Should you put loctite on bracelet screws?

[Perrinyanna]

When i bought my Sub LV from a rolex AD and had it re sized the sales person pulled out a wooden rolex toolbox and removed some links. When he got the correct number of links to be removed he got loctite or thread locking glue inside the tool box. He said its necessary to ensure screw will not work itself out. Is this needed? I think this is the first time i saw someone used thread locking glue on links screw? I think he even over tightened it and gouge a bit the screw head ??

[joe100]

Yep, it's needed. You'll be glad he did.

[Tankbottoms]

Absolutely. A few months after I got my 116610ln, one of the screws started backing out and I got concerned. The Rolex RSC in Beverly Hills used loctite AND said it was how they fixed the problem every time. It seemed weird to me at first, but I trusted them and really didn't want to lose my watch, so I let them. Im happy now and have piece of mind!

[77T]

He should not have put it on the screws - but inside the threaded hole that the screw fits into...

But it is safer to have Loctite than to over-torque the screws...

[Perrinyanna]

Thanks. For a time i thought he is just paranoid. Except when i saw loctite included in rolex wooden tool box. But how do i remove screws in case i may want to add more links in the future? Will it need ax torque just to loosen the screw?

[joe100]

Originally Posted by 77T

He should not have put it on the screws - but inside the threaded hole that the screw fits into...

But it is safer to have Loctite than to over-torque the screws...

Well, yeah, this ^

[77T]

Originally Posted by Perrinyanna

Thanks. For a time i thought he is just paranoid. Except when i saw loctite included in rolex wooden tool box. But how do i remove screws in case i may want to add more links in the future? Will it need ax torque just to loosen the screw?

No, just some mild heat like a hair dryer. It softens the Loctite and then screw will come loose easily.

[kaseri]

As long as the AD used the proper strength of Loctite you should be able to remove the screw by hand without needing heat. In terms of damaging the screw head it's highly likely the AD used a standard watchmakers screwdriver and not the proper "cut-out" style screwdriver. As long as the link is not stiff and moves freely I wouldn't worry about it one bit.

[Mystro]

Make sure you use BLUE loctite and NOT red.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Make sure you use BLUE loctite and NOT red.

+1000

[onlysteel]

I have had a collection of my watches for 20yrs - Rolex, Casio, Seiko, Timex etc. Never once I added any gluing compound. I just made sure the screws were tight when I got done with repairs and never in 20yrs has anything come loose.

But Never say Never .. you just never know -- Adding loctite will not hurt but do not panic if you do not add loctite. Just make sure they are hand tightened really well and go out and enjoy life!

[penfold]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Make sure you use BLUE loctite and NOT red.

Add to confusion, blue loctite comes in a red bottle.


Recommend loctite 221 or 222 (low strength).

[kaseri]

There are a lot of different types of Loctite other than the 3 most popular ones (purple, blue, red).

For watches the proper Loctite is #222 (purple). It is designed for fasteners with a diameter of less than 1/4" and is removable with hand tools.

All you need is a drop of 222 Loctite and then tighten the screw until it fully seats and stop tightening. Let the Loctite do the work of preventing the screw from coming loose not the friction created by torquing down the screw.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Make sure you use BLUE loctite and NOT red.

yeah this

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Perrinyanna

Thanks. For a time i thought he is just paranoid. Except when i saw loctite included in rolex wooden tool box. But how do i remove screws in case i may want to add more links in the future? Will it need ax torque just to loosen the screw?

The link screws need Loc-tite because they aren't really "screws" and do not clamp or tighten anything. They are studs where the threads are the only thing that holds them in. The link floats on these tiny studs.

[ice_lester]

Yup the RSC does it. To prevent the screw for getting loose. And just by wetting it with water the loctite will come loose. If ever you want to add another link to your bracelet.

[jolonghorn]

Two different bracelet screws started coming out on my SubC after removing a link last year. I took them all out and added Loctite. No problems since then on a daily wearer.


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[mjclark32]

Yeah, it's a good idea to have it. I went a couple years without anything and was fine, but had to continually check it. I've got some glue on it now and haven't had an issue with screws backing out since.

