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Old 1 May 2018, 12:58 PM   #1
ROLLiWORKS
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Poll/Feeler - Bracelet repair done in USA... Needed?

We wanted to put out a feeler and gauge interest for bracelet repair done here in the USA. We have been quietly repairing bands for our shop and a few trusted partners but now considering offering it as a service.

We believe that we would be the only shop in the USA with this ability. Labor costs in California being what it is $300 for SS and $390 for two tone. We may run specials for $250 SS / 350 2Tone.

It hard to be totally competitive with HK labor but being stateside there will be savings on shipping, hassles with customs, insurance, and turnaround time. Volume over time should help us to get the prices down.

Thoughts? Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Mike




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Old 1 May 2018, 01:16 PM   #2
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Old 1 May 2018, 09:25 PM   #3
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Poll/Feeler - Bracelet repair done in USA... Needed?

Hell yes!

... if the quality of your work and customer service is comparable, your prices are competitive.

... anticipated turn around time? Assuming no major backlog.

... and just FYI HK is one of the most expensive cities in the world both for labor and overheads.


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Old 1 May 2018, 11:50 PM   #4
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We are in San Francisco, so cost of labor is quite high. Right now we are averaging a 10-14 turnaround.


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Old 2 May 2018, 12:33 AM   #5
Fabrice M
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I was actually thinking to send one to HK (MY). Can you do folded links bracelet? Do you have any examples?

What is your company name / website?
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Old 2 May 2018, 01:33 AM   #6
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I was actually thinking to send one to HK (MY). Can you do folded links bracelet? Do you have any examples?

What is your company name / website?


Folded Oyster Yes folded Jubilee we are holding off until we get better tooling. We just started taking photos so we could use a good Folded Oyster for our portfolio. We could work a special price for the first few bands we can use for photography. We were mainly repairing our own bands until recently. Still kinda tossing the idea around.

www.sandhillwatch.com





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Old 2 May 2018, 10:14 PM   #7
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Presumably you are laser welding bracelets?

Do you mill cases and bezels too? There seems to be only one player (maybe two) in this game too. Also in CA...


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Old 3 May 2018, 03:34 AM   #8
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Yes we have the ability but for what application? We wouldn't make new cases or bezels.
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Old 3 May 2018, 03:52 AM   #9
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Yes we have the ability but for what application? We wouldn't make new cases or bezels.

...Refinishing poorly polished cases in an attempt to recover or correct case geometry.


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Old 3 May 2018, 10:21 PM   #10
chrisca70
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I think the price is right and there is demand, with some proper advertising and word of mouth you guys will be set!
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Old 3 May 2018, 10:39 PM   #11
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Yes, in a heart beat.

Let me know if you guys can service TT Jubilee, I'm ready.
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Old 4 May 2018, 07:09 AM   #12
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We do.
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Old 4 May 2018, 08:48 AM   #13
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Good to have choices and its good to be closer to home being in the US. Best of luck.
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Old 4 May 2018, 12:02 PM   #14
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Quote:
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We are in San Francisco, so cost of labor is quite high. Right now we are averaging a 10-14 turnaround.


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where, PM me your details incase I need to refresh my 116618LB some day

never mind, found your website.. book marked...

One question tho... do you know how to actually polish / restore a submariner bezel properly where its not all shiny and over polished... you know that contrast in the teeth where it's polish/matte pattern when new?
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Old 7 May 2018, 05:26 AM   #15
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Quote:
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I was actually thinking to send one to HK (MY). Can you do folded links bracelet? Do you have any examples?

What is your company name / website?
We are starting to accept folded jubilee bands with a 10-14 day turnaround
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Old 7 May 2018, 05:52 AM   #16
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I would be interested in having my 1675 S/S Jubilee Bracelet done.
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Old 7 May 2018, 07:05 AM   #17
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Is the tool you have to separate the bracelet links something specially fabricated?
Are you using a steel sleeve type insert to slide over the original worn and flat-spotted bracelet pins?
Besides SS and TT are you considering restoring 18K gold bracelets such as the presidents and oysters?
There is obviously a market for this type of bracelet restoration service in the USA, as there are tons of watches out there with worn bracelets and Rolex' M.O. is to sell you a new one at of course an onerous price which many can't afford.
Since you are located in California, business costs are obviously high and especially in the bay area but I am not sure how that compares to that of HK.
This could really take off big if you can make it work and I wish you the best of luck. There are many members here apprehensive about sending their worn bracelets half way around the world for obvious reasons and would be happy to have a USA based alternative.
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Old 7 May 2018, 09:25 AM   #18
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Yes we had it manufactured specifically for Rolex bracelet repair. We only showed one of the 3 tools we currently have with more tools on the way. We have an hydraulic version currently being made that will streamline the process and will deliver a better and more consistent finish quality. We hope this will offset the high cost of labor and overhead in California.

We replace the knurled pins for models that have them. 316L sleeve and/or laser or TIG welding are needed for models w/o them. (Oval Jubilee, folded Jubilee, etc). No plans for solid gold bands at the moment but that could change.

Thanks the feedback has been very good so we will likely offer it as a service for the USA. The work spreads my staff thin so we are accepting bracelets in limited volume for now.
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Old 7 May 2018, 09:38 AM   #19
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1. For a quick quote send us your name and photos of the bracelet via pm or email to contact@sandhillwatch.com

2. After quote send us your name, return address, email and phone # and we email the estimate and our shipping address. We will assign a repair order number (SO#) that will allow us to reference repair notes when the bracelet arrives in our shop. Review the information we have in the quote to checking we have your name, address, email and phone # entered correctly.

3. Leave a note with the SO# in the package.

We are in downtown San Francisco. Not accepting jobs coming from outside of the USA at the moment.
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Old 7 May 2018, 09:45 AM   #20
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New replacement knurled pins for 20mm Rolex bracelets. Most bands require a little more work beyond new fasteners, but once opened up, the old pins can't be used. This will bend and twist in the press tool.




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Old 7 May 2018, 03:24 PM   #21
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Very nice work!
Makes me feel slightly ashamed that we at a RSC cannot do this, only quote for a new bracelet
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Old 8 May 2018, 04:23 AM   #22
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New versus old





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Old 8 May 2018, 07:20 AM   #23
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Some arrive so sloppy its outside the boundaries of our stretch guide.




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Old 8 May 2018, 10:55 AM   #24
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Impressive work
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Old 8 May 2018, 12:33 PM   #25
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Glad to see someone stateside doing this
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Old 9 May 2018, 12:47 AM   #26
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Glad to see someone stateside doing this


Me too. Really looking forward to more before and after pics...




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Old 9 May 2018, 12:48 AM   #27
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OP: Do you only do Rolex bracelets?

Could you restore say, an Omega bracelet?


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Old 9 May 2018, 03:20 AM   #28
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Rolex only for now.
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Old 9 May 2018, 03:26 AM   #29
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Happy to see this. Keep up the good work
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Old 11 May 2018, 12:59 AM   #30
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Glad I checked in here this morning. I have a few bracelets that need a refresh. Will definitely consider this option.
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