Carbotech repair

[rajurama]

Once again the above watch is not mine and the owner doesn't remember how the damage happened. He was not involved in any accident or mishap. Still awaiting reply from Panerai and I now guess its a case replacement , which obviously will not be done as grand scheme of things the damage is very minute and the whole purpose of this thread was to try out a sim DIY touch up. Thanks again for all your inputs.

[Watchcollector123]

I made the mistake of putting it on a strap with tubes and couldn’t remove the strap.
Ended up cracking the case through the lug hole and did some DIY repair which is holding up:-). I love the watch but obviously there is a down side to Carbotech

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by Watchcollector123

I made the mistake of putting it on a strap with tubes and couldn’t remove the strap.
Ended up cracking the case through the lug hole and did some DIY repair which is holding up:-). I love the watch but obviously there is a down side to Carbotech

were you using excessive force to remove the strap which caused the crack?

[Watchcollector123]

Originally Posted by rambo99

were you using excessive force to remove the strap which caused the crack?

Yes. I had to cut open the strap and twist out the spring bar and the tube with a plier. My lack of patience didn’t help either. I wish I could post an image but guess I need a couple more posts before I can.

[Watchcollector123]

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by Watchcollector123

oh! its tragic!

[universaldav]

Damn, after seeing this I’m not sure I’ll ever change the strap on my 616. So when putting a new strap on, for example Panerai rubber accordion, you need to remove the metal tube from that strap?

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by universaldav

Damn, after seeing this I’m not sure I’ll ever change the strap on my 616. So when putting a new strap on, for example Panerai rubber accordion, you need to remove the metal tube from that strap?

yes, every new strap comes with a metal tube inside, you have to remove it before doing strap replacement, and its quite difficult to remove, require a lot of force. other than that, i have replaced strap of my 1616 many times, not any issue at all.

[universaldav]

Yeah I’ve done that with my radiomir just wasn’t sure if that metal tube was required for the sub or not, thanks.

[rajurama]

Actually the springbar system on my 1661 is by far the easiest and quickest strap change system. I guess with the above trials and errors its safe to say better to avoid the metal tubes.

[Mystro]

The spring bar diameter on the Carbotech models are enlarged to the size of tubes so you dont need them. With drilled lugs, you still should have been able to remove the strap with tubes. I cant imagine a circumstance changing straps you could ever crack a lug unless it was blatant operators error. To push out tubes from oem straps, you use a small Philips head screwdriver and push the tube directly out of the strap.

[enjoythemusic]

^^^ agree as my Carbo has drilled lugs so just push out using a paper clip end. The springbars are indeed different and very thick.

[56Diver]

Was talking with an anesthesiologist and he told me he has a carbotech that broke as well

He was waiting for Panerai to fix it. Said the lug broke off.

After reading various reports on BMG and carbotech breaking, I’m glad I have titanium

[rajurama]

Originally Posted by 56Diver

Was talking with an anesthesiologist and he told me he has a carbotech that broke as well

He was waiting for Panerai to fix it. Said the lug broke off.

After reading various reports on BMG and carbotech breaking, I’m glad I have titanium

The whole lug? Probably used metal tubes and it got stuck...

[waterman1]

What?….the whole lug broke off? Its just hard to imagine given how hard I have used my carbotech and there is not one scratch or issue. But maybe it is a brittleness issue to be concerned about.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Watchcollector123

Yes. I had to cut open the strap and twist out the spring bar and the tube with a plier. My lack of patience didn’t help either. I wish I could post an image but guess I need a couple more posts before I can.

Really sorry to see that.

Have you inquired with Panerai as to the cost of a new case (assuming it cannot be repaired)?

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by IGotId

I'd be interested in knowing as well as I'm very interested in this specific watch. Thanks.

Originally Posted by 56Diver

Was talking with an anesthesiologist and he told me he has a carbotech that broke as well

He was waiting for Panerai to fix it. Said the lug broke off.

