Rolex Daydate Case thread issues

[subgmt]

Dear Expert,

Recently bought a rolex daydate for my dad in another forum. The Rolex daydate was send to Rolex Center for verification. After that the Rolex center mentioned that eveything is genuine but the caseback cannot be close as the thread is damaged.

Replacing the case thread would be to replace the whole case and caseback which will cost my arm and leg.

Can this be repaired? Now there is no waterproofing. Very sad...

[Cc1966]

I believe that Michael Young (classic watch repair) has successfully re-cut cases/fixed casebacks on gold DD's. I would shoot him an email.

http://www.rolexforums.com/member.php?u=93514

Because MY is in Hong Kong, you should only send the case of the watch, as importing Rolex watches into the U.S. is illegal. Do some research here at TRF, as multiple indie watchmakers are touted; perhaps one in the States would do the job for you instead of going the MY route.

[timelord]

Originally Posted by subgmt

Dear Expert,

Recently bought a rolex daydate for my dad in another forum. The Rolex daydate was send to Rolex Center for verification. After that the Rolex center mentioned that eveything is genuine but the caseback cannot be close as the thread is damaged.

Replacing the case thread would be to replace the whole case and caseback which will cost my arm and leg.

Can this be repaired? Now there is no waterproofing. Very sad...

I had a similar problem with one of mine that I purchased from a ""reputable dealer"" . I had mine repaired by a master watch case maker in Benevento Italy who specialised in gold watch cases and made gold cases for various watch companies. Sadly he closed down in 2007. Mine wasn't that bad as he retapped mine and was able to be screwed smoothly as if it never had a problem. Good news for you is that I discovered another guy who is a thread specialist in Florida named Wuischpard who I know is very reasonable in prices and also honest. Michael Young is also very good and will do whatever he can to help you as he has a passion for watches and is not neccesarily about money.

As for waterprooffing, it is a catch 22. Depending on the heat dispersed on the watch case, regardless of whether it is laser welded or blow torched, you will always risk compromising distortion in the case as gold is very soft. I would not risk dipping your hand in your kitchen sink while washing the dishes after you get it back.

Most Day Dates and gold models I have come across all have had problems with threads where some have even used car gasket goo to close them together and all sorts of devious methods to con the buyer.

As for RSC, I would not even attempt to haunt myself in contemplating to ask them - not even for a joke, unless you want to have a triple scotch after you get their quote.. If you only knew what they quoted me for a mid case in SS, will make you see a clear blue sky Jet Black. Might be cheaper to replace a Porsche. I don't believe that they are in the business of saving pre-owned watches, as every pre-owned watch saved is one less sold new, so be prepared to be hit by an avalanche if you want to go down that path.

As a word of warning, one of the most overlooked section of a gold case is the opening on where the case tube is screwed in. Some watchmakers are unaware that in that section the case tube is threaded in and not friction pressed like most other brands. I have one very nice DD that has this problem where the original 6.0mm case tube was ripped out instead of being unscrewed. No gold smith that I have approached will accept the job unless I am willing to compromise water resistance as there will always be some distortion in the case. I posted my problem a few weeks ago in this thread http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=333591 with out any success!!!

Good luck and let us know the verdict

[Lgear080]

Michael young or potentially abc watch works.

Either should have you set.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by subgmt

Dear Expert,

Recently bought a rolex daydate for my dad in another forum. The Rolex daydate was send to Rolex Center for verification. After that the Rolex center mentioned that eveything is genuine but the caseback cannot be close as the thread is damaged.

Replacing the case thread would be to replace the whole case and caseback which will cost my arm and leg.

Can this be repaired? Now there is no waterproofing. Very sad...

Have you asked the seller if he will stand behind his product..?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by subgmt

. . .

Can this be repaired? Now there is no waterproofing. Very sad...

Yes, it can likely be repaired using several different methods.

Give Bob Ridley a call at www.Watchmakers.com in Texas. I know that he has done such restoration on badly corroded early SS cases and would expect that he could work on precious metals as well.

[timelord]

Originally Posted by rmfnla

Have you asked the seller if he will stand behind his product..?

How would one prove that seller is responsible?.

The seller, as in my case said that it was in perfect order when he sold it to me. His comments were that he could not take responsiblity of what happens once it has left his hands, especially when you take it in to someone else to get it opened and he could argue that it could have easily been damaged by them. I gave up on my situation when I was sold a dud when advertised as "near mint"

You are virtually playing cat and mouse games As for buying the seller and not the watch, well that can also be a myth. Just my 2 bobs worth!!!!!

[subgmt]

I got a watchmaker to force close it and he told me not to open it again. Hopefully forever.

Rolex service center will ruin it and quote for new case. I guess it works now. To tell the truth, this problem arise after a verification at rolex service center in Asia.

Thanks for your advice. I be carefully in future when dealing in gold watches. It gets distorted easily and you are right about this. Actually rolex service center forced open it for inspection as I saw that the back case was badly scratched and due to just verification, they wouldn't care.

As for seller, once they collect your money.....most wouldn't own up that this watch has this inherent problem.

