To loctite or not to loctite

[zapot]

Hi,

When we unscrew the screws that holds the links together, do we really
have to put some loctite so that the screws will stay in place?

I had other watches that had screws like that too and never did one of
them unscrew by itself and cause disaster.

I know this might be for precaution but are we too paranoid or the screws
are simply too lousy? Heard some stories about screws loosen by itself.

For me, I did not use loctite. So should I?

[Tools]

The screws on bracelets do not hold or clamp anything in place.. They are simply screw in studs that the links float on, and so they should not be tightened into the hole so tightly that you risk damaging the threads..

So, yes, properly loc-tite should be used and the studs tightened snugly..

However, I don't use loctite unless I have a problem and I have never had a bracelet screw back-out on me.. and I wear a Rolex a lot....

[Chris B]

I was an unbeliever until a couple of yrs ago when my TT GMTc dropped off my wrist, luckily it only fell onto the bedroom carpet but could have been a lot worse.

I use thread-lock these days

[rolexpawn]

Using Loctite sparing is important putting the Loctite on the screw threads using a needle then you let it set up for a few minutes.

[Poohsan]

I second the use of locktite. I had a screw back out once. Better safe than sorry.

[Eric88]

Never had a problem. Modern Rolex that I've bought new or nearly new have something like plumbers putty on the threads and it sticks like a mofo.

[learpilot]

Never used it,never had a problem.Wouldn't one NOTICE the screw backing out ??

[subtona]

Upside
Use it & probably will never need it.

Downside
Don't use it & you may lose your watch.

I definitely use it.

[Sixxgrand1]

Yes - but have your AD do this for you!

[smallcandle]

I've never used it on my Rolex. I wear mine all day everyday, and I've yet to have a screw back out on me... That being said, it's not the worst idea in the world to check the screws periodically to make sure that they're still in tightly.

[Mikel212]

Wouldnt one know when a screw is coming off especially if hes a WIS? I think loc-tite might be overkill. Its designed for nuts and bolts while using a screwdriver or wrench to remove. You use that on those tiny pins on the watch and good luck when you may need to remove them for whatever reason. You will bend 3 watch screwdrivers then you start stripping the slot to the watchscrew and wind up drilling the screw before it even moves.

If you decide to sell, the next buyer cannot remove the screws to inspect the bracelet may be a deal killer. You dont want the pins to be in there forever.

[Gundam]

Never use loctite. They should do their job without a little helper. I know screws are seen as more upmarket, but I have more confidence in pins.

[landroverking]

I had one back out on my very first Rolex. I now use clear nail polish on all. Works well on gun scopes too.

[esm]

Originally Posted by learpilot

Wouldn't one NOTICE the screw backing out ??

Not necessarily.

Unless you stare at your removable links all the time.
I only had one screw backing out and I used to check them once in a while.....

[ec51]

I guess the real question is....

The red, purple or blue locktite?

[HDHNTER]

Better safe than sorry, I use purple Loctite (min. strength).

[Zed Homme]

I've had issues with two of my Rolexes.... There is a special loctite perfect for this application...

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by learpilot

Never used it,never had a problem.Wouldn't one NOTICE the screw backing out ??

I noticed one screw constantly backing out. If I didn't put the loctite on after that then I'm sure the next time I noticed it would be on the ground.

[clarencek]

Originally Posted by ec51

I guess the real question is....

The red, purple or blue locktite?

I use Loctite - 222, red tube, purple liquid. I started using it because there was one day when I saw a screw backing out. Glad I caught it. Started using Loctite and haven't had a problem since.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Sixxgrand1

Yes - but have your AD do this for you!

truly not necessary, just get a proper screwdriver and put a dot in the female end.

Originally Posted by smallcandle

I've never used it on my Rolex. I wear mine all day everyday, and I've yet to have a screw back out on me... That being said, it's not the worst idea in the world to check the screws periodically to make sure that they're still in tightly.

if you pull a screw on a new rolex bracelet you will notice a white film on the threads... this is rolex loctite... they use it already... your just replaceing it when you resize your bracelet. loctite is available to you for much cheaper than the white rolex brand (about 2,500 per gram for the rolex stuff)

Originally Posted by Mikel212

Wouldnt one know when a screw is coming off especially if hes a WIS? I think loc-tite might be overkill. Its designed for nuts and bolts while using a screwdriver or wrench to remove. You use that on those tiny pins on the watch and good luck when you may need to remove them for whatever reason. You will bend 3 watch screwdrivers then you start stripping the slot to the watchscrew and wind up drilling the screw before it even moves.

If you decide to sell, the next buyer cannot remove the screws to inspect the bracelet may be a deal killer. You dont want the pins to be in there forever.

locktite is designed for nuts and bolts ... YES .... what do you think the watch pin is that holds your links together?
its a pin with threads on it and it goes into a hole with threads in it.

Originally Posted by Gundam

Never use loctite. They should do their job without a little helper. I know screws are seen as more upmarket, but I have more confidence in pins.

the bracelet is flexible and as such if there is any defect or maybe a deformity from an impact while you wear it (even slight) the bracelet can drag on the pin with your wrist movement and possibly spin it out. this is very rare and unlikely occurrence, the loctite is just insurance.


Finally loctite is a threadlock
it does not seize the thread it just holds it firmly
it does not age and become immovable
it's job is to stop things from turning that are not supposed to.
it is considerably cheaper than the insurance you pay for your watch.
a very small tube lasts a very long time.
it comes in different colors so you know which to use if you cant read.
it prevents corrosion (divers especially should use it)
etc.....


http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/10/...r-Blue-242.htm


its just not that big of a deal and it may save your watch, i don't understand the resistance?

sincerely,

[crew]

"its just not that big of a deal and it may save your watch, i don't understand the resistance?"


+1.

[TSW]

On SS watches green liquid Loctite and on gold watches purple liquid Loctite"

[Cato]

The screws on my DJ were backing out just with normal wear.

I certainly used Loctite: I don't want any chance of losing those little guys!

[xjeeunitx]

I've owned few in the past years and never used locitite without any issues.

[Ebruner]

I have personally never has a problem with a backing out screw, so I di not use locktite, but I know many who have.

-Eddie

[watchf]

Just get a bottle of purple loctite and use it when you resize the bracelet. Its easy to use and no troubles at all so why not.

[wuzzzer]

A couple months back Rolex sent a memo to all ADs informing them of the importance to use the Loc-Tite that's in the Rolex sizing kit that ADs have whenever they are sizing a Rolex.

[sherwin]

Use it! You would not want your screws to unscrew itself

[Rolexdaydateii]

Caught my bracket screw recently backing out my 2 to 3 year old 218238, will pick up a tube as I leaned this the hard way with another watch

[steptoe]

Originally Posted by Mikel212

Wouldnt one know when a screw is coming off especially if hes a WIS? I think loc-tite might be overkill. Its designed for nuts and bolts while using a screwdriver or wrench to remove. You use that on those tiny pins on the watch and good luck when you may need to remove them for whatever reason. You will bend 3 watch screwdrivers then you start stripping the slot to the watchscrew and wind up drilling the screw before it even moves.

If you decide to sell, the next buyer cannot remove the screws to inspect the bracelet may be a deal killer. You dont want the pins to be in there forever.

Use low strength loc-tite and dip the bracelet in a cup of hot/boiling water before you unscrew the pins.... heat softens the loc-tite so it can be undone without any effort.