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Old 6 December 2018, 08:12 AM   #1
Aceldama
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1972 5513: Fog under the crystal

I was wondering if you all could help answer a question regarding my Rolex 5513.

The watch was fully serviced back in 2016. Due at least for a pressure test I’m sure. Since servicing, I’ve not exposed the watch to submersion like swimming, diving, etc. Just the occasional rinse and dry on a really sweaty day.

Today I rinsed off my Rolex under some very cold water to wash off some tree sap. I checked the crown to make sure it was tight before I did this. I wiped it off and the crystal was clear. After wearing it for a few minutes, the crystal fogged up a bit. I removed i from my wrist, and the fog went away after 5-10 mins. When I went to wear the watch again, the fog came back.

Should I send this to my usual guy ASAP, or do you all think this can wait until the holidays are over?

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Old 6 December 2018, 08:17 AM   #2
perpetualman88
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your watch has a gasket/seal issue.

If you live in a very humid area and it disappears within 60 seconds after a condensation test that is okay according to Rolex. But the fact your watch was not slightly heated up such as on a condensation tester before exposed to the COLD water would say 100% you need to send it for service. The seals have failed and you should get it resolved before it causes damage to the dial and hands
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Old 7 December 2018, 03:12 AM   #3
Beelzy
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Nooooo! Get it checked pronto! Every hour that moisture is there it's wrecking
the dial and hands microscopically.
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Old 7 December 2018, 03:29 AM   #4
athom
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I would not wait one more second the visit my favourite watchmaker !
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Old 7 December 2018, 08:14 AM   #5
swish77
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You need to keep the crown unscrewed until a watchmaker can look at it. You want that moisture out of there!
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Old 7 December 2018, 08:45 AM   #6
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Visit the watch-doc asap!
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Old 7 December 2018, 11:10 AM   #7
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@Aceldama
Keep your watch in a dry location and as already been mentioned pull out the winding crown. Don't continue to wear the watch. When you have the time, deliver the Sub to your watchmaker or to one of the many topnotch independents who are frequently mentioned here on the forum.
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Old 7 December 2018, 11:36 AM   #8
msma
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Visit your nearest watchmaker ASAP and have that checked out.
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Old 7 December 2018, 11:49 AM   #9
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Yes, unscrew the crown, and place it in a bowl or container of uncooked rice, it will draw out the moisture.

Then get it in for service....
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Old 7 December 2018, 11:55 AM   #10
mattedialdoc
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Oh buddy....do as others have said, and fast. Prayers.


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Old 8 December 2018, 06:14 PM   #11
R.G.Bramlett, CW21
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If the crown was left unscrewed and moisture got in the case, then it often has no way of getting out, and can manifest itself as "fog" under the crystal from time to time, depending on the outside conditions and temperatures that the watch is subjected to. This situation does NOT mean that any of the gaskets have failed--just that there is moisture inside that can't get out.

Rolex sent out a letter to their account holders years ago encouraging them to immediately dry-test a watch that comes in with moisture in it (with crown screwed in of course), preferably with the customer observing. If it passes the test, then the dealer is in a sound position to explain to the customer that, well...basically, it was his fault and not the watch's fault.

So i agree that the owner should get this checked out immediately, but i don't think it's necessarily a gasket failure situation. But it could be.
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Old 8 December 2018, 07:03 PM   #12
ppalasthira
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You should get it checked. Gorgeous lume plots btw.
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Old 8 December 2018, 08:24 PM   #13
koryong
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I believe even with the crown unscrewed, the Triplock seals if in good condition, should keep moisture out.
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Old 8 December 2018, 09:24 PM   #14
Sublovin
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Contrary to what some others have said, if the gaskets are in place, the crown being unscrewed should have nothing to do with it
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Old 9 December 2018, 12:55 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sublovin View Post
Contrary to what some others have said, if the gaskets are in place, the crown being unscrewed should have nothing to do with it
Clearly there is something up with the gaskets, so the crown should indeed be left unscrewed.
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Old 9 December 2018, 04:02 AM   #16
Sublovin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swish77 View Post
Clearly there is something up with the gaskets, so the crown should indeed be left unscrewed.
How is it clear that it is from the crown?
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Old 9 December 2018, 07:37 AM   #17
swish77
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Quote:
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How is it clear that it is from the crown?
There's a clear problem because there's fog under the crystal. Leaving the crown unscrewed can only help in this case, and certainly doesn't hurt.
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Old 9 December 2018, 08:52 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swish77 View Post
There's a clear problem because there's fog under the crystal. Leaving the crown unscrewed can only help in this case, and certainly doesn't hurt.
True. That is about all you can do.

I have the tool to remove the crystal locking ring. This happened to me once years ago and I removed the crystal as well. I would not advise that unless you know what you are doing.
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Old 11 December 2018, 06:17 PM   #19
Mansell92
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This happened to me once. Until it is serviced, open the crown and put it in a containter or draw with moisture absorbent crystals. Mine dried out, but it will need to be checked out for sure.
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Old 12 December 2018, 02:26 AM   #20
Aceldama
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Thanks all! I kept the crown out until I could ship it out (didn’t want it sitting in a warehouse for a weekend). Out for delivery with my vintage watchman.

Doesn’t look like any damage. A bit of green on the crown. Hoping for nothing irreversible.


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Old 13 December 2018, 10:01 AM   #21
Aceldama
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Good news! No damage to the watch. Very minor leak was through the crystal. One of the warnings I got when I asked for a period-correct crystal. Never would have though as rinse under the tap could do it. Guess it’s a damp cloth from now on.


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Old 17 December 2018, 05:06 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aceldama View Post
Good news! No damage to the watch. Very minor leak was through the crystal. One of the warnings I got when I asked for a period-correct crystal. Never would have though as rinse under the tap could do it. Guess it’s a damp cloth from now on.


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Glad you figured it out. Almost every time I take in a vintage watch I have to replace the crystal, because of those micro fractures where the ring compresses the crystal to make it water right. If you use NOS vintage plastic crystals they certainly can have an issue like this, because of their age.


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Old 17 December 2018, 05:29 AM   #23
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how about unscrewing the crown and gently blowing a warm hairdryer over it for a period,

or putting it in a warm airing cupboard

i know its not the same, but i was in a river some years ago during some storms, my mobile was completely submerged for at least 15 minutes,

it looked totally shot, no life whatsoever, but i did the airing cupboard trick and i am using it perfectly 5 years on.
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