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3 July 2024, 04:00 AM | #1 |
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Polish or Laser Weld?
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? |
3 July 2024, 04:03 AM | #2 |
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3 July 2024, 04:06 AM | #3 |
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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
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3 July 2024, 04:07 AM | #4 | |
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3 July 2024, 04:09 AM | #5 | |
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Laser welding is a major operation and should only be done when absolutely necessary... |
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3 July 2024, 04:21 AM | #6 |
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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.
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3 July 2024, 04:45 AM | #7 |
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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. |
3 July 2024, 04:48 AM | #8 | |
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Do you think when it is time for service because of this the lug will become ruined from polishing? |
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3 July 2024, 04:49 AM | #9 | |
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3 July 2024, 04:51 AM | #10 |
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3 July 2024, 05:00 AM | #11 |
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Am I the only one curious why Rolex doesn’t laser weld?
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3 July 2024, 05:07 AM | #12 |
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3 July 2024, 05:16 AM | #13 |
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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.
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3 July 2024, 05:21 AM | #14 |
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Interesting because if I recall, Bas has posted photos of laser welding at his location in Europe.
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3 July 2024, 05:22 AM | #15 |
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3 July 2024, 05:32 AM | #16 |
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3 July 2024, 05:33 AM | #17 |
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3 July 2024, 06:34 AM | #18 |
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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.
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3 July 2024, 06:55 AM | #19 | |
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Interesting… I would have been surprised if RSC didn’t laser weld. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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3 July 2024, 08:19 AM | #20 |
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3 July 2024, 08:51 AM | #21 |
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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.
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3 July 2024, 09:41 AM | #22 |
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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. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
3 July 2024, 09:55 AM | #23 | |
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Or is it like it never happened? |
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3 July 2024, 10:00 AM | #24 |
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3 July 2024, 10:01 AM | #25 |
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can I ask you where did you have this done?
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3 July 2024, 10:15 AM | #26 |
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An independent welder-polisher located near Chicago. Across the border in Iowa.
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3 July 2024, 10:48 AM | #27 |
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Yes. I would laser weld this.
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3 July 2024, 12:02 PM | #28 |
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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.
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3 July 2024, 12:25 PM | #29 | |
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3 July 2024, 12:53 PM | #30 |
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If I was you I would have Zimmerman handle it at your next service. Small stuff but easy fix at service.
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