Bracelet Link Pin Disappears - Have you ever had this happen to you?

[Paul_I]

So I'm in my office today, and I reach for something on my desk, and I feel my YM 40 suddenly loosen. I reach to re-lock what I assume to be the flip-lock bracelet clasp coming undone somehow, and I realize that the watch is completely disconnected between the fourth and fifth link. I have no idea where the pin went, I looked around and couldn’t find it. Amazingly, I believe that the watch stayed in place for some time just by the two links holding together. I plan to replace the pin tonight with a spare – and very thankful disaster was averted.

My question: This can’t be common, can it?

[Mystro]

You are lucky more than you know. Most times you see a bracelet failure has the watch being damaged or even lost.

[Paul_I]

Originally Posted by Mystro

You are lucky more than you know. Most times you see a bracelet failure has the watch being damaged or even lost.

I know I'm lucky it didn't go flying away - just didn't realize screw pins were liable to completely fail without warning.

[watchwatcher]

No, it's not common. But, it does happen.

[beer]

the exact same thing happened to me when i went to check the time but i was out in public, indeed i felt lucky it didn't fall off before then unlucky that it happened in the first place

[Paul_I]

Would you guys suggest using locktite in the future or no?

[beer]

i just assumed the AD hadn't screwed it in fully when sizing or something. i just screwed it back in tightly it hasn't fallen out again since

[sleddog]

There wasn't a 'failure', your screw backed out after becoming loose more than likely.
Locktite is recommended, as is a periodical visual check once in a while to see if indeed they are loosening, on any link.
Just lucky you were at your desk, and not walking down the street , where your watch would certainly have impacted the pavement or concrete.
I'd also venture a guess that the screw isn't to far away, and perhaps under your desk, or nearby in the office.
Hope you get it back to normal soon..

[Tools]

Originally Posted by sleddog

There wasn't a 'failure', your screw backed out after becoming loose more than likely.
Locktite is recommended, as is a periodical visual check once in a while to see if indeed they are loosening, on any link.
Just lucky you were at your desk, and not walking down the street , where your watch would certainly have impacted the pavement or concrete.
I'd also venture a guess that the screw isn't to far away, and perhaps under your desk, or nearby in the office.
Hope you get it back to normal soon..

Agree.

The bracelet will not come apart until the screw is completely out and the links cannot hold themselves together.

[Paul_I]

Originally Posted by sleddog

There wasn't a 'failure', your screw backed out after becoming loose more than likely.
Locktite is recommended, as is a periodical visual check once in a while to see if indeed they are loosening, on any link.
Just lucky you were at your desk, and not walking down the street , where your watch would certainly have impacted the pavement or concrete.
I'd also venture a guess that the screw isn't to far away, and perhaps under your desk, or nearby in the office.
Hope you get it back to normal soon..

I've looked around for some time now. No luck.

[droptopman]

Wow, good deal you were in your office. I personally do not use locktite, but I know many members do. I just make sure my screws are tight and check them periodically.

[ap1]

Whoa, lottery tonight.

[Paul_I]

Upon further inspection, a few other pins are lose as well. I do wear this watch when I'm being fairly active - while running and working around the house - so I'm going to tighten them all and use a little bit of loctite. I'm really lucky this wasn't a shattered-crystal-in-the-movement thread.

[kilyung]

That's why we should use loctite

[natosub]

Another call for NATO straps (sorry, couldn't resist!)

[Blue_Lume]

i have owned a dozen the past 30 years and it's never happened to me, but happened to my friend with his 1st and it was in the first 9 months.

he's also a major spazz who smacks it on corners and door knobs and the like.

[LuminousMaximus]

I use this one and it has been discussed here on TRF. make sure you only drop with tootchpick or similar into the receiving part, where the screw pin goes into... the female part of the link.

Press Bart for link --->

[Paul_I]

Originally Posted by LuminousMaximus

I use this one and it has been discussed here on TRF. make sure you only drop with tootchpick or similar into the receiving part, where the screw pin goes into... the female part of the link.

