What the ffff - new Rolex bracelet detached

[LuxLemon]

Watching a show on my couch and I go to sit up and hear a familiar jangle of a watch hitting the floor. My comfort quickly dissipated as I realize this was not my Seiko 5 SNFZ17 but in fact my three week old BLNR. Did I take it off and set it on my lap and forget about it? No. Picked it up and the links were detached just above the clasp. Seemed that one of the screw pins came out which caused the bracelet to detach and my watch to head straight for the floor. Lucky enough it landed on carpet and I was able to find the small link screw but what a near heart attack. Had I been walking down the street, on a train, swimming, literally on anywhere but carpet at my home for sure the link pin would have been gone and possibly the BLNR.

I’m going to go to the AD tmrw and have him tighten all the screws but any thoughts here? This incident definitely shakes my confidence in wearing the piece

[ozwatchguy]

Tell them to make sure they put loctite this time

[Rocket_Man]

Who sized the bracelet? There must not have been any loctite on the screws. The screws are not held in place by tightening them, they are really just pins with threaded ends. If there is no loctite, the movement of the links can back out the screw. It takes time to happen. The screw probably have been working loose for awhile. Easily fixable. Hopefully the watch did not get dinged when it hit the floor.

[Tools]

periodically checking the screws is good insurance.

[subtona]

Take a picture of the screw heads before and after. RSC used an axe head on my bracelet screws.

[wisguy]

I've had 15+ Rolex watches in my life, I size my own watched and never used loctite, never had any issues.

Have I been lucky or us wis are too obsessive about this topic?

[ppalasthira]

Never had that issue.

Hope you get it sorted out soon.

Lucky you, it landed on the carpet.


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[bayerische]

Originally Posted by wisguy

I've had 15+ Rolex watches in my life, I size my own watched and never used loctite, never had any issues.

Have I been lucky or us wis are too obsessive about this topic?

Same here. But it happens.

[LuxLemon]

Thanks for the suggestion guys. I’m fairly rattled. This past weekend I decided to leave my watch at home for a Vegas weekend trip - just had a funny feeling that “you never know”. Would’ve never thought the pin would come out after 8 wears and with the state I was in during the weekend and crowded locations - it probably would have been as good as gone.

Has this happened to anybody else?

[365DAS]

As mentioned already, there was probably no loctite used


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[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by wisguy

I've had 15+ Rolex watches in my life, I size my own watched and never used loctite, never had any issues.

Have I been lucky or us wis are too obsessive about this topic?

I don't use Loctite. I do periodically check the tightness of the screws. Never had a problem. That said, a couple days after I first had the bracelet sized, one of the screws did start to work loose. Luckily, I discovered it before it came out completely. After I tightened it down, the situation has not repeated. I suspect the watchmaker just wasn't as careful as he needed to be, and I suspect OP's mishap is due to the same reason. Loctite might result in added assurance, but I don't think it's strictly necessary if the OP checks the screws from time to time.

[Kostas]

I’ve had a screw start unscrewing on one of my stainless pieces , why wouldn’t rolex issue a @use loctite” instruction if this is even a remote possibility

[Rocket_Man]

Originally Posted by Kostas

I’ve had a screw start unscrewing on one of my stainless pieces , why wouldn’t rolex issue a @use loctite” instruction if this is even a remote possibility

They do.

[rod442]

I'm going to go through checking the watches I have as soon as the proper size tool I ordered comes in. Do they use normal blue Loctite?

EDIT - it appears they use 222 or purple.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by ozwatchguy

Tell them to make sure they put loctite this time

Better still do it yourself on every screw. That’s the only way you’ll know it’s been done.

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by Tools

periodically checking the screws is good insurance.

This x2

[Jim Smyth]

Originally Posted by subtona

Take a picture of the screw heads before and after. RSC used an axe head on my bracelet screws.

[fsprow]

When using Loctite, be sure to use numbers 221 or 222, the purple Loctite. It holds tight but it is much easier to remove it than the blue, number 242. Also, when applying it use something like a toothpick to apply it to the threads in the link rather than smearing it on the pin itself. That also will make it easier to remove. Good luck.

[Wizardly]

Originally Posted by fsprow

When using Loctite, be sure to use numbers 221 or 222, the purple Loctite. It holds tight but it is much easier to remove it than the blue, number 242. Also, when applying it use something like a toothpick to apply it to the threads in the link rather than smearing it on the pin itself. That also will make it easier to remove. Good luck.

Was just going to ask what type is best. TY.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by subtona

Take a picture of the screw heads before and after. RSC used an axe head on my bracelet screws.

I do this with all my flashlights when I take them in to have new batteries installed.

Seriously, this is a task best done at home by yourself. Nobody else cares about your watch as much.

Proper screwdriver, lecture, lighted magnifier.

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[amh]

Do yourself a favor and get a set of nice screwdrivers. German or Swiss. And some blue loctite.

And why was the sound of the watch hitting the floor "familiar"

[RJK]

Originally Posted by rod442

I'm going to go through checking the watches I have as soon as the proper size tool I ordered comes in. Do they use normal blue Loctite?

EDIT - it appears they use 222 or purple.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

I also don’t use loctite, but as an alternative you could just use clear nail polish. It works just as well, and I’m sure your significant other has some in her drawer. Just like loctite, you just need a touch.

[RJK]

OP, don’t take it to the AD, just do it yourself. That way you know it’s done correctly.

IIRC, all you need is a 1.6mm Bergeon style screwdriver. If you’re really worried about scratching your bracelet, just put a small piece of clear tape over the screw and the screwdriver will cut through the tape allowing you to tighten down the screw but protect everything else around the area.

[Bigblu10]

If you clean your watch on a regular basis, when drying it just inspect all the bracelet pin heads that they are flush and not sticking out. Very simple to do and takes little time. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[Bxtek]

Wow, pretty scary alright! I'm glad to hear that it fell onto the carpet and there was no loss or damage. I've heard other stories of screws loosening up. Every time I put my watch on, I take a quick look to see if any of them are backing out. Definitely get yourself a nice set of screwdrivers as others have also recommended.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by rod442

I'm going to go through checking the watches I have as soon as the proper size tool I ordered comes in. Do they use normal blue Loctite?

EDIT - it appears they use 222 or purple.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

221 or 222 depending what is available to you.

Hollow ground screwdriver. Tip does not come to a point, it is flattened and as a result wider. When inserted in the slot there is less wiggle room and less slippage.

With the right tools the job becomes very easy and less prone to the lackluster service from the cavemen at the AD.

If DIY, do one link at a time. Be sure to use the screw that was matched to that link and especially sure to keep the links in their original order. All links are not created equal and changing the order can cause binding or stiffness between mismatched links.

[Boaters]

I personally don't like or use Loctite. I look at my watches and check the pins on a regular basis, never had a problem

[LuxLemon]

Thanks all! I really appreciate it. Will look into a proper tool and take periodic safety measures.

While I’m at it (and going to the AD in the meantime) - when it was sized I have four links on one side of the bracelet and 7 on the other side. Is this common? I would have anticipated 5 and 6 respectively but maybe this was done to mitigate the effects of desk diving?

[Watchie]

Originally Posted by wisguy

I've had 15+ Rolex watches in my life, I size my own watched and never used loctite, never had any issues.

Have I been lucky or us wis are too obsessive about this topic?

It has happened to me, too, but only with the newer, solid link bracelets. For whatever reason the screws can and will back out if no Loctite is applied.

[MinMay]

That's why the older watches 4 and 5 digit series are made with bullet proof :)