Another thread on damaged bracelet screws, along with a possible bit of link damage

[mkmk]

None of my Rolex either past or present have had these marks. I'm surprised RSC would try to claim this . I could see an AD doing it to cover his rear but I would think RSC would be above this type of garbage.

[RC2]

Ask for some new screws and do it yourself. AD are clueless. Amazing to see such a hack job.


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[Boaters]

I would never let anyone size my watches do yourself a favor buy the proper tools and do it yourself it is simple.

[lamnyc]

Everyone that I know who had their bracelet sized by AD has damaged screws. None of the owners cared so I kept quiet. I personally would never let any AD sized my watch.

[Dancing Fire]

Originally Posted by Boaters

I would never let anyone size my watches do yourself a favor buy the proper tools and do it yourself it is simple.

Exactly!, I adjusted the bracelet on my wife's new DJ and I don't even know what I'm doing. There shouldn't be any damage to screws if you use the correct size screwdriver. ...just be careful.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by 77T

I didn’t see OP mention that - were you inferring it from his photo’s?

Even if they are TT links, it’s the same SS caps that contain the gold center links.


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Perhaps its easier on the screen I'm using but you can see the gold center links

Yes, its the same SS end pieces on each link, but its not a simple case of buying a couple of inexpensive links to fix the issue, and RSC will not split links to fix that - they will simply supply only the entire link

[Richard Carver]

C'mon, sack up, it's a screwdriver and a screw.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKNcV8KK04o

https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-59...et-with-stand/

[agentsmith350]

Ok so little update on this -

Just had a call back from the guy i have been dealing with at RSC who has been awaiting the case manager inspecting the watch following its light polish to these two links, and comparing it to two new links.

There decision is still that they are not damaged and is how a new watch would be sold , despite the two new links they checked not having the marks...

Apparently service links are finished differently as appose to the full bracelet that is finished as one piece and needing the tooling to do it which is what the so called cut outs are from.

I think that is absolute rubbish to be honest but there isn't really anywhere for me to go from here.

Im awaiting the watch returned to me, all I can think to do is write to head office but i really cant be bothered with it all anymore.

I hoped i would have got a picture from when i first got it that shows it was ok before but sods law have every angle but , this is the closest but dont think its clear enough that they would accept as proof ( ignore the protective stickers ).






Compared to how it is now -





Yet RSC say no damage has been done and its how it would be in the shop window , I think they just dont want to admit any damage was done at an approved dealer imo.

Disgusted at this to be honest especially from Rolex.

[Bigblu10]

Just read through your thread. Yeah, that's a funny one..."tooling marks", from the factory.
Biggest crock of BS I ever heard. So the bracelets on brand new watches have blemishes? Fake news!

[mobster600]

I did this to my screws, there is loctite on the screws from the factory. + wrong screw driver = me saying, dag-nabit LOL

I don’t mind, I’m more concerned with the top side

[agentsmith350]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Just read through your thread. Yeah, that's a funny one..."tooling marks", from the factory.
Biggest crock of BS I ever heard. So the bracelets on brand new watches have blemishes? Fake news!

Yup thats what they are trying to convince me ! , Despite ;

- The links in there stocks do not have these "cut outs"

- The "cut outs" happen to only be on the two links the AD adjusted.

- In 3 different AD's I could not find one watch with these "cut outs"

- I posted on both this forum and the facebook group and every person said
they did not have this on there watch from new ( odd one had similar that
was also damaged by their AD).

I feel like I am having to prove to them there is a problem despite it being obvious to all of us , but dont know what else I can do at this point.

[HERITAGE82]

Pretty obvious that the AD used a screwdriver that was too wide and not flat ground. Your AD should be the one replacing the links. Sorry to hear that you have gotten nowhere with RSC.

Rolex really doesn’t care about its customers.

[steverandy]

I also resized my bracelet recently, and ended up with similar damage. I actually think they are cuts or scratches. I don't think a screwdriver tip can cut steel that deep. If it happened because of the screwdriver tip, it would likely be a shallow scratch.

I think it's because rolex uses loctite that is too hard and when you unscrew the first time it creates this kind of warped damage to the link. If you look at the smaller screw hole on the other side, you will notice a similar damage.

I've heated the link and it didn't help much. I wonder why rolex still uses this kind of screw for their bracelet. I feel you should not need a screwdriver to adjust a bracelet (other brand has done this).

[214270Explorer]

Typical ham-fisted sales associates <most likely> who damage watches and have no business doing these tasks in the first place.
Been there, done that, NEVER again!
I have a sales associate who hates my guts now because he got dinged for damaging a very expensive watch. He turned into a huge baby about it, too.

And that is why we all need to do this ourselves. It is not difficult, just a bit of care is required - plus the proper tools (and maybe practice on a junker watch.)


