The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 14 November 2023, 11:58 PM   #1
Calatrava r
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 11,418
Polish Question

I bought a 18kt gold piece which has been polished, and the lugs side angles have been softened/rounded a bit. To the untrained eye it's probably not even noticeable, but, still, they are not as sharp as they should be.

Is this something that can be fixed without taking off more metal? Who would you recommend doing this?
Calatrava r is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 12:24 AM   #2
rmagoo57
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
rmagoo57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Ron
Location: Detroitish
Watch: GMT II/Sub/Exp II
Posts: 2,560
We need pictures!

Why buy a watch with ugly lugs in the first place??
rmagoo57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 12:30 AM   #3
watchwatcher
"TRF" Member
 
watchwatcher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Larry
Location: Kentucky
Watch: Yes
Posts: 35,047
Yes, let's see some pics.
watchwatcher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 01:28 AM   #4
puma1552
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: USA
Posts: 716
Is that something Rolliworks could do by building up the metal with laser welding and then re-profiling the lugs back to what it would've been originally?

Seems like something an RSC may not do, but Rolliworks may. Take a look at their website and google/yelp images, they have some incredible capabilities when it comes to lug restoration.
puma1552 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 01:48 AM   #5
WatchTimes
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
 
WatchTimes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: JYogi/Jeremy
Location: Metro Detroit USA
Watch: It's a Rolex!
Posts: 5,787
Anything is possible
__________________
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
WatchTimes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 01:50 AM   #6
thesharkfactor
"TRF" Member
 
thesharkfactor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Scotland
Watch: GMT
Posts: 3,643
No, not Rolliworks or anyone else will do that. You can laser weld dents and nicks but you cannot add material with a view to re-profiling a lug.
If it's like a used bar of soap it's finished.

I have asked Rolliworks before to fix a 16613 lug, they said as much.
thesharkfactor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 02:00 AM   #7
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 78,090
Quote:
Originally Posted by thesharkfactor View Post
No, not Rolliworks or anyone else will do that. You can laser weld dents and nicks but you cannot add material with a view to re-profiling a lug.
If it's like a used bar of soap it's finished.

I have asked Rolliworks before to fix a 16613 lug, they said as much.
Interesting to know
brandrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 03:04 AM   #8
Devildog
"TRF" Member
 
Devildog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Real Name: Scott
Location: UK
Watch: ^^^ for now
Posts: 5,797
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandrea View Post
Interesting to know
And quite incorrect Brian

Rolliworks may not do it but others will. Without being unkind to anyone at Rolliworks, they may nit have the ultimate skill, machinery or time

(Its also easier to do on 18ct cases than SS as the melting point is lower and the material is softer)

__________________
Past: 6239 (yes, I know...), 16610, 16600, 116515, 116613LN, 126600, 126711 CHNR

Present: 16600, 116509, Cartier Santos Green.
Devildog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 03:56 AM   #9
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 78,090
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devildog View Post
And quite incorrect Brian

Rolliworks may not do it but others will. Without being unkind to anyone at Rolliworks, they may nit have the ultimate skill, machinery or time

(Its also easier to do on 18ct cases than SS as the melting point is lower and the material is softer)


Interesting Scott. Obviously I’ve never looked into this before so always eager to learn what’s what so to speak.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
brandrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 02:29 AM   #10
Ferdelious
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Ferdelious's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Real Name: Matt
Location: Tampa, FL
Watch: Hulk/SD4K/SeaQ/P39
Posts: 3,203
Quote:
Originally Posted by thesharkfactor View Post
No, not Rolliworks or anyone else will do that. You can laser weld dents and nicks but you cannot add material with a view to re-profiling a lug.
If it's like a used bar of soap it's finished.

I have asked Rolliworks before to fix a 16613 lug, they said as much.
Maybe Rolliworks won't but there are watchmakers who will. Check out Zimmermanwatchrepair or Watchesspa on Instagram.
__________________
Why is it, "A penny for your thoughts," but, "you have to put your two cents in?" Somebody's making a penny.
Ferdelious is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 02:59 AM   #11
Devildog
"TRF" Member
 
Devildog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Real Name: Scott
Location: UK
Watch: ^^^ for now
Posts: 5,797
Quote:
Originally Posted by thesharkfactor View Post
No, not Rolliworks or anyone else will do that. You can laser weld dents and nicks but you cannot add material with a view to re-profiling a lug.
If it's like a used bar of soap it's finished.