[SubGunner]

Hey guys forgive my ignorance, but are the new bracelets really that prone to having the screws come loose? I've worn my 16610 for years, and outside of adding/removing a link every couple years, I've never once had a screw undo itself. Usually once a year I will check and tighten with a screwdriver, but even then they are still secure.

I'm looking to buy a dssd soon, is Locktite going to be recommended?

[HL65]

Originally Posted by SubGunner

Hey guys forgive my ignorance, but are the new bracelets really that prone to having the screws come loose? I've worn my 16610 for years, and outside of adding/removing a link every couple years, I've never once had a screw undo itself. Usually once a year I will check and tighten with a screwdriver, but even then they are still secure.

I'm looking to buy a dssd soon, is Locktite going to be recommended?

I can tell you in my 27 years of Rolex ownership I have never used Loctite nor ever had a loose screw(at least my watches). I have also quite a few new ones and again never a loose screw. If it makes people feel more comfortable then use it. I do check my screws from time to time to make sure there are no loose ones and again have never had an issue.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

I can tell you in my 27 years of Rolex ownership I have never used Loctite nor ever had a loose screw(at least my watches). I have also quite a few new ones and again never a loose screw. If it makes people feel more comfortable then use it. I do check my screws from time to time to make sure there are no loose ones and again have never had an issue.

Well, I have had a loose screw (in a band!!! ) so it can happen, which is the point of this thread. I seem to remember other posts where it has happened to other TRF members as well.

Your good luck is no guarantee that it cannot happen to anyone else.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by Perrinyanna

When i bought my Sub LV from a rolex AD and had it re sized the sales person pulled out a wooden rolex toolbox and removed some links. When he got the correct number of links to be removed he got loctite or thread locking glue inside the tool box. He said its necessary to ensure screw will not work itself out. Is this needed? I think this is the first time i saw someone used thread locking glue on links screw? I think he even over tightened it and gouge a bit the screw head ??

The whole point of using a thread locking compound is to avoid exactly this!

Those tiny screws simply cannot be torqued down enough to ensure security...

[MikeMc]

I am an authorized Rolex retailer with a Rolex trained watchmaker on staff. We see maybe 20 Rolex watches a year with loose screws, some with screws lost. It's particularly critical on the new bracelets to use Loctite on the six o'clock side screw, because it secures the fold over lock. If this is lost, it's expensive, compared to a little Loctite. Rolex has specific Loctites recommended for screws. We are using Loctite 562, but Rolex may have changed that recently. I think it's not worth the risk, especially if you lose the watch because the watch fell off. To remove the screws with Loctite, you have to heat them first, we use a Bunsen burner, and the proper size screw driver.


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[Passionata]

^this,solid middle link bracelets always w loctite!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by rmfnla

Well, I have had a loose screw (in a band!!! ) so it can happen, which is the point of this thread. I seem to remember other posts where it has happened to other TRF members as well.

Your good luck is no guarantee that it cannot happen to anyone else.

Well perhaps I will give it a try sometime. I do check my bracelets periodically but one never knows.

[kaseri]

Originally Posted by MikeMc

We are using Loctite 562

Are you sure it's #562? 562 is a splicing adhesive that appears to come in sheets. Maybe you meant #262 which is red Loctite and for use with fasteners up to 3/4" in size. In my opinion 262 is way too much thread locking power for bracelet screws.

222 is just right for bracelets.

[SubGunner]

Strange to think that solid center link bracelets are vulnerable to this.

[hbk75]

guys, i've tried some experiment with loctite 243. i secure a small screw using loctite 243 into a small hp laptop hinge. let it cure for 24 hours and still managed to removed it using hand tools. no heat required.

so 242 is a lighter strength so it will be suitable to be use on bracelet screws.

[bayerische]

Sized countless Rolex bracelets, never put loctite on one of them. That's not to say it's good to do so, just that I haven't.

[DVR]

I have never used loctite on any of my watches. I do everything with them on. Working on my car, working in the garden, cleaning the house, etc. Or jogging, swimming, biking, you name it. I even demolished walls in our first house with my sub on. Never ever I have had a problem with a screw coming loose.