The unofficial Rolex Band Restoration Manual

[Rolex33020]

What is the best method for shipping a band to you from the US? USPS, UPS?

[JCW1980]

Originally Posted by Dr DRW

Interesting
So I assume one must ship their bracelets to Hong Kong, is there anywhere domestic in the US that does this type of work. Finally...how much does it cost to tighten up a typical 10 link 93150
Great pics by the way.

I remember some discussion about this somewhere, and I believe there is someone in Florida, but the consensus was that MY does the best work.

Originally Posted by SUBversive

Anyone have an opinion as to the
shipping insurance value of a SS sub bracelet?

I asked the same question before sending mine. I sent a 78360 and insured it for $650, which was the max USPS would do for international. I would've done $800, but FedEx was quite a bit more expensive - as in $110 versus $50 via USPS. I figured if it was lost, $650 would get me close enough; with a little money added, I could get a NOS condition 78360.

Originally Posted by Rolex33020

What is the best method for shipping a band to you from the US? USPS, UPS?

The above is the route I took for shipping.

[McDuff]

Originally Posted by classicwatchparts

Thanks, that's exactly why I don't mind posting it, otherwise there will be competing services popping up all over.

It is not exactly rocket science but like a wood worker, this takes some training and experience to get it done to a level that you can charge people for it.

But I would like forum members to have a go with some spare links they have to fiddle with to get a feel of whats been done to their bands and remove and replace a link without having it to be sent half way around the world.

Anyway if there's a failed project, we should still be able to restore it , so don't be so worried. That's how I got started with this bug

You mean like this -






One of the knurled pins sheared right at the joint between the end and center link. I brought it to a recommended jeweler, who did a less than stellar job. In fact they did nothing but stick an ordinary watch pin in the link and call it good. I used a carbide burr in a Dremel to drill out the remains of the old pin



Here is the bracelet back together




Its a 93160A bracelet on a 16600 SD...






Andy

[HogwldFLTR]

Such a great thread; it really shines the light on bracelet repair.

[seattleal]

Another MY restoration - got it back today!

Before and after:

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Originally Posted by classicwatchparts

The looseness is not the center piece of the link stretching, it mainly comes from the inner pins wearing the center link becasue it is hollow. After thousands of times of grinding the pins becomes thinner and the link wears thinner at the inner exteremes. Worst cases is that there is too much slack and the links starts to move, then it grinds into the corners of the center link. So in very worn bands you will see the center links with chamfered corners.

This was a great thread.

I wonder if MY or someone else with some expertise could comment on the possibility of the newer Rolex bracelets with solid links stretching with time and use. If the main cause of bracelet stretch is the friction between the inner pin wearing the hollow link (as stated above), have the new solid links eliminated this problem? I understand that stretching isn't nearing as bad as with the old style hollow center links, but is the possibility still there?

[RolexN]

How are you all removing the band before sending to MY? I wouldn't know what to do and don't want to risk damaging the watch.

[dunajska]

Has anyone had recent success with communications with Michael Young? I sent him an email nearly two weeks ago inquiring about the process to restore my two-tone jubilee bracelet, time to perform the restoration, costs, etc. However, I have yet to receive any response.

[Dries]

Thank you for sharing Micheal

[omitohud]

His response is a bit slow but he always answer my emails. Wait for it


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[seattleal]

Originally Posted by dunajska

Has anyone had recent success with communications with Michael Young? I sent him an email nearly two weeks ago inquiring about the process to restore my two-tone jubilee bracelet, time to perform the restoration, costs, etc. However, I have yet to receive any response.

He always answered me within a few days, but sometimes the incoming emails would be in my junk folder - have you looked there?

[bubbaK]

I had very good and quick communication with MY fairly recently!

[cajuntiger]

I have a newly restored MY bracelet for my 5513, and its so stiff I can use it for a stand for the watch :)
Is that normal? Will it loosen up sooner rather than later?

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

I have a newly restored MY bracelet for my 5513, and its so stiff I can use it for a stand for the watch :)
Is that normal? Will it loosen up sooner rather than later?

Wow! That's tight!


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[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by bubbaK

I had very good and quick communication with MY fairly recently!

Me too; looking to send a watch and another bracelet to him for repair. Will ship both this week using USPS.

[broulstone]

Just received a SS bracelet from Michael. Great job.before and after pics to follow.

[dainese]

Overall a great experience with MY.

Communication excellent. Polite and responses within the same day, basically within hours. Regular updates.

Was quoted ~8 weeks for repairs but was pleasantly surprised with a ~4 week turnaround.

Fedex return was 4 days to Sydney, Australia (including a weekend).

A world of improvement with the bracelet.

Stretch between all links has been tightened. polish, brushing reinstated. Deeper gouges were unable to be removed as expected.

The only negative for me were the machine marks left on the underside of the bracelet. They are unseen when worn and only on the underside.

My 93150 was in shocking condition. It still rattles like hell but it is expected from this I believe.

















Redone:

[dunajska]

Originally Posted by dunajska

Has anyone had recent success with communications with Michael Young? I sent him an email nearly two weeks ago inquiring about the process to restore my two-tone jubilee bracelet, time to perform the restoration, costs, etc. However, I have yet to receive any response.

