loose bracelet screws

[standingup]

For some odd reason, recently two screws became loose fell out. Fortunately it happened in our kitchen and I noticed it right away. It appeared to be random… my watch, which is a GMT Master, is carefully looked after and not worn at night. I had a jeweller put them back and tighten all the others, which were slightly loose. He said he thought it was common as when the bracelet is moved around, the screws can turn. How could this happen?

[JohnBaker3]

The srews are like all others on the planet: vibration and movement can make them back out....

Solution: use Loctite 222 on just the threaded holes.

I'm surprised that your watch makers didn't mention this...

[Tools]

Your Jeweler should not have tightened all the others.

The screws do not actually tighten against anything, they are simply studs that are threaded in and the bracelet "floats" on them. To keep them in place they should have a drop of low strength loc-tite on the threads

By tightening those other screws you have broken the loc-tite bond and now they may be more easily unscrewed too.



(seriously though, backing out screws are not a major problem and easily taken care of if you routinely check them)

[skprd13]

Hey Larry,
Just wondering are you then saying that the other screws installed by Rolex have Loctite applied at the factory? Just asking because you said the watch maker should not have tightened the other screws.
Mahalo from Kauai,
Tom

[Tools]

Originally Posted by skprd13

Hey Larry,
Just wondering are you then saying that the other screws installed by Rolex have Loctite applied at the factory? Just asking because you said the watch maker should not have tightened the other screws.
Mahalo from Kauai,
Tom

Yes, Rolex would have put loc-tite on the threads of all the removable screw-bars.

If you break that loc-tite bond, then the screws should be removed, cleaned off, and new loc-tite applied. Loose screws seem to be more common on the newer solid links because they create more friction to turn the screws.

(but as I also implied, many, many bracelets go decades without any loc-tite and do not have issues.)

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Tools

Yes, Rolex would have put loc-tite on the threads of all the removable screw-bars.

I failed to mention that LocTite 222 (and 221) are heat sensitive. It softens the adhesive and allows the screw to be removed for changing the bracelet size or repairs.

If you try to remove a screw that has been properly treated, there is a high probability that you will gouge the screw head slot....ask me how I know

Life is good.

[77T]

Originally Posted by standingup

For some odd reason, recently two screws became loose fell out. Fortunately it happened in our kitchen and I noticed it right away. It appeared to be random… my watch, which is a GMT Master, is carefully looked after and not worn at night. I had a jeweller put them back and tighten all the others, which were slightly loose. He said he thought it was common as when the bracelet is moved around, the screws can turn. How could this happen?

If your GMT was acquired as a pre-owned watch - or if you had work done on it in the past - there is always a chance the loctite was long gone by someone else fiddling with the screws.

It's an easy DIY fix - any hardware store has the loctite and you can see "how to" info in the Watch Tech or Reference Library sections of TRF or YouTube.

[lhanddds]

Can't remember which Loctite to use. I remember someone used the strong stuff and really had some problems. Maybe someone remembers.