Something came along today

As I said, the bracelet fix would be problematic. The side links are held either side of the centre links by three press fitted pins that keep the link unit together. This means that the only way to replace the broken pin would be to pull the links apart.

Not having the correct Rolex tool to do this (if there is such a tool) I had to improvise.
One pair of Vise-Grips held in my bench vice to hold one side link and another set of Vise-Grips clamped on the other link, then it was some persuasion with a small hammer against the free Vise-Grips to pull the links apart. Unfortunately, even with the use of aluminium pads to protect the links, the grip wouldn't hold so I had to clamp the links directly in the jaws which has left two slight marks. Anyway, here's what we now have.



Above you can see:
the end link,
the sleeve for the end link,
a replacement pin,
the left side link with two pins and sleeves still embedded and the right link,
the center link tube,
the centre link on the rest of the bracelet.

The replacement pin was made from the shank of a broken 1.2mm cobalt drill (never ditch anything useful!) which was cut to approximate size.
I found that my replacement pin was a few thousandths of a millimetre to big so I got a new 1.2mm drill and enlarged the centre link sleeve.



Once that was done and the new pin cut to the right size we had everything ready to assemble.



The new pin was pressed into the left side link with Loctite high strength retaining compound and left to cure for 24 hours.



Once cured, the sleeves and tube were given a fine coat of oil, treated with Loctite and pressed together and allowed to cure. The complete bracelet section was then cleaned up and dings and gouges were stoned flat and the bracelet was given a light satin wheel buffing to bring back some of the finish.

The completed item. I did two shots in different lighting so the differences can be seen.



The next tasks are to do a proper check on the timegrapher and check power reserve. I won't be able to do any regulating or adjusting as it requires very special tools but it will give the owner an idea of the condition and performance of the watch and I will of course, recommend that he gets a formal service in the near future.
TBC

Mostly a Canon EOS 600D with a Canon macro lens EF-S 60mm 1:2.8 USM or my iPhone6 with an Olloclip macro lens and a couple of other cameras for quick snapshots.

Some movement shots before I close it up for the last time.

(Can never have too many pictures 😁).

Awwwww.........do I have to give it back to the owner?

If it wasn't for that wart on the crystal, and being a date model, he'd have trouble claiming it.

"No, sorry, not ready yet, waiting on parts from Switzerland and they take months and months to get here!"

But I suppose that, even though I'm not a professional watchmaker, I must abide by the Horocratic Oath, the bit about:
"Thou shalt not covet thy customer's Subbie!".

So it's all ready to go home.