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Old 6 October 2009, 05:31 AM   #31
BondandBigM
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Before anyone jumps to conclusions you cannot tell from the picture whither the joint (is it spot welded ????) failed due to a manufacturing fault or some sort of mechanical damage. It would take a much closer and detailed inspection of the actual bracelet to confirm exactly what the problem was.

B.
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Old 6 October 2009, 07:02 AM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BondandBigM View Post
Before anyone jumps to conclusions you cannot tell from the picture whither the joint (is it spot welded ????) failed due to a manufacturing fault or some sort of mechanical damage. It would take a much closer and detailed inspection of the actual bracelet to confirm exactly what the problem was.

B.
well, if you look CLOSELY you can see a "weld" dimple point on the pin housing section, thats a clear "tell" that this is indeed how this IS assembled...
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Old 6 October 2009, 07:07 AM   #33
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Originally Posted by nylawbiz View Post
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.
yeah, a free polish and nato.
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Old 6 October 2009, 07:08 AM   #34
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This pin housing is still intact...
The picture on the right I clipped from Tools...
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Old 6 October 2009, 07:15 AM   #35
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sorry to hear that..glad that is still under warranty..for sure ask for polishing it..
good luck
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Old 6 October 2009, 08:05 AM   #36
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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

actually the thing is spot welded to the hinge blade not clasp housing
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Old 6 October 2009, 08:15 AM   #37
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Sorry to hear that Brian and glad everything will get resloved.

Hopefully this is an isolated incident.

As far as the bracelet goes, I loved how Rolex over-engineer these new bracelets but looking at the schematics and what has happened, there are too many parts to the bracelet that will fail.

Interesting on what will happen over the course of the years as these watches meet the real world.
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Old 6 October 2009, 08:31 AM   #38
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well, if you look CLOSELY you can see a "weld" dimple point on the pin housing section, thats a clear "tell" that this is indeed how this IS assembled...
Went and got my glasses, can see the pictures better know.

It would still require a closer look and somebody that knew what they were looking at to see why it failed. Of course it's possible that there is a manufacturing fault but I wouldn't automatically assume that to be the case.

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Old 7 October 2009, 10:37 PM   #39
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Well, the GMT IIC is being sent Rgistered Mail to RUSA today. I received their return kit yesterday by Fedex overnight. When I know that they received it (via tracking) I'll give them a phone call, ansd lay on the 3rd degree :).

Brian
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Old 8 October 2009, 01:15 AM   #40
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Went and got my glasses, can see the pictures better know.

It would still require a closer look and somebody that knew what they were looking at to see why it failed. Of course it's possible that there is a manufacturing fault but I wouldn't automatically assume that to be the case.

Nice glasses, you shuld be able to see the stress fractures in your hinge pin anchor points with that quite easily. Put a diaper on before you use the 100x !
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Old 8 October 2009, 08:46 AM   #41
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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.
Thanks for your good words. When's the next GTG?
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Old 8 October 2009, 08:58 AM   #42
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Rolex will sort it for you Brian, and luckily just an inconvenience and nothing more.

I tend to agree with those that have marvelled at the design of the bracelet but have concerns that it is overly complicated. Despite frequent poo-pooing for it's "cheapness," the Oyster bracelet is time tried and time tested, with low failure rates. Of course possibly the safest thing for our watches is also the cheapest, the NATO.

Good luck Brian and keep us updated.
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Old 8 October 2009, 09:29 AM   #43
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$30.00 to send it registered mail.
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Old 11 October 2009, 02:46 AM   #44
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Just read this thread....whoa.Sorry too hear Brian, I was seriously considering buying the GMT IIC, now I see that is a deffinite design flaw.Please let us know how it turns out,and post some pics of "the fix".Im really curious on how they're going to fix this problem(the part should be machined out of a solif piece of metal, I totally agree with previous poster).Thanks
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Old 11 October 2009, 04:01 AM   #45
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Nice way to drop / lose a watch!
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Old 11 October 2009, 04:26 AM   #46
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Just read this thread....whoa.Sorry too hear Brian, I was seriously considering buying the GMT IIC, now I see that is a deffinite design flaw.Please let us know how it turns out,and post some pics of "the fix".Im really curious on how they're going to fix this problem(the part should be machined out of a solif piece of metal, I totally agree with previous poster).Thanks
i must have missed the design flaw. what is it? the only other one i remember reading about breaking on this forum was involved in a violent car accident. if i remember correctly in was found laying in the floor of the car all pitted from shattering glass.

