Marred Screw and Link :(((

[schoolboy]

So it looks like it finally happened :(

When cleaning my watch, I needed to open up the bracelet to be able to install it onto the watch case again (check thread called "at home watch spa" for details)

When removing the screw, the screw was significantly harder to remove than the ones that I have removed in the past (from the same bracelet, I just had never removed this particular screw).

(yes I used a lighter to loosen up the loctite)

I went ahead and removed it anyway.

Continued with the whole process, applied loctite, put the screw back and called it a day.

Yesterday I felt a rough spot on one of my links. I used my loupe to check it out and found out that the screw mentioned above was marred, and it even marred my link a little bit

The link now has a shard edge sticking out of it (tiny but still there) by where the screw would slide in



Kind of sad about it, but I don't regret learning how to size my own watch or remove the bracelet for ultrasonic cleaning. I will continue to do all this myself

My watch is a Rolex 116234.

Does anybody know what part number I need to order a new link?

Not a fancy, link and a quarter or anything. Just regular link.

I do have spare links but I want to replace the one I messed up.

Thanks all!

Hopefully @Searchart can see this and chime in!

[japenney]

I am going to suggest that you stop looking at screws under a loupe and just wear and enjoy the watch. If you can't relax a bit you will never enjoy wearing it. Worse things will happen to it. Just my opinion. Sorry if it sounds harsh. You definitely don't need a new link because it has a scratch on it.

At least wear it for a month as it is and see if it still bothers you.

[Calatrava r]

I would add not to disassemble the watch to clean it. Bad things can happen as you found out. I agree that if the link and screw are functional you should forget about replacing them.

[Beauregard]

Originally Posted by japenney

I am going to suggest that you stop looking at screws under a loupe and just wear and enjoy the watch. If you can't relax a bit you will never enjoy wearing it. Worse things will happen to it. Just my opinion. Sorry if it sounds harsh. You definitely don't need a new link because it has a scratch on it.

At least wear it for a month as it is and see if it still bothers you.

This. So very much this.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by japenney

I am going to suggest that you stop looking at screws under a loupe and just wear and enjoy the watch. If you can't relax a bit you will never enjoy wearing it. Worse things will happen to it. Just my opinion. Sorry if it sounds harsh. You definitely don't need a new link because it has a scratch on it.

At least wear it for a month as it is and see if it still bothers you.

I feel like I didn’t describe the damage to the link well.

It’s not just a scratch.

It’s more of a mar I guess?

The link isn’t smooth if you pass your finger over it. It has a sharp edge sticking out of the hole.

That’s why I want to replace it.

My other links are scratched too, from daily use.

This is different.

[RW88]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

So it looks like it finally happened :(

When cleaning my watch, I needed to open up the bracelet to be able to install it onto the watch case again (check thread called "at home watch spa" for details)

When removing the screw, the screw was significantly harder to remove than the ones that I have removed in the past (from the same bracelet, I just had never removed this particular screw).

(yes I used a lighter to loosen up the loctite)

I went ahead and removed it anyway.

Continued with the whole process, applied loctite, put the screw back and called it a day.

Yesterday I felt a rough spot on one of my links. I used my loupe to check it out and found out that the screw mentioned above was marred, and it even scratched my link a little bit



Kind of sad about it, but I don't regret learning how to size my own watch or remove the bracelet for ultrasonic cleaning. I will continue to do all this myself

My watch is a Rolex 116234.

Does anybody know what part number I need to order a new link?

Not a fancy, link and a quarter or anything. Just regular link.

I do have spare links but I want to replace the one I messed up.

Thanks all!

Hopefully @Searchart can see this and chime in!

RSC will fix this for free if you drop it off you are not in a rush.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

I would add not to disassemble the watch to clean it. Bad things can happen as you found out. I agree that if the link and screw are functional you should forget about replacing them.