I have asked Rolliworks before to fix a 16613 lug, they said as much.
You absolutely can add material to reprofile a lug. Its done the same way that you fix dents and nicks.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoVS_...RlODBiNWFlZA==
__________________
Past: 6239 (yes, I know...), 16610, 16600, 116515, 116613LN, 126600, 126711 CHNR

Present: 16600, 116509, Cartier Santos Green.
Devildog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 05:05 AM   #12
thesharkfactor
"TRF" Member
 
thesharkfactor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Scotland
Watch: GMT
Posts: 3,643
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devildog View Post
You absolutely can add material to reprofile a lug. Its done the same way that you fix dents and nicks.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoVS_...RlODBiNWFlZA==
Well done! Rolliworks explained to me why they wouldn't do it and why it wasn't feasible. It's good to know there is someone who will try.
thesharkfactor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 05:17 AM   #13
Devildog
"TRF" Member
 
Devildog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Real Name: Scott
Location: UK
Watch: ^^^ for now
Posts: 5,797
Polish Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by thesharkfactor View Post
Well done! Rolliworks explained to me why they wouldn't do it and why it wasn't feasible. It's good to know there is someone who will try.

Yeah. It’s good to know basically anything can be fixed. And even better for those of us in the UK (I think we’re both in Scotland?) that there’s a guy in London who does it

And does it well. His work looks incredible.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Past: 6239 (yes, I know...), 16610, 16600, 116515, 116613LN, 126600, 126711 CHNR

Present: 16600, 116509, Cartier Santos Green.
Devildog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 05:20 AM   #14
HK_Expat
"TRF" Member
 
HK_Expat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: Me go
Posts: 434
It can be done….albeit this was on steel but it was indicated to me at the time it can be done with gold too.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=914812
HK_Expat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 05:40 AM   #15
thesharkfactor
"TRF" Member
 
thesharkfactor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Scotland
Watch: GMT
Posts: 3,643
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xyza0722 View Post
It can be done….albeit this was on steel but it was indicated to me at the time it can be done with gold too.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=914812
outstanding!
thesharkfactor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 05:42 AM   #16
puma1552
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: USA
Posts: 716
Quote:
Originally Posted by thesharkfactor View Post
Well done! Rolliworks explained to me why they wouldn't do it and why it wasn't feasible. It's good to know there is someone who will try.
What was the reason Rolliworks couldn't/wouldn't do it?
puma1552 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 01:56 AM   #17
Big Tex Rolex
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 1,574
I thought this thread was going to be about people that live in Poland !!!
Big Tex Rolex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 08:32 AM   #18
rmagoo57
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
rmagoo57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Ron
Location: Detroitish
Watch: GMT II/Sub/Exp II
Posts: 2,560
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Tex Rolex View Post
I thought this thread was going to be about people that live in Poland !!!
Me too! Or a killer kielbasa or pierogi recipe!!
rmagoo57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 03:05 AM   #19
Devildog
"TRF" Member
 
Devildog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Real Name: Scott
Location: UK
Watch: ^^^ for now
Posts: 5,797
Quote:
Originally Posted by Calatrava r View Post
I bought a 18kt gold piece which has been polished, and the lugs side angles have been softened/rounded a bit. To the untrained eye it's probably not even noticeable, but, still, they are not as sharp as they should be.

Is this something that can be fixed without taking off more metal? Who would you recommend doing this?
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoMU3...RlODBiNWFlZA==
__________________
Past: 6239 (yes, I know...), 16610, 16600, 116515, 116613LN, 126600, 126711 CHNR

Present: 16600, 116509, Cartier Santos Green.
Devildog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 08:39 AM   #20
BillA
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Posts: 3,877
OP
What did you mean by Polish question?
BillA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 08:43 AM   #21
Calatrava r
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 11,418
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillA View Post
OP
What did you mean by Polish question?
It is more like a restoration question.

Thanks everyone for the replies.
Calatrava r is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 01:24 PM   #22
horseco
"TRF" Member
 
horseco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: Anthony
Location: North Jersey
Watch: Daytona 116528
Posts: 3,426
Pendulum Laboratorio in Italy seems specialize in exactly this. Look them up
horseco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 07:24 PM   #23
Number3
"TRF" Member
 
Number3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: London
Watch: 114060LB
Posts: 3,985
Steven Hale has done some excellent laser welding for me in the past on a badly damaged Sub case. They’re also a fully accredited Rolex service centre (they pick up a lot of the vintage work from RSC Mayfair) so they have a full parts account too.

shwr.co.uk
Number3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 09:17 PM   #24
padi56
"TRF" Life Patron
 
padi56's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 53,062
All these replies with no real information to go, on a picture paint a thousand words.
__________________

ICom Pro3

All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only.

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever."
Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again.

www.mc0yad.club

Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder
padi56 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 11:59 PM   #25
Calatrava r
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 11,418
Quote:
Originally Posted by padi56 View Post
All these replies with no real information to go, on a picture paint a thousand words.
My watch has been through enough. No reason to cause it further embarrassment on something it did not cause. LOL
Calatrava r is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 November 2023, 09:29 PM   #26
EEpro
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
EEpro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: Brad
Location: Purdue
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 9,243
Of course it can be fixed. You might not want to pay it. If you go this route make sure they melt down links from the correct watch so the gold chemistry matches.

Rolex can also replace the case and might offer a 15% credit like they do with other bracelet and clasps.

Or sell it and buy one you like.
__________________
Ω
2FA Active
EEpro is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.