The unofficial Rolex Band Restoration Manual

[Michael M.]

Great thread Michael!! Can't wait to see any updates!

[RC2]

Welcome!!! Rich

[joe100]

Welcome!

[Renoir]

Wonderful, great to have you here Michael!

[classicwatchparts]

As promised this is Chapter 2 of the band restoration manual

Today we continue on the modern day solid links jubilee band since we are on the same machine as yesterday.


See Pic 1. Essentially same machine, but the black gripping claws are changed. The Jub links have a different curvature to the oyster links so a special set is machined. There is only a small gap beteeen the 2 center links of a jubilee band and this is where we insert the tool to pull it open.



Pic 2 Shows the process of turning the knob that slowly expand the 2 claws.


Pic 3 Shows the first link openened.

Now the work starts.

Essentially when you look at Pic 4. It shows the 2 pins of a Jub link. On the right is the untouched pin, as you can see the 3 center links grinding on it leaving grooves on the pin. As we are to preserve as much original parts as possible we will not replace the pins unless absolutely required.

For this particular band it is not so bad, so a metal sleeve/tube is inserted on the left hand pin to renforce it and to also make it thicker so it will reduce the gap between links when we reassemble the link. Repaeat this process 20 times and you are done for one Jubilee Band. Then it goes thru the polishing wheel and nylon wheel for the satin finish.


No so difficult right?

Just FYI with my slow fingers for this demo, it took me roughly 20 mins to disassemble this link and put it back.







Preview:

In the next couple of chapters I will go through the restoration of a Folded link and a Rivet link band. Both from a restoration technique point of view are essentially the same.

Stay tuned

[lsavoldi]

Michael is a fine gentleman and does a awesome work
He restored a 9315 bracelet that was pure garbage.
I got it back in pristine condition.
Highly recommend him to any forumite
Luciano

[Flyjet601]

Thank you for sharing Micheal

I will need to come visit you soon....

[nwmgc]

Just got my rose and stainless jubilee (from my 1966 1601) back! Absolutely superb work. Thank you so much!

[Karlabear]

Hi Michael,
I have recently sent you an email about this band maybe you didn't receive it.
Would you please be able to refurbish the band on this watch if at all possible (please see attached photo). It's in quite poor shape and I would really love you to do it for me.
If you could take this on what do I need to do next to get the band to you in Hong Kong ?
Address to send to etc.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Many thanks and kind regards Sean.Attachment 461761

[GTS Dean]

Michael,

On steel/gold bracelets, do you normally encounter significantly more wear on the gold links than the stainless pins? I would assume fairly balanced wear on all stainless or all gold bracelet components.

[classicwatchparts]

Originally Posted by GTS Dean

Michael,

On steel/gold bracelets, do you normally encounter significantly more wear on the gold links than the stainless pins? I would assume fairly balanced wear on all stainless or all gold bracelet components.

You are correct, the wear on gold links are significantly more than on steel ones, the worst ones are 2 tone jubilee bands. I have one that is sent in with pins literally thinner than a piece of hair, imagine what a tough time it had endured. The only way to restore this is to find a set of links from a steel Jub band and then transfer it over keeping the gold links , clasp and ends.

So be sure not to send it in too late, I am just a magician and not god, so I cannot really reverse wear.

[classicwatchparts]

In case you are interested in where I work, here are some photos of our new service center in Hong Kong.


We also do full watch restorations and servicing; with the proper watch tools: Bergeon tools, Wistchi Watch analysers, Rolex case opening tools, Rolex pressure testers etc...


So any folks in Hong Kong or drop by Hong Kong can come here and have a chat.

[rmurphy]

Wonderful post and very informative, it answered a lot of my questions concerning the whole band thing. I have a 2001 Model 16610 Sub that is in very good shape for its age but the band is starting to stretch more than I like. I have been searching for someone who will do a complete overhaul on it versus buying a whole other band, but now that makes sense why my AD looked at me crazy, they will replace those top two pins but I don't think they had any intention of doing the whole band. Is that normally done or is it just best for me to purchase another band and if so does anyone know of a 93250 that's available right now via the forum?

[classicwatchparts]

Originally Posted by rmurphy

Wonderful post and very informative, it answered a lot of my questions concerning the whole band thing. I have a 2001 Model 16610 Sub that is in very good shape for its age but the band is starting to stretch more than I like. I have been searching for someone who will do a complete overhaul on it versus buying a whole other band, but now that makes sense why my AD looked at me crazy, they will replace those top two pins but I don't think they had any intention of doing the whole band. Is that normally done or is it just best for me to purchase another band and if so does anyone know of a 93250 that's available right now via the forum?

Just get it restored for USD120 instead of like USd1200 for a new one.

[rmurphy]

Originally Posted by classicwatchparts

Just get it restored for USD120 instead of like USd1200 for a new one.

Well in my usual impatient fashion I went ahead and bought a new band before I even took the time to contemplate doing anything else. The plus side and even my wife agreed .... I have an extra band now. What a great wife.... She gets me (LOL)

[Frogman4me]

Thank you Michael! Welcome to TRF :)

[drockadam]

Welcome Michael,

Your work is absolutely incredible, a true life saver to Rolex owners.

[crowncollection]

Great info welcome to trf

[vkychoo]

Very interesting how these are assembled and disassembled. Thank you for sharing!

[vkychoo]

very nice!

[Kobin]

Wonderful thread, great! Many thanks for sharing.

[1675-David]

excellent!!

[oinkitt]

Oh... if you could only do "beads of rice" bands!!!!

[classicwatchparts]

Yes we can do bead rice Gay Feres bands as well, we 've done a few over the years.

[theloxmyth]

Thank you and welcome.

[jedly1]

'' I am just a magician and not god ''


damn , thats a shame :(....hey mike, welcome :)

[classicwatchparts]

Thanks buddies for all the great comments, very encouraging

I can only reward with more eye candy photos, showing as much behind the scenes as possible

[oinkitt]

Originally Posted by classicwatchparts

Yes we can do bead rice Gay Feres bands as well, we 've done a few over the years.

Gee Michael, you have done over 20 expanding Gay Freres bands for me... im one of the ones who has come to your defence in times past.

Every time I have asked you about Gay Freres "beads of rice" you said you didnt do them... If you have now "changed" your policy you will get 5 in the mail very soon!!!!



Please confirm if you do these bands.

[classicwatchparts]

Originally Posted by oinkitt

Gee Michael, you have done over 20 expanding Gay Freres bands for me... im one of the ones who has come to your defence in times past.

Every time I have asked you about Gay Freres "beads of rice" you said you didnt do them... If you have now "changed" your policy you will get 5 in the mail very soon!!!!



Please confirm if you do these bands.

Yes we should be able to handle them now. Please send it to my PO box address.

[Mahamaya]

Thank you so much for the fantastic and very speedy job executed on my 16660 bracelet

Many thanks