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Old 29 September 2018, 06:03 AM   #91
ROLLiWORKS
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Yah this is our struggle at the moment. We're still chasing the volume to make it more practical. At some point we hope to work on 3-4 of the same type of bands at the same time in a more streamline workflow. Doing one then moving to another is not the way to go.

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Originally Posted by Valenciawatchrepair View Post
Just went through this whole post. Great work. I have access to a laser welder and it is a great machine to have when you need it! I've never restored entire bracelets before. But, it has come in handy for many watch related repairs and saved a ton of time.

However, the complete bracelet you restored that took 9 hours...is that economical to do? Seems like it would be pretty expensive. But, I guess still probably worth it to the customer. I do mostly wholesale, so a job like that with a retail markup would probably be nuts.

Again great work! I haven't tackled any repairs this serious, mostly because the customers I have aren't willing to spend enough to repair them.
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Old 29 September 2018, 06:06 AM   #92
Valenciawatchrepair
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Yah this is our struggle at the moment. We're still chasing the volume to make it more practical. At some point we hope to work on 3-4 of the same type of bands at the same time in a more streamline workflow. Doing one then moving to another is not the way to go.
I know how that is. I'm a one man watch repair shop. Mostly wholesale. So, one at a time is always a struggle. I sent an email to you. Who knows, maybe I can send you some work as well. I even have a few partial/broken bracelets here I may either attempt myself, or let you do.

Great work!
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Old 2 October 2018, 02:41 PM   #93
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WOW, looks great!

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Some smoothing and polishing on the polishing lathe. The high polish and brushed finished are applied.

Back to stylin!

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Old 2 October 2018, 09:13 PM   #94
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Has anyone seen this happen before? We purchased this band from a TRF member, it's an easy fix for us. While asking around, no one seemed surprised. One claimed to have seen this many time before. Odd. Personally it's my first time seeing this happen.

It seems these pieces are welded from the factory. You would think this would be milled as a single piece. Nonetheless we fixed this one right up and snapped some photos. Curious how many more of these we will run into in the future.





If I am not mistaken this is a known defect from the M serial numbered watches around 11 years ago now. The first run are the ones that break off like this. I seen a few 2007 GMT bracelets with the same issue.
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Old 2 October 2018, 10:44 PM   #95
Valenciawatchrepair
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Can't believe that is really the way they constructed those. Wow. Haven't seen one in my shop yet though.
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Old 2 October 2018, 11:12 PM   #96
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Some smoothing and polishing on the polishing lathe. The high polish and brushed finished are applied.


Back to stylin!





Wow! Great work on the Sub! Brought it back to original form.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Old 3 October 2018, 12:45 PM   #97
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Yah it's wild how little metal actually holds the clasp the bracelet. But other than the occasional defect, it's surprisingly strong. Oh well if anyone runs into an issue we're here to help.

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Can't believe that is really the way they constructed those. Wow. Haven't seen one in my shop yet though.
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Old 3 October 2018, 12:49 PM   #98
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Yah it's wild how little metal actually holds the clasp the bracelet. But other than the occasional defect, it's surprisingly strong. Oh well if anyone runs into an issue we're here to help.
Cool. I've laser welded stainless. One of the easier metals to weld. The welder I have access to is a table top model. Not much power. But does pretty well with stainless.
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Old 3 October 2018, 01:52 PM   #99
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Beautiful and amazing work! Makes me want to look at older watches now with worn bracelets!
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Old 4 October 2018, 05:53 PM   #100
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Beautiful and amazing work! Makes me want to look at older watches now with worn bracelets!


Haha. Thats one way to find a deal. Either a bad band or a good whamo on the case will scare most buyers away.

Yah laser welding is fairly easy. Much easier than TIG, MIG, or stick welding for sure. Steel is easy gold even easier.


