Laser Welding

[Hollie_Rollie]

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...


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[nicon]

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.

[t65tampa]

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).

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by t65tampa

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.



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[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

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



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Where I get curious is about PM welds.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Where I get curious is about PM welds.

Perhaps sacrifice a spare link to get the correct color ?

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by joli160

Perhaps sacrifice a spare link to get the correct color ?

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


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[Hollie_Rollie]

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


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[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

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


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You didn’t tape your lugs??

[Hollie_Rollie]

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


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[OysterBracelet]

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.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by OysterBracelet

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


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[RobearH]

Originally Posted by OysterBracelet

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.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by RobearH

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

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[OysterBracelet]

Originally Posted by RobearH

https://www.rolliworks.com/

This link will give you an idea.

It does, but how many hours does a typical repair take?

[OysterBracelet]

Is the work undertaken by Rolliworks authorised by Rolex USA...?

[JParm]

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.

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

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".

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

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.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

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.


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[77T]

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.


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[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

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).

[Hollie_Rollie]

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.


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[Dr Watches]

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.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

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]

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

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.


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If you have to magnify it 10x's to see it I do not know what you are worried about.

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

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.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

"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

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

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


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[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by joli160

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.