I am a little worried about the oyster bracelet quality

[Overwound]

Not to worry! Our very own Jocke has done some extensive testing in this area and has found that not only will the watch hold up to large centrifugal forces but it will remain in running condition.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iygFlXGMH7c

[strettyend]

The oyster clasp is the most solid clasp I've felt on any watch. Should not be a concern.

[tudorbaja27]

Generalizing a picture found "somewhere" to millions of watches sold seems a bit...off?

[michael e]

Not a worry until it happens to you of course, then it isn't so good.

This spot weld should not break ever, in fact the whole integrity of the watch should not be placed on a blind spot weld that is difficult to examine for fractures.
How many have broken we will never know but quite a few threads regarding this all over the net, even on watches that were one year old at the time.

But not a worry if it has not happened to you so it should be just shrugged off.

Its not just the bracelet breaking, it is the damage the fall does too, and then Rolex ask for over £2000 for the repairs/service and offer a replacement mid case to take away the originality of the watch all because of a badly designed spot welded clasp.

The response from Rolex? "Its due to wear" Sorry but isn't the watch meant to be worn?

Not looking for a fight here at all, I have owned many Rolex watches and love them but when the issue is looked into this is a design/manufacturing defect.

Thanks, Michael

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by padi56

Quite true but Rolex soon remedied that fault,but speaking for the old style case never heard of one of those failing.

x2
A year or so old thread, but yeah. I remember when we had a few threads pop up back in the day in regards to the spot welds breaking. Haven't seen a fresh thread about it in years though so I'd assume Rolex fixed it

[michael e]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

x2
A year or so old thread, but yeah. I remember when we had a few threads pop up back in the day in regards to the spot welds breaking. Haven't seen a fresh thread about it in years though so I'd assume Rolex fixed it

Hi.

It is a fault which Rolex won't admit but the design has changed.

Sorry to bring up an old thread, I was just looking into matter as this problem has happened to me recently. I am pretty astonished that the whole integrity of my watch/bracelet lies in these blind spot welds that cannot really be examined and can just break like that while just opening a car door, I know spring bars sometimes break through wear but if you examine them you can see the wear and replace them, however with these spot welds it is difficult to examine them as they are blind and in my opinion the spot welds are a design or manufacturing fault, that looks to have occurred in early GMTCs.
I'm not rubbishing the brand but when I am told this isn't an issue only to look around at other threads regarding this I have to question what Rolex have said to me.

Thanks, Michael

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by michael e

Hi.

It is a fault which Rolex won't admit but the design has changed.

Sorry to bring up an old thread, I was just looking into matter as this problem has happened to me recently. I am pretty astonished that the whole integrity of my watch/bracelet lies in these blind spot welds that cannot really be examined and can just break like that while just opening a car door, I know spring bars sometimes break through wear but if you examine them you can see the wear and replace them, however with these spot welds it is difficult to examine them as they are blind and in my opinion the spot welds are a design or manufacturing fault, that looks to have occurred in early GMTCs.
I'm not rubbishing the brand but when I am told this isn't an issue only to look around at other threads regarding this I have to question what Rolex have said to me.

Thanks, Michael

I completely understand why you found the thread. In fact, I'd try and find as many as possible. Print them and bring them to RSC with your watch. Hopefully in one/some of those threads you'll find where someone had their watch fixed under warranty and they'll extend the same courtesy. Probably going to be a tough road though.
Best of luck

[Bello_nyc]

Show the rest of the watch.

[michael e]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

I completely understand why you found the thread. In fact, I'd try and find as many as possible. Print them and bring them to RSC with your watch. Hopefully in one/some of those threads you'll find where someone had their watch fixed under warranty and they'll extend the same courtesy. Probably going to be a tough road though.
Best of luck

I have sent a couple of the threads to the RSC via email which highlight this fault but being the little man without a voice it seems I am crushed under the mighty Rolex wheels unless I pay £3700 for a service and the damaged parts needed to make the watch right. I'm no different to anyone else, so this could have happened to any one of us.
I hope that explains why I am a bit frustrated. I believe I could have put my point of view across for ever and Rolex would not have admitted the spot welds were at fault as that would have been an admission or acceptance of the fault, even though looking through other threads they have replaced the clasp blade or bracelet F.O.C even with watches out of warranty. To be honest that would not have been good enough as the watch mid case is damaged too and I certainly don't want a replacement mid case either.


Thanks, Michael

[michael e]

Originally Posted by Bello_nyc

Show the rest of the watch.

My watch is at Rolex.



Thanks, Michael

[bombtech1999]

I got up out of my recliner and my watch fell off my wrist. A screw from watch bend fell out.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Fabrice M]

troll?