Sent my original email inquiry to MY on July 14th. Never heard back. Just sent it again.

I'm curious, does anyone know if MY is actually taking gold out (especially with two-tone bracelets)? I sincerely hope you are receiving back the full weight of your band...

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

I have a newly restored MY bracelet for my 5513, and its so stiff I can use it for a stand for the watch :)
Is that normal? Will it loosen up sooner rather than later?

there's no pleasing some people…

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

there's no pleasing some people…

re·store verb \ri-ˈstȯr\

: to return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.

I don't think it looked like this in 1969

this is after wearing it everyday for 3 weeks.

[iclick]

I had my 93150 band and 93160 clasp restored by MY several months ago and he did a great job (thread). I had no trouble shipping the watch via USPS Priority with insurance going and FedEx with no insurance on the return trip. The total time was 30 days, much quicker than MY's estimate and my expectations. I preferred Registered Mail but was told by the post office that it was not available to Hong Kong.

I recently recommended MY to a friend and he sent his TT Jubilee band to him a month ago. USPS tracking showed it processing in Mexico several days after dropping it off at the post office and then tracking stopped. Exactly 32 days en route and after he started processing an insurance claim it arrived in Hong Kong. Because of this incident I would recommend that you cover yourselves when shipping to and from MY by using a carrier that allows full insurance as an option. AFAIK USPS/EMS is the only such option. This will probably slow the package delivery and will cost more, but you are covered in case your expensive band disappears.

I also wonder if might be a good idea to disguise the addressee. E.g., instead of "Classic Watch Repair," which flagrantly promotes the likely contents, use "CWR" or simply "Michael Young." Many mail-order retailers, like camera equipment, abbreviate their names in this manner.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by iclick

I had my 93150 band and 93160 clasp restored by MY several months ago and he did a great job (thread). I had no trouble shipping the watch via USPS Priority with insurance going and FedEx with no insurance on the return trip. The total time was 30 days, much quicker than MY's estimate and my expectations. I preferred Registered Mail but was told by the post office that it was not available to Hong Kong.

I recently recommended MY to a friend and he sent his TT Jubilee band to him a month ago. USPS tracking showed it processing in Mexico several days after dropping it off at the post office and then tracking stopped. Exactly 32 days en route and after he started processing an insurance claim it arrived in Hong Kong. Because of this incident I would recommend that you cover yourselves when shipping to and from MY by using a carrier that allows full insurance as an option. AFAIK USPS/EMS is the only such option. This will probably slow the package delivery and will cost more, but you are covered in case your expensive band disappears.

I also wonder if might be a good idea to disguise the addressee. E.g., instead of "Classic Watch Repair," which flagrantly promotes the likely contents, use "CWR" or simply "Michael Young." Many mail-order retailers, like camera equipment, abbreviate their names in this manner.

Excellent; I'm looking at sending a watch to MY for repair.

[iclick]

Regarding the last paragraph in my post above about disguising or otherwise changing the Classic Watch Repair company name in some way on the address label, it would be a good idea to clear this procedure with MY beforehand, as we wouldn't want to confuse the carriers, cause issues with customs, etc.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

I don't think it looked like this in 1969

I know what restore means, mate.

I think it probably looked more like it does now, in 1969, than it did when you sent it in for repair. to you as well.

[up2nogood]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

re·store verb \ri-ˈstȯr\

: to return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.

I don't think it looked like this in 1969

this is after wearing it everyday for 3 weeks.

I'm guessing the significance of the 'joking' emoticon was lost here?

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by up2nogood

I'm guessing the significance of the 'joking' emoticon was lost here?

Exactly, and there's some truth in it, since most would be pleased with a tightly restored bracelet, which will OBVIOUSLY loosen up again with some wear. No use if it's loose when you get it back.

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by up2nogood

I'm guessing the significance of the 'joking' emoticon was lost here?

Guys I was joking too...lighten up.

but regarding the restore, this is way too tight. The links overlap, frankly this is a poor job. When new the links are loose, not jammed up against each other and misaligned. If most would be pleased with this, more power to them...but imo its a poorly done job. I have plenty of others that were done correctly.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

Guys I was joking too...lighten up.

but regarding the restore, this is way too tight. The links overlap, frankly this is a poor job. When new the links are loose, not jammed up against each other and misaligned. If most would be pleased with this, more power to them...but imo its a poorly done job. I have plenty of others that were done correctly.

fair enough - I wasn't aware of overlap/misalignment...

[dunajska]

Originally Posted by dunajska

Sent my original email inquiry to MY on July 14th. Never heard back. Just sent it again.

I'm curious, does anyone know if MY is actually taking gold out (especially with two-tone bracelets)? I sincerely hope you are receiving back the full weight of your band...

I'm receiving zero response from Mr. Young in Hong Kong. I also do not know how he can tighten the band without taking out significant amounts of gold. I don't feel comfortable to send my band overseas for months.

Does anyone else have other suggestions for band restoration? Perhaps here in the US?

[Floorguy]

Months?? Michael had my tt jubilee done in 4 weeks!