Press Bart for link --->

You nearly had me. Nearly. Thanks for the loctite info.

[Paul_I]

Originally Posted by natosub

Another call for NATO straps (sorry, couldn't resist!)

I like NATOs. I do. Have used them on my Omegas. I just can't on the Yacht-Master for some reason.

[saskmh]

I had this happen on my explorer once while at the part with my kids. No loctite on the threads = screws backing out.

[U5512]

It was a year ago when I almost lost a Sea-Dweller as the screw backed out and the watch dropped softly on the carpet when I got home from work. So lucky for me and you!!!

[Bigsykedaddy]

Yeah do what LuminousMaximus' said. Put the loctite on the female end because if you don't the loctite will get all on the inside of the link while placing the screw in. This will cause the link to seize up and not move freely and is a huge pain in the ass.

I'm glad this happened in your office and not out on the street. Good luck

[al503]

Originally Posted by kilyung

That's why we should use loctite

Exactly. I know many here don't but as long as you're using the right kind and applying it properly (not difficult or rocket science), I don't see any reason not to use it.

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by al503

Exactly. I know many here don't but as long as you're using the right kind and applying it properly (not difficult or rocket science), I don't see any reason not to use it.

I get that Loctite works, but don't understand why it should be necessary. Can't Rolex find a way to solve this issue so that their customers don't have to resort to rudimentary DIY tricks just to reduce the risk that the product will fall apart? Just seems kinda odd to me

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Paul_I

So I'm in my office today, and I reach for something on my desk, and I feel my YM 40 suddenly loosen. I reach to re-lock what I assume to be the flip-lock bracelet clasp coming undone somehow, and I realize that the watch is completely disconnected between the fourth and fifth link. I have no idea where the pin went, I looked around and couldn’t find it. Amazingly, I believe that the watch stayed in place for some time just by the two links holding together. I plan to replace the pin tonight with a spare – and very thankful disaster was averted.

My question: This can’t be common, can it?

All bracelet screws should be checked that they are tight every few weeks.They are just screws and like all screws where movement and friction like in watch bracelets they can unscrew.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by Lumberjact

I get that Loctite works, but don't understand why it should be necessary. Can't Rolex find a way to solve this issue so that their customers don't have to resort to rudimentary DIY tricks just to reduce the risk that the product will fall apart? Just seems kinda odd to me

Rudimentary DIY tricks? Last three Rolexes I bought new came with loctite on the screws.
Actually don't see a reason for engineering something complicated, just check the screws every six month.

[SALTY]

I use a toothpic to apply LocTite tot he female end of the engagement because, as stated, applying it to the male end and then inserting the screw through the link holes can cause binding and, believe it or not, loosening of the threads because the pivoting action of routine wear will ratchet the screw rather than allowing it to rotate within the link interface as designed.

Jewelry shops are notorious for bracelet adjustments with less tha perfect results.

BTW, I believe in LocTite - but also like NATO straps.

[guy369]

Nearly happened to me last year at a Blue Jay playoff game, I was a little buzzed and cheering loudly, I think all my clapping set the screw loose

Luckily my Sub-c was new to me at that point and I was still in the honeymoon phase, I felt the loose screw, and turned it with my nail, and had to keep doing this all night.

Brought it to the AD and they fixed it right up

[Paul_I]

The only loctite I found at the hardware store was "Blue 242" threadlocker. I don't think this is right so I held off on the repair for now. The YM is home on my dresser resting.

I found the 222 thread locker on Amazon and am ordering a tube now.

I may do this DIY method on all my watches this weekend.

[mikeyyn]

i have owned a dozen the past 30 years and it's never happened to me, but happened to my friend with his 1st and it was in the first 9 months.

he's also a major spazz who smacks it on corners and door knobs and the like.

Whoa, perhaps you should watch your language.