Advice Re: Broken Band on GMT IIC

[thecoinopcollector]

Yesterday the band on my GMT IIC broke. I was very surprised at the same. I did not do anything particular to cause it harm or damage. I took my watch with the broken band to my Rolex dealer today. I am way out of warranty as I purchased the watch in 2007. My Rolex authorized dealer told me that in order to have the band repaired that they would have to send the watch and band together back to Rolex and that Rolex would only repair the band as part of a full Rolex service.
I had to watch serviced two and a half years ago by a Rolex authorized repair man who was referred to me by this group. I have not yet checked with him to see if he can repair the band. I simply want to know if it is true that Rolex only repair of the band is part of the food watch service.
Also, can anyone recommend someone that could repair my band and has a Rolex parts account because it appears that all I really need is a link and one of the clasp pieces. Thanks.

[Tools]

Hard to tell from your photograph what is broken. It appears that a weld failed ????

There is a Rolex Service Center in Lititz Pa.; I wouldn't think that an AD could speak for them and so I would ask an RSC directly.

Typically Rolex doesn't repair bracelets or clasps, they replace them. A 600 dollar service and a 600 dollar clasp for a watch that doesn't need the service is a pricey fix.

[thecoinopcollector]

Yes a small weld failed. The Rolex Technicum is in Lititz Pa about 20 minutes from me. My understanding is that they are not an RSC and do not do repairs for the public. It is essentially a Rolex watchmaking college.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by thecoinopcollector

Yes a small weld failed. The Rolex Technicum is in Lititz Pa about 20 minutes from me. My understanding is that they are not an RSC and do not do repairs for the public. It is essentially a Rolex watchmaking college.

Wrong. Some ADs do send their customers watches to Lititz for service. My mother inherited a ladies Datejust from her sister and took it to her local AD to send out for service. And that is where the watch went.

[Jhquek]

Seems like the 'common' spot weld failure at the clasp
Mine had same issue but only one side failed. RSC replaced the clasp as it's still under coverage.

[cop414]

Seeing this scares the crap outta me. Does this particular weld failure at this location mean the watch falls from your wrist or is the failure only evident once you take the watch off? I guess I'm asking is this welded section the only thing keeping the bracelet together? Scary if it is...

[Jason71]

I'm sorry about the failure. Please keep us updated regarding the outcome

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by cop414

Seeing this scares the crap outta me. Does this particular weld failure at this location mean the watch falls from your wrist or is the failure only evident once you take the watch off? I guess I'm asking is this welded section the only thing keeping the bracelet together? Scary if it is...

Tim, why does it scare you? You needn't worry with your 14060M

[cht]

Originally Posted by thecoinopcollector

Yesterday the band on my GMT IIC broke. I was very surprised at the same. I did not do anything particular to cause it harm or damage. I took my watch with the broken band to my Rolex dealer today. I am way out of warranty as I purchased the watch in 2007. My Rolex authorized dealer told me that in order to have the band repaired that they would have to send the watch and band together back to Rolex and that Rolex would only repair the band as part of a full Rolex service.
I had to watch serviced two and a half years ago by a Rolex authorized repair man who was referred to me by this group. I have not yet checked with him to see if he can repair the band. I simply want to know if it is true that Rolex only repair of the band is part of the food watch service.
Also, can anyone recommend someone that could repair my band and has a Rolex parts account because it appears that all I really need is a link and one of the clasp pieces. Thanks.

Sorry to hear this, with the price paid you'd expect a bracelet to hold up for 10, 20, 30 years.
Sadly, it won't be a cheap fix unfortunately if they are to replace the clasp
This is not an uncommon problem, I've seen several others with this same problem at that same site near the clasp.
Seems with their billion$ in revenue per year, their R&D team and production capabilities wasn't enough to be able to engineer/design a clasp that was
more durable.

Originally Posted by cop414

Seeing this scares the crap outta me. Does this particular weld failure at this location mean the watch falls from your wrist or is the failure only evident once you take the watch off? I guess I'm asking is this welded section the only thing keeping the bracelet together? Scary if it is...

As flimsy as the old tuna can bracelet on the older pre-ceramic models, you have to love it's design that prevents this problem from a single stamped piece.

[padi56]

As flimsy as the old tuna can bracelet on the older pre-ceramic models, you have to love it's design that prevents this problem from a single stamped piece.

Well first the old type clasp was hardly flimsy it has taken the test of time for around 50 years without any problems.And in my experience and being around Rolex watches for well over 30 years have never heard of any failures. And myself hate the term tuna can its either a fliplock or oyster lock clasp.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well first the old type clasp was hardly flimsy it has taken the test of time for around 50 years without any problems.And in my experience and being around Rolex watches for well over 30 years have never heard of any failures. And myself hate the term tuna can its either a fliplock or oyster lock clasp.

