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ROLLiWORKS · 29 September 2018, 06:03 AM

Yah this is our struggle at the moment. We're still chasing the volume to make it more practical. At some point we hope to work on 3-4 of the same type of bands at the same time in a more streamline workflow. Doing one then moving to another is not the way to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valenciawatchrepair

Just went through this whole post. Great work. I have access to a laser welder and it is a great machine to have when you need it! I've never restored entire bracelets before. But, it has come in handy for many watch related repairs and saved a ton of time.

However, the complete bracelet you restored that took 9 hours...is that economical to do? Seems like it would be pretty expensive. But, I guess still probably worth it to the customer. I do mostly wholesale, so a job like that with a retail markup would probably be nuts.

Again great work! I haven't tackled any repairs this serious, mostly because the customers I have aren't willing to spend enough to repair them.

Valenciawatchrepair · 29 September 2018, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLiWORKS

Yah this is our struggle at the moment. We're still chasing the volume to make it more practical. At some point we hope to work on 3-4 of the same type of bands at the same time in a more streamline workflow. Doing one then moving to another is not the way to go.

I know how that is. I'm a one man watch repair shop. Mostly wholesale. So, one at a time is always a struggle. I sent an email to you. Who knows, maybe I can send you some work as well. I even have a few partial/broken bracelets here I may either attempt myself, or let you do.

Great work!

116710er · 2 October 2018, 02:41 PM

WOW, looks great!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLiWORKS

Some smoothing and polishing on the polishing lathe. The high polish and brushed finished are applied.

Back to stylin!

Jim Smyth · 2 October 2018, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLiWORKS

Has anyone seen this happen before? We purchased this band from a TRF member, it's an easy fix for us. While asking around, no one seemed surprised. One claimed to have seen this many time before. Odd. Personally it's my first time seeing this happen.

It seems these pieces are welded from the factory. You would think this would be milled as a single piece. Nonetheless we fixed this one right up and snapped some photos. Curious how many more of these we will run into in the future.

If I am not mistaken this is a known defect from the M serial numbered watches around 11 years ago now. The first run are the ones that break off like this. I seen a few 2007 GMT bracelets with the same issue.

Valenciawatchrepair · 2 October 2018, 10:44 PM

Can't believe that is really the way they constructed those. Wow. Haven't seen one in my shop yet though.

REG4L · 2 October 2018, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLiWORKS

Some smoothing and polishing on the polishing lathe. The high polish and brushed finished are applied.

Back to stylin!

Wow! Great work on the Sub! Brought it back to original form.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ROLLiWORKS · 3 October 2018, 12:45 PM

Yah it's wild how little metal actually holds the clasp the bracelet. But other than the occasional defect, it's surprisingly strong. Oh well if anyone runs into an issue we're here to help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valenciawatchrepair

Can't believe that is really the way they constructed those. Wow. Haven't seen one in my shop yet though.

Valenciawatchrepair · 3 October 2018, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLiWORKS

Yah it's wild how little metal actually holds the clasp the bracelet. But other than the occasional defect, it's surprisingly strong. Oh well if anyone runs into an issue we're here to help.

Cool. I've laser welded stainless. One of the easier metals to weld. The welder I have access to is a table top model. Not much power. But does pretty well with stainless.

Bora20 · 3 October 2018, 01:52 PM

Beautiful and amazing work! Makes me want to look at older watches now with worn bracelets!

ROLLiWORKS · 4 October 2018, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bora20

Beautiful and amazing work! Makes me want to look at older watches now with worn bracelets!

Haha. Thats one way to find a deal. Either a bad band or a good whamo on the case will scare most buyers away.

Yah laser welding is fairly easy. Much easier than TIG, MIG, or stick welding for sure. Steel is easy gold even easier.

All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Gtecko · 4 October 2018, 10:43 PM

amazing work !!

kansaswoody · 4 October 2018, 11:40 PM

Your work is amazing. I just emailed about a repair to my 5513 folded link oyster. So glad to have an option stateside. Makes me feel more comfortable not sending my bracelet literally across the globe.

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 10:44 AM

Anyone have a watch with a diver's extension that won't stay put?

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 10:48 AM

Here are the two troubled spots usually to blame.

1. Tabs on the inside of the clasp

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 10:49 AM

2. Rivet on center blade of the extension

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 10:58 AM

A few laser welds on each side of the clasp builds up the area missing steel to the original height without needing to make exaggerated bends on the tabs or deforming the clasp cover in the process. It's also a repair that will be good for many years.

Now the backside of the extension nests fine. The center still droops. For this we will need to replace the rivet.

We use a cutoff wheel and a punch to remove the old rivet. Lol, sorry rivet off with your head!

One new Rolex rivet pin

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 11:00 AM

The some old fashion hammering with a ball-peen hammer and an anvil.

After much banging

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 11:02 AM

Back to stylin'

Valenciawatchrepair · 6 October 2018, 11:34 AM

Not seeing any photos in your last 3 posts. :(

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 12:10 PM

Yah photobucket is down. Not sure what their issue is but they've been offline for two days. These new photos are hosting on our website. No issues with hotlinking either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valenciawatchrepair

Not seeing any photos in your last 3 posts. :(

Valenciawatchrepair · 6 October 2018, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLiWORKS

Yah photobucket is down. Not sure what their issue is but they've been offline for two days. These new photos are hosting on our website. No issues with hotlinking either.

Try Imgur. Much better. I've had Photobucket for YEARS. And I made the switch. Photobucket is dead to me. lol

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 06:13 PM

Try it again

A few laser welds on each side of the clasp builds up the area missing steel to the original height without needing to make exaggerated bends on the tabs or deforming the clasp cover in the process. It's also a repair that will be good for many years.

