5 Digit Oyster Bracelet Center Link Wear/Repair

Davidt · Jan 25, 2025

I have an Explorer 114270 with 78690 Oyster bracelet. Some of the centre links are worn at the corners from rubbing against the outer links.
Obviously a full bracelet replacement is an option but is there a way to refurbish these links?

Could they be laser welded and if so, does anyone know of anyone performing this work in the UK.

I guess replacing these links could also be an option but there are 3-4 that have significant wear and the same again with minor wear so I’d probably end up with a full new bracket and just the original clasp which I guess would cost the same as a new bracelet.

vibe · Sun. 12:21am

Rolliworks does that repair but you’d have to send to Miami. They repaired a 78360 of mine that had this kind of wear. They do it by laser welding.

Davidt · Sun. 2:49am

Thanks for the info. Do you recall what the cost was for your bracelet?
If I can find someone to do it in the UK the next question is whether it’s worth it when I could just get a new one from Rolex.

vibe · Mon. 5:38am

Davidt
Thanks for the info. Do you recall what the cost was for your bracelet?
If I can find someone to do it in the UK the next question is whether it’s worth it when I could just get a new one from Rolex.

They charge hourly for laser welding; so it will depend on how much needs to be done. You’d want to have the bracelet re-pinned and tightened + damaged links repaired. You can ask for a quote, Michael Young in HK also refurbishes bracelets. There may be others out there that do it, but those are the two main guys. TBH, I’d check with Rolex for a replacement but they may require a service as well.

Here is how rolliworks charges for repair: $300 for tightening and $98/hr for laser welding. In the case of my bracelet, it was $600 for repair.

BR-OY-PIN - Bracelet Repair - SS Bracelet Repair. Remove stretch. Laser welding billed at $49 per 30 mins. This time will be tallied and added to invoice after work is done. No cost courtesy Polish (or no polish) as instructed by customer. Avg Turnaround time 3 (UOM = hr)
LASER-OY B-R Hour - For BR - Laser welding needed to complete band repair - Repair damage to inside of links - missing steel - laser weld and fill most damaged pieces - file flat and refinish to original Center - 0 hrs Ends - 3 hrs (UOM = hr)
78360/580 now

rendo · Mon. 7:24am

I have never used him, but there's also Vintwatches in Germany. You can see an example of how he adds material by laser welding (@15:38):

vibe · Mon. 4:45pm

That wobbling sander connected to the lathe he's using for the case looks pretty janky.

Davidt · Mon. 4:53pm

vibe
They charge hourly for laser welding; so it will depend on how much needs to be done. You’d want to have the bracelet re-pinned and tightened + damaged links repaired. You can ask for a quote, Michael Young in HK also refurbishes bracelets. There may be others out there that do it, but those are the two main guys. TBH, I’d check with Rolex for a replacement but they may require a service as well.

Here is how rolliworks charges for repair: $300 for tightening and $98/hr for laser welding. In the case of my bracelet, it was $600 for repair.

BR-OY-PIN - Bracelet Repair - SS Bracelet Repair. Remove stretch. Laser welding billed at $49 per 30 mins. This time will be tallied and added to invoice after work is done. No cost courtesy Polish (or no polish) as instructed by customer. Avg Turnaround time 3 (UOM = hr)
LASER-OY B-R Hour - For BR - Laser welding needed to complete band repair - Repair damage to inside of links - missing steel - laser weld and fill most damaged pieces - file flat and refinish to original Center - 0 hrs Ends - 3 hrs (UOM = hr)
78360/580 now

Thanks for the info, appreciate it

Davidt · Mon. 4:54pm

rendo
I have never used him, but there's also Vintwatches in Germany. You can see an example of how he adds material by laser welding (@15:38):

Yeah I’ve seen many of his YouTube videos. Some of the work is great. Might be an option

Davidt · Mon. 4:56pm

There’s a company in the UK called SwissRefurb which gets good reviews and seems to do both re-pinning, polishing and laser welding.
From what I can gather the costs are comparable to Rolliworks so I might look at them.
I’ll keep this thread updated with the option info with and results…

GuiltunderGlass · Mon. 9:46pm

Another option that is relatively close by in Italy:

https://www.instagram.com/robertototolenti/

I can't speak to the quality of his work personally, but what I've seen on IG is pretty impressive.

5 Digit Oyster Bracelet Center Link Wear/Repair

Davidt

vibe

Davidt

vibe

rendo

vibe

Davidt

Davidt

Davidt

GuiltunderGlass

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