Jubilee bracelet link screw issue

[Oli.986]

Hello to all!

I'm a new member and was looking to get some information about a problem I've encountered. I've recently had 4 link screws replaced on my jubilee bracelet at an AD. Its a 2019 Date just (126234) and I've noticed the screws come up short on the thread side ruining the flush polished look of the bracelet. I've been told by the watchmaker these are the correct screws supplied by rolex and they will sit slightly lower, is this a common issue and is there anything I can do to achieve the factory finish look again? I hope the attached photo is clear enough it had to be resized

[padi56]

The most important thing with any screw is that they are tight and in the real world not supposed to be flush with anything just screwed down tight.And always best to check tightness regularly when wearing its a screw nothing more and would hardly call it ruining the look of your bracelet.Do you look at the screws when watch is on your wrist or do you look at the watch dial to tell you the time.

[Andad]

At this level and the price point of the engineering I would expect the distance from the shoulder at the thread to the end of the screw head to be exactly the same as the original screw.

Could it be the wrong screws for those links?

[Oli.986]

I tend to look at the watch as a whole and that includes the bracelet. Obviously the screws being tight is important but when talking about the aesthetics of a £6300 rolex thats barely a year old and with such a high end finish these imperfections bother me. Why wouldn't they supply screws that uphold the look of a factory finish?

Is the only real option now to have the links replaced for new? I hoping someone with some experience can advise whats best to do

[Oli.986]

Apparently the watchmaker said the screws were correct and rolex supply them slightly shorter as not to sit proud as all the original links are individually finished in the factory. I dont know enough about the situation to challange that response but I would like to know more and if thats correct?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Oli.986

I tend to look at the watch as a whole and that includes the bracelet. Obviously the screws being tight is important but when talking about the aesthetics of a £6300 rolex thats barely a year old and with such a high end finish these imperfections bother me. Why wouldn't they supply screws that uphold the look of a factory finish?

Is the only real option now to have the links replaced for new? I hoping someone with some experience can advise whats best to do

I cannot see why you call it a imperfection a imperfection would be something wrong with the function of your watch.And even if you did replace the links that would be very expensive and for what perhaps a few screws sitting a mm or so higher in the bracelet. Why were the screws replaced were they damaged by yourself or by the watchmaker.Perhaps there are screws a tiny fraction longer but even then they might protrude so have to be polished down, not worth the hassle as it does not stop the function of the bracelet or the watch.

[Oli.986]

Clearly the word imperfection is subjective, but in my opinion it applys to the aesthetics of a peice as well as the functionalty. You may not be botherd by these small issues but unfortunaly for me I am. It was myself that damaged the original screw heads and I really thought they could be replaced and finished like new.

[kauffee]

Oli your AD is correct. Replacement screws are slightly shorter and do not sit flush with the links as the originals did. The explanation is consistent with what I’ve read on this forum as well - the originals screws are polished with the bracelet during assembly so that the finish is perfect. As to whether that look could be replicated after the fact, I’m not sure. Perhaps Bas could chime in.

[Tools]

I would imagine that if the bracelet was refinished with the new screws in place, any obvious differences would be minimized.

As mentioned, the mirror finish on the sides of the bracelet is done after it is fully assembled. If you want that done to yours, give the bracelet specialists at Rolliworks in the US a call/text. There may also be a similar shop in your area.

[jburson250]

IMO, "imperfections" can be cosmetic, as well as functional.

It appears the OP's concern is cosmetic, i.e. threaded ends too short.

For comparison, I'd like to contribute a couple photos of my BLRO Jubilee. I bought the watch new from my local AD in April, 2019.

Several links were removed to size the bracelet for my scrawny wrist, but the screws are the original ones it was manufactured with. I don't own a DJ, though I'd expect the screw-ends to look the same - pretty much flush with the links.

[Oli.986]

I completely understand why you'd think I'm mad for being bothered by something so seemingly insignificant, but for me I bought the watch new and it is a thing of beauty and perfection. Obviously over time the piece will acquire wear and tear through use but thats different. I just wanted to rectify damage caused by myself.
This may sound stupid but I'd say a Rolex is more than just a wristwatch

[jburson250]

Originally Posted by Oli.986

I completely understand why you'd think I'm mad for being bothered by something so seemingly insignificant, but for me I bought the watch new and it is a thing of beauty and perfection. Obviously over time the piece will acquire wear and tear through use but thats different. I just wanted to rectify damage caused by myself.
This may sound stupid but I'd say a Rolex is more than just a wristwatch

You're neither mad, nor is the issue insignificant. Hope you're able to get it sorted out.

Best Regards,

[Oli.986]

Thanks Jim, after whats come to light about the original factory fit and finish I'm begging to think I'll just ask for the original screws replaced and leave it for Rolex service centre to sort out at some point in the future

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Oli.986

I completely understand why you'd think I'm mad for being bothered by something so seemingly insignificant, but for me I bought the watch new and it is a thing of beauty and perfection. Obviously over time the piece will acquire wear and tear through use but thats different. I just wanted to rectify damage caused by myself.
This may sound stupid but I'd say a Rolex is more than just a wristwatch

I understand your perspective. I messed up a screw on my Datejust, then when I tightened it, the screw cut into the link a little bit

So, I went out and bought a new link, which cane with a screw, for $95 USD

The screw on the new link does shit flush like the rest of the screws on the bracelet sit.

