Newbie Needs Help/Has Questions.

[dodgefate]

Hi all, I am new here. I just have a few question if anyone can help me. My father bought a Rolex Oyster for my mother back in the 1970's. After her passed away she let the watch go into disrepair (the crystal was chipped, some rust on the exterior and the threads on the stem cap stripped and the watch got water in it that messed up the mechanism, destroyed the face and hands). It is the only sentimental item that my mother has. I just had it fixed (New Crystal, face refinished, new hands stem and a good cleaning) for a Christmas present for her.
When I picked it up, I winded the watch about 15-20 times. The watch only stays working for about one to two days then stops. I rewound it again and same thing. Before I give it to her for a Christmas present I want to make sure it is perfect and ready to go. The Jeweler is about 2 hours from my house and I don't want to waste a trip if there is nothing wrong with it. The jeweler that did the repair told me that there was a one year warranty on his work and if there was any problems to bring it back. I don't know if I am not winding it enough or if there is a problem. So my questions are:

1. How many time should you wind it?

2. can you over wind it?

3. Once wound properly how long should it run about?

4. I paid $700.00 to have it fixed is that a good price?

[Rikki]

It's an automatic watch and needs to be worn after winding to keep it running. between 36 and 44 hours after a full 40 winds is normal running time. Rikki

[DArik2633]

$700 is a good price with all the work that you had done on it.

[dodgefate]

Great Thanks for the Advice!

[financeman]

Btw, very nice gesture for your mom. I am sure she will be thrilled and truly love it

[dodgefate]

I really wanted to do something special for her due to her not having much left after my father died.
So new question...... I went home this morning after getting done work (I work nights) and wound the watch to see how long exactly it would stay running. The watch had stopped and I started to wind it. After about 10 turns it started to run again. I went about another 10 turns and felt a little resistance. I went to lock the stem into the crown and the stem broke. I don't know if it was due to defective parts or just my shear man strength. I trust the jeweler that repaired it, he has always been 100% honest with me. He talked me out of getting an aftermarket face for it and i think he only charged me $100.00 to get the original refinished and only recommended using factory Rolex parts. He told me that there was a one year warranty on his work...... Any opinions?

[Andad]

Hi D,

Sound to me like this watch has some issues and needs to be checked out.
Find out if his warranty will work for you.
If not I would find another watchmaker and ask for a quote to repair it.

This will identify the problems and you can move forward from there.

Welcome to the Forum mate.

[dodgefate]

Thanks for the advice! The watch was in horrible shape when I gave it to him so it may still have some problems

[rmfnla]

To actually answer your questions:

1. How many time should you wind it? 40 winds should do it

2. can you over wind it? No

3. Once wound properly how long should it run about? 36 - 44 hours, so the "day or two" you have experienced is just fine

4. I paid $700.00 to have it fixed is that a good price? Very good price


Enjoy, and welcome to the forum!

[Tools]

After winding, are you/somebody wearing it ?? It won't stay running all by itself and if whoever is wearing it is inactive, they may not be putting enough "auto-wind" into it for it to keep going..

at this point, doesn't sound like anything is wrong with it..