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briansshin · 16 November 2012, 06:41 AM

Hi All,

I recently purchased a Rolex from a regular jewelry store and the bezel was working. All of a sudden, sometime during the time I purchased it and now, the bezel won't move. Actually, it will still turn but it takes a LOT of force, and I do not wish to turn it any longer in order to avoid any further damages.

What are my options? Should I take it to an authorized dealer? Send it to Rolex? Send it to "rikki"? or should I just take it into any jewelry store? Please let me know! Thanks.

In addition, how much am I expecting to spend to fix it? Any comments/thoughts would help at this point. Thank you!

Brian

briansshin · 16 November 2012, 06:42 AM

BTW, the watch is a 2005 Submariner with regular black face and black bezel.

TSW · 16 November 2012, 06:43 AM

Probably just some dirt under neath the bezel.

T.S.Eliot · 16 November 2012, 06:53 AM

Do not force it. Try putting it in hot water and soap while using a soft tooth brush underneath the bezel. if that does not work, then its time for maintenance.

Brushpup · 16 November 2012, 07:25 AM

If you don't send to Rikki, find a Watchmaker that has a Rolex Parts Account. Don't take to just any "watch repair" guy.

mrbill2mrbill2 · 16 November 2012, 10:02 AM

Put the watch under the faucet, with hot/warm water running at a high flowrate, while holding it face up with both hands. Eight fingers on the case back. With one thumb on the bezel at 9 and your other thumb at 3 apply a little downward pressure and rotate the bezel.

All will be well.

Rikki · 16 November 2012, 01:22 PM

The watch in case has a unidirectional bezel that uses a little stainless click spring and when the bezel gets forced back against the click it gets bend and makes it very difficult to turn. Take the bezel off and check to see if the spring is too far bent if so take it off and bend it till it' slightly bent reassemble should be fine also clean any debris from under the bezel while you're in there. Rikki

briansshin · 17 November 2012, 06:10 AM

edited: any discussions about pricing should be discussed directly with vendors

BH13GMT · 17 November 2012, 06:15 AM

Try an air duster and blast around the bezel and case. This may sort out the blockage

marathonmatt · 17 November 2012, 06:25 AM

As it is a pre-owned piece, is there a chance it had after market solid end links installed on the bracelet? If so, they could be making contact with the bottom edge of the bezel, particularly if the spring bars were replaced with the thin (non-factory spec) type, and the bracelet shifted slightly. Try removing the bracelet and see if the bezel turns.

brandxbrand · 26 November 2012, 12:10 PM

So did warm water work?

I remember someone spilt a beer over my LV and the next day the bezel was super stiff from the dried sticky shit. Warm water and some soap cleared it right up.

RolexRaymond · 26 November 2012, 12:24 PM

Do Not Force ANYTHING. That is what Murphy would do.

All of the above posts are really quite good and I would agree that the warm soapy water route (tight crown!) is the best one.

I have owned my 5513 for 41 years. It has been through hell and is pristine, because I have maintained it at Rolex dealers and service shops. NEVER use anyone else. ALWAYS use a certified Rolex technician and pay the price. You will always be satisfied one way or the other (given that they are human too!). Just an opinion, but it has paid me dividends.

The book "My Rolex; My Passion" available by special order at myrolexmypassion@me.com is a good read that talks about a whole lot of this sort of thing. A different kind of book about watches and Rolex ones in particular, it is worth picking up. Email with the subject line "Rolex Book" and you get information on how to order if you would be at all interested.

Anyway, the bezel has something underneath it and it is an easy, quick fix. Do not despair.

joe100 · 26 November 2012, 04:17 PM

If it can't be solved with a Stilson wrench, send it to your watchmaker

James 45 · 2 December 2012, 11:32 AM

This is what mine looked like!! and after cleaning it out it worked good.
warm water and tooth brush.

16 November 2012, 06:41 AM	#1
briansshin "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 41	Bezel Won't Turn - Any Advice? Hi All, I recently purchased a Rolex from a regular jewelry store and the bezel was working. All of a sudden, sometime during the time I purchased it and now, the bezel won't move. Actually, it will still turn but it takes a LOT of force, and I do not wish to turn it any longer in order to avoid any further damages. What are my options? Should I take it to an authorized dealer? Send it to Rolex? Send it to "rikki"? or should I just take it into any jewelry store? Please let me know! Thanks. In addition, how much am I expecting to spend to fix it? Any comments/thoughts would help at this point. Thank you! Brian

16 November 2012, 06:43 AM	#3
TSW "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: TSW Location: Le Brassus Watch: Rolex & AP's Posts: 27,449	Probably just some dirt under neath the bezel. __________________ AP Owners Club IG @swiss.watch.connection

