Bracelet finally broke...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Or you could post a bunch of emojis in other threads. That's how some five-figure posters got their counts up.

I will say this once and once only, do not encourage members to break forum rules to get there post count up.

[haidangwatches]

Have a nice day.

[Rocket_Man]

That link is a non-removable link but it does come apart with the right tool. It is a friction fit with the pins that terminate in the end pieces of the link. A really tight fit.

I've never seen a pin fail before. On older bracelets I've seen the pin get worn nearly through by friction with the link, but your pin must have sheared somehow. Strange. I assume you did not find the pin?

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by padi56

I will say this once and once only, do not encourage members to break forum rules to get there post count up.

I think you missed the sarcasm in what I wrote. I was certainly not encouraging that behavior, but rather was satirizing those who engage in it.

[ppalasthira]

It has served you well.

[NWNL]

Oh damn that must hurt. Send it off to repair, Rolex will make it as new

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Seibei

A new bracelet, obviously. Looks like it served you well.

I agree. Go for a new bracelet.

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I think you missed the sarcasm in what I wrote. I was certainly not encouraging that behavior, but rather was satirizing those who engage in it.

Peter’s not into sarcasm, unfortunately.

[joli160]

I never like to part with my bracelet. It has all the marks and history and I would want it repaired.
Rolliworks has shown some great work. Look in the tech section

[904VT]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I haven't seen many myself, but I'm here for the discussion too. We just need more about watches lol

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Aquaholic21

After ~18 years of near daily use, a link in the bracelet let go this morning. I didn't feel a tug or hit anything, it just fell off my wrist. Suggestions?

I would like to post a link here, but I need three more posts...a link would go here

Take it to a local Rolex watchmaker. Looks like your spring bar broke to me

[116710er]

That's not the springbar. That's a SEL (Solid End Link) and it's a machined piece so the springbar goes through just the endlink. The endlink on SEL's are not readily detachable from the first four permanent links (three on the newer bracelets). If the springbar broke, the endlink (and bracelet) would detach from the case. That's actually the one of the first link's permanent pin that's gone tango uniform.

As others have suggested, Rolliworks is your best bet. Maybe have them rehab the entire set of permanent links with new permanent pins/sleeves just in case some of the other permanent pins about to bite the dust.

Here's a similar failure:

[116710er]

Originally Posted by Wrist King

Michael Young in HK. Superb.

Meh, not to sure about that now. I have a MYHK "repaired" bracelet and it was repaired incorrectly. They used the wrong side sleeves/pins and the bracelet was so tight that it was kinking up. I sent it off to Rolliworks to have it re-repaired and they fixed the problem.

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

That is a different kind of springbar that broke. A permanent non removable one. This is the achilles heel of the solid end link bracelet. There is a fix though. A watchmaker can drill a hole through the link side after removing the broken bar. Insert a solid steel bar in place. Laser weld the hole in the link side shut and refinish the link.

As RocketMan mentioned, the links can be separated. No need to drill and weld. Just separate the links, remove/replace pins and then press it back together and refinished.