glidelock clasp - Stuck!

[Monobrow]

any ideas?
ive not banged it, dropped it, dipped it in superglue

but it will not "unlock" allowing me to adjust. am pulling hard, dont want to go much harder!

sub 116610lv

[bayerische]

Are you doing it correctly?

[Monobrow]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Are you doing it correctly?

Ive done it many times before and not been lobotomised since,so id say yes.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Monobrow

Ive done it many times before and not been lobotomised since,so id say yes.

Good to know.

But something is strange then, as it's a fairly simple design, and metal isn't known to shrink. Could it be a loose screw pin?

[RXPete]

The only thing I can think of is that you haven't used it in a while and it's full of grime. Rinse it under warm water for a few seconds then try moving it.

Or maybe it's not lined up straight. Try wiggling it side to side gently.

[Monobrow]

same problem as all these people. who also have the hulk

i smell class action!

https://www.rolexforums.com/archive/.../t-206344.html

[ec51]

Originally Posted by Monobrow

same problem as all these people. who also have the hulk

i smell class action!

https://www.rolexforums.com/archive/.../t-206344.html

It seems most posters in the thread you reference talk about a link screw backing out being the culprit.

You speak of class action lawsuit because what...Rolex owners who carelessly fail to use the recommended Loctite on their bracelets...?

[jhe888]

Edit, as this thread is ancient.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by Monobrow

same problem as all these people. who also have the hulk

i smell class action!

https://www.rolexforums.com/archive/.../t-206344.html

I take it you are not an attorney...

[Dr.Brian]

It's a design flaw. But you can blame the owners.

[ec51]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

It's a design flaw. But you can blame the owners.

A screw backing out is a design flaw?

[samsmart]

Originally Posted by ec51

A screw backing out is a design flaw?

I never had a screw back out of any rolex bracelet (I am referring to pre glidelock). I would definitely consider this a design flaw, especially if the same thing is happening to other people.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[ec51]

Originally Posted by samsmart

I never had a screw back out of any rolex bracelet (I am referring to pre glidelock). I would definitely consider this a design flaw, especially if the same thing is happening to other people.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

It's not a design flaw if the reason the screw backed out in the first place was because Loctite was not used as its supposed to be.

[heatscore]

Originally Posted by ec51

It's not a design flaw if the reason the screw backed out in the first place was because Loctite was not used as its supposed to be.

Where exactly is the usage of loctite stipulated by Rolex? I do agree that it is not the fault of Rolex that screws are backing out, but I dont recall ever seeing loctite recommended in a manual, or by an AD.

[joejeweler]

Originally Posted by ec51

It's not a design flaw if the reason the screw backed out in the first place was because Loctite was not used as its supposed to be.

Older thread I know,...but new to me.....

Ummmm,...WOULDN'T it be more correct to say it was Rolex's responsibility to sufficiently Loctite the screws at the productions level?

I'd think the innermost screw(s) that supposedly caused this issue would NOT have been touched to initially size the bracelet,....so if it loosened it may have been missed with the Loctite application at the factory???

By the way,....I just picked up a new 114060 no date Sub (traded in some other watches and raised some cash too),....and had the service person remove a total of three links to fit me and save me looking for my screwdrivers at home.....
the

.....but NO Loctite was applied to the screw used in final connection. :-( I didn't say anything,...as I didn't want to get the guy in trouble. (as he DID look for a Datejust screw on a spare link off another watch detailed below but didn't have one the right length)

......so I'll have to locate or buy anther Jeweler's screwdriver set myself,.....and add some Loctite myself. :-)

I've only had a screw back out once (Datejust 18K/SS Ref. 116203) in several decades of Rolex use, and I was on a bicycle. Fortunately it was in cold weather and I had a tight cuff jacket on that held the watch from dropping out. BUT,....the jacket didn't keep the screw from being lost.

I now have the extra link from sizing the bracelet stored without a screw. :-(

[Daytona-Dan]

Originally Posted by samsmart

I never had a screw back out of any rolex bracelet (I am referring to pre glidelock). I would definitely consider this a design flaw, especially if the same thing is happening to other people.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Screws can work loose, it can happen to any bracelet of any age. If this is a design flaw it's present on pretty much every model that has ever been made. I for one have never had a screw come out of my glidelock so I call the "Sh1te happens" card on this one.

The OP should count himself lucky that it was in the clasp, if it happened anywhere else his bracelet would have hit the floor...

[Daytona-Dan]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

It's a design flaw. But you can blame the owners.

How can a loose screw be a design flaw? It's like saying your car is poorly designed because a bolt came off your wheel. All cars have wheel bolts just like all watches have screws...

[77T]

RE: any ideas? Yes, take it to an AD if under warranty - if not, then an indie certified watchmaker can also help.

As DIY, you will need to lever it with some pressure and can do damage if you're not experienced.

