DIY Jubilee Bracelet Restoration

[terryuk]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

You just made my point. I've been a bench jeweler for 35 years, like yourself, I've done similar work. What may seem like "low tech" to us would be fairly daunting to someone with no knowledge of the business. While I would love to see someone succeed in rebuilding their own band, the notion that it is simple is misleading IMO. The jigs for holding the links are not something you can purchase, they have to be custom made. As I'm sure you are aware, getting a splined wire to re-seat and hold ,can at times be difficult. Repairing wear on the sides of the link is not easily done, even with experience. I am certainly not trying to make it sound like rocket science, but you have to agree it's not a simple task to attempt with no working knowledge of these types of repairs

I think you are right - it's easy to overlook the fact that others may not quite have the same grasp or experience of this sort of work that you or I have...
BTW nice to hear from someone on the forum in the same line of work as myself

[RolexguyinSF]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

You just made my point. I've been a bench jeweler for 35 years, like yourself, I've done similar work. What may seem like "low tech" to us would be fairly daunting to someone with no knowledge of the business. While I would love to see someone succeed in rebuilding their own band, the notion that it is simple is misleading IMO. The jigs for holding the links are not something you can purchase, they have to be custom made. As I'm sure you are aware, getting a splined wire to re-seat and hold ,can at times be difficult. Repairing wear on the sides of the link is not easily done, even with experience. I am certainly not trying to make it sound like rocket science, but you have to agree it's not a simple task to attempt with no working knowledge of these types of repairs

Who said it was simple??? I said it was low tech. I didn't say it was "super easy" or "no experience necessary". Low tech to me means no electronics involved, no balance wheel, no timing of mainspring, no scalpels, anastesia, etc. Building a house is also low tech. Re-shoeing a horse is also low tech. It's NOT easy, but as far as being challenging it's not that bad. I believe you've confused the two.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by kimquyet88

The tools are sale publicly here, people can refer
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY5...eCtw/playlists
https://watchcare.vn/rolex-bracelet-...t-repair-tools

That Tool looks extremely cumbersome to use.The main reason MY can remain on top is One Simple thing....Cheap Labor.

[Ignace Worang]

I would do it. If it goes south then MY still on the table anyway. It’ll be expensive experiment but one can only learn from it. I did it on Genta braceler...didn’t go well unfortunately. At the end it got fixed by indie watchmaker.

[Bruno Datejust]

I would also suggest Otto Frei for supplies. I believe tools can be reasonably adapted from generic to purpose-specific. If you are ready to disassemble, overhaul and re-press a Rolex band, adapting a vice and a press doesn't seem a big problem to me. Considering that the grip surface to keep the outer links in the vice is much bigger than the contact between link and pin, the material of the vice adapters can be quite soft. Something like aluminium, copper or nylon. I don't believe that a clear technical mind should have problems with a basic overhaul. Rebuilding worn-off edges of links with the proper material is obviously another level I'm not considering.