Incoming Sub - Resize bracelet myself or let the shop do it?

[Beowulf]

I have a Submariner Date Ceramic (116610LN) arriving this week. The shop asked me if I want them to resize the bracelet (small wrist). They're not an AD but sourced it from an AD and sell a lot of watches.

What do you guys recommend? Let them do it or ask them to ship the watch untouched and do it myself?

Taking into account:

- I bought a watchmaker screwdriver with four tips (1.0+1.2+1.4+1.6mm). I think it is good ($35) but never really used it before, anything is possible.
- I bought a bottle of Loctite 222.
- I have some painter's tape to put on the bracelet.
- I watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to do it like a boss.

HOWEVER:
- I'm usually pretty bad with this type of precision handywork/fixes. I'm a clumsy mo@#cker.
- Never did it before and don't want to damage anything (strip screws, etc).

What would you guys recommend as the least terrible idea? Do it myself or let the shop do it?

[sensui]

Do it yourself. Tape over as much as you want....it's not really any kind of precision work per say, just using a small screwdriver. Enjoy your new watch.

[tng11]

Are you close to a RSC? I've had a few ADs mess up my bracelets, so that I now only take them to the RSC to be resized. I can literally go there and back on my lunch break (and still have time to actually eat lunch), so I don't mind at all.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by tng11

Are you close to a RSC? I've had a few ADs mess up my bracelets, so that I now only take them to the RSC to be resized.

Unfortunately no. I'm fairly close (30 min drive) to a Rolex AD but that's it.

I don't see why ADs and even the shop where I'm getting (They've been selling watches for 70 years) wouldn't know how to do it properly, but there are so many stories of people complaining here that it's a coin toss.

If it's really simple to do it and there's no risk of damaging anything (bent screws or whatever) I might risk it myself.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by sensui

Do it yourself. Tape over as much as you want....it's not really any kind of precision work per say, just using a small screwdriver. Enjoy your new watch.

Thanks, I'm leaning towards that, but, I do break a lot of small items I try to "fix". It's a gift, just inversely.

[lhawli]

Only issue I see is if you do it yourself, which is super easy if you have the right size driver, is reapplying loctite before screwing back in.

I resize all my watches, but once or twice, the screws start unscrewing cause I didn’t reapply in the past. I since bought a small bottle and now I have the peace of mind.


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[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by lhawli

Only issue I see is if you do it yourself, which is super easy if you have the right size driver, is reapplying loctite before screwing back in.

I resize all my watches, but once or twice, the screws start unscrewing cause I didn’t reapply in the past. I since bought a small bottle and now I have the peace of mind.

I do have the Loctite and seems easy to apply from the videos. Only issue I see would be something like a screw being hard to remove and ending up stripped.

[Thatguy]

Always a chance of messing up a screw either way.
I would do it myself.
Heating the link helps loosen the locktite before removing screw.


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[joli160]

DIY, very easy, anybody can, if you need excessive force heat up the threaded side of the screw pin with a lighter. Don't worry about the bracelet link getting black. With a rinse under the shower it comes right off.

You need a hollow ground tip 1.6

[Benjo74]

Depends on your tolerance for scratches / dings and your appetite to have a go and live with the consequences. To be honest, I’d give it a go even though I’ve never done it before.


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[Bigblu10]

You can use a hairdryer to heat up the bracelet in the vicinity of the bracelet pin. Heat softens the Loctite. Do it yourself, just take your time and have a steady hand. Lay down a hand towel on your table or somewhere you have bright lighting. Set the watch clasp open on it's side, bracelet in a circle shape so it stands. Some folks use a piece of scotch tape or similar clear packaging tape and place a piece over the side of the link covering the pin slot. Then use your screwdriver and pierce through the tape as you gently but firmly unscrew the pin. I have always sized my own bracelets for the most part as it is a fairly easy task as long as you have a quality screwdriver that fits correctly.

[Juantxo]

Do it yourself unless you can’t lace your shoes or button your shirt.

[ras47]

I'm rarely good at this kind of thing, but I've changed the bezel insert on my GMT and replaced a link on the bracelet, all with no ill effects. The right tools are paramount, but the job(s) are pretty simple. Go for it!

[Nikrnic]

My wrist is 6 3/4. With the glide lock taking 2 links out worked great. I'd say if your smaller than 61/2 you'd have you remove 3. I'd let them do it.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Only issue I see would be something like a screw being hard to remove and ending up stripped.

