My GMTIIC Clasp Fell Apart Today

[nylawbiz]

The clasp (the buckle like part that is the last piece to press down when closing the clasp) fell off my GMT IIC's wristband today. Looking at it, it looks like the pins that held it on sheared off. Has anyone heard of a similar problem?

I think it's out of the two year warranty by a few months. The clasp was rubbing sometimes when I tried to close it. It was an intermitent problem. I brought it to the NY Rolex SC earlier in the year (when it was still in warranty) for them to see what was wrong. The tech who supposedly looked at it said nothing was wrong. I guess he was wrong! I presume they have a record of that service call.

Anyway, gonna call my AD tommorow morning and see what he suggests I do.

Built-in obsolesence?

[JBat]

Mine has worked really well, and I have worn the watch near every day for close to two years. I'm sorry to hear this happened to you. Maybe you could contact Rolex and explain the situation. They may fix it even though the watch is out of warranty.

[cody p]

a pic would be interesting.

[rob]

What a major bummer! Keep us posted, pics if you can.

[STEELINOX]

Now, waitasec...
How is it you WISnuts can come up with these horror stories, on a SUNDAY mind you, the CHARGERS are gettin their clocks cleaned again and are scoreless in the first half, and not have picture one to show for it !

Sheese

Thanks,
Randy

PS: I love tuna !

[Brushpup]

Very interested in an update on this Brian. First we've heard I think. Any chance you could show us the damage on a few pics?

[nylawbiz]

If it doesn't appear, look here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

[Earl]

Originally Posted by nylawbiz

If it doesn't appear, look here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

please, let us know how this turns out. :o)

[HDHNTER]

Here ya go

[walds11]

I would call the NY RSC directly and see what they can do for you. Keep us posted.

[nylawbiz]

Originally Posted by HDHNTER

Here ya go

How did you do that??? ~ thanks

[JYogi]

I would go directly to the RSC when you are able in person instead of going through your AD since you already have been to the RSC personally about this problem.

[STEELINOX]

man, that's hopefully covered under warranty...

To me, this is catastrophic, as this is now more than a couple of occurances of bracelet failure in less than a few months that I know of not only involving OYSTERs but Super Jubilees as well. I smell a rat in the employ of ROLEX mfg either whom has cut corners on quality, which doesnt surprise me with everything else goin on in industry these days. Or a group of these guys in ROLEX are having lunch and dinner together and over does it when they put these parts together...

Sorry for your mishap, and glad it didnt involve more than this as this is enough in itself !

Thanks,
Randy

[novae500]

yikes, sorry to hear that. Hopes it gets resolved quick

[rkammer]

Regardless of how it got broken I think Rolex should repair it under warranty. But, I do have one question. How often during your ownership did you clean the watch and bracelet (like with warm soapy water)? The clasp does look a bit soiled in the photo and dirt abrasion is known to cause more rapid wear in the bracelets.

[teehan]

i had the same problem with my gmt IIc (which has since been sold). nothing that the RSC cannot fix...

[cmr]

he stated earlier it was rubbing bad enough he had it checked. if it was rubbing something is out of alignment and that will cause premature wear and stress on the conflicting parts.

the clasp on my gmt2c or daytona don't rub together when operating.

[submariner1]

Originally Posted by nylawbiz

The clasp (the buckle like part that is the last piece to press down when closing the clasp) fell off my GMT IIC's wristband today. Looking at it, it looks like the pins that held it on sheared off. Has anyone heard of a similar problem?

I think it's out of the two year warranty by a few months. The clasp was rubbing sometimes when I tried to close it. It was an intermitent problem. I brought it to the NY Rolex SC earlier in the year (when it was still in warranty) for them to see what was wrong. The tech who supposedly looked at it said nothing was wrong. I guess he was wrong! I presume they have a record of that service call.

Anyway, gonna call my AD tommorow morning and see what he suggests I do.

Built-in obsolesence?

Rolex will/should warranty it. make sure it goes to rolex and not an independant. I have sen this before and it was taken care of

[drtooth73]

Wow, did you get in a fight in a courtroom?

[sexner]

Built-in obsolesence?

I don't think so.

[Timber Loftis]

First off, RSC failed to notice it before -- this is exactly why you want to know a private watchmaker.... a second opinion is always nice.

Second, please introduce that watch to some soap when you get a chance, the poor thing looks like a ragamuffin.

