The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 25 February 2019, 10:29 PM   #1
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355
Laser Welding

I don’t have any watches that currently are in need of a laser weld but I do enjoy looking at the before and after pictures and seeing the amazing results that can be achieved. Do you guys see any technological advancement in this area over the next 5-10 years? Is laser welding a watch case a relatively new technique? I’m always surprised when a poster posts “can this be fixed?”, when a quick forum search would turn up some incredible before and after results. I’m guessing that as a whole not many people are aware of the technique?

Just seeing what everyone else’s thoughts are. I’ve read posts where people say it’s impossible to tell the difference between a laser welded case and I’ve read some that say it’s totally possible. I don’t know, I’ve seen some case work from Mike at rolliworks and some by LAWW and to me it looks like I can run my watch over with a lawn mower and these guys will make it factory fresh (not willing to try)

Thoughts...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 February 2019, 11:35 PM   #2
nicon
"TRF" Member
 
nicon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Poland
Watch: 16610
Posts: 341
I would say because some authorized Rolex service centers already use this technology I would consider it advanced and good enough. I have seen personally 2 Rolex cases fixed using laser welding and for my eye it was impossible to see the difference between welded spot and rest of the case. It is definitely better than deep grinding of a case as it was done before.
nicon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 February 2019, 01:36 AM   #3
t65tampa
"TRF" Member
 
t65tampa's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 2,266
Do they use the same or similar metal alloy when laser welding on to a case? How does it hold up in the long term?

Neat technology for sure. I suppose in the past, if there was significant case damage, your only option would be for a service replacement case through Rolex (happened to me years ago and was a pretty expensive service).
__________________
t65tampa
t65tampa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 February 2019, 02:18 AM   #4
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355
Quote:
Originally Posted by t65tampa View Post
Do they use the same or similar metal alloy when laser welding on to a case? How does it hold up in the long term?

Neat technology for sure. I suppose in the past, if there was significant case damage, your only option would be for a service replacement case through Rolex (happened to me years ago and was a pretty expensive service).


I had the same question. I believe that mike at rolliworks 100% uses 904L. I’m willing to bet that LAWW does as well.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 February 2019, 02:23 AM   #5
HogwldFLTR
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
 
HogwldFLTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Lee
Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48
Watch: Too many to list!
Posts: 33,697
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie View Post
I had the same question. I believe that mike at rolliworks 100% uses 904L. I’m willing to bet that LAWW does as well.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Where I get curious is about PM welds.
__________________
Troglodyte in residence!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=808599
HogwldFLTR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 February 2019, 02:24 AM   #6
joli160
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
joli160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,763
Quote:
Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR View Post
Where I get curious is about PM welds.
Perhaps sacrifice a spare link to get the correct color ?
__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.
joli160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 February 2019, 02:45 AM   #7
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355
Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
Perhaps sacrifice a spare link to get the correct color ?


That would probably be what I’d do. Cheaper than sourcing the necessary PM


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 04:48 AM   #8
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355


Welp, just took a nice chunk out of the lug removing my rubber B. Mind as well be a beater now. Laser welding tbd


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:08 AM   #9
Mystro
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Mystro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Real Name: The Mystro ;)
Location: Central Pa.
Posts: 15,517
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie View Post


Welp, just took a nice chunk out of the lug removing my rubber B. Mind as well be a beater now. Laser welding tbd


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You didn’t tape your lugs??
Mystro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:12 AM   #10
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355
I did. I was in a rush though and the darn thing slipped right out on top. At this point I’m like whatever, I damaged the watch more changing straps than wearing it I have a hulk on order I’ll be sure to be more careful with that one. In the meantime I’ll wear this guy and send it away for the spa treatment when the hulk arrives


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:15 AM   #11
OysterBracelet
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 276
I'm really curious as to how much this type of work costs. I can't imagine it will be cheap - the cost of material, labour and investment into the equipment must be significant, even for SS repairs.
OysterBracelet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:19 AM   #12
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355
Quote:
Originally Posted by OysterBracelet View Post
I'm really curious as to how much this type of work costs. I can't imagine it will be cheap - the cost of material, labour and investment into the equipment must be significant, even for SS repairs.


