Sizing a new Sub

[mencio]

Hi all,

I am awaiting the arrival of an unworn new Sub and this will be my first Rolex. Being unworn I am assuming I might need to size it and so I was wondering what's the recommended process given that I didn't buy the watch at an AD. Go to an AD to get it sized or buy the correct screwdriver and just change a link if needed by myself?

Thanks!

[sj24k]

Either or. If you have a local jeweler you know and trust, just bring it there. Rolex AD or not, doesn’t matter. Or get a good 1.60mm Bergeon or similar and change yourself. A few other items come in handy and can make easier. Lots of good YouTube videos showing process. It’s all a matter of your comfort level. Don’t sweat bringing a Rolex to an AD you didn’t buy it from for stuff like this. They don’t care. Any good one will see it as an opportunity to meet a potential new customer.


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[LC23]

Go to an AD is your first option. Second doing extensive research before approach it yourself. I personally just tape it all off before hand but go watch some YouTube Vids and you should be fun. Congrats!


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[mencio]

Thanks for the tips and after searching a bit (I know I should have done that first) I ended up buying the right screwdriver and loctite and will do myself if needed. I don’t think I will be able to wait to wear it.


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[SS Oyster]

If you don’t have the correct watch screwdriver, bad vision or haven’t done it before, I would take it to someone who can help you. Otherwise, you are bound to mess up the screw head or scratch the link(s). Some of them are in there pretty good with a white Loctite-like substance on the threads.

So, don’t do a first time mistake with an eyeglass screwdriver.

I also don’t trust ADs who don’t have a watch-maker on site. Some young SA tries to do it and scratches the link and the screw head. Just make sure whoever does the work is experienced and has the correct tool.

I use the screwdriver from a SD 16600 toolkit for all bracelet adjustments. And only with good lighting, soft towel to set the watch on and my reading glasses.


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[Watch2019]

Originally Posted by mencio

Thanks for the tips and after searching a bit (I know I should have done that first) I ended up buying the right screwdriver and loctite and will do myself if needed. I don’t think I will be able to wait to wear it.


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You need a screwdriver of the right size and it must be a good one. You also need to heat up the relevant screw area to loosen the loctite. I tried to resize on my own and my screwdriver head broke. (Have since bought a Bergeon screwdriver.) Also marred a bit of the screw head.

In the end, I brought my watch to a watchmaker to resize for me. He told me I needed to use a lighter to heat up the screw area to loosen the loctite and my using a hairdryer was not hot enough for the purpose.

Hope the above experience will be helpful, if only because you know what you should not be doing.

[Crazy Lugs]

Tape the up the side of the bracelet well and DO NOT force anything- especially when tightening. The screws just need to be snug, and are specific to each link from a polishing standpoint (don’t swap them). One tiny spec of Loctite 222 is all you need for reinsertion. Understand the concept of Glidelock and be sure you have room in both directions for adjustments.

Most importantly- be sure to understand the concept of bracelet sizing and where to remove links to center clasp versus overall sizing. The six o’clock side should have fewer links, and if a six digit sub, will allow you to have as few as four links which is great for smaller or flatter wrists.

Good luck, take your time, and remember not to force anything. Abandon ship if you feel in over your head and take it to an AD. They won’t beat you up too badly for going gray.

[Master_Grogu]

Horror stories all around. Be sure to go to a place that is an actual AD, not « a trusted jeweler » of some sort.

Even at ADs you are not safe. As others said, it’s best to do it yourself, after getting the tools and knowledge necessary for it.

Learn to fish, eat forever.

[Peter99]

Best buy the correct screwdriver which is very important and do it yourself, because I had my Wife's datejust sized by a AD and they scratched the highly polished side links.
Before attempting to unscrew the pins heat up with a hot air blower or steam from a kettle.
It is a straight forward job but needs to be done with care.
You'll need a small tub of Locktite 222 for locking the thread. Remember to apply the Locktite to the female thread not the male thread.

[GST15]

Take it to an AD. Don't try to do it yourself the first time with your first Rolex. If you strip a screw or scratch it, you will be miserable!

[Gab27]

I did it on my own. It's not hard to do with the right tool. Worst case, if they were a little over ambitious with the Loctite, you heat the link up a bit. If you are extremely bothered by scratches, tape it off with a layers of painter's tape and then put a layer of duct tape over that.

[SN13]

DIY.

seriously. I dont understand the mentality of taking a watch into someone else everytime you want to resize it...

[Jackie Daytona]

My god. Until reading this thread I never realized a flathead screw was the Achilles heel of most Rolex owners these days.

[SN13]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

My god. Until reading this thread I never realized a flathead screw was the Achilles heel of most Rolex owners these days.

Lol.

It's not a big task.

Hold bracelet. Turn screwdriver.

[mattedialdoc]

I’ve seen many posts of watches get scratched by AD watchmakers or worse an SA trying to size a watch. I’d get your own screwdriver and DIY.


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[RJRJRJ]

It's easy as long as you have the correct sized hollow ground screwdriver.

[Haveapair]

First off, I'd save the money and buy a used one. Your unworn will be used in a month and your name won't be on the card, so just save the money. Then size the bracelet yourself, it's easy.

[mencio]

Yeah I ordered the right screwdriver (Bergeon) and I already have a repair kit block. This won't be my first time adjusting bracelet, albeit the first on a Rolex. Just got the watch and it looks like I only need to remove one link, so should be quite easy.

Haveapair

I definitely considered it, but if I am going to spend over retail anyway I might as well get a brand new one, unworn.

[tylerad1]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

It's easy as long as you have the correct sized hollow ground screwdriver.

Yes!! This is most important to avoid creating dents inside the screwdriver slot. I learned my lesson the hard way on this one. I used to use a cheap chisel-tipped screwdriver, and wondered why I was creating burrs on the screw slots. Then I tried using the screwdriver that came with my Panerai on watch links, and the dents in the slot went away.....did some research, and learned more about screwdrivers than I had EVER wanted to know.....but, now I understand the difference between a standard slotted driver vs a hollow ground (1.6mm of course, for oyster)

[cobrastyle]

Everything you need to know is here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CQdjWnXGWXE