loose screw

[palmpalm]

This screw keeps loosening and coming out. I bought the watch from an AD a year ago. I keep screwing it back in and it keeps coming out. Is this normal? My AD says he can loctite it in. Is that the right solution?

[subtona]

Loctite makes things right.

But,
I would start with a brand new screw, its an easy thing to change & its possible the screw or link are bad, if the new screw sorts it= great, if not you know where the problem is, a link is about $50, maybe the AD will make it right?

In short, lock tite is great but it is not common for a screw to keep backing out... I also have read several threads with similar problems there regarding early releases of the new style clasps.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by palmpalm

This screw keeps loosening and coming out. I bought the watch from an AD a year ago. I keep screwing it back in and it keeps coming out. Is this normal? My AD says he can loctite it in. Is that the right solution?

That screw is known to back out on the new solid link bracelets.. There is a lot of friction against it from the movement of the bracelet halves..

Loc-tite is supposed to be used.. It is not a "solution", it is the design criteria..

[Mickyfin]

Loctite 222 is what you need.

[subtona]

My mistake, that is not a replaceable link, it is a fixed part of the clasp...

Loctite loctite loctite

Either way, for me, seems like a design fail.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by palmpalm

My AD says he can loctite it in. Is that the right solution?

Here's what Rolex uses:

[fisherman79]

I just borrowed a bit of nail polish from my wife. It does the job very well.
But Loctite can do the same job as nail polish does.

[palmpalm]

thanks guys!

[subtona]

loctite comes up every now and then and often is accompanied by misinformation and confusion.
in this thread we have two types recommended and although both will do the job and are far better than the other alternatives, one is stands out as being better for our purposes here in the world of watches.

according to the specs and info offered, i interpret it this way, also had some other reading i based my opinion on:
Loctite 221 is preferred for watches, it requires a higher torque to break it free.

Loctite 222 is preferred for model planes and such, it has a higher elasticity but a lower torque value to break the thread, it fares better with regards to vibrations and softer metals.

its a case of the right tool for the right job.
in both cases we are dealing with the appropriate compound for small screws, which is most important, other versions of loctite will not be as effective or will get things really stuck.

[dysondiver]

good info , there are lots of loctite versions , a bottle may be dear ,,, but it will last the rest of your life if its only used on watch screws , infact , it may last the rest of several lives ,,,, dont just buy the cheap generic copy thread loc , you may never get things apart again ,,,, ever ,,,, as mentioned , a drop of nail varnish does welll and can be undone ,,, another tip , clean both the thread and hole with nail varnish remover to get rid of grease etc , it will let the locking solution get a key.

[Cc1966]

I use 221 or 222, both work fine for small diameter threads.

[Wrist Candy]

I've always used 222 just because that's what I had in the tool box. Just out of curiosity what color is the 221 loctite?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Wrist Candy

I've always used 222 just because that's what I had in the tool box. Just out of curiosity what color is the 221 loctite?

from what i read it is the same purple color.

fyi i couldn't find 221 available here in the USA so i ordered the 222 ($6)… previously, i have been using another brand and never was sure if it was the most effective option but it never caused me any issues so I continued.

[Wrist Candy]

Originally Posted by subtona

from what i read it is the same purple color.

fyi i couldn't find 221 available here in the USA so i ordered the 222 ($6)… previously, i have been using another brand and never was sure if it was the most effective option but it never caused me any issues so I continued.

Thanks. I noted when I bought my Sub C in 2010 that the screws were secured with a white colored product with a very similar consistency to Loctite. I have not seen this white colored product sold aftermarket so possibly it is something that Rolex has developed & only uses in house.

Maybe Authorized Rolex Service Centers use it as well?

[cop414]

I've used several types of locktite on things that go bang and it appears to dry as a white almost paste like consistency no matter which strength that I've used. I believe that Locktite is the brand that Rolex supplies with the bracelet resizing kits as posted in the picture in reply #6 above.

[Wrist Candy]

Originally Posted by cop414

I've used several types of locktite on things that go bang and it appears to dry as a white almost paste like consistency no matter which strength that I've used. I believe that Locktite is the brand that Rolex supplies with the bracelet resizing kits as posted in the picture in reply #6 above.

Interesting. I have never had any of the loctite's that I use change color from their original installation colors. i.e. red, blue, green. I have never used the 222 that comes supplied with the Rolex kit so will need to get some & see if it is indeed purple as Subtona has mentioned.

Also found these links which might be of use to some. The second link does state that the 222 is purple.

http://www.henkelna.com/industrial/L...olor-14023.htm

http://henkelna.com/us/content_data/...ide_032010.pdf

Need to clarify: The Rolex kit supplies 221 not 222 & I usually use 243 Blue. The 221 is not even listed in the Loctite chart so possibly it is the mystery white thread lock that I am looking for. Maybe Rolex is the only group that gets to purchase 221

[rmfnla]

Some additional info:

Screws stay tight due to friction. In a "normal" sized fastener (3/8", 1/2", etc.) there is a specified torques that actually stretches the bolt slightly, pulling the threads together and keeping it from backing out.

Watch band screws are too small to torque enough to accomplish this, so a thread locking compound provides the needed friction by sticking the threads together.

IMPORTANT: Apply the compound to the female threads in the link, NOT to the screw itself, otherwise you could have a stiff link.