I just don’t know the answer to your question. About whether or not replacement screws should fit flush.


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by jburson250

You're neither mad, nor is the issue insignificant. Hope you're able to get it sorted out.

Best Regards,

Amen


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[Oli.986]

Yeah its strange, maybe not even Rolex consider it to be an issue. Or perhaps they just want you to have to buy a new link for that seamless finish

[noshame]

OP, welcome to TRF. From personal experience, I can confirm 100% that genuine Rolex replacement bracelet screws are just a hair shorter than the factory ones that came originally on your watch. When installed, the replacement screw will sit a tad below the side of the link, just like yours do in the picture. Of course I would want it to sit flush like factory, however; I would rather have the slightly shorter replacement with a clean, undamaged screw head, than a factory one with a mangled screw head (which is the reason I replaced mine). I think Rolex purposely makes them a tad shorter because if they sat slightly proud, you could both see and feel it, which is worse, imo. Hope this answers your question. Like others have mentioned, I think the only way to get that perfect factory flushness back is to either order replacement links (although I don't have personal experience with this), or bring your watch to a trusted jeweler to polish the sides of the link with the replacement screws in it, which I would rather not do. Good luck.

[Oli.986]

Thank you all for clarification much appreciated

[Sprezzatura!,]

Originally Posted by Oli.986

Thank you all for clarification much appreciated

Where are you you located in the UK?

[Oli.986]

Originally Posted by Sprezzatura!,

Where are you you located in the UK?

Hi I'm based just outside London

[Sprezzatura!,]

Originally Posted by jburson250

IMO, "imperfections" can be cosmetic, as well as functional.

It appears the OP's concern is cosmetic, i.e. threaded ends too short.

For comparison, I'd like to contribute a couple photos of my BLRO Jubilee. I bought the watch new from my local AD in April, 2019.

Several links were removed to size the bracelet for my scrawny wrist, but the screws are the original ones it was manufactured with. I don't own a DJ, though I'd expect the screw-ends to look the same - pretty much flush with the links.

Yes but if you look at your pictures, the second of the two images, the screw closest to the clasp sits lower than the others?

I’m confused now. Does this mean it’s a replacement screw added by the AD, or can the original screw sit just a tiny bit differently when removed and then screwed in again during link removal?!

[noshame]

Originally Posted by Sprezzatura!,

Yes but if you look at your pictures, the second of the two images, the screw closest to the clasp sits lower than the others?

I’m confused now. Does this mean it’s a replacement screw added by the AD, or can the original screw sit just a tiny bit differently when removed and then screwed in again during link removal?!

Good eye on spotting that! That particular screw you are talking about, the one closest to the little folding clasp with the crown, is different than all the others. It does not go all the way through to the other side of the link ... meaning it stops somewhere inside the link and the thread end is not visually seen. It is the only factory screw that sits slightly lower than flush on the screw head side. All the other factory ones will be flush. I have compared it to my own watch and it is the same. The screw in the picture is factory. Hope that makes sense.

And for visual reference, since that's a great photo supplied by jburson250, replacement screws will sit slightly below flush, almost exactly like how that particular "special" screw by the folding clasp with the crown sits in the photo.

[Sprezzatura!,]

Originally Posted by noshame

Good eye on spotting that! That particular screw you are talking about, the one closest to the little folding clasp with the crown, is different than all the others. It does not go all the way through to the other side of the link ... meaning it stops somewhere inside the link and the thread end is not visually seen. It is the only factory screw that sits slightly lower than flush on the screw head side. All the other factory ones will be flush. I have compared it to my own watch and it is the same. The screw in the picture is factory. Hope that makes sense.

And for visual reference, since that's a great photo supplied by jburson250, replacement screws will sit slightly below flush, almost exactly like how that particular "special" screw by the folding clasp with the crown sits in the photo.

Yes makes sense, thank you.

I actually just made another thread on this.

It’s the same on my oyster - the only screw to not sit flush - is just a hair lower and is on the same little link that connects to the bracelet but doesn’t go all the way through like the others - as you say, it stops somewhere inside without a thread end in sight on the opposite side.

You have to really study it and hold the camera in the right place to even pick it up.

[noshame]

Originally Posted by Sprezzatura!,

Yes makes sense, thank you.

I actually just made another thread on this.

It’s the same on my oyster - the only screw to not sit flush - is just a hair lower and is on the same little link that connects to the bracelet but doesn’t go all the way through like the others - as you say, it stops somewhere inside without a thread end in sight on the opposite side.

You have to really study it and hold the camera in the right place to even pick it up.

I actually feel really great right now as you're the first fellow member I've helped troubleshoot something. I'm slightly OCD about things like this, that's the only way most people will ever even notice. Trust me, it's not a good thing!

[Sprezzatura!,]

Originally Posted by noshame

I actually feel really great right now as you're the first fellow member I've helped troubleshoot something. I'm slightly OCD about things like this, that's the only way most people will ever even notice. Trust me, it's not a good thing!

Hahaha I’m glad you’re feeling good about this, and thank you.