Stripped bracelet screws heads.

[tmehanna]

Was cleaning my BLNR today and noticed for the first time that some of the bracelet link screws are slightly stripped, at least at the top, needless to say I was pretty angry given that it was bought and sized at an AD. Decided to check my other Rolexes and to my shock, they weren't any better! All show signs of "tampering." Is this normal? Watches were all bought and sized at different ADs!

[Chadridv]

To answer your question, yes, unfortunately this is all too common and "normal" at ADs especially those without the proper staff and tools on hand.

I've definitely butchered a few of my own screws. I believe I paid about $35 for a completely new set at RSC. If you can easily get to your AD I would definitely bring your watch back in, express disappointment and request a new set free of charge. unfortunately if you want them to resize it for you, you'll run into the same risks as the first time around.

[SoonerTA]

Sounds like someone didn't know what they were doing. That's a shame. I have always sizes my own time pieces and see how that could happen but take my time and do it right.

[tmehanna]

To be honest, I always check for scratches to the side of the links around the screws after sizing but it never crossed my mind to check the screw heads for stripping. I am also surprised I haven't noticed the stripping given the proximity to the area I usually check after sizing! Must be the age.

[tmehanna]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

I believe I paid about $35 for a completely new set at RSC. If you can easily get to your AD I would definitely bring your watch back in, express disappointment and request a new set free of charge. unfortunately if you want them to resize it for you, you'll run into the same risks as the first time around.

Thanks. I had no idea they were readily available and cost only $35 so now I feel better. Not worth the visits for sure but now I have extra leverage for my next purchases

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by tmehanna

Thanks. I had no idea they were readily available and cost only $35 so now I feel better. Not worth the visits for sure but now I have extra leverage for my next purchases

Don't quote me exactly! But I'm pretty sure it was in that range, I remember it being very reasonable. I had a couple mangled screws and I remember them telling me it would be cheaper to buy a whole new set.

Anyway, good luck! Make sure your existing screws are tight. Someone here just had a screw come out and sustained some pretty serious damage to his watch.

[Brian Page]

I do all my own sizing -

[tmehanna]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Don't quote me exactly! But I'm pretty sure it was in that range, I remember it being very reasonable. I had a couple mangled screws and I remember them telling me it would be cheaper to buy a whole new set.

Anyway, good luck! Make sure your existing screws are tight. Someone here just had a screw come out and sustained some pretty serious damage to his watch.

Thanks again. I am pretty sure the screws are tight and I suspect over tightening them caused the stripping in the first place. Never felt comfortable watching those salesmen torquing the screws like they were lug nuts but I always assumed they know what they are doing. Apparently not!

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by tmehanna

Thanks again. I am pretty sure the screws are tight and I suspect over tightening them caused the stripping in the first place. Never felt comfortable watching those salesmen torquing the screws like they were lug nuts but I always assumed they know what they are doing. Apparently not!

Makes no difference really how, but anytime I made a mess of my screws was actually in the loosening process. They use a loctite that requires heat to loosen.

I worked on sizing my own bracelets for 15+ years, and all the sudden in the past couple years I've had very little success. I think it has to do with the new loctite they're using.

[subtona]

RSCNY did some work on my submariner clasp and fiddled with the links, every screw looked like it had been dragged over rocks.

Ham fisted technicians and lack of courtesy in using proper tools.


Ps you can also bet that loctite was not used during service.

[tkerrmd]

you can have the screws replaced with new ones at a competent AD

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Brian Page

I do all my own sizing -

This

[gwalker]

I've learned its very easy to mess up the screws. IMHO no biggie. If its really a big deal to you get new ones next service. Sounds like your other watches were like that a while before you noticed so try not to let it bother you.

[tmehanna]

No biggie really. I remember a few years ago a friend of mine had been waiting almost a year for a Harry Winston RG limited edition that he had paid over $50K for if I remember correctly. The watch was going to come with a brown strap so he ordered a black strap with the watch. Long story short, he tried the watch on, decided he was right ordering the black strap and asked the AD to switch straps right there and then while taking delivery. They took the watch to the backroom and returned it 10 minutes later with the black strap and VERY deep scratches all over the case back! I really cannot even imagine what they could have done to the watch to cause so much damage short of doing it deliberately! They did apologize though!

[texex91]

Originally Posted by kilyung

This

x100

[ilovewatchestoo]

Rule of thumb... At least my thumb... Is never leave premises until work product service etc has been inspected. Simple fix though but this does seem far too common even if at an ad.

[Partagas]

Hacks, I tell ya! I had my Day-Date appraised at an AD a while back and they managed to put some tool marks in it when the removed the bracelet to check the serial #. Primarily on the back of the case to release/reset the springbars, but still ticked me off.

So glad I decided to adjust the bracelet on my new DJ myself, rather than stopping in my local AD.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Makes no difference really how, but anytime I made a mess of my screws was actually in the loosening process. They use a loctite that requires heat to loosen.



I worked on sizing my own bracelets for 15+ years, and all the sudden in the past couple years I've had very little success. I think it has to do with the new loctite they're using.

I had the same problem with the loctite on my Sub that I recent,y purchased and sized myself. I was using a nice set of watch screwdrivers that I've had for a while. The darn screws would not come out and I felt like I was starting to strip one if the screws.

After taking a breather I grabbed a set of eyeglass screwdrivers that are about twice the length. They came out way easier. It was the extra leverage that made all the difference! One of them fit like a glove too so no scratches.

[southcarolina1801]

I don't trust anyone to size my watches. I invested in a nice screwdriver set and do those myself at home.


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