Polish or Laser Weld?

[FL2024]

I have this little flea bite on the lug edge. Pretty small but it's there. If I send to RSC would they be able to blend/file/buff this out through polishing?

OR does this absolutely need laser welding?

I only go through RSC for repairs and service. I know there are reputable 3rd party repair and service places but this is a personal preference. However, I understand RSC in the United States does not do laser weld..

I assume these lug edges are a very common place for these flea bites/ nicks to occur. I imagine RSC refinishes tons of watches like this and they come back looking pristine again with their shape retained.

When I service, can I have confidence that RSC won't butcher this?

[FL2024]

.

[jgottsman11]

For something like that i would send to rolliworks or zimmerman watch repair. i dont believe rolex laser welds and i would hate for them to round that lug off

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by FL2024

I have this little flea bite on the lug edge. Pretty small but it's there. If I send to RSC would they be able to blend/file/buff this out through polishing?

OR does this absolutely need laser welding?

I assume these lug edges are a very common place for these flea bites/ nicks to occur. I imagine RSC refinishes tons of watches like this and they come back looking pristine again. When I service, can I have confidence that RSC won't butcher this?

I would just live with this, its not worth worrying about, your watch is going to be exposed to many a knock and bump whilst on your wrist so leave it, get on with life and enjoying your watch. in 10 years or so when you take it for service you can have all the marks removed.

[FL2024]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

For something like that i would send to rolliworks or zimmerman watch repair. i dont believe rolex laser welds and i would hate for them to round that lug off

You really think something this small would cause a rounded out lug? I'm sure RSC receives thousands and thousands of watches with these marks and many of them return without being rounded out...

Laser welding is a major operation and should only be done when absolutely necessary...

[Harry-57]

I've got a couple like that on my BLRO. I expect it will get a few more. When it needs a service I will enquire about refinishing but until then I will happily live with it. The problem with dings and scratches is they never end unless you put the watch away and don't wear it. Murphy's Law dictates that as soon as you get it back it find something else to collide with.

[Ravager135]

A small dent like that is not something I would repair. I am all for polishing watches at service time, but a dent that small is not something I'd lose any sleep over. In fact, knowing it was laser welded would bother me more than living with such a minor minor blemish.

It's near impossible to find any vintage watch worn regularly that doesn't have very small imperfections such as this.

[FL2024]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

A small dent like that is not something I would repair. I am all for polishing watches at service time, but a dent that small is not something I'd lose any sleep over. In fact, knowing it was laser welded would bother me more than living with such a minor minor blemish.

It's near impossible to find any vintage watch worn regularly that doesn't have very small imperfections such as this.

Good point.

Do you think when it is time for service because of this the lug will become ruined from polishing?

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by FL2024

You really think something this small would cause a rounded out lug? I'm sure RSC receives thousands and thousands of watches with these marks and many of them return without being rounded out...

Laser welding is a major operation and should only be done when absolutely necessary...

ok you just answered your own question then. close the thread.

[FL2024]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

ok you just answered your own question then. close the thread.

I am making an educated guess, I don't have experience to know for sure.

[brandrea]

Am I the only one curious why Rolex doesn’t laser weld?

[FL2024]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Am I the only one curious why Rolex doesn’t laser weld?

Yeah I don't get it either. Especially when AP does it

[cdmorenot]

I've owned every variant of the Explorer. I picked up a used 39 many moons ago that went through RSC for a ding similar to yours and even though the seller insisted that the watch was flawless, I could clearly see where the ding had been polished. There is nothing I dislike more than the distortion/indentation created by a polished ding. I prefer the look of the ding but if I ever decide to fix, it won't be through polish and I'd go through to get filled and then polished ZWW.

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Am I the only one curious why Rolex doesn’t laser weld?

Interesting because if I recall, Bas has posted photos of laser welding at his location in Europe.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

Interesting because if I recall, Bas has posted photos of laser welding at his location in Europe.

A North American thing then?


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[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by brandrea

A North American thing then?


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I believe that RSC in Germany or Belgium also don’t laser weld.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

I believe that RSC in Germany or Belgium also don’t laser weld.

Maybe Bas has gone rouge


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[Pepperjack]

Originally Posted by brandrea

A North American thing then?

The NY facility definitely does laser welding; when I toured their facility I believe they had two jewelers who did that at the time (among their other responsibilities). I don't know if other facilities have welders or not.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Pepperjack

The NY facility definitely does laser welding; when I toured their facility I believe they had two jewelers who did that at the time (among their other responsibilities). I don't know if other facilities have welders or not.

Interesting… I would have been surprised if RSC didn’t laser weld.


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[londondude]

Originally Posted by brandrea

A North American thing then?


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RSC in London also don't laser weld. It's actually very annoying, I don't understand why they don't do it.

[rockysw]

I would just leave it be. Dings and scratches are part of owning a watch. And you can get it serviced as and when the time comes.

[Gearjockey]

This was similar to your damage.
Laser weld-$150. Good as new
I couldn’t stand looking at it, especially knowing that I had caused the damage.

Look for a local laser weld. There are plenty around.




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[FL2024]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

This was similar to your damage.
Laser weld-$150. Good as new
I couldn’t stand looking at it, especially knowing that I had caused the damage.

Look for a local laser weld. There are plenty around.




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does it leave a scar behind? where it was filled. Can you tell?
Or is it like it never happened?

[Gearjockey]

Originally Posted by FL2024

does it leave a scar behind? where it was filled. Can you tell?

Depends on the polish after weld. Obviously that’s dependent upon the polisher skill. In this case there was absolutely nothing to suggest that it was other than original-904L steel, which it was.

[FL2024]

can I ask you where did you have this done?

[Gearjockey]

An independent welder-polisher located near Chicago. Across the border in Iowa.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Yes. I would laser weld this.

[Brit78]

For small nicks like that, RSC can usually blend and polish it out without needing laser welding. They handle these common issues often and should retain the watch's shape. If you prefer RSC, you can have confidence in their work. Just mention your concern when you send it in.

[FL2024]

Originally Posted by Brit78

For small nicks like that, RSC can usually blend and polish it out without needing laser welding. They handle these common issues often and should retain the watch's shape. If you prefer RSC, you can have confidence in their work. Just mention your concern when you send it in.

Thank you for your advice. You just gave me the confidence I was hoping for. I will probably go that route. I really appreciate it.

[hutch300]

If I was you I would have Zimmerman handle it at your next service. Small stuff but easy fix at service.