Quality / design issue in Rolesor Oyster bracelets: Gold piece can fall off the clasp

[Tikandtokalot]

OP not defending original post much must be properly hacked off " no pun intended "

[Cryten]

Originally Posted by m j b

I'd never thought about this before, but it makes sense. Real solid gold in the middle fused to the stainless sides would likely fail even quicker than the rare applique that fall off.

OP, just be happy that warranty will cover it, and it will likely never happen again.

Not only that, but the clasp latching mechanism would have to be attached to the gold centre strip too.

From an engineering perspective, it's just not possible.

The fact that they found a robust method of attaching the gold sliver at all is quite impressive as the clasp is a high wear area. I've only seen one other failure reported here and that was quite a few years ago.

[inadeje]

Wow, very interesting. In three decades I’ve never seen a single post anywhere on the internet displaying this outcome. Thanks OP.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Wow, very interesting. In three decades I’ve never seen a single post anywhere on the internet displaying this outcome. Thanks OP.

Most recent one prior

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=692433

[t65tampa]

This is not something 99.999999% of Rolex owners are going to ever experience.

These are just wristwatches, not perfect devices crafted by the gods on Mount Olympus. The original poster is going to get his watch serviced by Rolex at an RSC and the watch is going to come back as good as new. That watch, with regular wear and regular service, should outlast all of us on this forum.

[shwingus]

Wowww... I already hated TT's due to the old man vibe they instantly impart on any piece, but this is just sad.
Like many here I thought the newer Rolex TT's were solid gold in the middle, this just seems cheap and further solidifies my opinion to never consider one.

[smym18]

I've seen this multiple times on this forum already, and each time everyone acts so shocked. The fact that so many people are so surprised shows just how uncommon this happening is. (FWIW, hadn't seen it happen to any rose two tone watches prior to this) I have the CHNR as well, and I've actually noticed a verrrry slight gap between the rose and the steel on the clasp, so I called RSC and asked if that would be covered under warranty should anything happen, either replaced or repaired, and they said no, which I find to be hard to believe bs.

[Mystro]

How did everyone think a SS clasp could mix metals?? It is very obvious looking at the bottom of the clasp that it was a milled out piece of stainless steel with a strip of 18k gold on its top.

[214270Explorer]

Rare. Stuff happens.
The fact these rarely fall off is really a tribute to Rolex manufacturing.

And it is under warranty, so, who knows, you "may" get a brand new bracelet?

[904VT]

It's because you're looking at the clasp. Look on the inside of TT clasps and you can see they are not solid gold. The rest of the bracelet has solid gold PCLs. The way clasps are milled, you need a solid metal. So either SS or Gold if you want a single piece. Logistically, it would be impossible to have a solid clasp in TT.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 904VT

It's because you're looking at the clasp. Look on the inside of TT clasps and you can see they are not solid gold. The rest of the bracelet has solid gold PCLs. The way clasps are milled, you need a solid metal. So either SS or Gold if you want a single piece. Logistically, it would be impossible to have a solid clasp in TT.

Already stated that fact several times in this thread.

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by Tikandtokalot

I'd much rather have SS or PM rather than something fudged up to look like something else.
Hey my money my choice.
I bet the cosmetic additions weren't pointed out at purchase.
Buyer beware. IMHO

Agree with you. Only older TT models are interesting IMO, with the old clasp being completely SS.

However Rolex is legit when you go full PM.

Tried a Chopard alpine the other day, and the déployant interior part (the part you don’t see when claps is closed) was made of metal. So it was effectively a two tone bracelet (despite the full PM price lol).

[Marcjvr]

That happened to me once with an Invicta.

Super glued it right back on…

[Jackumi]

I think for TT they should have made the whole clasp out of solid 18k gold and fused strips of SS to it!

[Gladiat0r]

Originally Posted by padi56

Would doubt if it just falls off, and how would you attached a strip of gold to to SS.As I am 100% sure Rolex has researched the best and only best method of fusing two totally different metals together.

I’m not an expert but structural epoxy or adhesive? Rolex are clearly amazing engineers but this was clearly a failure and should result in Rolex acknowledgment and them figuring out a way to avoid this failure. It’s obviously embarrassing for the brand if this starts happening on newer watches. Hopefully it was a fluke. But regardless, this should not happen and maybe it’s something Rolex can improve upon.
Plus it’s something to talk about rather than how crazy the watch market is or to buy from a Gray or wait decades for an AD…or the infamous “can I shower with my sub” threads.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Gladiat0r

I’m not an expert but structural epoxy or adhesive? Rolex are clearly amazing engineers but this was clearly a failure and should result in Rolex acknowledgment and them figuring out a way to avoid this failure. It’s obviously embarrassing for the brand if this starts happening on newer watches. Hopefully it was a fluke. But regardless, this should not happen and maybe it’s something Rolex can improve upon.
Plus it’s something to talk about rather than how crazy the watch market is or to buy from a Gray or wait decades for an AD…or the infamous “can I shower with my sub” threads.

