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Old 24 January 2013, 10:15 PM   #1
classicwatchparts
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The unofficial Rolex Band Restoration Manual

Many dealers including the RSC and AD swears by that used Rolex bands cannot be fixed or restored.

However that is not true and many members of this forum knows of the band restoration service for quite some time.

Becasue my other business in watch packaging has taken up so much of my time I have not be able to join these forums for the last few years. My apologies. Sometimes this silence is good when I see negative comments, some white knights will come to save my burning reputation.

Much better than for me to try to explain the situation. Kudos for all who helped to keep this business alive, at some point of time I was considering killing it off because of the negativeness of some members. But decided to go on since I go so much support once this news broke out. Plus I needed to use my own services for my new aquisitions, that is the other part of the story

Back to the topic

Just wanted to get some facts straight and demystify the whole band restoration process.


Myth #1
Sometimes they will say that all the links are changed to new ones and only the buckle and end links are saved. Not true. They are all saved. Except sometimes for broken links, we usually help to find good used original links for replacement.


More of those later if interest level is high.....




OK photos of the day

Drum Rolls .........



See Band1 pic. This is the black box. This is the small version of our machines to break open this 93150 first link.


Band 2 shows that the link has been gripped by the 2 black claws and by pulling in opposite directions the links slowly breaks open.


Band 3 shows the inners of the link, 3 pins for each link for both solid oyster and jubilee bands. The 1st and 3rd pin is load bearing and usually is where the wear is most.

The looseness is not the center piece of the link stretching, it mainly comes from the inner pins wearing the center link becasue it is hollow. After thousands of times of grinding the pins becomes thinner and the link wears thinner at the inner exteremes. Worst cases is that there is too much slack and the links starts to move, then it grinds into the corners of the center link. So in very worn bands you will see the center links with chamfered corners.

Our job is to first put a metal sleeve or tube over the existing pin, depending on wear we have different thickness of sleeves. After the correct ones can be identified then the link is put back in place by the same machine going the the other direction as before to force back the 3 pins into its home.


To be continued....
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Old 24 January 2013, 10:51 PM   #2
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Welcome aboard Michael, and thanks for posting these pix and explaining the process.
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Old 24 January 2013, 11:36 PM   #3
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Michael I love to learn. Thank you for starting this informative thread. As an aside I have only heard good things about your work, and I wish you continued success.
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Old 24 January 2013, 11:39 PM   #4
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Good to see you here Michael and thanks for showing us.
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Old 24 January 2013, 11:40 PM   #5
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Hello Michael,

Welcome !

I really appreciate that you became a member . . . and thanks for the pics . . .

Regarding the negatives words of some people . . . it will always exists . . .

But I have seen several members posting pics of your work . . . and I will be sending my bracelet to you . . . without a doubt !

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Old 24 January 2013, 11:42 PM   #6
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Welcome Michael, great work you have going on with positive feedback as well
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Old 25 January 2013, 12:00 AM   #7
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Thank you Michael. You will have my business someday should I need a band restoration.
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Old 25 January 2013, 12:09 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by classicwatchparts View Post
Sometimes this silence is good when I see negative comments, some white knights will come to save my burning reputation.

Much better than for me to try to explain the situation. Kudos for all who helped to keep this business alive, at some point of time I was considering killing it off because of the negativeness of some members.
You have done a wonderful job on a bracelet for me in the past and with 2 new ones in the mail to HK I can only say: you are the king of bracelets.
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Old 25 January 2013, 01:16 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark020 View Post
You have done a wonderful job on a bracelet for me in the past and with 2 new ones in the mail to HK I can only say: you are the king of bracelets.
Here you go . . . .

Isn't this positive feedback . . . ?



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Old 25 January 2013, 01:26 AM   #10
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Thanks for taking the time to post Micheal, I have heard great things
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Old 25 January 2013, 01:28 AM   #11
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Hello Michael, is good to see you here and thank you again!

All the best,

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Old 25 January 2013, 01:34 AM   #12
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Hi Michael and thanks for posting. Would love to see how you tackle the old folded-link and riveted bracelets as well... time permitting, of course. Very happy with the one you did for me! Cheers, Karl (Zurich).
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Old 25 January 2013, 03:52 AM   #13
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Michael,

Welcome aboard! Hope to see more informational threads such as this in the near future.

Nick
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Old 25 January 2013, 04:01 AM   #14
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Fascinating! Thank you for posting these. I will use your services when my bracelet gets a little looser :-).
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Old 25 January 2013, 04:51 AM   #15
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Michael, Great to see you here. You consistently do amazing job on everything you touch, not just the band. Thank you!

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Old 25 January 2013, 04:57 AM   #16
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Gorgeous!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent65 View Post
Hi Michael and thanks for posting. Would love to see how you tackle the old folded-link and riveted bracelets as well... time permitting, of course. Very happy with the one you did for me! Cheers, Karl (Zurich).
x2!

Would love to see some pics of the process on a folded band like 9315!
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Old 25 January 2013, 05:28 AM   #17
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Great thread


Best
George

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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Old 25 January 2013, 07:43 AM   #18
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That's pretty much exactly how I figured you separate the links. I wasn't sure how you accounted for wear tolerances.

Thanks for the photos, and the fine service you provide!

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Old 25 January 2013, 07:43 AM   #19
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Greetings from muthaiga! Make me write good things please!

I'll be pestering you soon...
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Old 25 January 2013, 07:49 AM   #20
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Wow very interesting process.
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Old 25 January 2013, 07:58 AM   #21
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I have only heard good things. I will be sending my President bracelet to you soon...
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Old 25 January 2013, 08:13 AM   #22
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You did a phenomenal job on my 9315. Very much appreciated and worth the turnaround time for sure!
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Old 25 January 2013, 09:21 AM   #23
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Michael thank you very for your great job with my 9315
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Old 25 January 2013, 09:36 AM   #24
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This is THE useful topic for all vintage Rolex fans !
Thanks Michael for having explained things over here.
;-)
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Old 25 January 2013, 10:17 AM   #25
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OMG Michael - this is so great - I just picked up a replacement band (just for a link) for my newish Tudor Lady Sub. I was wondering if I could replace the link myself and then adjust the clasp myself. So, I guess I need that machine to take the pins apart safely, right. Otherwise, I don't want to get ripped off for a simple link add to my watch (especially if I am supplying the link).
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Old 25 January 2013, 10:30 AM   #26
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Great thread Michael!! Can't wait to see any updates!
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Old 25 January 2013, 12:16 PM   #27
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Welcome!!! Rich
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Old 25 January 2013, 12:16 PM   #28
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Old 25 January 2013, 12:17 PM   #29
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I mean just stating the obvious, if the link is a removable one with a screw on the side then its user removable, but for the fixed links its pretty much us or the RSC. I have not personally seen the RSC machine, but I know they can do it.


Quote:
Originally Posted by DrLindaPhD View Post
OMG Michael - this is so great - I just picked up a replacement band (just for a link) for my newish Tudor Lady Sub. I was wondering if I could replace the link myself and then adjust the clasp myself. So, I guess I need that machine to take the pins apart safely, right. Otherwise, I don't want to get ripped off for a simple link add to my watch (especially if I am supplying the link).
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Old 25 January 2013, 12:17 PM   #30
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Wonderful, great to have you here Michael!
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