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Old 23 July 2020, 02:22 PM   #1
Nata
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Shorten My Bracelet Myself?

Hello All

I have a new Date Just 41 with Jubilee. I need to have the band shortened, I've been watching Youtube videos on how to do it. Doesn't look too difficult and I've got good hands and I realize there's always a chance I could damage it.

Should I attempt to do it myself OR Bring it to a service center which is about an hour away?

-If I were to do it myself I would need to get the right screwdriver (not sure the best one to get) and Loctite 222.
--------

Thanks for your feedback

Denton
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Old 23 July 2020, 10:50 PM   #2
HERITAGE82
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Once you get the proper tools there is less chance of you doing damage than anyone else including a service center.
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Old 24 July 2020, 01:42 AM   #3
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Damage occurs when you try to force things beyond what should be necessary.

If the screw does not unscrew with reasonable force, the threads need to be heated above 350 degrees to melt Loctite.
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Old 24 July 2020, 03:18 AM   #4
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Get the correct driver. Use PLENTY of heat to soften the Loctite <like butter> on the bracelet pins. (Do NOT heat the watch head itself!)

Keep the driver square, deep in the slot, and you might use some protective tape (masking) next to the pin to help prevent damage.

After a ham-fisted sales rep damaged my watch bracelet on a watch I had paid for only 5 minutes earlier, I learned to do it myself. It is easy. If you have normal intelligence, this is an EASY task. After the first one, you have all the experience you will ever need.

Folks - stay AWAY from those ham-fisted idiots at the AD's and do it yourself.
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Old 24 July 2020, 04:00 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 214270Explorer View Post
Folks - stay AWAY from those ham-fisted idiots at the AD's and do it yourself.
Plenty of watch owners are ‘ham-fisted idiots’ too. For those people it’s better to let an AD do it, because at least the replacement of the damaged parts it’s the AD’s responsibility.
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Old 24 July 2020, 06:32 AM   #6
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Plenty of watch owners are ‘ham-fisted idiots’ too. For those people it’s better to let an AD do it, because at least the replacement of the damaged parts it’s the AD’s responsibility.
Good point. Some folks just are not as handy as others; I forgot about that.
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Old 28 July 2020, 09:18 PM   #7
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Just heat up the female part as that’s the place where Rolex applied loctite.
Once that is softened easy DIY.
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Old 28 July 2020, 09:20 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by watchmaker View Post
Plenty of watch owners are ‘ham-fisted idiots’ too. For those people it’s better to let an AD do it, because at least the replacement of the damaged parts it’s the AD’s responsibility.
I’m one of those guys Scott ... happy to admit it

I always let RSC or the AD size the bracelet. I’ve never had anything but perfect work done.
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Old 28 July 2020, 09:43 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by watchmaker View Post
Plenty of watch owners are ‘ham-fisted idiots’ too. For those people it’s better to let an AD do it, because at least the replacement of the damaged parts it’s the AD’s responsibility.
I thought you showed commendable restraint there Scott.
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Old 28 July 2020, 10:22 PM   #10
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I would go in as I would want to wear the watch immediately. I would order the right tools to have and I might work on an older watch to practice for next time.
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Old 30 July 2020, 11:32 AM   #11
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Do it yourself. It's incrediably easy. Plenty of literture online to self teach. You got this!
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Old 30 July 2020, 07:35 PM   #12
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It's so easy with the right tools. The Jubilee bracelet is a little more fiddly then Oyster but honestly you can do this yourself. A right screwdriver is key.
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Old 23 August 2020, 05:06 AM   #13
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Very easy to do....just use the right tools, I highly recommend a bracelet block and proper screwdriver, I have a oyster bracelet so not sure if there’s a difference.

I used these and had zero issues:

https://www.esslinger.com/premium-se...ade-in-france/

https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-67...er-tool-block/

And had this on hand if needed but the screws came out fairly easy

https://www.wagnerspraytech.com/prod...t400-heat-gun/
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Old 23 August 2020, 01:28 PM   #14
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All good advice here. I’ve done it myself multiple times.

I have a couple of thoughts on fit and tools here https://www.minus4plus6.com/bracelet.php and here https://www.minus4plus6.com/bracelet_kit.php



~ Sheldon
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Old 23 August 2020, 10:39 PM   #15
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It would appear the OP was “one and done” - never logged back in after posting the question.

But great advice for future readers who deign to go where newbie’s fear to tread.


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Old 22 September 2020, 10:15 AM   #16
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Quote:
Once you get the proper tools there is less chance of you doing damage than anyone else including a service center.
I agree!
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