Make your own "as-good-as-Rolex" bezel click spring

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gaf1958
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Make your own "as-good-as-Rolex" bezel click spring

Post by gaf1958 »

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.

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(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.

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(3) Clamp wire again with exactly 11mm sticking out.

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(4) Bend 90 degrees. To bend the wire, simply push it with pin vice against solid surface.

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(5) Clamp wire again, this time end A going inside vice.
(6) Clip to 2mm length. Polish the edge.

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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.

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(8) Second bend: clamp per photo, 3mm of end A wire inside vice, bend 15-20 degrees.

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Done!

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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.
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Bahnstormer_vRS
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Re: Make your own "as-good-as-Rolex" bezel click spring

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Fascinating Gary.

Is that all it is?

Love his final paragraph.......

Guy

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Re: Make your own

Post by nbg »

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.

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Thegreyman
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Re: Make your own

Post by Thegreyman »

nbg wrote: Wed Feb 27, 2019 11:39 am Simples.
...to quote Theresa :lol:
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nbg
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Re: Make your own

Post by nbg »

Thegreyman wrote: Wed Feb 27, 2019 1:21 pm
nbg wrote: Wed Feb 27, 2019 11:39 am Simples.
...to quote Theresa :lol:
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! :lol:

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.
216F60D6-AEFC-4D7C-8971-108C012D9D8D.jpeg
90446CEA-3CC9-4F94-841E-6B92890A63EF.jpeg
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Thegreyman
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Re: Make your own

Post by Thegreyman »

^^^yes wouldn't want you to get in trouble, this emoji is useful :censored:

Just about to go and get the pliers to work on my SubC now :lol:
Patrick

C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)

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