Broken bracelet advice!

[vcnyls]

The oyster bracelet on my 1675 broke today - well, it didn’t break exactly but seems to have loosened and come apart... FORTUNATELY, this happened when I took it off and was putting it down and not when I was wearing it so it didn’t fall or anything!

Any advice on what to do? Honestly, if this wasn’t such an expensive piece I’d put some padding around it and use some needle nose pliers to bend it back to shape - looks like it just opened up. But... I’m cautious to do that for obvious reasons. Any thoughts??

[crowncollection]

that's what you need to do, bend it back, use pliers with rubber/plastic tip to avoid damage

[zapokee]

Send it off to the LA guys. It's a simple and cheap fix, but only if you know what you're doing.

This isn't a candidate for self-dentistry. If you eff it up and end up losing the watch due to an insecure bracelet just to save a few bucks, you'll never forgive yourself.

[Tools]

Not sure that I would use needle nose pliers.

But it looks like a pretty simple hammer and flat-blade fix.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by vcnyls

The oyster bracelet on my 1675 broke today - well, it didn’t break exactly but seems to have loosened and come apart... FORTUNATELY, this happened when I took it off and was putting it down and not when I was wearing it so it didn’t fall or anything!

Any advice on what to do? Honestly, if this wasn’t such an expensive piece I’d put some padding around it and use some needle nose pliers to bend it back to shape - looks like it just opened up. But... I’m cautious to do that for obvious reasons. Any thoughts??

Probably an easy DIY fix. Can you post a profile pic of the bent piece?


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[Ssunnylee24]

I’d concptact Rolliworks.

[214270Explorer]

That 1675 is too valuable to risk a DIY repair - UNLESS you know what you are doing.

(what zapokee says in his post is perfect advice)

Bending it back MIGHT stress it enough to crack it and cause a later failure. (That is why you should get a professional's input on this)
.
IMHO for what that is worth - spend the bucks and get the bracelet done right so you do not have another YET next-time potential watch-damaging accident.

But that is just me.

[Toxicant]

The Macgyver in me would bend it back, it opened up for a reason. Bending it back will just weaken the link.

Send the bracelet off for repairs, buy a nice NATO or park it in the safe.

Frankly it's just silly to wear these watches :)

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by Tools

Not sure that I would use needle nose pliers.

But it looks like a pretty simple hammer and flat-blade fix.

Yes, I would use a plastic head hammer with the bracelet held in a rubber jaw vice if you are handy with repairs on small items. If not, off to the Doctor.

[77T]

I’d fix it.

The clasp seems to be from 1996 (V mark?) hard to read in your pic.

If true and the fix isn’t up to par, you could source another era correct clasp methinks.

If it was my 1675, I’d be also looking at the wear and tear of the links to see if some pins appear to be worn out. If the clasp piece bent so much, there could be some other critical pets ready to fail.


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[TimeLord2]

I would just tap it back into place. However, like other recommendations perhaps it's time for a full rebuild of the bracelet as it does look a bit stretched. Your choice California or Hong Kong. Good luck.

[vcnyls]

Thanks all. I contacted Rolliworks and just heard back with a few questions. I’ll let you know what they say!

As for the clasp, it says VB on it. Not sure what that means. Was sold to me as being all original by a very reputable seller so I’d be really surprised to hear it’s not period correct for a 1979 1675. You tell me though!

[vcnyls]

Oh and while I’m at it I’m going to have Rolliworks tighten up the whole bracelet. It’s my daily wear and I plan to continue wearing it for a long time so might as well make sure it’s all set!

[vcnyls]

Just heard back from Rolliworks. They can fix it easy. Phew!

[77T]

Originally Posted by vcnyls

Thanks all. I contacted Rolliworks and just heard back with a few questions. I’ll let you know what they say!

As for the clasp, it says VB on it. Not sure what that means. Was sold to me as being all original by a very reputable seller so I’d be really surprised to hear it’s not period correct for a 1979 1675. You tell me though!

Ah then clasp is era correct. In some databases that means 1977-78. Also, the clasps were made and put in bins to be added to bracelet sides back in the days when production volume was lower. Not unusual for a clasp code to be older than a watchcase serial number.

All these databases have some self-reported error rates so there is a bit of sloppiness the further back we go in time.

Glad you’re getting the whole thing rebuilt. I just thought, gee if he bends it back and then goes fishing then a link pin might be next thing to go bad at the worse time.


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[vcnyls]

Makes sense. Thanks for the info.

Yeah, I’m happy that I’m going to have it all locked down so I can go back to wearing it. Just feeling lucky it didn’t fall off me somewhere and break (or worse - get lost)!

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by vcnyls

Just heard back from Rolliworks. They can fix it easy. Phew!

Right choice. Well done.