All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.
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Old 4 October 2018, 10:43 PM   #101
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amazing work !!
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Old 4 October 2018, 11:40 PM   #102
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Your work is amazing. I just emailed about a repair to my 5513 folded link oyster. So glad to have an option stateside. Makes me feel more comfortable not sending my bracelet literally across the globe.
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Old 6 October 2018, 10:44 AM   #103
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Anyone have a watch with a diver's extension that won't stay put?


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Old 6 October 2018, 10:48 AM   #104
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Here are the two troubled spots usually to blame.

1. Tabs on the inside of the clasp


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Old 6 October 2018, 10:49 AM   #105
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2. Rivet on center blade of the extension


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Old 6 October 2018, 10:58 AM   #106
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A few laser welds on each side of the clasp builds up the area missing steel to the original height without needing to make exaggerated bends on the tabs or deforming the clasp cover in the process. It's also a repair that will be good for many years.





Now the backside of the extension nests fine. The center still droops. For this we will need to replace the rivet.






We use a cutoff wheel and a punch to remove the old rivet. Lol, sorry rivet off with your head!





One new Rolex rivet pin



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Old 6 October 2018, 11:00 AM   #107
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The some old fashion hammering with a ball-peen hammer and an anvil.







After much banging

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Old 6 October 2018, 11:02 AM   #108
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Back to stylin'




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Old 6 October 2018, 11:34 AM   #109
Valenciawatchrepair
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Not seeing any photos in your last 3 posts. :(
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Old 6 October 2018, 12:10 PM   #110
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Yah photobucket is down. Not sure what their issue is but they've been offline for two days. These new photos are hosting on our website. No issues with hotlinking either.

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Not seeing any photos in your last 3 posts. :(
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Old 6 October 2018, 12:14 PM   #111
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Yah photobucket is down. Not sure what their issue is but they've been offline for two days. These new photos are hosting on our website. No issues with hotlinking either.
Try Imgur. Much better. I've had Photobucket for YEARS. And I made the switch. Photobucket is dead to me. lol
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Old 6 October 2018, 06:13 PM   #112
ROLLiWORKS
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Try it again


A few laser welds on each side of the clasp builds up the area missing steel to the original height without needing to make exaggerated bends on the tabs or deforming the clasp cover in the process. It's also a repair that will be good for many years.



Now the backside of the extension nests fine. The center still droops. For this we will need to replace the rivet.




All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.
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Old 6 October 2018, 06:15 PM   #113
ROLLiWORKS
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We use a cutoff wheel and a punch to remove the old rivet. Lol, sorry rivet off with your head!



One new Rolex rivet pin








All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.
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Old 6 October 2018, 06:16 PM   #114
ROLLiWORKS
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The some old fashion hammering with a ball-peen hammer and an anvil.








All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.
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Old 6 October 2018, 06:17 PM   #115
ROLLiWORKS
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After much banging



Back to stylin






All work done in the good ol’ U.S. of A.
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Old 6 October 2018, 10:22 PM   #116
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Amazing work!
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Old 7 October 2018, 03:03 AM   #117
Valenciawatchrepair
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Do it once, do it right! Great work. I've seen plenty of hack job repairs. Nice to see someone doing it well.
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Old 7 October 2018, 03:48 AM   #118
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Price list some place ? Web site ? Thanks,CJ.
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Old 9 October 2018, 06:53 AM   #119
curmudgeon
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oyster fliplock repair

Interesting thread......about 20 years ago the clasp on my
1675 GMT master (1978) failed right at the hinge pin.....I think the failure is
caused by repeated opening and closing.....a lot of stress when the "click"
happens. I stopped in to Michael's shop in SF and showed him the old school
repair using my oxy/acetylene torch and "Easy-Flo 45" silver brazing alloy,
not pretty but this was before we had laser welding.
I finally replaced it with a service clasp. This is why us old guys are
retired.......we can't keep up with technology.

Cheers.......
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Old 9 October 2018, 08:44 AM   #120
ROLLiWORKS
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Price list some place ? Web site ? Thanks,CJ.
PM us for pricing. Our Website is www.rolliworks.com
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