I’m awaiting a quote from Mike at rolliworks and rikki. I’m guessing if I wanted it fixed immediately it would cost me in the neighborhood of $400-500


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:20 AM   #13
RobearH
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2013
Real Name: Robear
Location: Come and Take It!
Watch: 126710 BLRO
Posts: 1,632
Quote:
Originally Posted by OysterBracelet View Post
I'm really curious as to how much this type of work costs. I can't imagine it will be cheap - the cost of material, labour and investment into the equipment must be significant, even for SS repairs.
https://www.rolliworks.com/

This link will give you an idea.
RobearH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:24 AM   #14
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355
Laser Welding

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobearH View Post
https://www.rolliworks.com/



This link will give you an idea.


I’m not seeing a price I must be missing it

Nvm I see it

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:25 AM   #15
OysterBracelet
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 276
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobearH View Post
https://www.rolliworks.com/

This link will give you an idea.
It does, but how many hours does a typical repair take?
OysterBracelet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:27 AM   #16
OysterBracelet
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 276
Is the work undertaken by Rolliworks authorised by Rolex USA...?
OysterBracelet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:35 AM   #17
JParm
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
 
JParm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NorCal
Watch: Yes!
Posts: 6,568
This is a very interesting subject to me as well. I think it takes the whole polished / unpolished question to a whole different level.

Some of these laser weldings look so amazing that you just can't tell anymore.
__________________
JParm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:44 AM   #18
Dr Watches
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: NY
Posts: 544
Quote:
Originally Posted by [email protected] View Post
This is a very interesting subject to me as well. I think it takes the whole polished / unpolished question to a whole different level.

Some of these laser weldings look so amazing that you just can't tell anymore.
X-ray crystallography can detect laser welding, so at some point someone will get sued for selling a lasered up case as "unpolished".
Dr Watches is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:48 AM   #19
toxicavenger
"TRF" Member
 
toxicavenger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Watch: Seiko's
Posts: 2,563
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Watches View Post
X-ray crystallography can detect laser welding, so at some point someone will get sued for selling a lasered up case as "unpolished".
You have to be able to prove which person did the laser welding. Watches get flipped at such an alarming rate there is not telling who in the line of owners had it done. So I do not see that happening.
toxicavenger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:49 AM   #20
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355
Laser Welding

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Watches View Post
X-ray crystallography can detect laser welding, so at some point someone will get sued for selling a lasered up case as "unpolished".


Those machines are 10s of thousands of dollars. I’m sure there are those who will try to pass off a laser welded case as unpolished. It’s terrible.

I’m just fascinated that there are some independents out there that can achieve factory specs. Makes me feel more at ease when I slip up and put a tiny gash on my lug.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 05:56 AM   #21
77T
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
77T's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 42,024
Laser Welding

904L weld wire is commonly available and should match up with the OysterSteel colorwise (as long as the welder doesn’t permanently damage the surrounding area with poor skill.

But none of the PM wire will be a perfect match colorwise so some real finicky collectors will dislike it. I suspect WG & Pt. would be visually neutral. But YG and especially RG could be more difficult.

X-ray tech is too expensive now, but in 5 years should be commonly affordable such that a scan could be done for anomalies cheaply.

As with anything, the seller is who you must trust.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________


Does anyone really know what time it is?
77T is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:07 AM   #22
Dr Watches
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: NY
Posts: 544
Quote:
Originally Posted by toxicavenger View Post
You have to be able to prove which person did the laser welding. Watches get flipped at such an alarming rate there is not telling who in the line of owners had it done. So I do not see that happening.
You needn't establish who actually did the laser welding.