[michael e]

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

troll?

Who?

[adg31]

I recall there being some discussion about failures when the new welded rather than pinned joint between bracelet and clasp came in. I think it was mostly related to the GMTIIC clasps although a few Submariner bracelets did have a similar issue.
In most cases I believe that Rolex repaired the clasps under guarantee for the owners and the position of the bracelet screws was questioned.
Personally I always prefer the screws / pins of the older rattle bracelets to welds but I am happy to acknowledge that is irrational :)
Not seen much mention for some time so in answer to the OP I don't think there is a significant problem to be concerned about given the volume of watches sold by Rolex.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[michael e]

A few examples of clasp failure below which I guess is the tip of the iceberg, so I am not alone.
Can anyone recommend a laser weld facility in the UK? I have used Portanova in Bologna for case thread repair before but wondered if anyone was recommended in the UK?
Thanks, Michael

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=186926
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=96587
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=68034
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=100278
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=277814
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=184601
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=590078

[adg31]

Originally Posted by Overwound

Not to worry! Our very own Jocke has done some extensive testing in this area and has found that not only will the watch hold up to large centrifugal forces but it will remain in running condition.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iygFlXGMH7c

That's the beauty of the old 5 digit, weld free clasp design. It rattles but it keeps on going!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Alternative_Facts]

I have a friend who was gifted 2x gmt master 2's. 1st one he took off and lost. 2nd one he broke the bracelet and is so lazy he now wears it on an everest strap vs. getting it fixed.

Nothing was wrong with the watch, the driver was a sloppy moron who broke it. Can't blame quality at all.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Overwound

Not to worry! Our very own Jocke has done some extensive testing in this area and has found that not only will the watch hold up to large centrifugal forces but it will remain in running condition.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iygFlXGMH7c

this is a winder even Padi can love

[joli160]

Originally Posted by michael e

I have sent a couple of the threads to the RSC via email which highlight this fault but being the little man without a voice it seems I am crushed under the mighty Rolex wheels unless I pay £3700 for a service and the damaged parts needed to make the watch right. I'm no different to anyone else, so this could have happened to any one of us.
I hope that explains why I am a bit frustrated. I believe I could have put my point of view across for ever and Rolex would not have admitted the spot welds were at fault as that would have been an admission or acceptance of the fault, even though looking through other threads they have replaced the clasp blade or bracelet F.O.C even with watches out of warranty. To be honest that would not have been good enough as the watch mid case is damaged too and I certainly don't want a replacement mid case either.


Thanks, Michael

I feel for you, very disappointing. Imo Rolex should fix it free of charge. These welds are not supposed to fail with normal use.
Rather than replacing the case or clasp I would try laser welding by a third party if Rolex does not accommodate you.

[michael e]

Originally Posted by joli160

I feel for you, very disappointing. Imo Rolex should fix it free of charge. These welds are not supposed to fail with normal use.
Rather than replacing the case or clasp I would try laser welding by a third party if Rolex does not accommodate you.

Rolex have sent the watch back today, I have now put it on a Rubber strap.

Not a good show at all, it is only a matter of time before this happens again to someone.
Thanks, Michael

[handsfull]

Did they charge you to fix it? What was the resolution?

[Boaters]

Nope, no worries here they are built hell for stout.

[Bigblu10]

How long has the new style clasp been out now? 10 years or so? That is millions of watches made and I can't recall hearing about any spot weld failures since the redesigned GMT was released. If this recently happened to the OP just with normal use, should be rectified by Rolex, IMO.

[Rolex fan 61]

If your worried about swimming then change the bracelet for a nato strap then you will be safe.

[johnnyjazz]

So, if while on holiday you treat yourself to a full rose gold gmt with chocolate bezel, go swimming in the beautiful med sea, this happens and your 1 hour old watch sinks to the bottom of the sea, forever, but because it is gone you did not actually get to see it break.
What do you do, go back to the AD and demand Rolex gives you another one? If this happens out in the ocean it would be a f#####g nightmare to prove.

[michael e]

Originally Posted by handsfull

Did they charge you to fix it? What was the resolution?

Rolex sent an estimate for repair and service with a total cost of £3700 that included the glass but that had a scratch already on the date window.
The number of things listed on the estimate included every little mark on the watch and the need for a new mid case, this hurt the most as the damage to the mid case was caused by the weld breaking and the watch hitting the ground.
Rolex would not hear my point of view regarding the faulty spot weld, or the fact this has damaged the case too. The response to my emails was the spot weld was not a known problem which is total BS.
I ended our correspondence as I was not getting anywhere after repeating myself over and over and even showing them threads on this very forum.
Thanks, Michael