My Rolex is Glued? Falling apart like lego

[Qwe7410]

I got the half gold submariner watch from the authorised agent about 10 years ago.


I've recently experienced an issue with my Rolex watch - a piece of it seems to have come loose and fell off. To provide some context, I don't wear this watch very often. Last month, I tucked it into my pocket while washing my hands, and upon retrieving it, I noticed that the plate had fallen off.

As you can imagine, this was concerning, so I reached out to a someone who knows someone in Rolex to inquire about repair costs. To my surprise, I was quoted a starting price of US$1000 for servicing, parts charged separately, with the cover replacement alone costing US$2200.

This revelation caught me off guard, as I hadn't considered these watches to be so delicate. Moreover, I'm now worried that other components, which may also be glued on, could be vulnerable to similar detachment.

Given this situation, I'd appreciate any suggestions or insights into what my next steps should be. Has anyone else faced similar issues and, if so, how did you handle it?

[Calatrava r]

Are you referring to the gold plate in the clasp? I have seen these fall out. I would think it would be an easy fix if you have the plate. It does make a strong case for going with a PM model. The plate cannot fall out. LOL

[brandrea]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Welcome to the forum

[Jackie Daytona]

I’m assuming the clasp? Never heard of just glue but assuming this is the plate?

[Qwe7410]

Here's the photo


Any advice will be welcomed. Help me please. Thank you

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by Qwe7410

Yes. Unfortunately, I can't post the photo due to low post restrictions.

Just use something like Imgbb or similar free picture hosting site.

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Qwe7410

Here's the photo


Any advice will be welcomed. Help me please. Thank you

Wow!

It's been a while since I have seen this happen, but yes it does happen very rarely

If you take to an RSC, I am sure they can get you set up for less than $2200 which you had mentioned. I would be a bit adamant that something like this should never happen, and see if they can somehow fix it at a nominal cost.

If you do not have an RSC nearby, give the nearest one a call and see if you can figure something out without paying and arm and a leg.

That being said, after 10 years, watch might be due for servicing anyway, but that is your choice

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by Qwe7410

Here's the photo


Any advice will be welcomed. Help me please. Thank you

Common problem on that reference.

[Ferrari308]

Make a few more posts and you should be able to show us.

I recently saw another watch where something similar had happened. I don't know how it was resolved.


PDG

[305King]

Yea we are going to need pics

[bullies]

I've seen this a few times too. One of the top reasons I won't get a two tone piece.

Good luck. A grand to put some gorilla glue under the clasp is ridiculous

[gwozhog]

Originally Posted by bullies

I've seen this a few times too. One of the top reasons I won't get a two tone piece.

Good luck. A grand to put some gorilla glue under the clasp is ridiculous

Would bet the all SS clasp is also two pieces too

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

Would bet the all SS clasp is also two pieces too

Mine is definitely one piece machined ss. Why would they make more work when they do not need to?

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

Would bet the all SS clasp is also two pieces too

I'll take that bet!

What's your wager? An SS Rolex?

[gwozhog]

Anyone know how the old Two tone tuna clasps were made?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

Anyone know how the old Two tone tuna clasps were made?

The first TT models came with a SS clasp. When they went to the gold-center stamped clasp they were made the same way. A gold plate fused to the center; also, a small piece is fused to the flip-lock.

[ridetime]

Originally Posted by bullies

I've seen this a few times too. One of the top reasons I won't get a two tone piece.

Good luck. A grand to put some gorilla glue under the clasp is ridiculous

You won't buy a TT Rolex because you think the fused PM piece is going to fall off? Because this happens all the time. Of all the things we own in life that can have problems....What a ridiculous statement.

[Qwe7410]

Thank everyone for the attention, I've finally gathered 10 posts to get the photo up.

It's found above

[Tools]

Anybody can post photos at any time by simply attaching them.

Your bracelet is not glued. The solid gold plate is fusion welded and on occasion the fusion process results in a non-bonding between the metals.

It can easily be welded back in place by most jewelry shops that repair jewelry, or it can indeed be epoxied in place.

The estimates you cite are for watch servicing and it doesn't seem like any of them address your clasp.

10 years is well past any warranty by Rolex.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Qwe7410

I got the half gold submariner watch from the authorised agent about 10 years ago.


I've recently experienced an issue with my Rolex watch - a piece of it seems to have come loose and fell off. To provide some context, I don't wear this watch very often. Last month, I tucked it into my pocket while washing my hands, and upon retrieving it, I noticed that the plate had fallen off.

As you can imagine, this was concerning, so I reached out to a someone who knows someone in Rolex to inquire about repair costs. To my surprise, I was quoted a starting price of US$1000 for servicing, parts charged separately, with the cover replacement alone costing US$2200.

This revelation caught me off guard, as I hadn't considered these watches to be so delicate. Moreover, I'm now worried that other components, which may also be glued on, could be vulnerable to similar detachment.

Given this situation, I'd appreciate any suggestions or insights into what my next steps should be. Has anyone else faced similar issues and, if so, how did you handle it?

The thin strip of solid 18K gold on the TT clasp is around 60 plus microns thick, its a strip of solid gold fuse welded to the clasp and fliplock centre.But have seen a few where they come off best send it into Rolex see what they say
__________________

[Gazoak]

That's quite disappointing!

[brandrea]

Thank you for posting the pictures OP.

Off to RSC.

[KatGirl]

Take it to an independent jewelry repair business. I’m sure you will get a better price.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[JerBear]

I've never seen that happen, OP, but I would send it in to Rolex to fix it.

[Henrimontgomery]

I’ve seen other post about this, not new. Rolex will glue it back, don’t worry.

[slide13]

Interesting, I guess I never really considered how they made the TT clasps, good to know.

Certainly looks like it should be repairable and watch is due for service anyway at 10 years.

And yeah, the SS clasps are definitely not made in that fashion, it's clearly a single machined piece of SS.

[Harry-57]

This comes up occasionally. An easy fix if you have the gold strip, as outlined already.

All the best with it.

[Sitil]

That looks awful but can easily be fixed by a good repairer. You shouldn't be too surprise to get such pull off after 10 years of wear. Good luck and share the final outcome.

[Top G]

Wow never seen this before. As others have stated you're best sending this off to RSC

[Qwe7410]

What I do worry about is the other plates that are attached the same way, could potentially drop off.

Given that the bond has weakened and fell off. I do have deep concern if it is a never ending fix with parts coming off all the time.

I did a brief search on this forum, it seems like it's not a rare phenomenon. Some users claimed to had it fixed for free ten years ago even with the plate missing. I will be very upset if if have to pay over a grand to solve it