Not another post about AD scratching screws/links!

[Skavary]

Greetings Fellow TRFers:

I’ve been reading a few posts recently about how some AD’s scratch up links and damage screws when resizing a bracelet. So lo’ and behold - I looked at my own bracelet and I noticed that I belong in that camp as well.

It’s been like 3-4 months since I’ve purchased my sub, so I’m not even sure if my AD would believe me if I brought it up to them?

Is this sort of thing just to be expected as part of the experience of buying a Rolex at an AD? I just don’t get it? Is it within tolerance as part of procedure? How many of you have just swallowed the pill and not said anything?

I’m just tempted to just accept it at this point. Tired of having to deal with these sorts of issues.

Please see pics for reference.

[Boaters]

Wow i would be pissed no excuse for that.

[JoseR]

Wow, seems to me they didn't use the right size screw driver. You would think the AD would know exactly what tool to use and be more careful when handling someone else Rolex. I've been to the local AD which I never purchased from to get two of my Rolex sizes and the AD told the person that was going to do it which screw driver to use on the DJ. Never got damaged...and I didn't purchased it from them, also, no charge...

[donut]

Yes they should be more careful when working on watches. My watch has this type of scratch too (ExII).
The way to get over it is to think that at least they didn’t scratch my watch case or bezel, which is harder to replace than bracelet or screws / links.

[fsprow]

I always insist on sizing myself when I get home and use the Bergion 1.7mm screwdriver to do so. Then use a drop of Loctite 222 on the female screw threads. Never a problem.

[David5807]

Youch!

[donut]

Originally Posted by fsprow

I always insist on sizing myself when I get home and use the Bergion 1.7mm screwdriver to do so. Then use a drop of Loctite 222 on the female screw threads. Never a problem.

That’s good. I might need some practice.

[Bigblu10]

Those pin slots are really mangled. If the AD had a proper hollow ground screwdriver and a bracelet holder and proper training this crap wouldn't happen.

[Skavary]

Do you guys recommend I bring it up to the AD? I mean it’s been 4 months, I don’t even know if they’d believe me. It’s ridiculous.

[Chewbacca]

Looks good.

[Onikage]

Wow. Pic #2 is disgusting. Sorry OP. Some people really are that $#;+. It's just a screw really I wouldn't bother but I'd never let them handle anything again and consider further purchases liberating these poor creatures from those savages.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Skavary

Do you guys recommend I bring it up to the AD? I mean it’s been 4 months, I don’t even know if they’d believe me. It’s ridiculous.

Unfortunately too much time has passed and you should have inspected the watch in detail upon taking delivery. Best you can do now is have the AD order you some replacement pins. Buy yourself a Horotec hollow ground screwdriver online. Replace the damaged pins yourself. It is an easy DIY task.

[Nikrnic]

Not the end of the world but I'd be pissed too. Who cares how long it's been, you just noticed it. I'd at least show it to them and ask if you can get a new screw and they would probably help you out.
And yes, buy your own tools.
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[Skavary]

Each screw is not specific to each link, right?

[MasonDixon]

Originally Posted by Skavary

Is this sort of thing just to be expected as part of the experience of buying a Rolex at an AD?

It certainly shouldn't be. The staff should be taught how to do it properly.

[kauffee]

I have a very slightly mangled screw on my first Rolex and I watched the AD use the correct screwdriver. He’s a pretty big guy and it took all his strength to get the screw to turn. He commented “They put so much loctite on these.”

The problem is not the screwdrivers. Every AD should have the correct one. The problem is they don’t heat the bracelet to loosen the loctite and then they need a lot of torque. Even with the correct screwdriver, I watched that torque mangle a screw head.

PSA: tell your ADs to heat the bracelet before attempting to remove screws. If they don’t, take your watch and do it yourself. After you heat the loctite the screws come out very easily.

[Patton250]

Your AD should take care of that. I don’t care how much time passed. Mine would. They were the last ones to touch it.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by kauffee

tell your ADs to heat the bracelet before attempting to remove screws.

I'm not sure suggesting the use of fire to these monkeys is wise.

[kauffee]

[Rags]

Wow that would piss me off..

[214270Explorer]

Yeh, back in Oct 2019 the ham-fisted SA totally mangled my brand new Sky-Dweller.

