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Old 11 August 2013, 12:24 AM   #1
1flossedm3
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Removing links..

Could be a dumb question. If you purchased your Rolex pre owned do you remove your own links or take it to an AD? I just purchased my first and I wonder if the AD will even remove the links as they are now aware I didn't purchase new from them at their sticker price. I don't think I trust myself to remove my own links. LOL
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Old 11 August 2013, 12:26 AM   #2
HL65
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I use my screw driver and do it myself. It is simple and takes few minutes.
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Old 11 August 2013, 12:35 AM   #3
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I did it myself. Just be careful to not slip and scratch the bracelet.
Good luck!
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Old 11 August 2013, 12:46 AM   #4
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Quote:
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i did it myself. Just be careful to not slip and scratch the bracelet.
Good luck!
x1
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Old 11 August 2013, 12:48 AM   #5
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Very simple to do.....some ADs will charge up to $20 to remove links....some are nice enough to help and not charge....just depends. But it's fairly easy.
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Old 11 August 2013, 01:05 AM   #6
kilyung
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Get the right screwdriver and it's easy as Pi.
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Old 11 August 2013, 01:08 AM   #7
1flossedm3
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Is there an idiots guide to this somewhere?
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Old 11 August 2013, 01:59 AM   #8
1flossedm3
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This doesn't look like rocket science. Probably just need to be careful not to scratch anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uxpDXKOPqA
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Old 11 August 2013, 02:21 AM   #9
Gmt master 2 c
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It looks easy enough obviously don't use a hammer if you have the screw links and avoid banging you're watch on the table like he did in the video.
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Old 11 August 2013, 02:22 AM   #10
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Also not sure whether loctite is a must someone else can answer that for me.
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Old 11 August 2013, 02:24 AM   #11
2ar2c1
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you can place some scotch tape over the holes, then press the screwdriver bit thru the tape onto the screwhead: if you slip, no scratches.
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Old 11 August 2013, 02:25 AM   #12
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This doesn't look like rocket science. Probably just need to be careful not to scratch anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uxpDXKOPqA
Don't do it like that, he has pins on his watch you have screws if you use a hammer you will mess up the threads on the screw and link
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Old 11 August 2013, 02:25 AM   #13
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Also not sure whether loctite is a must someone else can answer that for me.
Yes use it. Very easy to do.
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Old 11 August 2013, 02:41 AM   #14
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Do it yourself, it's easy.
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Old 11 August 2013, 02:43 AM   #15
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The AD will do it for you...they could think you bought it somewhere else when you lived in another state...or it was a gift...or whatever.

If they won't work on your watch because you didn't buy new from them...then you probably wouldn't want them working on your watch to begin with.
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Old 11 August 2013, 04:39 AM   #16
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you can place some scotch tape over the holes, then press the screwdriver bit thru the tape onto the screwhead: if you slip, no scratches.
+1
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Old 11 August 2013, 04:53 AM   #17
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I just got a new to me Oysterquartz from 1982 and I wanted to move a link from the 6 to the 12 o'clock side. For the life of me, I could not get one of the screws to budge. I tried wd40, boiled it, nothing worked. I went to a local jeweler who would not touch it because it was a Rolex and if he made a mistake he could not cover the repair. A second local jeweler tried and could not get it to budge.

At that point I figured I was going to have to go to a watchmaker, and there are none near me, so I was going to live with it. A few days later I stopped at a third jeweler who had done appraisals for me in the past and I wanted to appraise the new OQ for insurance. He took all the information for the appraisal, and I asked if he could try to swap the links. He tried and came back out and said that he would have to use a torch to heat the link to break up the old Loctite. 5 minutes later and he was done, and he said " no charge". I gave him $20 anyway and was happily on my way.

This was the first time I have not been able to remove a screw from a Rolex band.
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Old 11 August 2013, 04:54 AM   #18
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Old 11 August 2013, 05:41 AM   #19
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I just got a new to me Oysterquartz from 1982 and I wanted to move a link from the 6 to the 12 o'clock side. For the life of me, I could not get one of the screws to budge. I tried wd40, boiled it, nothing worked. I went to a local jeweler who would not touch it because it was a Rolex and if he made a mistake he could not cover the repair. A second local jeweler tried and could not get it to budge.

At that point I figured I was going to have to go to a watchmaker, and there are none near me, so I was going to live with it. A few days later I stopped at a third jeweler who had done appraisals for me in the past and I wanted to appraise the new OQ for insurance. He took all the information for the appraisal, and I asked if he could try to swap the links. He tried and came back out and said that he would have to use a torch to heat the link to break up the old Loctite. 5 minutes later and he was done, and he said " no charge". I gave him $20 anyway and was happily on my way.

This was the first time I have not been able to remove a screw from a Rolex band.
Someone most likely used the incorrect Loctite.
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Old 11 August 2013, 05:44 AM   #20
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Must use the low strength Loctite.
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Old 11 August 2013, 09:12 AM   #21
kbutler1
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Quote:
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you can place some scotch tape over the holes, then press the screwdriver bit thru the tape onto the screwhead: if you slip, no scratches.
Dang, didn't think of that! Great idea
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Old 11 August 2013, 09:17 AM   #22
boxed
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you can place some scotch tape over the holes, then press the screwdriver bit thru the tape onto the screwhead: if you slip, no scratches.
Best advise.
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Old 11 August 2013, 12:11 PM   #23
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Could be a dumb question. If you purchased your Rolex pre owned do you remove your own links or take it to an AD? I just purchased my first and I wonder if the AD will even remove the links as they are now aware I didn't purchase new from them at their sticker price. I don't think I trust myself to remove my own links. LOL
It is a piece of cake...I don't trust the AD to do mine...
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Old 11 August 2013, 01:58 PM   #24
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It is also very important to have the correct size/shape screwdriver. There are the normal tapered style flathead screwdrivers - these are more prone to slip IMO. Then there are the non-tapered - which fit perfectly. The Sea Dweller repair kit came with a non-tapered type - as well as the Panerai screwdriver. I personally use the Panerai tool on my Sub bracelet; 1.6mm size.
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Old 11 August 2013, 02:58 PM   #25
joe100
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Flat ground driver is a MUST
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Old 11 August 2013, 11:49 PM   #26
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Take your time and use a high quality screw driver. If you have the one that comes with the SD you should be fine. It is very easy.
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Old 12 August 2013, 02:54 AM   #27
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Check this out...
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=44158 ..
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