If you sell me a watch and claim it to be unpolished and I can prove it's not, then you're at fault for material misrepresentation. If you were sold the watch as unpolished, then your seller is at fault to you, as well.

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if that John Mayer lawsuit that quietly disappeared had some amount of this involved. It's not easy to apply crystallography to a watch case, so we would be talking high dollar vintage watches, not modern stuff (though we all know a seller of "unp0lished" watches with a l0ve of leather c0uches wh0 seems to have a limitless supply of sharp chamfers and w0rn cr0wn guards).
Dr Watches is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:08 AM   #23
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355


I’m not even sure this would actually need laser welding. I’ve read feedback from members here where the watchmaker was actually able to ‘move’ the steel around and shape back to original spec.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:10 AM   #24
Dr Watches
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: NY
Posts: 544
I don't think that could be removed without altering the shape of the lug. However, it could be made much less obvious with a brushing. I'm sure it looks fine on your wrist as is.
Dr Watches is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:12 AM   #25
toxicavenger
"TRF" Member
 
toxicavenger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Watch: Seiko's
Posts: 2,563
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Watches View Post
You needn't establish who actually did the laser welding.

If you sell me a watch and claim it to be unpolished and I can prove it's not, then you're at fault for material misrepresentation. If you were sold the watch as unpolished, then your seller is at fault to you, as well.

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if that John Mayer lawsuit that quietly disappeared had some amount of this involved. It's not easy to apply crystallography to a watch case, so we would be talking high dollar vintage watches, not modern stuff (though we all know a seller of "unp0lished" watches with a l0ve of leather c0uches wh0 seems to have a limitless supply of sharp chamfers and w0rn cr0wn guards).
You are right there is a seller here that seems to have a ton of "untouched" watches. We both know who that is.

I do agree the John Mayer thing was hanky. I think he was sold 'freshened" up watches and got pissed when he found out. Hell he probably stomped his feet and made a song about it.
toxicavenger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:13 AM   #26
toxicavenger
"TRF" Member
 
toxicavenger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Watch: Seiko's
Posts: 2,563
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie View Post


I’m not even sure this would actually need laser welding. I’ve read feedback from members here where the watchmaker was actually able to ‘move’ the steel around and shape back to original spec.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If you have to magnify it 10x's to see it I do not know what you are worried about.
toxicavenger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:14 AM   #27
Dr Watches
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: NY
Posts: 544
Quote:
Originally Posted by toxicavenger View Post
You are right there is a seller here that seems to have a ton of "untouched" watches. We both know who that is.

I do agree the John Mayer thing was hanky. I think he was sold 'freshened" up watches and got pissed when he found out. Hell he probably stomped his feet and made a song about it.
"Your Vintage Rolex Is A Wonderland"

It's been quit some "times" since I saw the couch. I think he's mostly selling overseas after getting called out on VFR.
Dr Watches is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:17 AM   #28
toxicavenger
"TRF" Member
 
toxicavenger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Watch: Seiko's
Posts: 2,563
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Watches View Post
"Your Vintage Rolex Is A Wonderland"

It's been quit some "times" since I saw the couch. I think he's mostly selling overseas after getting called out on VFR.
Agreed
toxicavenger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:18 AM   #29
Hollie_Rollie
2024 Pledge Member
 
Hollie_Rollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: SD43
Posts: 3,355
Quote:
Originally Posted by toxicavenger View Post
If you have to magnify it 10x's to see it I do not know what you are worried about.


2x mag but I see your point


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hollie_Rollie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2019, 06:19 AM   #30
Bigblu10
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Real Name: Jaime
Location: Here
Posts: 5,606
Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
Perhaps sacrifice a spare link to get the correct color ?
You won't even need a spare link. Just a bracelet pin from a link is plenty of gold for a repair and color would match the case. Then have an AD order you a new pin for the link.
Bigblu10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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

OCWatches

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches


*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.