Rolex Servicing

[Speedbird-1]

Viewing the Rolex Servicing promo video, I was slightly concerned by what appears to be a technician, 'grabbing' a dial with a pair of steel tweezers....GULP!!!
(See pix below)

[brandrea]

I hope they have some rubber pads …

[SearChart]

Oh boy, definitely wasn't taught to use those tweezers for holding a dial...

Even though the tips are highly polished on the inside and the risk of scratching the dial is low I'd prefer wooden tip tweezers or just your fingers with new finger condoms.

[Speedbird-1]

That is the actual Rolex servicing promo Bas (see YouTube link).........I was, frankly horrified!!

https://youtu.be/xZOhQcFS--w?si=9taoeDRLGE6bVGij

[996marty]

That looks like a rookie mistake

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

That is the actual Rolex servicing promo Bas (see YouTube link).........I was, frankly horrified!!

https://youtu.be/xZOhQcFS--w?si=9taoeDRLGE6bVGij

I know it was the actual Rolex promo video.

I'm not horrified by it, the chance of damage is not as high as you think, I just would use a different method to lower that chance even more.

[77T]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I know it was the actual Rolex promo video.

I'm not horrified by it, the chance of damage is not as high as you think, I just would use a different method to lower that chance even more.

It's poor screenshot, but I noticed a different tool used for some components. This shot shows a flat-tipped tool and a shadow line is visible on the dial as it is lifted from the movement.




I am no Leonardo who has dissected the image, but for a shadow line to appear - it means to me that a silicone pad might be on the inner surface of the lifting tool tips?

Just asking in case this is possibly the right tool?


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[SearChart]

Originally Posted by 77T

It's poor screenshot, but I noticed a different tool used for some components. This shot shows a flat-tipped tool and a shadow line is visible on the dial as it is lifted from the movement.




I am no Leonardo who has dissected the image, but for a shadow line to appear - it means to me that a silicone pad might be on the inner surface of the lifting tool tips?

Just asking in case this is possibly the right tool?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I have those exact tweezers in my drawer and can tell you that there's absolutely no padding, just steel.

[77T]

Thanks - I just wondered to myself and you answered perfectly.

So the toothpick and nimble fingers are better?


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[Speedbird-1]

Perhaps the ‘technician’ was a, ‘hand model’ and didn’t read the script.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by 77T

Thanks - I just wondered to myself and you answered perfectly.

So the toothpick and nimble fingers are better?


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I'll take some pictures tomorrow
I prefer loosening a dial and carefully taking it off with my fingers, and then immediately putting it into the storage box to protect it. Obviously wearing new finger condoms to prevent any skin oils to get on the dial.
Wooden tweezers I use for hands, and sometimes the dial when I absolutely have to.

But with the modern 32×× series movements you have to click it on anyway, so you have to use your fingers because doing it with whatever tool is likely to damage it, because some dials can need some force to click properly onto the movement.

A wooden stick with soft leather on it can also be used to press these modern dials onto the movement and click it, but you'd have to be incredibly strict and clean with your storage of said stick, because any contamination/particles can transfer onto and damage the dial.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I'll take some pictures tomorrow
I prefer loosening a dial and carefully taking it off with my fingers, and then immediately putting it into the storage box to protect it. Obviously wearing new finger condoms to prevent any skin oils to get on the dial.
Wooden tweezers I use for hands, and sometimes the dial when I absolutely have to.

But with the modern 32×× series movements you have to click it on anyway, so you have to use your fingers because doing it with whatever tool is likely to damage it, because some dials can need some force to click properly onto the movement.

A wooden stick with soft leather on it can also be used to press these modern dials onto the movement and click it, but you'd have to be incredibly strict and clean with your storage of said stick, because any contamination/particles can transfer onto and damage the dial.

Great info Bas

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Perhaps the ‘technician’ was a, ‘hand model’ and didn’t read the script.

Originally Posted by brandrea

Great info Bas

[77T]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I'll take some pictures tomorrow

Looking forward to it :thumbs up:


Here in US we call them "finger cots"

Just avoids the "look" when that other 2-syllable C word hits the ether.


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[SearChart]

The steel ones are fine if you're really careful, I just generally don't risk it.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by SearChart

The steel ones are fine if you're really careful, I just generally don't risk it.

[77T]

G'morning Bas

Thanks - my watchmaker does the technique you do with the finger cots and something safer to lift the dial.

I didn't ask about the fiddly part of snapping the newer dials back into place.

I've watched him lift hands using a clear plastic disk to protect the dial during that process.


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[77T]

I presume a tiny Mylar tape strip on the upper tip that makes contact with the dial's painted surface would be a "no-no"?


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[SearChart]

Yeah I could tape it, but I'm not going to because the method I use is safer and I never use these steel ones anyway.
Back into the drawer they went

[Speedbird-1]

Thanks for the photo's Bas.
The concentration, precision, care and accuracy required to work on these pieces, must leave you absolutely, 'cream crackered' after a day at the bench.
Tell your boss, we've all voted, that you get a substantial pay rise.

[RichM]

Thanks Bas