Well some have already complained in this thread that they thought it was glued on,but in the real world out of the many thousands of TT subs produced from around 1983.Myself only heard on this forum plus a few others only two myself have seen reported gold strip coming off clasp.

Originally Posted by Jackumi

I think for TT they should have made the whole clasp out of solid 18k gold and fused strips of SS to it!

Impossible as SS has a much higher melting point than gold is 1,064° C, and SS 1400 - 1450°C.

[Jackumi]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well some have already complained in this thread that they thought it was glued on,but in the real world out of the many thousands of TT subs produced from around 1983.Myself only heard on this forum plus a few others only two myself have seen reported gold strip coming off clasp.




Impossible as SS has a much higher melting point than gold is 1,064° C, and SS 1400 - 1450°C.

Sorry, I was being sarcastic about the solid gold clasp. As for the melting points of the metals, as stated by some others it seems to have gone over the heads of some posters on here that think Rolex uses super glue!

[myporsche]

Freak accident, I wouldn't say "disappointed". You must wear your watches really hard, nothing wrong it I actually think it's great to daily it and wear it for everything but this is a very rare occurrence, I'm sure Rolex will take care of it,.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Most recent one prior

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=692433

Yeah. That's the last one I remember seeing in here. IIRC there have been two or three in the past 4 years. Couldn't swear to it though. The ratio of "man, that's a bummer," to "what a POS" responses seems to have changed in the past 2 years, which seems to reflect the general tone of the forum latterly.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by smym18

I've seen this multiple times on this forum already, and each time everyone acts so shocked. The fact that so many people are so surprised shows just how uncommon this happening is.

I guess different people remember different things and not everyone reads every thread, which is understandable.

When you consider what is being stuck to what, a failure rate so low that it is forgettable is to be welcomed, given that a zero failure rate is impossible.

[2loaded]

Is there a point of impact anywhere on the clasp?

[sub2011]

Originally Posted by Gladiat0r

I’m not an expert but structural epoxy or adhesive? Rolex are clearly amazing engineers but this was clearly a failure and should result in Rolex acknowledgment and them figuring out a way to avoid this failure. It’s obviously embarrassing for the brand if this starts happening on newer watches. Hopefully it was a fluke. But regardless, this should not happen and maybe it’s something Rolex can improve upon.
Plus it’s something to talk about rather than how crazy the watch market is or to buy from a Gray or wait decades for an AD…or the infamous “can I shower with my sub” threads.

Whatever subject yo fail, sometimes fails. Challenger and Columbia shuttles shouldn't have failed, but tragically they did. Nothing is perfect down here.

[sub2011]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well hardly a design issue been around Rolex watches for longer than many on forum have been alive.And ever since the RolesorTT bracelets were first introduced on watches like the sub in 1983, this is only the second one that I have ever seen.Yes it should not happen but sure Rolex will sort it out with out any problems,and its not glued its fused by heat very similar to a spot weld.

Absolutely brilliant!!!

[Calatrava r]

Its odd so many think the clasp on a TT is a solid bar of gold between two steel flanks. If you you at the inside of the clasp you will see its all steel so the gold piece is obviously just inset over the steel and in some way permanently attached.

[kieselguhr]

Design issue not so much. More of unrealistic expectations issues.

Regardless, perhaps the addition of a slot design where the gold piece is held further in place by slots on either side.

Then again, this would probably interfere with the seamless aesthetic design Rolex is going for...

[Mattt]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Its odd so many think the clasp on a TT is a solid bar of gold between two steel flanks. If you you at the inside of the clasp you will see its all steel so the gold piece is obviously just inset over the steel and in some way permanently attached.

I never really thought about it, I thought it was a full bar of gold between the steel. Great thread.

[brandrea]

Hope you get it sorted quickly OP

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Mattt

I never really thought about it, I thought it was a full bar of gold between the steel. Great thread.

This to me raises concerns about polishing the clasp since the gold piece is so thin and apparantly more fragile than we thought. I would also have concerns about repeatedly exposing the TT clasp to hot water in showers or saunas for fear the heat overtime will degrade the adhesion, weld or fusion. I agree great thread.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by padi56

Already stated that fact several times in this thread.

Just agreeing with you. Yes. Commonsense imo if you know metals.

[Rolexsd4000]

My other
SD43 TT and I love it . If it fails no big deal . It’s meant to be worn and appropriated . It’s just a piece on the clasp . Rolex will always make it right even if warranty is gone ? I hope


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