[Tools]

Ouch...bummer..

Ya know, sometimes stuff just breaks...

...........You get it fixed and move on..............

[cody p]

good thing you weren't swimming/diving with it at the time.

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by cody p

good thing you weren't swimming/diving with it at the time.

Not likely with too many here as most are scared to get their watch wet.

[BondandBigM]

Here's a decent schematic of the clasp, it looks to me that the lug which holds the pins (5,6) has sheared off rather than the pin it's self. Having just had a quick look at mine these lugs look like they are soldered, welded, fused somehow ??? onto the main part of the clasp (1) even though the schematic doesn't show the lugs as a separate parts. Never really had a close look before.

[cody p]

Originally Posted by BondandBigM

Here's a decent schematic of the clasp, it looks to me that the lug which holds the pins (5,6) has sheared off rather than the pin it's self. Having just had a quick look at mine these lugs look like they are soldered, welded, fused somehow ??? onto the main part of the clasp (1) even though the schematic doesn't show the lugs as a separate parts. Never really had a close look before.

an elegant solution? or overly complex? lot's of things to go wrong imo.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by cody p

an elegant solution? or overly complex? lot's of things to go wrong imo.

I agree completely !
Although a nice piece of engineering, its got some pretty serious Achilles Heals...

But the assessment sounds correct. The lug or "pin holder" probably was over-stressed when it was welded to the clasp housing and "presto-junko", thus losing integrity. "Spot welds" give me a freakin break !

This shuld be a "recall" of the assy by ROLEX and a refit for a newer fix'd design IMO. I believe the assy shuld be completely "machined"; meaning pin and clasp housing all one unit; call ROLEX and they'll tellya, "yeah, Randy's right, it should be machined as a single assy" !
Can you imagine, the clasp housing costing half as much as the entire bracelet, if not more ! SHEEZE

[nylawbiz]

Thanks for all your interest. Here's an update:

1. First of all, I clean the watch with "Scrubbing Bubbles' wipes at least once a week. The dirt you see is dirt that wasn't accessible until the bracelt fell apart! That maybe part of the problem; can't get to areas that need cleaning, and the dirt acted as an abrasive?

2. I called RSC this morning, and they said I should send it back to them. It happens to still be under warranty (I lost track of when I bought it) so no out of pocket expense, just inconvenience.

3. I asked if I could have it serviced at my RSC, an they said with bracelet issues it would have to be sent back to the RSC anyhow, so I might as well just send it there myself (are they trying to avoid the cost of paying the AD for the repair?). they're sending me a mailer.

4. I asked the person on the phone if this is a common problem, and she said they couldn't tell me until they see the watch. Fair enough.

5. I believe the spot welds did fail. I am very disappointed in the substandard engineering. It fell apart when I was simply puting it on Sunday morning. you would think they would have a mechanical connection where a part gets daily wear.

6. Think I should ask for a free polishing, for my troubles? (I know, good luck).

Thanks again for your interests.

[mcubed]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

I agree completely !
Although a nice piece of engineering, its got some pretty serious Achilles Heals...

But the assessment sounds correct. The lug or "pin holder" probably was over-stressed when it was welded to the clasp housing and "presto-junko", thus losing integrity. "Spot welds" give me a freakin break !

This shuld be a "recall" of the assy by ROLEX and a refit for a newer fix'd design IMO. I believe the assy shuld be completely "machined"; meaning pin and clasp housing all one unit; call ROLEX and they'll tellya, "yeah, Randy's right, it should be machined as a single assy" !
Can you imagine, the clasp housing costing half as much as the entire bracelet, if not more ! SHEEZE

You know, I tend to agree. I very rarely find anything Rolex does disappointing; I never had a problem with the non SEL, hollow link bracelet on my ND sub, and never thought it was too cheap for the watch. However, IF Rolex insists on using this new complicated clasp design, I do think spot welds are inappropriate for a watch of this cost, and I would expect these pin assemblies to be cast or machined as part of the clasp. While some criticized the old bracelet for "feeling" cheap, it did not have reliability problems. In contrast, this type of failure, to me, really does feel cheap, especially since this is not the first time I have heard of this happening. Sorry Rolex, that's two demerits....

[onkyo]

Hi Brian!

Sorry to hear about your troubles with your bracelet.

Glad to hear its still under warranty (even though I don't think it would have been an expensive fix if it wasn't).

Let us know the final result.