Now the backside of the extension nests fine. The center still droops. For this we will need to replace the rivet.

All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 06:15 PM

We use a cutoff wheel and a punch to remove the old rivet. Lol, sorry rivet off with your head!

One new Rolex rivet pin

All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 06:16 PM

The some old fashion hammering with a ball-peen hammer and an anvil.

All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

ROLLiWORKS · 6 October 2018, 06:17 PM

After much banging

Back to stylin

All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

fskywalker · 6 October 2018, 10:22 PM

Amazing work!

Valenciawatchrepair · 7 October 2018, 03:03 AM

Do it once, do it right! Great work. I've seen plenty of hack job repairs. Nice to see someone doing it well.

cjohns · 7 October 2018, 03:48 AM

Price list some place ? Web site ? Thanks,CJ.

curmudgeon · 9 October 2018, 06:53 AM

Interesting thread......about 20 years ago the clasp on my
1675 GMT master (1978) failed right at the hinge pin.....I think the failure is
caused by repeated opening and closing.....a lot of stress when the "click"
happens. I stopped in to Michael's shop in SF and showed him the old school
repair using my oxy/acetylene torch and "Easy-Flo 45" silver brazing alloy,
not pretty but this was before we had laser welding.
I finally replaced it with a service clasp. This is why us old guys are
retired.......we can't keep up with technology.

Cheers.......

ROLLiWORKS · 9 October 2018, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjohns

Price list some place ? Web site ? Thanks,CJ.

PM us for pricing. Our Website is www.rolliworks.com

6 October 2018, 10:22 PM	#116
fskywalker 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Francisco Location: San Juan, PR Watch: Is Ticking ! Posts: 25,168	Amazing work! __________________ Francisco ♛ 16610 / 116264 Ω 168.022 / 2535.80.00 / 310.30.42.50.01.002 / 210.90.42.20.01.001 Zenith 02.480.405 2FA security enabled

7 October 2018, 03:48 AM	#118
cjohns "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Clark Location: Ramsey Minnesota Watch: GMT Master II Posts: 954	Price list some place ? Web site ? Thanks,CJ. __________________ GMT Master II 126300 41 White stick smooth Explorer 39mm SOLD ,, 114060 SOLD NIB Sub ND SOLD,,Shouldn't have!!!Crap!

9 October 2018, 06:53 AM	#119
curmudgeon "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Bill W Location: Vancouver BC Watch: your 6 Posts: 2	oyster fliplock repair Interesting thread......about 20 years ago the clasp on my 1675 GMT master (1978) failed right at the hinge pin.....I think the failure is caused by repeated opening and closing.....a lot of stress when the "click" happens. I stopped in to Michael's shop in SF and showed him the old school repair using my oxy/acetylene torch and "Easy-Flo 45" silver brazing alloy, not pretty but this was before we had laser welding. I finally replaced it with a service clasp. This is why us old guys are retired.......we can't keep up with technology. Cheers.......

2 October 2018, 10:44 PM	#95
Valenciawatchrepair Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ellijay, GA Posts: 1,504	Can't believe that is really the way they constructed those. Wow. Haven't seen one in my shop yet though.

3 October 2018, 01:52 PM	#99
Bora20 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kamloops, BC Posts: 19	Beautiful and amazing work! Makes me want to look at older watches now with worn bracelets!

4 October 2018, 10:43 PM	#101
Gtecko "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Halifax Posts: 518	amazing work !!

4 October 2018, 11:40 PM	#102
kansaswoody "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Kansas Posts: 20	Your work is amazing. I just emailed about a repair to my 5513 folded link oyster. So glad to have an option stateside. Makes me feel more comfortable not sending my bracelet literally across the globe.

6 October 2018, 10:44 AM	#103
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	Anyone have a watch with a diver's extension that won't stay put?

6 October 2018, 10:48 AM	#104
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	Here are the two troubled spots usually to blame. 1. Tabs on the inside of the clasp

6 October 2018, 10:49 AM	#105
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	2. Rivet on center blade of the extension

6 October 2018, 10:58 AM	#106
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	A few laser welds on each side of the clasp builds up the area missing steel to the original height without needing to make exaggerated bends on the tabs or deforming the clasp cover in the process. It's also a repair that will be good for many years. Now the backside of the extension nests fine. The center still droops. For this we will need to replace the rivet. We use a cutoff wheel and a punch to remove the old rivet. Lol, sorry rivet off with your head! One new Rolex rivet pin

6 October 2018, 11:00 AM	#107
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	The some old fashion hammering with a ball-peen hammer and an anvil. After much banging

6 October 2018, 11:02 AM	#108
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	Back to stylin'

6 October 2018, 11:34 AM	#109
Valenciawatchrepair Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ellijay, GA Posts: 1,504	Not seeing any photos in your last 3 posts. :(

6 October 2018, 06:13 PM	#112
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	Try it again A few laser welds on each side of the clasp builds up the area missing steel to the original height without needing to make exaggerated bends on the tabs or deforming the clasp cover in the process. It's also a repair that will be good for many years. Now the backside of the extension nests fine. The center still droops. For this we will need to replace the rivet. All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

6 October 2018, 06:15 PM	#113
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	We use a cutoff wheel and a punch to remove the old rivet. Lol, sorry rivet off with your head! One new Rolex rivet pin All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

6 October 2018, 06:16 PM	#114
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	The some old fashion hammering with a ball-peen hammer and an anvil. All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

6 October 2018, 06:17 PM	#115
ROLLiWORKS "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Michael H Posts: 964	After much banging Back to stylin All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

7 October 2018, 03:03 AM	#117
Valenciawatchrepair Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ellijay, GA Posts: 1,504	Do it once, do it right! Great work. I've seen plenty of hack job repairs. Nice to see someone doing it well.

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