mine is 2 years old this month, i wear it everyday and i work with my hands. it works just as well as the day i bought it and just as well as my new daytona.
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Old 11 October 2009, 05:27 AM   #47
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I saw this one time before in Holland, just the same problem.
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Old 11 October 2009, 08:57 AM   #48
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I dont know why rolex would change their design from daytonas clasp, which seemed to have a solid machined part, not spot welded.
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Old 11 October 2009, 10:07 AM   #49
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I dont know why rolex would change their design from daytonas clasp, which seemed to have a solid machined part, not spot welded.
I guarantee you some kid thought it wuld b cheaper to make it that way !
Funny thing, the coronets have been fallen off Super Jubilees left and right too.
I tellya, there's something wrong goin on over there on Rue Francois Dassaud 3-5-7 !
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Old 11 October 2009, 10:42 AM   #50
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Wow I great thread guys. I don't know what to say. I was going to buy this one second thoughts now.
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Old 11 October 2009, 12:50 PM   #51
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Update: Yesterday (Friday) Rolex service called to tell me that the watch arrived, and that a technican will be looking at it and they will get back to me Monday.

Is it the consensus of the board that the spot welds failed?
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Old 11 October 2009, 12:57 PM   #52
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I'll wear mine in the ocean still, but will refrain from boogie boarding with it on after seeing these pics! Ouch!
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Old 12 October 2009, 10:43 AM   #53
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Here is an image showing a better angle on the problem. I do not know where i found this image, and initially, I thought this was from a fake clasp, but after seeing nylawbiz' image, maybe this problem is a little more prevalent.

-Sheldon
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Old 12 October 2009, 11:11 AM   #54
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Here is an image showing a better angle on the problem. I do not know where i found this image, and initially, I thought this was from a fake clasp, but after seeing nylawbiz' image, maybe this problem is a little more prevalent.

-Sheldon
Excellent find. It would appear that ROLEX has a recall to do. I can count already on a single hand the frequency of occurances of this "catastrophic" failure to be way too many for a bracelet commanding the price it does, in just this year alone.

IMO this should be either a "pressed" or at least, "casted/machined" blade section and not a welded piece, though seemingly of tested integrity, it now shines doubt on the assemblies integrity. I would urge caution in wearing this bracelet as it does NOT exude confidence !

Nuff said !

Thanks Sheldon for the find.

Randy
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Old 12 October 2009, 11:21 AM   #55
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i think before we jump to conclusions and use words like 'catastrophic' and 'recall' - we need to get some numbers. i scour the forums quite regularly, and can't say that i've heard of more than 2 or 3 of these types of failures.
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Old 12 October 2009, 11:58 AM   #56
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Why not "catastrofic"??It is a catastrofic failure, when an aircraft wing developes a crack in the spar,or an engine mount fails, .... thats a catastrofic failure.When a $7k watch falls off your wrist in to the ocean thats a catastrofic failure, at least to me or some folks.I'll tell ya, Im seriously reconsidering buying one now,especially when one cant really wear it in confidence and not thinking "when is this thing gonna hit the ground".A recall is the most logical thing to do for rolex.What was wrong with daytonas system?Or the old "tin" clasp(I've been wearing an old gmt for 13 years with out any issues).True the new clasp seems to get a big fan following, but whats wrong with "tried,tested and true"system.Perhaps the newly out of school engineers and designers impressed the hell out of the old fellas at rolex with the new bracelet(and it is nice no doubt), but ill tell ya, those old boys are'nt gonna be impressed when customers start losing those fantastic watches due to a stupid spot weld that could have been avoided all together.
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Old 12 October 2009, 01:19 PM   #57
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A recall is the most logical thing to do for rolex.
sounds good. can't wait for my new bracelet.
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Old 12 October 2009, 01:28 PM   #58
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lol



Quote:
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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.
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Old 12 October 2009, 01:32 PM   #59
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sounds good. can't wait for my new bracelet.
me to, mine has a couple of years of scuffs and scratches. it needed to be polished anyway. my daytona is still ok but i will take a new one anyway.
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Old 12 October 2009, 03:44 PM   #60
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Is the glidelock clast on the new subs welded like this? It might be a reason to get an old sub...
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