place it at night (measured over two 10-day periods). Amazing. As a bit of a watch nerd of course I must insist that the minute hand lines up exactly with a minute mark when the second hand is at 12 o'clock. I found that this is not so easy because the coupling between crown and dials seems to be quite loose. When I rock the crown back and forth between points of larger resistance (where the hands would actually start to move against the friction), the minute and hour hands rock back and forth as well, with an "amplitude" of about one minute. When I set the minute hand exactly to a minute mark (in forward direction) and push the crown in, it takes about 20 second until the minute hand starts moving. In other words, if I want a perfect lineup, I need to stop the watch with the second hand at the 4 o'clock position, set the minute precisely, and then push the crown in. This doesn't bother me. I just want to know if this is normal behavior for the 3130, or if I should have it looked at. From a couple of ETA watches I own I'm used to a positive, slack-less coupling between minute hand and crown.

25 February 2020, 04:10 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,037	It's normal for any machine with a gear train. Slack is required for tolerance and expansion. If you have a clutch that will direct drive the posts and pinions, it is only an appearance of "no slack"; once you re-engage, it will slip into the gear train either fore or aft. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

26 February 2020, 05:31 AM	#4
enjoythemusic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: Steven Location: Glocal Posts: 19,398	Yes, that moment has slack. Normal. Not all mechanical watches have this slack, such as my Tag Heuer Monaco Gulf edition. __________________ __________________ “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'” -- Hunter S. Thompson Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.

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25 February 2020, 09:43 PM	#3
jeorge "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: U.S.A Posts: 139	If you want it the min hand to line up perfectly take the slack out first then line up the hand. The second put on the 11 mark.

26 March 2020, 06:03 PM	#6
DDDan "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Real Name: Rick Dancey Location: NZ Posts: 73	You explained it better than I could have. My 216570 does this, but my Tudor BB GMT does not. Good to see that it’s a normal issue.

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