Language choice aside, I've not seen a older bracelet fail like that either. Maybe get some stretch but that will happen with any of them. In the short time I've been around Rolexes this isn't the first new style bracelet I've seen fail.

[MP5]

Clasp replacement will be a pretty penny

[MP5]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Language choice aside, I've not seen a older bracelet fail like that either. Maybe get some stretch but that will happen with any of them. In the short time I've been around Rolexes this isn't the first new style bracelet I've seen fail.

Its been documented multiple times especially on earlier models

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by MP5

Its been documented multiple times especially on earlier models

Yes, it seems to always be 1st - 2nd year GMT Master II ceramic models.

[BoscoKu]

Just did a bit of googling, it seems to be happening to the early batches of GMT IIc watches only.......at least those that have came up from my google search are all GMT IIc!?

[JC180]

At that age don't bother going to Rolex for a fix unless you want to pay through the nose.

I would find a jeweller that does micro spot welding and for $50 you will be sorted.

A friend had a clasp failure on a Franck Muller and came to me for help, I found a company that did this sort of thing and within 72 hours it was back as good as new.

What's the worst that could happen, you buy a new clasp which in any case is what you're contemplating.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Tim, why does it scare you? You needn't worry with your 14060M

Jason,
I was planning to add an Explorer I to the small stable this year, I believe that they share the same clasp. I'm sure that this is a rare occurrence but man o man if you're the person wearing it at the time... yeouch! And if it falls off, that could be a very sad story!
How are those girls treating you btw?

[thecoinopcollector]

Originally Posted by JC180

At that age don't bother going to Rolex for a fix unless you want to pay through the nose.

I would find a jeweller that does micro spot welding and for $50 you will be sorted.

A friend had a clasp failure on a Franck Muller and came to me for help, I found a company that did this sort of thing and within 72 hours it was back as good as new.

What's the worst that could happen, you buy a new clasp which in any case is what you're contemplating.

Thanks, that is good and sensible advice.

[Jim Smyth]

Been seeing this more and more on the forums. Seems to definitely be a weak spot on these styled bracelets. I hope Rolex figures out how to stop this from happening. Could come off at the wrong time completely with a total loss of watch etc.

[brandrea]

Sorry to hear this. I hope you can have it repaired rather than a costly replacement.

[More Deneiro]

OP, may I ask do you frequently clean your watch with soap and water or hardly?

[thecoinopcollector]

Originally Posted by More Deneiro

OP, may I ask do you frequently clean your watch with soap and water or hardly?

I clean regularly. I soak in soapy water and rinse. I also use Windex or Scrubbing Bubbles from time to time.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by cop414

Jason,
I was planning to add an Explorer I to the small stable this year, I believe that they share the same clasp. I'm sure that this is a rare occurrence but man o man if you're the person wearing it at the time... yeouch! And if it falls off, that could be a very sad story!
How are those girls treating you btw?

No need to worry about the new clasp breaking. You just need to buy pre-owned. You need a 14270 anyways like this one listed by Jacek

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...=0#msg_6941310

The girls are doing GREAT, and thank you for asking. My wife is the most awesome woman on earth. She supports my watch habit (among other things), and is just generally the best partner a man could ask for. My little monster?? She's growing like a weed, and turned 10mos old the day before yesterday. Here's a picture of her from yesterday.

(Sorry to get a bit OT)


BTW, expect an incoming this week

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by thecoinopcollector

I clean regularly. I soak in soapy water and rinse. I also use Windex or Scrubbing Bubbles from time to time.

Give us the first several letters of the serial number. I agree with what one of others said......it seems like the early GMTc that had this issue. I can't remember ever seeing another new clasp failure other than a GMTc

[cop414]

Thanks Jason, I just love the new style Exp though... one thing though is that I think the Exp looks absolutely fantastic on a rubber B! Might have to be a consideration.

Great pic of you and the little one! You are so blessed my friend!

[thecoinopcollector]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Give us the first several letters of the serial number. I agree with what one of others said......it seems like the early GMTc that had this issue. I can't remember ever seeing another new clasp failure other than a GMTc

SN Z830---. Yes, I was one of the early owners of this model. I scored it in 2007 while they were still very hard to find.

FWIW my retailer has a GMT IIC Bruiser/Batman in the case right now. If interested PM me and I will give you the contact.

[vipergts]

i kind of like the term tuna can clasp.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by MP5

Clasp replacement will be a pretty penny

If this has proven to be a manufacturing defect Rolex should replace with no charge to customer. Bracelet welds should simply not fail.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by sublover2166

if this has proven to be a manufacturing defect rolex should replace with no charge to customer. Bracelet welds should simply not fail.

x2

[ec51]

So much for this alleged superior new bracelet. Long live the flip lock.