After reading various reports on BMG and carbotech breaking, I’m glad I have titanium

Curious to know how the lug broke...

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by IGotId

Curious to know how the lug broke...

Yea, I won’t give much credit to a baseless claim without some empirical information. The Internet runs wild to discredit new scary materials so a back story and pictures are required to give it any more attention or thought. I have way too much experience with watches and have beaten the hell out of my Carbotech watch to have a pretty educated idea of how durable the material is. It’s not brittle because it’s built in layers. I have yet to put a single mark on my Carbotech watch. Certainly nothing is indestructible and if you put enough leverage (abuse) and reap hard enough on the lug you can break it. That said, layered Carbon fiber is used as THE strongest material in the space, aviation, and the racing world. From structural components used in rocket fuselages to Indy cars.


FYI, BMG and Carbotech have nothing in common.

[universaldav]

I have a 616, no idea how you lot are breaking them. Your homes must have no door handles or taps left intact.

[yachty 1]

I also yet to see a bmg case that shattered , dies anyone have a picture?

[dchang81]

there were plenty of forged carbon AP's that chipped, so not sure why this is so shocking?

[f_klo]

My panerai carbotech 616 had broken lugs due to delaminination of the layers. Initially they wanted me to pay a ridiculous amount. But they ended up paying for everything apart from the man hour charges to replace the case with the new one. I'll need to dig up the photos of the lugs if anybody is interested.

[enjoythemusic]

Maybe I'm in the minority here yet the 1118 TRON is holding up great! Am not one to baby timepieces, and TRON has been my main daily since I got it. Can't believe she still looks as new.

Btw as much huffing and griping I did about the 9010 Evolution movement, she is incredibly accurate at +0.5 sec / day.

[universaldav]

Originally Posted by f_klo

My panerai carbotech 616 had broken lugs due to delaminination of the layers. Initially they wanted me to pay a ridiculous amount. But they ended up paying for everything apart from the man hour charges to replace the case with the new one. I'll need to dig up the photos of the lugs if anybody is interested.

I’d be interested/scared to see these if you don’t mind sharing.

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by f_klo

My panerai carbotech 616 had broken lugs due to delaminination of the layers. Initially they wanted me to pay a ridiculous amount. But they ended up paying for everything apart from the man hour charges to replace the case with the new one. I'll need to dig up the photos of the lugs if anybody is interested.

Definitely interested!

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Maybe I'm in the minority here yet the 1118 TRON is holding up great! Am not one to baby timepieces, and TRON has been my main daily since I got it. Can't believe she still looks as new.

Btw as much huffing and griping I did about the 9010 Evolution movement, she is incredibly accurate at +0.5 sec / day.

Need pics ASAP!

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by dchang81

there were plenty of forged carbon AP's that chipped, so not sure why this is so shocking?

For one big reason is they are two are completely different in their construction and manufacturing. Its also why AP discontinued forged carbon because they randomly stuff carbon fiber threads into a metal mold and press it together. They dont control the density or stands of CF at any one point in the mold leaving deficiencies in strength. Worse yet, the CF strands are not even optimally oriented to promote strength.

The simplest and largest take away between why one is significantly stronger is that Carbotech uses multiple layers of stacked carbon fiber, that is oriented and cross weaved then compressed and at the end of the process the material is then milled out to form the case. Its miles more advanced than AP's attempt working with cf.

Here is a video of a AP Forged Carbon case being made.
https://youtu.be/LL7kTnZmExY

[waterman1]

I would really like to see the photos of that broken lug on a carbotech. Not because I don’t believe you but because I have a carbotech and I feel like it is bullletproof, so this is troubling. Thanks!

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by IGotId

Need pics ASAP!

man, i've posted sooooo many....

BTW i don't think most realize how many 'personalities' this lume / dial has. The slightest of sun makes it glow a bit like the 'best' Rolex lume, more sun gets you Panerai TRON glow. It's sooooooo many levels brighter :)

[enjoythemusic]