[GMK]

Originally Posted by Monobrow

any ideas?
ive not banged it, dropped it, dipped it in superglue

but it will not "unlock" allowing me to adjust. am pulling hard, dont want to go much harder!

sub 116610lv

I am the person who started the thread in the link. Rolex fixed the glidelock clasp under warranty and the clasp has worked perfectly. Call Rolex or have your AD send the watch to Rolex for repair. I hope this helps,

[BOA]

Screws are better than punch-out pins and impossible-to-adjust-yourself bracelets.

I had a screw back out once and knew there was a problem when I couldn't unclasp the bracelet I was wearing at the time. Of course, in that setting, I studied it more carefully and noticed the screw was slightly out, blocking the clasp. A simple twist with a screwdriver was all it took to fix.

Then, after 16 sessions with a psychiatrist, I was able to move on.

[Monobrow]

just for info, I have only had the watch adjusted at an AD, so either they didnt use loctite and the pin has come loose, or they did and the pin has come loose. either way..... the pin has come loose.

As someone else said, I guess its lucky it wasnt a different one and my 6 month old watch didnt smash to the floor, but at 9000 USD I think I deserve better workmanship. my 3k brietling never missed a beat in 15 years.

glidelock is new, maybe,just maybe they could have engineered something different.
maybe it is the movement in the wrist AND the glidelock that is causing the pin to come loose.
sounds like a number of people have the same issue

[Daytona-Dan]

Originally Posted by Monobrow

sounds like a number of people have the same issue

Trust me, this is not a common problem... As a percentage of how many people own it vs how many have had this happen, I'll be surprised if it's more than 0.01%. People are more likely to mention how theirs failed than to say how they had it for years and it never happened (it would make a pretty irrelevant/strange thread on its own).

Do it yourself next time, even the professional tools/locktite cost less than £50.

[Monobrow]

Originally Posted by Daytona-Dan

Trust me, this is not a common problem... As a percentage of how many people own it vs how many have had this happen, I'll be surprised if it's more than 0.01%. People are more likely to mention how theirs failed than to say how they had it for years and it never happened (it would make a pretty irrelevant/strange thread on its own).

Do it yourself next time, even the professional tools/locktite cost less than £50.

true, just a bummer cause now I guess I will be without my watch for 8 weeks while they fix it...

[ec51]

Originally Posted by heatscore

Where exactly is the usage of loctite stipulated by Rolex? I do agree that it is not the fault of Rolex that screws are backing out, but I dont recall ever seeing loctite recommended in a manual, or by an AD.

Originally Posted by Daytona-Dan

If you have your bracelet adjusted at an AD and they don't use Loctite, change your AD. Every brand new watch from a Rolex AD that I have had (I'm on my 4th) has had Loctite on every bracelet screw. The correct procedure for replacing a screw is to dust out the old Loctite with a brush and replace it with fresh. I've seen them do it right in front of me.

X2

Originally Posted by submariner66

If you look at an AD's bracelet adjustment kit locktite is placed in the kit front and center, in precut foam holder inside the box- it's that important!

There was a recent thread about this somewhere with pictures.

Originally Posted by Monobrow

just for info, I have only had the watch adjusted at an AD, so either they didnt use loctite and the pin has come loose, or they did and the pin has come loose. either way..... the pin has come loose.

As someone else said, I guess its lucky it wasnt a different one and my 6 month old watch didnt smash to the floor, but at 9000 USD I think I deserve better workmanship. my 3k brietling never missed a beat in 15 years.

glidelock is new, maybe,just maybe they could have engineered something different.
maybe it is the movement in the wrist AND the glidelock that is causing the pin to come loose.
sounds like a number of people have the same issue

Sounds like your AD did not use Loctite when they adjusted your bracelet.

Engineered something different...?

Screws will come loose - and they should be be put back in with Loctite which is how they come from Rolex.

Do your self a favor and start adjusting the bracelet yourself and do it right.

Next time the watch could be on the floor.

[APguy1]

The screw becomes loose and locks into the sliding rails. it takes some force to get it out. Theres no other way too get it out.

[joe100]

Class action against Rolex? Hahahaha hahahah

[77T]

Even a Million Dollar Ferrari sometimes has a screw loose - how does price insure against little foibles?

[z32turbo]

Wow I'm on my third glidelock (as 3 different watches) and haven't has an issue once. I hope yours gets fixed easily b/c I think it's a great design.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by z32turbo

Wow I'm on my third glidelock (as 3 different watches) and haven't has an issue once. I hope yours gets fixed easily b/c I think it's a great design.

That doesn't seem to be a significant statistical data point. I'd be more interested in 10s of thousands of watches and their total clasp failure rates.

[heatscore]

For the record, I didn't have my bracelet adjusted at an AD, I did it myself. If it weren't for threads like these I would have no idea it was that important to use loctite. My thinking is if it is so important that you use it when adjusting the bracelet, Rolex should make some kind of mention of it in the manual.