Welded parts in bracelets

[STEELINOX]

How many of you are concerned about the spot welds of your bracelet??
How many of you actually own a loupe?

[cody p]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

How many of you are concerned about the spot welds of your bracelet??
How many of you actually own a loupe?

i actually looked at them today before even reading your post. they looked fine with a 10x loupe. a welding instructor once told me that a properly welded joint is stronger than the metal adjacent to it. so if the weld was done properly, then it should be very strong.

[JBat]

Don't own a loupe. What is this referencing?

[JBat]

Originally Posted by cody p

i actually looked at them today before even reading your post. they looked fine with a 10x loupe. a welding instructor once told me that a properly welded joint is stronger than the metal adjacent to it. so if the weld was done properly, then it should be very strong.

As a welder, I can tell you this is true. The key is a "properly welded" joint.

[GMTJOHNNY]

Please elaborate. What is welded on the bracelets? Pictures would be great.

[nylawbiz]

uhhh - I'm concerned --- obviously!

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by GMTJOHNNY

Please elaborate. What is welded on the bracelets? Pictures would be great.

have a look here:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=96587

[rescue7]

What's a loupe.

I'd be more concerned with the threaded pins shearing off than the welding, seems so in the link you provided.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by rescue7

What's a loupe.

I'd be more concerned with the threaded pins shearing off than the welding, seems so in the link you provided.

[STEELINOX]

so now how do you feel about "Spot welded bracelet blade sections???

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

so now how do you feel about "Spot welded bracelet blade sections???

I feel vindicated wearing the classic stamped clasp that's been criticized for it's lack of heft.
Then........remembering I own the new style jubilee I ran to grab a loupe to make sure I had no issues.
dP

[nylawbiz]

Well, at least you know you're gonna get a new bracelet every two years, unless you lose the watch when the bracelet fails. if that happens, then, NO WATCH FOR YOU! (al la Soup Nazi)

[Colnago]

Randy...I voted that I had a loupe, I haven't actually got one but as my camera takes very good macro shots I can in effect view the same result......I checked mine today using this method and it "looks" fine....however I work as a Structural Designer in the oil and gas game and I do understand welding pretty well....sometimes it's impossible to see "inclusions" or defects unless you view the weld using a form of radiography......whislt I think mine are ok (as most probably will after a visual inspection) they could in fact be flawed....it is indeed very worrying........this kind of failure will almost certainly result in your beloved watch hitting the deck......heartwrenching and very costly....unless Rolex cough up for the fault....

[glendon21]

I inspected mine with a 20x loupe and it looks fine also. I am concerned about this welded part, the easy link that is too thin and the not deep enough bumps that hold the micro adjustment spring bar. As we all know that a chain is as strong as the weakest link.

[STEELINOX]

let me try to be clear about the Loupe inspection. The thing with the loupe is that it will ONLY see and verify with your eyes even the minutest movement of the attached piece(s); it wont see that which is or possibly could break thats hidden in the weld joint itself, so it AIDs in only seeing movement of adjoining pieces. A loupe would be cause to use if you found that your clasp assy didnt exactly close with a "normal" snap but rather "bound" up as was witnessed with Brians blade section. If you feel things just arent physically moving together as they should then get the loupe out and look...

Alls you need really is a 10x if not a basic magnifier...
Thanks,
Randy

[Colnago]

Randy.....completely understand.....so far my bracelet cosing/opening is as smooth as a baby's butt......however, if is does start to grate/bind.....you can be sure my "structural" brain will start to ask why..........these are great threads, anyone with a watch with the new style braclet who does not take them seriously could be in for a nasty shock sometime in the future........well done guys.....

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Colnago

Randy.....completely understand.....so far my bracelet cosing/opening is as smooth as a baby's butt......however, if is does start to grate/bind.....you can be sure my "structural" brain will start to ask why..........these are great threads, anyone with a watch with the new style braclet who does not take them seriously could be in for a nasty shock sometime in the future........well done guys.....

you know it Bill !

[STEELINOX]

Hmm...

[STEELINOX]

I trust this than a spot welded one any day of the week !

[Colnago]

Yep....I've got one of those on right now Randy....some may say it has a cheap feel to it......but I am into cheap and secure as opposed to expensive and not quite so secure......I am now a little concerned about my DayDate as that has some connections which could be seen as "welded"....however it's made it this far (25 years) and still looks good, and as Gold is much softer it isn't as prone to the same kind of brittle failure.....but I just feel safer for the time being with a good old stamped clasp....maybe 'til we hear more from others

[cody p]

my thoughts:
if my watch hits the asphalt because the bracelet failed: i'm fairly confident they'll pay to make all well.
if my watch sinks to the bottom of the lake because the bracelet failed: i'm fairly confident i'll pay to make all well.

[Colnago]

Originally Posted by cody p

my thoughts:
if my watch hits the asphalt because the bracelet failed: i'm fairly confident they'll pay to make all well.
if my watch sinks to the bottom of the lake because the bracelet failed: i'm fairly confident i'll pay to make all well.

Yep.....my thoughts also....I won't be swimming in the sea or dangling my wrist over the side of any vessels if I am wearing my GMTIIc.....I also will not be wearing it offshore again...

[Deep Sea]

Originally Posted by cody p

my thoughts:
if my watch hits the asphalt because the bracelet failed: i'm fairly confident they'll pay to make all well.
if my watch sinks to the bottom of the lake because the bracelet failed: i'm fairly confident my insurance will pay to make all well.

X2, and edited for my situation.

[Brushpup]

How many of these have we seen break now...curiously?

[STEELINOX]

4 that I know of...

[Brushpup]

Wow, one is one too many but four???

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

Wow, one is one too many but four???

plus a couple of coronets that have separated from SUPER JUBILEEs !

[Ebruner]

I am new here, but it really seams Randy likes to stir up everything.

So you have seem 4 clasps fail. This construction has been on Daytona clasps for years, hidden clasp Jubilee's for years, and I don't hear story after story of broken bracelets.

You can find examples of anything that has failed, that does not mean it is a POS like you want to make everyone believe.

You seen awful quick to point out what is crap in your opinion, which is fine, but it all seems a bit alarmist.

I live in southern Kentucky, and I know more people who have been abducted by Aliens than you know who have had the new style claps break.

Just my new-bee observation.

-Eddie

[RolexPete32]

Tin clasp all the way or a timex!!! For the prices we pay this type of problem should not even be happening. Would a timex fall apart? Would an old style tin clasp? Rolex is pissing me off.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

I am new here, but it really seams Randy likes to stir up everything.

So you have seem 4 clasps fail. This construction has been on Daytona clasps for years, hidden clasp Jubilee's for years, and I don't hear story after story of broken bracelets.

You can find examples of anything that has failed, that does not mean it is a POS like you want to make everyone believe.

You seen awful quick to point out what is crap in your opinion, which is fine, but it all seems a bit alarmist.

I live in southern Kentucky, and I know more people who have been abducted by Aliens than you know who have had the new style claps break.

Just my new-bee observation.

-Eddie

Again, welcome Ed !