Is LOCTITE really necessary??

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

In all my years of Rolex dealings, I've taken off a few links for friends with smaller wrists, but I've never had to use LOCTITE to lock the screws in.

I find that while driving the screw home, there is enough friction towards the end to hold the screw very firmly in place. NEVER used LOCTITE.

So just wondering.....is it really necessary?

JJ

PS: Once again....a serious thread. Hijackers and tossers will be banned!!

[DSJ]

Only necessary if they start backing out. A seatbelt is only necessary if you have a collision. I see them both as an extra safety precaution.

[toph]

So whats the weather like over in NZ?

i agree i dont see the need for it either

[dkpw]

After much link fiddling in a short period of Rolex ownership, I've never seen any need for it. The screws on my oyster bracelet have plenty of torque and screw in nice and tightly.

Oh er....

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by toph

So whats the weather like over in NZ?

i agree i dont see the need for it either

Wet and cold......we are on the very onslaught of winter. The South Island is in the grip of a cold-wave with plenty of snow, ice, sleet and blocked roads.

Let's put it this way.....I'm no longer in shorts and singlet!!

[dkpw]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Wet and cold......we are on the very onslaught of winter. The South Island is in the grip of a cold-wave with plenty of snow, ice, sleet and blocked roads.

Let's put it this way.....I'm no longer in shorts and singlet!!

So - much like Scotland in June

[toph]

Originally Posted by dkpw

So - much like Scotland in June

exactly what i was about to say!! it is about 14 degrees Celsius and raining here and it is mid summer nearly- been like this for the last couple of weeks- its terrible

[DCG]

I would always use it just to be sure. If my watch would one day fall off my arm I would be very upset.

[astcell]

JJ, if you run out of LOCTITE you cannot use SHEEPTITE.

[Baptistman]

A little help along the way is always welcome before you insert you use loctite, others use something a little less gripping

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi guys,

In all my years of Rolex dealings, I've taken off a few links for friends with smaller wrists, but I've never had to use LOCTITE to lock the screws in.

I find that while driving the screw home, there is enough friction towards the end to hold the screw very firmly in place. NEVER used LOCTITE.

So just wondering.....is it really necessary?

JJ

PS: Once again....a serious thread. Hijackers and tossers will be banned!!

Not on your watch JJ, the ferret will keep it in place even if you lost the clasp.



Jocke

[harvey]

i could have guessed jj would have asked this lol

for one second i thought he was using loctite to hold sheep down!

[Marrk]

Just an observation:

On my bracelets, all the links that have screws are covered by the clasp when closed. The sides of the clasp would prevent the screws from backing out.

My bracelets have two links removed. JJ may have bracelets with screws not covered by the closed clasp.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

...PS: Once again....a serious thread. Hijackers and tossers will be banned!!

Sorry, JJ. That's not your call, O Great BKL...

BTW, did you know that LOCTITE is a great substitute for K-Y???

[vjb.knife]

The reason for using Loctite other than the obvious (preventing the pins from backing out) is so that you don't need to torque the pins. Every time that you torque the pin past the point of final threading you slightly deform the threads and the thinnest portion of the pin at the bottom of the threads. Torquing the pin down is what holds it in place if you are not using Loctite. Eventually over time if you over-torque the pins they can snap off. If this happens your watch may fall off and you have possibly ruined a link. Careful application of the proper thread-locking material allows you to simply screw the pin in until the threads bottom out without torque application.

I completely disassemble my bracelet once or twice a year for cleaning and refinishing and I use Loctite and feel more secure because of it and know that the pins will last longer as well.

[Clarence]

After my recent sub bracelet sizing shennanigans I noticed TWO screws backing out.

I applied loctite immediately and have not had a problem since.

[FOUNTAIN RACING]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi guys,

In all my years of Rolex dealings, I've taken off a few links for friends with smaller wrists, but I've never had to use LOCTITE to lock the screws in.

I find that while driving the screw home, there is enough friction towards the end to hold the screw very firmly in place. NEVER used LOCTITE.

So just wondering.....is it really necessary?

JJ

PS: Once again....a serious thread. Hijackers and tossers will be banned!!

I have had quite a few Rolex's, and have never used Loctite, and the screws have always held.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Yes, LockTite is VERY important!

Using LockTite is among the DOE's!

Do's:
- Do wash your Rolex periodically - plain soap, soft toothbrush and water will do just fine.
- Do carry out the drying and cleaning process in the safety of your bed - not over bathroom tiles. Murphy is just a handshake away.
- Do try to keep your Rolex away from strong magnetic fields.
- If you lay your watch on the dresser, do keep the dial away from direct sunlight. Over an extended period of time, strong sunlight can fade away the dials.
- At night, do rest your watch on a soft padded cloth on your dresser. Avoid direct contact with another piece of metal or wood.
- If you place your watch flat on its back, dial up, do place a cloth between the caseback and the bracelet.
- Do use Loctite 220 on the bracelet screws so that bracelet does not accidentally come off. There are enough horror stories about people that have lost their watches because of loose screws. Rumor has it that Rolex uses Loctite 220 as well.
- Do make sure that the crown is screwed in at all times.
- Do wear your Rolex as often as possible.
- Do get your Rolex serviced every 5 years. Hopefully from a certified Rolex watchmaker. We can help :)
- Do buy your Rolex from people that actually care about and understand Rolex watches. It's generally a fun hobby that has a tendency to turn into a good investment. Plan on spending your money wisely.
- Do remove your watch before playing Golf, Squash, or Tennis. Your 'Train' may get knocked out of sync.