I don’t want to use the same screw again, it’s ugly and will damage other links as it did the one that I put it into

The link, maybe it’s fixable, but now it has a sharp point sticking out of it

I wish I could show you all a picture but my phone camera isn’t the best


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by RW88

RSC will fix this for free if you drop it off you are not in a rush.

That’s another idea

Maybe I’ll do that if I can’t find another link


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[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

That’s another idea

Maybe I’ll do that if I can’t find another link


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The RSC will replace your link.

This reminds me of that one time when a screw came loose in my YM 116622. I noticed something stinging my wrist and there it was unscrewed by 3 or 4mm. It happened on a Saturday morning when getting off my car to visit a zoo with wife and kids. I was so lucky I didn't lose my watch that day. Imagine Mr Gorilla playing with it. Or worse, the elephant.




When I got home, I managed to scratch the side of the link with the screwdriver which ended up in my thumb, twice.

[Billfish]

not the first and definitely not the last person to mar a screw when removing bracelet- most of us are watch wearers and not watch jewelers- best to leave to the specialists to avoid these self inflicted issues

[Boaters]

Just my opinion but I would never put loctite on a bracelet screw. I have seen all sorts of problems with screw heads and links because you can't get it to unscrew. I check my bracelet screws about once a month with my Rolex 2100 screwdriver never had a problem or lost a bracelet. Just my opinion

[Mystro]

I never take my bracelet apart to take it off the head. I also am not a fan of Loctite unless a screw has shown to need it (which is very rare). Too much playing around with a bracelet only ups the odds of tool marks even with the best of equipment.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I never take my bracelet apart to take it off the head. I also am not a fan of Loctite unless a screw has shown to need it (which is very rare). Too much playing around with a bracelet only ups the odds of tool marks even with the best of equipment.

Have to agree. I’ve futzed enough screw heads on my own to know

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

The RSC will replace your link.

This reminds me of that one time when a screw came loose in my YM 116622. I noticed something stinging my wrist and there it was unscrewed by 3 or 4mm. It happened on a Saturday morning when getting off my car to visit a zoo with wife and kids. I was so lucky I didn't lose my watch that day. Imagine Mr Gorilla playing with it. Or worse, the elephant.




When I got home, I managed to scratch the side of the link with the screwdriver which ended up in my thumb, twice.

Dang that’s crazy haha

Thanks for sharing that


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Billfish

not the first and definitely not the last person to mar a screw when removing bracelet- most of us are watch wearers and not watch jewelers- best to leave to the specialists to avoid these self inflicted issues

I agree.

I just felt like I would do a better job.




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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Boaters

Just my opinion but I would never put loctite on a bracelet screw. I have seen all sorts of problems with screw heads and links because you can't get it to unscrew. I check my bracelet screws about once a month with my Rolex 2100 screwdriver never had a problem or lost a bracelet. Just my opinion

I got the loctite 223 I think?

The one that is easy to break with hand tools.

The screw that was hard to remove, I had never removed it before.


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I never take my bracelet apart to take it off the head. I also am not a fan of Loctite unless a screw has shown to need it (which is very rare). Too much playing around with a bracelet only ups the odds of tool marks even with the best of equipment.

I took the bracelet apart to put it back on the head.

Taking it off was easier haha


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Have to agree. I’ve futzed enough screw heads on my own to know

That makes me feel a lot better about this Brian


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[fsprow]

It is important to keep downward pressure on the screwdriver once it is in the slot. Otherwise it can easily slip.

[77T]

It won’t be the last time you have a minor mishap - jewelers, watchmakers and AD staff have all buggered a link or a screw here or there.

If you’re up for it, replace the marred one with one of your spares and leave it in the box.

Down the road you can put it back on when you’re ready to have the whole shebang serviced. Then that link can be refinished to new condition and the damaged screw replaced.


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by 77T

It won’t be the last time you have a minor mishap - jewelers, watchmakers and AD staff have all buggered a link or a screw here or there.

