AD Damaged my bracelet

[slillestrand]

Originally Posted by andyxxx

It's not devalued - but the OP 'feels' it is because it bothers him (and I think quite rightly)

The AD charged you and got it wrong. I would be going back to them and insisting they get the correct screws and make it right and furthermore refund the initial charge and compensate you for the poor service.

I have no patience for AD's that do marginal work. If you can't take the extra 15 minutes and do it well, then you are in the wrong business and I now know that I need to go elsewhere..... This has happened to me as well and it is genuinely bothersome. I will buy from that same AD, but not ever let them size anything. Find another AD and then tell whoever it is your specific expected outcomes of the work....and I mean specific...that is what I do now. I even ask them.....are you able to take the screws in and out without scratching the bracelet and damaging the screws themselves. There is an exact screw driver tool for different type of screws.....rather than grabbing the correct one...they grab the "one they usually use".

Some people care and take time....some are too bothered that you asked them to do it....that is also why they charged you a fee.

I'd say the fee holds them accountable as well. They charged for a service and didn't provide a quality service....makes it worse on their end as now you can hold them to it.

[josephvman]

It’s not rocket science, why not buy a few tools and learn how to size your own bracelet? To me that’s part of the joy of getting a new piece.

[TarponGeorge]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

Same here, bu the do not know if OP purchased this watch from this AD or even from an AD. Not enough info.

He did not purchase the watch from an AD. Still, I see no reason to pay someone to turn a couple screws. Sizing an Oyster bracelet is really very easy. If I can do it, then any drunken monkey can do it with no problem.

[OpusXIII]

I've literally never had an AD charge me to resize a bracelet. It's such a simple thing. I do it myself now. Is this a common practice nowadays; to charge someone to resize a bracelet?

[nmb]

I may be wrong but I suspect the bracelet edges receive their polished finish after assembly when manufactured,This guarantees the screws are flush and how else do you polish a screw head just over 1mm in diameter without rounding it's corners.
The bracelet is supposed to be gently warmed (hairdryer?) to soften the Loctite on the screws.Without this you run the risk of rounding the screw heads.AD probably skimped on this to damage the screws in the first place.
IMHO the fact you paid for the adjustment and have a receipt is to your advantage,you have proof that the have done this work to your watch and have more leverage to get them to put it right.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by TarponGeorge

He did not purchase the watch from an AD. Still, I see no reason to pay someone to turn a couple screws. Sizing an Oyster bracelet is really very easy. If I can do it, then any drunken monkey can do it with no problem.

Time is money and as soon as the dealer touches the watch, he is responsible for the job and any risk that is involved. That responsibility is not free. That said, the customer is also paying for the job to be done correctly and that includes no scratched links, stripped screws or any cosmetic damage to the watch. It is a easy job to do with the correct screwdriver until something goes wrong like a cross threaded screw or locked screw. Then the nightmare shows up and if you don’t have the experience to know what to do, damage will happen. This is when a lot of AD’s don’t have the experience and they feel obligated to learn on your watch. From previous experience, I never let any AD even handle my watch even if it is sitting on the counter pad as I am trying on other watches.

[Buzzlite]

Hi guys.

Thank you very much for the replies and moral support.

FYI it was not purchased in this particular AD as I purchased the watch at an AD on holidays but choose to not resize it at that time, and wait till I got home.

But good news anyway I bought the watch to another AD drove 190kms.

Watchmaker looked at the watch and agreed it was a poor service from an Authorised AD, it turns out the wrong screws were used and there was no locktite re-applied, so there was a high chance of those screws becoming loose over time and I could have lost the watch off my wrist. He had some proper screws on hand and replaced them foc, he suggested I write a letter of complaint to the AD.

Imagine that paying 25euros to get links out and trusting AD to do it but end up botching, cowboys have infiltrated Rolex stores now... I have learnt a big lesson here and will be very careful in future who removes links, with some tips in this thread I am now more wise.

Thanks guys

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by TarponGeorge

He did not purchase the watch from an AD. Still, I see no reason to pay someone to turn a couple screws. Sizing an Oyster bracelet is really very easy. If I can do it, then any drunken monkey can do it with no problem.

Understand your point. But if I was an AD I would charge for providing service to a watch purchased in the used market. That said, I would do it correctly.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Buzzlite

Hi guys.

Thank you very much for the replies and moral support.