Originally Posted by timelord

I had a similar problem with one of mine that I purchased from a ""reputable dealer"" . I had mine repaired by a master watch case maker in Benevento Italy who specialised in gold watch cases and made gold cases for various watch companies. Sadly he closed down in 2007. Mine wasn't that bad as he retapped mine and was able to be screwed smoothly as if it never had a problem. Good news for you is that I discovered another guy who is a thread specialist in Florida named Wuischpard who I know is very reasonable in prices and also honest. Michael Young is also very good and will do whatever he can to help you as he has a passion for watches and is not neccesarily about money.

As for waterprooffing, it is a catch 22. Depending on the heat dispersed on the watch case, regardless of whether it is laser welded or blow torched, you will always risk compromising distortion in the case as gold is very soft. I would not risk dipping your hand in your kitchen sink while washing the dishes after you get it back.

Most Day Dates and gold models I have come across all have had problems with threads where some have even used car gasket goo to close them together and all sorts of devious methods to con the buyer.

As for RSC, I would not even attempt to haunt myself in contemplating to ask them - not even for a joke, unless you want to have a triple scotch after you get their quote.. If you only knew what they quoted me for a mid case in SS, will make you see a clear blue sky Jet Black. Might be cheaper to replace a Porsche. I don't believe that they are in the business of saving pre-owned watches, as every pre-owned watch saved is one less sold new, so be prepared to be hit by an avalanche if you want to go down that path.

As a word of warning, one of the most overlooked section of a gold case is the opening on where the case tube is screwed in. Some watchmakers are unaware that in that section the case tube is threaded in and not friction pressed like most other brands. I have one very nice DD that has this problem where the original 6.0mm case tube was ripped out instead of being unscrewed. No gold smith that I have approached will accept the job unless I am willing to compromise water resistance as there will always be some distortion in the case. I posted my problem a few weeks ago in this thread http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=333591 with out any success!!!

Good luck and let us know the verdict

[subgmt]

Same problem here....always the sane seller story.

Originally Posted by timelord

How would one prove that seller is responsible?.

The seller, as in my case said that it was in perfect order when he sold it to me. His comments were that he could not take responsiblity of what happens once it has left his hands, especially when you take it in to someone else to get it opened and he could argue that it could have easily been damaged by them. I gave up on my situation when I was sold a dud when advertised as "near mint"

You are virtually playing cat and mouse games As for buying the seller and not the watch, well that can also be a myth. Just my 2 bobs worth!!!!!

[subgmt]

Thank you. Will visit Michael young when I am ready to open the case again. Hate to open this can of worms and couldn't close it.

Originally Posted by Cc1966

I believe that Michael Young (classic watch repair) has successfully re-cut cases/fixed casebacks on gold DD's. I would shoot him an email.

http://www.rolexforums.com/member.php?u=93514

Because MY is in Hong Kong, you should only send the case of the watch, as importing Rolex watches into the U.S. is illegal. Do some research here at TRF, as multiple indie watchmakers are touted; perhaps one in the States would do the job for you instead of going the MY route.

[dysondiver]

every time i think im ready for an all gold watch , a thread like this turns up ,,, hope you get a good result in the end.

[timelord]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

every time i think im ready for an all gold watch , a thread like this turns up ,,, hope you get a good result in the end.

I look at it as Devine intervention. If I had only taken this sort of hunch when I made decisions by letting my heart rule my head, I would not be in such of life's mess.

Good reason to belong to such a forum so we can share our experiences and not repeat other people's mistakes

[rmfnla]

Not a bad idea to ask the seller to open it up so you can verify it's a genuine movement.

Then if the back won't go back on it's the seller's problem, not yours...

[timelord]

Originally Posted by rmfnla

Not a bad idea to ask the seller to open it up so you can verify it's a genuine movement.

Then if the back won't go back on it's the seller's problem, not yours...

as the seller can take all the time he likes to make it hold or force it on somehow, especially when you are not there to see for yourself. The buyer has already mentioned earlier that his watchmaker had to force it on to close it.

My advice, is keep away from these gold models if you are not there in person to see for yourself unless you are buying new. Gold is way too soft for these sorts of risks. My opinion only!!

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by timelord

as the seller can take all the time he likes to make it hold or force it on somehow, especially when you are not there to see for yourself. The buyer has already mentioned earlier that his watchmaker had to force it on to close it.

My advice, is keep away from these gold models if you are not there in person to see for yourself unless you are buying new. Gold is way too soft for these sorts of risks. My opinion only!!

We agree.

My point was to be there while the seller removes and reinstalls the case back; I can't see spending that kind of money without being 100% sure...

[dysondiver]

platinum is tough stuff though ,,,, oh dear ,,, lol ,,, best i keep saving

[timelord]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

platinum is tough stuff though ,,,, oh dear ,,, lol ,,, best i keep saving

Platinum, Titanium and Aluminium are the worst offenders with threads as they are all prone to galling which is even worse than what is discussed here.

If Platinum threads aren't lubricated properly with Fomblin or silcone grease, they have a tendency to cold weld when pressed together during closing and opening. Once this happens the case needs to be cut open and a new back is needed, so it might be cheaper to stay with the gold situation here, as re tapping threads would obviously be cheaper.

My dream watch without such hassles is one with a Platinum midcase and a gold back which would probably cost about the same as a small apartment

Keep saving and I am sure that such money would be better spent towards purchasing a house. LOL !!!!!!!!!!

[rmfnla]

Stainless steel has been known to gall as well...