Which is the biggie. Make sure you've got the right shape screwdriver, i.e., hollow ground, which mimics the shape of the slot in the screw pin. This will minimize the damage to the pin if it is stuck and make it a lot less likely to damage it.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Which is the biggie. Make sure you've got the right shape screwdriver, i.e., hollow ground, which mimics the shape of the slot in the screw pin. This will minimize the damage to the pin if it is stuck and make it a lot less likely to damage it.

I ordered this recently and have been very happy with it. Still have to be careful and take your time, but it won't slip like others might.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[kilyung]

Do it yourself. Not difficult. Just make sure to heat up the screw before attempting - you want to be able to break any existing threadlocker.

[Iloreyix]

I did it myself and I am really not too handy.
Just take your time.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by tng11

Are you close to a RSC? I've had a few ADs mess up my bracelets, so that I now only take them to the RSC to be resized. I can literally go there and back on my lunch break (and still have time to actually eat lunch), so I don't mind at all.

I know the spot well

[Beowulf]

Thanks everyone, good tips and comments regarding difficulty level.

Just one more question...

Originally Posted by Chadridv

I ordered this recently and have been very happy with it. Still have to be careful and take your time, but it won't slip like others might.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The screwdriver I got seems good quality and is 1.6mm, but it is a wedge type. The tip isn't hollow ground...





Bit bummed, guess I didn't get the right one. Should I get one of these DeLuca or a wedge one will do?

[Friar]

I've heated the bracelet by running it under hot water but have never used Loctite when replacing the screws. I check from time to time to make sure all are flush with the links and never had an issue.

[Seanken]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Thanks everyone, good tips and comments regarding difficulty level.

Just one more question...



The screwdriver I got seems good quality and is 1.6mm, but it is a wedge type. The tip isn't hollow ground...





Bit bummed, guess I didn't get the right one. Should I get one of these DeLuca or a wedge one will do?

Go to esslinger.com. get their phone number. Call them and tell them you want a 1.6mm hollow ground screw driver. They will guide you to the correct one. Their search function sucks. Believe me, you will be astounded how grippy a true hollow ground drive feels. They cost a lot though. $18?

[SPMN]

You’re overthinking this. It’s a screw. Sometimes forums and YouTube videos make very easy things seem complicated.

[ejvette]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

Do it yourself unless you can’t lace your shoes or button your shirt.

[Andad]

Not just a screw.

A Rolex screw with a precision fit into a cavity on a perfectly brushed or polished Rolex link.

A 'small' screwdriver has a huge potential for damage and unless it is a hollow ground tip made to fit the length and width of the screw slot then damage is imminent.

Source the best HG screwdriver you can.

I find even my 2100 Rolex screwdriver is too small the get a firm grip for some of the screws I have removed.

[HogwldFLTR]

A couple of things Larry (Tools) has pointed out worth mentioning are that the screws aren't screws. They're studs. They can be relatively easily over tightened and cause damage. They are meant to be held in place by loctite and not by torque. Heat can be used to loosen tight studs (melting the loctite).

FWIW, I have to good ADs as well as a jeweler whom I trust. I don't have the correct screw driver so I'm hesitant to bung up the stud head with the wrong driver. At some point I'll pick up the correct tool. Stopping by one of the ADs to get a bracelet sized is a good excuse to see what they've got in the store as well.

[Beowulf]

Thanks again guys. I'll risk it myself, but might get a better screwdriver first.

[GFONG]

Originally Posted by tng11

Are you close to a RSC? I've had a few ADs mess up my bracelets, so that I now only take them to the RSC to be resized. I can literally go there and back on my lunch break (and still have time to actually eat lunch), so I don't mind at all.

I encountered the same problems twice as not all AD staff are well trained. Now I will only bring it to RSC to resize it. If they screwed up, at least they have the screws to replace it.

P.S. It is not only required the right tool and also the skill. If the screw is too tight, you may spoil it. For worse case, you may also scratch the bracelet.

(https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ighlight=Screw)

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Thanks again guys. I'll risk it myself, but might get a better screwdriver first.

That is wise.

[LAFLARE]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

Do it yourself unless you can’t lace your shoes or button your shirt.

+1..it was natural instinct to get a screwdriver and just resize it myself when I got my first Rolex and it was a few links too big.. I don't see the difficulty in resizing. It is elementary compared to surgeons when thinking about having steady hands. Just be careful not to strip the screw and to take however long you need to ensure that you don't slip and scratch the watch, which shouldn't even really be an issue..

I didn't get to apply loctite during this resizing as I was unaware about the product, but judging by how one screw will occasionally loosen, I would say loctite may be necessary.