16 November 2012, 06:53 AM	#4
T.S.Eliot "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: K Location: KSA Watch: aholic Posts: 1,499	Do not force it. Try putting it in hot water and soap while using a soft tooth brush underneath the bezel. if that does not work, then its time for maintenance. __________________ "Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead, / Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep seas swell / And the profit and loss. / A current under sea / Picked his bones in whispers. / As he rose and fell / He passed the stages of his age and youth / Entering the whirlpool. / Gentile or Jew / O you who turn the wheel and look to windward, / Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you." Cheers, K

16 November 2012, 07:25 AM	#5
Brushpup "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Patrick Location: Texas Watch: what I'm wearing Posts: 5,943	If you don't send to Rikki, find a Watchmaker that has a Rolex Parts Account. Don't take to just any "watch repair" guy. __________________ *TRFs "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Patron-Founding Member* PClub # 10 74,592 The safest place for your watch is on your wrist.

16 November 2012, 10:02 AM	#6
mrbill2mrbill2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Mr. Bill Location: South Florida Watch: 16610 Posts: 6,148	Put the watch under the faucet, with hot/warm water running at a high flowrate, while holding it face up with both hands. Eight fingers on the case back. With one thumb on the bezel at 9 and your other thumb at 3 apply a little downward pressure and rotate the bezel. All will be well. __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of the Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons - ID # 13

16 November 2012, 06:42 AM	#2
briansshin "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 41	BTW, the watch is a 2005 Submariner with regular black face and black bezel.

16 November 2012, 01:22 PM	#7
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	The watch in case has a unidirectional bezel that uses a little stainless click spring and when the bezel gets forced back against the click it gets bend and makes it very difficult to turn. Take the bezel off and check to see if the spring is too far bent if so take it off and bend it till it' slightly bent reassemble should be fine also clean any debris from under the bezel while you're in there. Rikki __________________ Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder.

17 November 2012, 06:10 AM	#8
briansshin "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 41	edited: any discussions about pricing should be discussed directly with vendors Last edited by Tools; 29 November 2012 at 02:43 AM..

17 November 2012, 06:15 AM	#9
BH13GMT "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Paul Location: UK, Dorset Watch: and learn Posts: 2,631	Try an air duster and blast around the bezel and case. This may sort out the blockage __________________ Rolex Sub 1680, Rolex GMT 116710LN, Rolex Datejust 16220 Salmon Dial (the Mrs), Tudor BB58, Tudor Pelagos Blue and Several Seiko's ************************************************ *************** "last one in the chopper is a rotten egg" Jonathan Quayle Higgins III

17 November 2012, 06:25 AM	#10
marathonmatt Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Matt Location: A long way from.. Watch: 16610 Posts: 210	As it is a pre-owned piece, is there a chance it had after market solid end links installed on the bracelet? If so, they could be making contact with the bottom edge of the bezel, particularly if the spring bars were replaced with the thin (non-factory spec) type, and the bracelet shifted slightly. Try removing the bracelet and see if the bezel turns.

26 November 2012, 12:10 PM	#11
brandxbrand "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Chris Location: Concord, Ma Watch: your back Posts: 422	So did warm water work? I remember someone spilt a beer over my LV and the next day the bezel was super stiff from the dried sticky shit. Warm water and some soap cleared it right up.

26 November 2012, 12:24 PM	#12
RolexRaymond "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 58	Do Not Force ANYTHING. That is what Murphy would do. All of the above posts are really quite good and I would agree that the warm soapy water route (tight crown!) is the best one. I have owned my 5513 for 41 years. It has been through hell and is pristine, because I have maintained it at Rolex dealers and service shops. NEVER use anyone else. ALWAYS use a certified Rolex technician and pay the price. You will always be satisfied one way or the other (given that they are human too!). Just an opinion, but it has paid me dividends. The book "My Rolex; My Passion" available by special order at myrolexmypassion@me.com is a good read that talks about a whole lot of this sort of thing. A different kind of book about watches and Rolex ones in particular, it is worth picking up. Email with the subject line "Rolex Book" and you get information on how to order if you would be at all interested. Anyway, the bezel has something underneath it and it is an easy, quick fix. Do not despair.

26 November 2012, 04:17 PM	#13
joe100 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,753	If it can't be solved with a Stilson wrench, send it to your watchmaker __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

2 December 2012, 11:32 AM	#14
James 45 Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: USA Watch: No date Sub 14060M Posts: 432	This is what mine looked like!! and after cleaning it out it worked good. warm water and tooth brush.

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