Problem with Rolex watch hands

[Moist Mom]

Hello everyone,


I have this replica watch for almost 4 years now and I have noticed a problem with the watch hands recently.
The type is a 2019:

ARF v2 Red Sea Dwller​

They don't align anymore at the 12 hour mark.
Is this something I can fix myself?
If not can you guys recommend a service point? I live in Belgium.


Thank you very much in advance!
Hope you all have a great new year, may all your wishes come true!

 

[eBoy]

Depends on your watch making skills. I have the tools at home and have removed and set hands successfully, without damaging the dial, on cheap watches.

On an ARF, I'd probably do it myself. On a gen certainly not though...

You'll need tools (a hands press, a case holder, a movement / casing cushion, loupes in different sizes —ideally ones that you can wear like glasses—, hands pliers, case opener(s), watchmaker's screwdrivers in different sizes, a Bergeon dial protector, plus probably a few other tools I'm not thinking about right now... ) and some basic skills. So, generally speaking, if you have never done it before, it's highly recommended to take a few old Quartz watches first to practice on those how to remove hands and to re-apply them without screwing up the dial or hands...

 

[VixLa3]

If it's your first time, I take the liberty of recommending this to get your hands off:



..otherwise, eBoy has said it all.

 

[Zeta7]

Unless you fancy yourself as the next greatest watch hand straightening outer I’d pay someone. The best you could hope for is maybe you fix it, maybe. The worst you could do is kill the movement, bend the hands and get trash all over everything.

 

[cotti-rottie]

does anyone know what the cause of this could be?

 

[Zeta7]

does anyone know what the cause of this could be?

Of course I’m just speculating but I noticed that I was doing something that could cause something similar to happen. I was using my left hand to beat my pack of cigarettes against to pack the tobacco. I also was doing that to bust some ice cubes up that had frozen together in a metal cup. My left hand was like the anvil that I beat stuff against.
The thing is that the hands only have to be a hair to big or the pinion a hair smaller than spec. Mostly I’d bet it’ll fall somewhere into the “shit happens” category.

 

[Moist Mom]

does anyone know what the cause of this could be?

I have also no clue of how this happened
Probably like Zeta said here.

Of course I’m just speculating but I noticed that I was doing something that could cause something similar to happen. I was using my left hand to beat my pack of cigarettes against to pack the tobacco. I also was doing that to bust some ice cubes up that had frozen together in a metal cup. My left hand was like the anvil that I beat stuff against.
The thing is that the hands only have to be a hair to big or the pinion a hair smaller than spec. Mostly I’d bet it’ll fall somewhere into the “shit happens” category.

 

[Storm.]

does anyone know what the cause of this could be?

Hands aren't pressed on correctly or in the wrong position.

 

[Winni1611]

If the hand has been moved by beating against the case then the hand hole may have become wider
During the time. In this case you may need a new hour hand.

 

[RDRoss]

It is a pretty easy fix if you have the tools and confidence (and some skill). If this is your first time taking apart a watch and you are concerned, I would suggest sending it to a trusted watchmaker (we have a few here to be sure, you can find them under the trusted dealers section).

If you do want to give it a try you will need a caseback tool to remove the case back, a would recommend a hand puller / remover tool as shown in a post above, a set of basic watchmakers screwdrivers would be good as well, a hand setting tool (I would recommend the press type), a dial guard to protect the dial, and last but not least would be gloves or finger cots to keep the finger prints down.

If you need guidance there are several great tutorials here as well as on YouTube.

Good luck.

 

[eBoy]

does anyone know what the cause of this could be?

Yes, the cause is called "Chinese replica factory".

Seriously though, poorly set hands would probably be the primary reason, at least in my estimation. Unless an actual watchmaker can confirm that hands are more often misaligned due to force or impacts than due to poor setting.

 

[Moist Mom]

Anyone that knows a watchmaker/repair in my area? Europe, Belgium?

 

[Maximillian]

Hello everyone,


I have this replica watch for almost 4 years now and I have noticed a problem with the watch hands recently.
The type is a 2019:

ARF v2 Red Sea Dwller​

They don't align anymore at the 12 hour mark.
Is this something I can fix myself?
If not can you guys recommend a service point? I live in Belgium.


Thank you very much in advance!
Hope you all have a great new year, may all your wishes come true!

Well, this is the whole process:

1. Open the caseback;
2. take off the crown and stem;
3. unscrew those screws that lock the movement in;
4. take the movement out, and put it on a holder with dial size up;
5. use the hand tool to remove the hands with a plastic sheet on;
6. align the handsteck point to 12 when putting it back one by one;
7. clean the dial if you leave some dust on it, which it will;
8. put the movement back to the cast;
9. reverse step 2, which is not easy for first timer to put the stem back in;
10. close the caseback.

I am not sure if someone who has never did this before and without proper practice can get it done without a problem.

 

[eBoy]

Anyone that knows a watchmaker/repair in my area? Europe, Belgium?

Actually, I do know of one in East Belgium, near the border to Germany (named "Ben Welte", with a shop in St. Vith). He's German and thus, and of course due to his location, has many German customers.

Not entirely sure how well known he's on RWI, but he has a good reputation of both being a capable, professionally trained & fully certified watchmaker, as well as being "replica-friendly".

Full disclosure: I can't and won't vouch for him, because I neither personally know him, nor have I ever used his services. But nevertheless, I've read positive reviews about the guy...

 

[Usernametaken]

Yes, the cause is called "Chinese replica factory".

Seriously though, poorly set hands would probably be the primary reason, at least in my estimation. Unless an actual watchmaker can confirm that hands are more often misaligned due to force or impacts than due to poor setting.

Probably the cause for my brand new milgauss failed movement too …