P.S. "Looked at by a specialist . . . manufacturing marks" - that is a huge load of feces. It is a disingenuous attempted cover-up.

[HideMyWalletPlease]

Oh geez. I honestly have never looked at the sides of my links or screws on the 3 Rolex watches I currently own. I will say I’ve been absolutely surprised by how fast they remove and add links at the AD. I’m honestly scared to look now.

[Richard Carver]

The ironic part of taking your multi-thousand dollar watch back to the AD for bracelet sizing it's usually the lowest ranking SA that gets stuck on sizing duty.

The watchmaker can't be bothered with this silliness so it gets passed down the line to Chuckles, the new guy to fumble around with your watch until he's scratched enough of them and he finally learns how to do it. By that time the new girl , Scratcheete, is on the job.

An AD should never be allowed to touch your Rolex again after the initial sale. You would think they are staffed with compassionate professionals who care about your expensive property, you'd be wrong in most cases.

Go to eBay and buy a good quality aftermarket bracelet like the one on your watch, jubilee or oyster. Buy a Bergeon screwdriver of the poper size, (1.6mm?). buy the proper type Loctite aand practice until you don.t screw it up any more. Buy some of that blue painter's tape, fold it over the screwdriver blade, trim it, that will prevent the SD from slipping out and marring your expensive Rolexian steel.

[Rogerab]

Have a watch bracelet changing block and several right sized screwdrivers. Always do my own. I also don’t use loctite and periodically check screw heads for tightness. They will protrude a bit before getting anywhere near where the could fall out. A good SA does not mean they have the dexterity for small detail mechanics. An ADs service person should, but why take chances.

[Mendota]

Some people recommend the Horofix tool, which has heads that look different from the Bergeon heads. Is there a difference? The Bergeon heads taper up the shaft from the tip like normal flat head screwdrivers, but the Horofix tool has a uniform thickness for the entire tip, like a straight wall, and then it turns into the shaft. Is the Horifix style better for ham fisted newbies while the Bergeon would be OK for gentle handed and experienced people?

[doboy007]

Originally Posted by steverandy

I think it's because rolex uses loctite that is too hard and when you unscrew the first time it creates this kind of warped damage to the link. If you look at the smaller screw hole on the other side, you will notice a similar damage.

I've heated the link and it didn't help much. I wonder why rolex still uses this kind of screw for their bracelet. I feel you should not need a screwdriver to adjust a bracelet (other brand has done this).

Never had any problems gently heating and applying steady pressure to unscrew the screws on several Rolex bracelets. You're either not heating it up enough or your tool isn't ideal or not applying even steady force.

[doboy007]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Some people recommend the Horofix tool, which has heads that look different from the Bergeon heads. Is there a difference? The Bergeon heads taper up the shaft from the tip like normal flat head screwdrivers, but the Horofix tool has a uniform thickness for the entire tip, like a straight wall, and then it turns into the shaft. Is the Horifix style better for ham fisted newbies while the Bergeon would be OK for gentle handed and experienced people?

Get the Bergeon head type (hollow ground). Search on google what those look like for those who haven't seen one.

[HideMyWalletPlease]

I guess I’ve been lucky. My watches have only been sized at the AD and all look brand new.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Some people recommend the Horofix tool, which has heads that look different from the Bergeon heads. Is there a difference? The Bergeon heads taper up the shaft from the tip like normal flat head screwdrivers, but the Horofix tool has a uniform thickness for the entire tip, like a straight wall, and then it turns into the shaft. Is the Horifix style better for ham fisted newbies while the Bergeon would be OK for gentle handed and experienced people?

Might help to specify which Bergeon screwdriver you mean. I have a full set of theirs but they are worthless for bracelets, mine are intended to be used on movement screws which are much lower torque and have different head profiles. The screwdriver width is only part of the equation, you really need a hollow ground (T-shaped) profile that is vertical along the edge that touches the screw slot, not angled and thus providing very limited contact.

I also have the Horofix which comes with 2 T tips and 1 pin tip. It is a very secure fit for both the Oyster and Jubilee screws.

I spent a LOT of time on this drawing, hope it helps...

screw.png

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

Might help to specify which Bergeon screwdriver you mean. I have a full set of theirs but they are worthless for bracelets, mine are intended to be used on movement screws which are much lower torque and have different head profiles. The screwdriver width is only part of the equation, you really need a hollow ground profile that is vertical along the edge that touches the screw slot, not angled and thus providing very limited contact.

I spent a LOT of time on this drawing, hope it helps...

Attachment 1246558

Ha ha! Amazing CAD skills!

I think I'm going to get the Horofix tool that everyone has been having luck with. Seems like a great option.

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