This is an excerpt from a Sydney watchmaker’s newsletter that I receive daily - it’s mostly about watches for sale, but sometimes include ‘how to’ tips, this was one that I thought worth posting here, as it’s a great DIY hack. He’s quite a sarcastic so and so, which you’ll undoubtedly pick up on from the first two paragraphs...
There's nothing more annoying than a broken click spring on a Rolex Submariner bezel, or losing one when you are cleaning your bezel. Getting a replacement from Rolex is impossible without taking the watch to a Service Centre. Have fun with that.
The Rolex click spring is conveniently made out of 0.35mm wire. A standard 0.4mm would not fit and 0.3mm is too weak. Yes, it looks like you have no choice but to take your Sub to Rolex. Luckily, you are a subscriber to this fine newsletter so here is a quick hack that will get you out of trouble.
A click spring is just a piece of nickel coated carbon steel wire with a very high yield strength. Something like a guitar string. And guess what? The B2 guitar string is exactly 0.35mm in diameter so this is what you can use to make your click spring.
A B2 guitar string is available from any guitar shop or on eBay for less than a dollar - enough to make 100 click springs.
Tools: Pin vice, wire cutters and a bit of a fine grain sand paper.
(1) Cut a length of B2 wire, approximately 20mm.
(2) Place it in a pin vice and deburr (polish) one end to get rid of the sharp clipping edge. Use fine grade sand paper. This is your end A.
(3) Clamp wire again with exactly 11mm sticking out.
(4) Bend 90 degrees. To bend the wire, simply push it with pin vice against solid surface.
(5) Clamp wire again, this time end A going inside vice.
(6) Clip to 2mm length. Polish the edge.
This completes cutting and polishing and you are ready for bending.
(7) First bend: clamp as per photo. Bend to angle around 35-40 degrees.
(8) Second bend: clamp per photo, 3mm of end A wire inside vice, bend 15-20 degrees.
Done!
Note: This quick DIY is provided for educational purposes as an opportunity to learn how to make a watch part and showcase your workmanship. We don't sell Rolex click springs but we will happily sell you a tool for you to make one.
Make your own "as-good-as-Rolex" bezel click spring
- gaf1958
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 12431
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
- CW-watches: 24
- Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS
Make your own "as-good-as-Rolex" bezel click spring
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
- Bahnstormer_vRS
- Moderator
- Posts: 35163
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:06 pm
- CW-watches: 34
- LE-three: 1
- LE-foura: 1
- LE-fourb: 1
- LE-six: 1
- Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Re: Make your own "as-good-as-Rolex" bezel click spring
Fascinating Gary.
Is that all it is?
Love his final paragraph.......
Guy
Sent from my Xperia XZ Premium using Tapatalk
Is that all it is?
Love his final paragraph.......
Guy
Sent from my Xperia XZ Premium using Tapatalk
In small proportions, we just beautie see:
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)
Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)
Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
Re: Make your own
An interesting DIY guide for anyone inclined to try and make one.
I would however go down what the writer views as the fun route of visiting a Rolex service centre, sit in reception and read a few brochures, whilst they fit a new click spring, whilst I wait. Probably be in and out in under half an hour. Simples.
The construction of the current six digit ceramic bezel models is a bit more complicated.
Neil
I would however go down what the writer views as the fun route of visiting a Rolex service centre, sit in reception and read a few brochures, whilst they fit a new click spring, whilst I wait. Probably be in and out in under half an hour. Simples.
The construction of the current six digit ceramic bezel models is a bit more complicated.
Neil
Other watch forums of interest:
TZ-UK
TZ-UK
- Thegreyman
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 12066
- Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 3:45 pm
- CW-watches: 6
- Location: Edinburgh
Re: Make your own
Patrick
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
Re: Make your own
Patrick I was trying to think of a response to your post that wouldn’t end up being deleted, for multiple infringements of the family friendly forum guidelines!
Nope can’t do it. So back on topic, if you were looking to pull off the bezel on your more modern Submariner, these pics may help. Neil
Other watch forums of interest:
TZ-UK
TZ-UK
- Thegreyman
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 12066
- Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 3:45 pm
- CW-watches: 6
- Location: Edinburgh
Re: Make your own
^^^yes wouldn't want you to get in trouble, this emoji is useful
Just about to go and get the pliers to work on my SubC now
Just about to go and get the pliers to work on my SubC now
Patrick
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 1 Replies
- 284 Views
-
Last post by Alex r
-
- 4 Replies
- 243 Views
-
Last post by Greatpotfarm
-
- 5 Replies
- 302 Views
-
Last post by strapline
-
- 24 Replies
- 916 Views
-
Last post by markee
-
- 9 Replies
- 627 Views
-
Last post by Bahnstormer_vRS