If you’re up for it, replace the marred one with one of your spares and leave it in the box.

Down the road you can put it back on when you’re ready to have the whole shebang serviced. Then that link can be refinished to new condition and the damaged screw replaced.


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I agree with you 100%

I know some members are probably thinking “what an idiot, he should’ve taken it to the AD”

But I’ve read stories on here about ADs messing up watches, even worse than I did

Also, what you are recommending is exactly what I did.

I just feel bad having a messed up link and screw sitting in my watch box.

But yes, that’s a good ideA

Throw the messed up link back on when a service is due, and have them rectify it


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[214270Explorer]

At least you did it yourself instead of one of those %$#&@ ham-fisted idiot sales people.

That was the last straw for me. Learned to do it myself after that.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

At least you did it yourself instead of one of those %$#&@ ham-fisted idiot sales people.

That was the last straw for me. Learned to do it myself after that.

You’re right.

After seeing a sales lady drop a Datejust and act like nothing happened, I am hesitant to leave my watch in their hands


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[42itus]

I am not a fan of having someone other than a watchmaker mess around with my watch. Yes, I’ve damaged screws myself but not to the point of what you described.
Where did you buy your watch? Maybe the AD or grey dealer (if they’re local) can help you find links and or screws.


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by 42itus

I am not a fan of having someone other than a watchmaker mess around with my watch. Yes, I’ve damaged screws myself but not to the point of what you described.
Where did you buy your watch? Maybe the AD or grey dealer (if they’re local) can help you find links and or screws.


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I bought it at an AD

The thing is, I trust this forum more than I trust sales people at an AD

I would rather walk in and say “hi I need to order this link, with this part number” than ask them to order a link for my 116234 watch

I don’t mean any disrespect, and I will not name the AD, but I feel like the sales people there don’t know much about watches, and don’t care to know much about watches. They’re just kinda there to sell you something and that’s it.

I am not a watch expert myself, but I do my research and care about the subject.

Most sales people I’ve dealt with, don’t seem to care.


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[42itus]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

I bought it at an AD

The thing is, I trust this forum more than I trust sales people at an AD

I would rather walk in and say “hi I need to order this link, with this part number” than ask them to order a link for my 116234 watch

I don’t mean any disrespect, and I will not name the AD, but I feel like the sales people there don’t know much about watches, and don’t care to know much about watches. They’re just kinda there to sell you something and that’s it.

I am not a watch expert myself, but I do my research and care about the subject.

Most sales people I’ve dealt with, don’t seem to care.


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I hear you and completely agree. I got called once asking if I want a Deep Blue, and I confirmed by saying Sea Dweller. But when I went there it was a Z Blue Milgauss. I didn’t even bother trying to correct him.
And I also agree that unless you get someone that really cares it will be a challenge. There used to be a watchmaker at Ben Bridge who seemed to know everything and anything about so many brands but he sadly moved out of state. He’s the kind of guy that I would have asked about this.
Let us know if you get any info. I’ll ask my SA the next time to see what they say.


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by 42itus

I hear you and completely agree. I got called once asking if I want a Deep Blue, and I confirmed by saying Sea Dweller. But when I went there it was a Z Blue Milgauss. I didn’t even bother trying to correct him.
And I also agree that unless you get someone that really cares it will be a challenge. There used to be a watchmaker at Ben Bridge who seemed to know everything and anything about so many brands but he sadly moved out of state. He’s the kind of guy that I would have asked about this.
Let us know if you get any info. I’ll ask my SA the next time to see what they say.


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Exactly.

I once had a guy tell me “check out this submariner” and it was a GMT 2 LN

Crazy world

Will do, thanks!


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[schoolboy]

Just checking in on this thread, I ended up buying a new link just for peace of mind


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[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

Just checking in on this thread, I ended up buying a new link just for peace of mind


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do what make you happy, in the end thats all that matters

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Polarexplorerii

do what make you happy, in the end thats all that matters

Amen to that


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