My Rolex Submariner, a watch synonymous with rugged reliability and precision, had betrayed me. It would wind on my wrist, a testament to its automatic movement, but stubbornly refused to wind when I manually turned the crown. Over the past month, I'd noticed the crown becoming increasingly stiff, requiring more effort to turn. A visit to my local watch repair person provided temporary relief – he lubricated the o-rings and gaskets, and the crown spun freely once more. However, this didn't solve the underlying problem; the watch still failed to keep accurate time, and soon, it stopped altogether. This experience prompted a deep dive into the potential causes of this malfunction, a journey that revealed the complex inner workings of a Rolex Submariner and the various reasons why such a seemingly robust timepiece might fail.
This article will explore the myriad reasons why a Rolex Submariner might stop working, focusing on the specific symptoms I experienced – a stiff crown, manual winding failure, and ultimately, a complete cessation of timekeeping. We'll examine the intricacies of the self-winding mechanism, the role of the crown and gaskets, and delve into potential solutions, from simple lubrication to complex internal repairs.
Why Did My Rolex Submariner Stop Working? Why Does My Rolex Submariner Stop Working?
The question of why a Rolex Submariner, a watch built to withstand extreme conditions, stops working is multifaceted. It's rarely a single, easily identifiable cause. Instead, it's often a confluence of factors, sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic. Let's investigate the most common culprits:
1. Power Reserve Depletion: While seemingly obvious, a depleted power reserve is a frequent cause of a stopped Rolex. The automatic movement relies on the rotor's oscillation to wind the mainspring. Insufficient wrist movement, prolonged periods of inactivity, or a weak mainspring can lead to a complete standstill. This is easily checked – if the watch stopped after a period of inactivity, this could be the simple explanation. However, in my case, the watch was winding on my wrist, suggesting this wasn't the primary issue.
2. Crown and Gasket Issues: My experience with the stiffening crown and the subsequent lubrication highlights the crucial role of the crown and its associated gaskets. These gaskets provide vital waterproofing, and their deterioration can lead to several problems. Stiffness, as I experienced, indicates a lack of lubrication or damage to the gaskets. This can prevent the crown from properly engaging the winding mechanism, hindering both manual winding and the automatic winding process. Furthermore, damaged gaskets can allow water ingress, leading to corrosion and damage to internal components.
3. Mainspring Problems: The mainspring is the heart of the mechanical movement, storing the energy that powers the watch. Over time, it can weaken, lose its elasticity, or even break. A weak mainspring won't store enough energy to keep the watch running for a full power reserve, resulting in frequent stopping. A broken mainspring requires complete replacement, a significant repair.
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