FYI it was not purchased in this particular AD as I purchased the watch at an AD on holidays but choose to not resize it at that time, and wait till I got home.

But good news anyway I bought the watch to another AD drove 190kms.

Watchmaker looked at the watch and agreed it was a poor service from an Authorised AD, it turns out the wrong screws were used and there was no locktite re-applied, so there was a high chance of those screws becoming loose over time and I could have lost the watch off my wrist. He had some proper screws on hand and replaced them foc, he suggested I write a letter of complaint to the AD.

Imagine that paying 25euros to get links out and trusting AD to do it but end up botching, cowboys have infiltrated Rolex stores now... I have learnt a big lesson here and will be very careful in future who removes links, with some tips in this thread I am now more wise.

Thanks guys

Yes, great news. And in the future I would patronize the AD who fixed the problem

[docmfg]

Originally Posted by nmb

I may be wrong but I suspect the bracelet edges receive their polished finish after assembly when manufactured,This guarantees the screws are flush and how else do you polish a screw head just over 1mm in diameter without rounding it's corners.
The bracelet is supposed to be gently warmed (hairdryer?) to soften the Loctite on the screws.Without this you run the risk of rounding the screw heads.AD probably skimped on this to damage the screws in the first place.
IMHO the fact you paid for the adjustment and have a receipt is to your advantage,you have proof that the have done this work to your watch and have more leverage to get them to put it right.

You are correct. The screws ends are polished while in the link from Rolex so if they are replaced the new screw may not be perfectly flush. Unless you trust the salesperson always have the Ad’s watch smith size the watch for you which sounds like overkill but getting screws buggered by the AD is common. I bought the Rolex screw driver that came with the old SD resize my own watches after this happened to me. Just make sure to use acetone to break the loctiite.

[zaydans]

Why not get a mini screwdriver set and adjust yourself? It’s not rocket science to loosen a screw.

[handsfull]

Ive seen way too many people trying to size bracelets who shouldnt be. Its easy to spot, just look for screw heads that look mangled, sometimes even the link itself will have gouges in it. This is the result from someone who doesn’t understand mechanics, has the wrong sized driver (MOST people do), or both.

Some people claiming that its ‘easy’ or ‘just pick up a eyeglass screwdriver’ are the same ones with the ugly links. Watchmakers have a wide variety of expensive driver sets....theres many reasons why they arent using tooling from home depot - LOL.

Link and screws are ground at the factory, so they are a matched ‘set’. If you damage either, you can try refacing/grinding/polishing the entire link (with screw intact) or if your wise...replace the link itself. Using a replacement link screw without proper finishing the new screw to the link is hack...and looks terrible.

[BillA]

Originally Posted by josephvman

it’s not rocket science, why not buy a few tools and learn how to size your own bracelet? To me that’s part of the joy of getting a new piece.

+1

[eco8gator]

Your watch is not devalued; relax.

The AD will fix the issue just make sure you make your expectations clear (I want flush fitting screws that are not scratched or damaged in any way; and don't scratch or damage anything else in the process).

BTW, doing stuff like this on your own is very easy...get the tools. Besides if you ever want to play with straps and what not you'll need them.

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by jagwap

It sounds like they replaced the screws with shorter spares they had available.

If it were me I would thank them for the prompt but temporary fix, and look forward to having the correct screws fitted when they are available.

This;
and any pics of the error?

[TacticaLCawacoL]

I had once a problem with an AD Rolex watchmaker.
On my brand new grey gold 36mm Day-Date he left a dent on the case while removing the bracelet, plus he damaged two of the screws in the links while resizing the watch for my wrist, plus he left some dirt on the second hand while changing the day roulette... I was furious because nobody told me and i discovered those details myself... at home.

I never went again to that AD. Since then i always check every side of the watch i buy right there in the shop, like a psycho.
And for now i only buy to the same 100% Rolex boutique wich is the first of my country and i know for sure they are pro. Only them can manipulate or send my watches to RSC.

I don’t even let my trusted seller resize a watch for me. I don’t trust anyone anymore.

I bought the tools to remove the Rolex bracelet ( Bergeon 7825 ), and the screwdriver to remove some links if needed.

It is easy to damage the screws of the bracelet if you don’t manipulate them delicately.

Ask for the replacement of the parts. I am sorry for you and unfortunately you have to experiment that kind of bad story to realize that some are less pro than other.

[joli160]

I never understand why anyone would let a sales person do a job on their watch. DiY with the right tools