I was Soooo p!$$ed of . . . !!!!

I made them get me new screws. Which they did; two packs of two sizes.

And there is a scratch on a link. On a watch paid for only minutes earlier! Bastages!

They have no watchmaker there anymore, but NEVER AGAIN will I permit ANY Non-Jeweler or Watchmaker to adjust a bracelet. And I will have a loupe with me to inspect afterwards, whether it insults them or not.

I do have all the proper tools now to do this myself (retired mechanical tech) and I did my Tudor successfully (EASY job, just FRY the he!! out of that Loctite and the pins come out as if they are sitting in butter) and the Tudor pins are even smaller and more of a challenge than Rolex at 1.2mm.

Screw this bracelet damage crap from the $^#$@&! ham-fisted idiots. There are likely tens of thousands of damaged bracelets out there that the owners have just not noticed. Or perhaps do not care?

The SA hates me now (poor treatment, bad attitude) because the owner chewed up his buttmeat. AWww . . .

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by Skavary

Each screw is not specific to each link, right?

They are universal with the exception of when the bracelet tapers. They are shorter on the tapered links. Whoever sized this has no idea what they are doing.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Skavary

Do you guys recommend I bring it up to the AD? I mean it’s been 4 months, I don’t even know if they’d believe me. It’s ridiculous.

Yes bring it up. Looks like they used a jackhammer.


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[RolexNorth]

Hopefully you have a Rolex RC in your city. I've had this happen to my DSSD back in 2009. Lived with it for 5 years and then took the watch in to Rolex RC and showed it to them. They quoted me $25 for a new screw over the phone, but when I showed up with it, they replaced it for free with their compliments. The technician actually came out from the back with my repaired watch to tell me what he did and that luckily the AD didn't mess up the thread when they did it.

[Bizcut1]

Ridiculous - we're talking about a $10,000 watch! Take it back and make them do it right.

[cerendigit]

The first and second picture look ok, it's the third picture that looks really bad.

How much are the screws?

[Bozack90]

I had Rolex service do this to a watch of mine once, mangled some screw heads so my thought is if they can do this, anyone can......

With your watch its been 4 months, while annoying I would let it go and see about getting new pins at service time or maybe asking if they can just order you a few replacements, but from their side they have no idea what you have done in that time.

I can't help but think of that matrix steak quote when the one guy who turned bad said "ignorance is bliss" as he took a bit of an imagined steak....and wonder if you hadn't seen others complain about this would you have ever noticed or cared....I know for myself there is tons of stuff like that with this hobby, things I didn't even know were an issue until I saw others gripe about them online only to wish I never knew.

[Geckobros]

Regardless of brand, I size my own bracelets. I let an AD size a bracelet once.. once.

Use gaffer's tape on nearby metal in case you slip. With practice you wont slip anymore.
Correct screwdriver size is a must.
Use a hair dryer. Heat the metal up. It makes the screw turn easily. There is no need to brute force the thing which will cause a slip.
When putting the screw back in, I put a dab of clear fingernail polish on the threads (some use Loctite but fingernail polish always works on screws for my bow (archery) and my watches)

Have them give you new screws and do the above yourself.

[Skavary]

Yea never again will I have them resize the bracelet for me.

I just worry they’re going to say too much time has passed and that they may not believe me or say there’s no way to prove they did it? What a damn headache lol

[mattmonay]

Wow! That is a butcher job. I'd bring your concern to them and ask them how they propose to make it right. There is a saying that having the right tools is 99% of the job... well, you'd think an AD would have at least that part covered...

Originally Posted by Skavary

Greetings Fellow TRFers:

I’ve been reading a few posts recently about how some AD’s scratch up links and damage screws when resizing a bracelet. So lo’ and behold - I looked at my own bracelet and I noticed that I belong in that camp as well.

It’s been like 3-4 months since I’ve purchased my sub, so I’m not even sure if my AD would believe me if I brought it up to them?

Is this sort of thing just to be expected as part of the experience of buying a Rolex at an AD? I just don’t get it? Is it within tolerance as part of procedure? How many of you have just swallowed the pill and not said anything?

I’m just tempted to just accept it at this point. Tired of having to deal with these sorts of issues.

Please see pics for reference.