Don't's:
- Don't use chemicals to clean your Rolex. It doesn't matter how effective the chemicals are in cleaning any other household dirt or grime.
- If you watch has stopped, don't violently shake your watch. Nice and soft swirls, just like swirling a fine red wine in a wine glass, to get the rotor moving will do the trick.
- Don't overtighten the crown. You don't need to. The seal inside the crown has been designed to sit on top of the stem and form a perfect hermetic seal against all natural elements. The more you tighten it, the greater the pressure exerted on the seal which will eventually break with the pressure against the top of the steel stem... eventually losing its efficacy as a waterproof seal.
- Don't worry about scratches on your Rolex. Scratches give it character.
- Don't worry if you should or should not remove the hologram on the caseback. Eventually, it will come off.
- Don't fret about your Rolex gaining or losing 2 seconds every month.
- Don't open up the crown more times than necessary.
- Don't use anything stronger than Loctite 220 to ensure that the bracelet screws stay in place.
- Don't buy your Rolex from fleabay. Plan on spending your money wisely.
- Don't polish the center links on SS watches to make them look like something they are not. It's tacky, please don't do it.
- Don't wear short-sleeve shirts in the middle of winter to show-off your Rolex. You'll catch pneumonia.

(Source).

[wust588]

I've removed screws from 2 new Rolex's and there was no evidence of Loctite. I've not had any come loose yet .I think that anybody having screws come out may find that they were not tightened up properly.
The risk is someone using the wrong type of Loctite, and shearing off screws.
If I was tempted to use anything, it would be a tiny smear of silicone sealant.
In the wrong application Loctite can be a menace.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by vjb.knife

The reason for using Loctite other than the obvious (preventing the pins from backing out) is so that you don't need to torque the pins. Every time that you torque the pin past the point of final threading you slightly deform the threads and the thinnest portion of the pin at the bottom of the threads. Torquing the pin down is what holds it in place if you are not using Loctite. Eventually over time if you over-torque the pins they can snap off. If this happens your watch may fall off and you have possibly ruined a link. Careful application of the proper thread-locking material allows you to simply screw the pin in until the threads bottom out without torque application.

I completely disassemble my bracelet once or twice a year for cleaning and refinishing and I use Loctite and feel more secure because of it and know that the pins will last longer as well.

You make a very good point there. Never looked at it that way before. Even thought it is something that is not done too often in most cases for the long run it is a perfect strategy.

[sea-dweller]

I've never had to use it in the 14+ years that I've owned a Rolex.

[unclesallie]

i'm in a silly mood, so i won't reply at all to this 'serious thread' and the only thing 'tight' that interests me, is welll..
best,
dan

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

i'm in a silly mood, so i won't reply at all to this 'serious thread' and the only thing 'tight' that interests me, is welll..
best,
dan

oh my....

[mailman]

Anybody seen my pen

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

i'm in a silly mood, so i won't reply at all to this 'serious thread' and the only thing 'tight' that interests me, is welll..
best,
dan

[BLM2]

Yes. My wife has a small wrist. The AD removed a link from her Presidential braclet. About 4 months later, she went to place it on one day and the braclet came apart in her hand where the link had been removed. Ever since, I take her new watch to RSC and have them take out links as necessary. Not worth the risk of having another braclet come apart.

Lee

Lee

[stevemulholland3]

never used it-never will!

[JCLZ]

If Rolex use it on the screws, then it has to be something important. When I had one link removed from my LV, I noticed that the AD did not put loctite back. I was worry if that part was important so I went to talk to the person who sold me the watch and he says that it was important to have loctite. He took it to the repair man and he put back the loctite. Take your Rolex to your AD. They should put loctite at the spot and no extra cost.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi guys,

In all my years of Rolex dealings, I've taken off a few links for friends with smaller wrists, but I've never had to use LOCTITE to lock the screws in.

I find that while driving the screw home, there is enough friction towards the end to hold the screw very firmly in place. NEVER used LOCTITE.

So just wondering.....is it really necessary?

JJ

PS: Once again....a serious thread. Hijackers and tossers will be banned!!

Considering the source, that is a complete oxymoron.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Wet and cold......we are on the very onslaught of winter. The South Island is in the grip of a cold-wave with plenty of snow, ice, sleet and blocked roads.

Let's put it this way.....I'm no longer in shorts and singlet!!

Thank heaven for small favors. May the weather stay that way for a long time.