Pin fell out of Rolex clasp

[NT931]

Hi, need a bit of advice from the experienced members:

I have a Rolex 1016, on a 7836 bracelet. While I was handling it to prepare to unscrew the crown, the pin that holds the 2 curved blades together somehow just fell out and the 2 blades separated.



I freaked out, scrabbled around the floor, fortunately found the pin and slid it back in. It's back as it was and wearable, but the pin feels a tad loose inside the tunnel.

I'm just wondering how the pin dropped out, and whether it's possible to keep it better secured (Loctite at the ends?). Advice would be greatly appreciated - advance thanks!

 

[Archer]

You could either peen the ends of the pin over a little, or crimp the bracelet a little to tighten the tubes up. Requires a very gentle touch to do this without going too far, so you might want to take this to a watchmaker.

 

[YVR785]

Important you take this to a skilled watchmaker. I had a similar issue with a vintage Datejust bracelet and the watchmaker I deal with did a great job securing it.

Beautiful timepiece btw.

 

[JwRosenthal]

Rolex trash, send it to me and I’ll send you a much more reliable Seiko.

As said above, it’s just a rolled metal tube with peened pin. Opening and closing it over the years just loosed it up- it happens. If you are not handy with small tools and crimped metal (always wrap tools to not leave tool marks) then watchmaker and avoid wearing it until- even if it “feels” fine. Not worth having it hit the floor.

 

[NT931]

Thanks @Archer , @YVR785 & @JwRosenthal for your advice! Will enlist my watchmaker's help. And I learned a new word: "peen"

I'm thanking my lucky stars this didn't happen when it was on my wrist - it would've been disastrous...

 

[STANDY]

NT931

Thanks @Archer , @YVR785 & @JwRosenthal for your advice! Will enlist my watchmaker's help. And I learned a new word: "peen"

I'm thanking my lucky stars this didn't happen when it was on my wrist - it would've been disastrous...

Only would have been a issue when you took it off.. (which would have been on a tiled floor as per Murphy's law)

 

[Explorer1234]

I just had this happen to me today, but cannot find the pin. Are these easy to order online or just take it to a watchmaker to fix?

 

[STANDY]

E Explorer1234

I just had this happen to me today, but cannot find the pin. Are these easy to order online or just take it to a watchmaker to fix?

Watchmaker.
Pins are various sizes and lengths depending on what actual bracelet you have.

 

[Dan S]

Pins are readily available and cheap, you can buy them, but watchmakers will often have an assortment on hand. Assuming that the tubular tabs on the blades are undamaged, this should be a pretty easy fix. Sometimes a tab breaks off of a blade, and that's a different issue.

 

[Explorer1234]

Yea - its the same watch as above - may differ in year, but 1016 with 7836 bracelet), good to know it should be easy for a watchmaker! Thank you!

 

[NT931]

Yes it's an easy fix... My watchmaker fixed it in a week with a new pin.