Securing Your Rolex...

[Ryuden]

just to make this more informative:

rolex uses loctite 222 (different from sinn).

You are right...That's what I was told...Loctite 221/222...

Cheers.

[roppap]

I don't. So far, it's fine.

[leslie]

mine come a wee bit loose after about a year. not to the point that it is sticking out, but loose enough to need a tiny bit of tightening with a screw driver. usually the ones on the 12 o'clock side, and not on all links there.

i can't remember where i put my loctite (only bought it once) so i've never used it since it went missing.

this isn't something i think needs to be checked frequently, but there is no harm in feeling the screws whenever you swap or wash watches (or are bored and decided to play with it) to make sure it is still flush with the link's side.

it's not a big concern of mine even though mine comes loose - i shall add here that i do not like (excessively) overtightening the screws, which may be a factor... i assume if you tighten that sucker up, it shouldn't come out much (if at all) unless your hands are often on a vibration emitting machinery like when idling a big harley or the like.

it might be in the official AD re-sizing kit but RSC singapore doesn't use loctite in my experience, but yes, bracelets do come from the factory loctite(d?) - the white stuff you mentioned. i believe it's not a good idea to leave them there once you've broken the seal.

Bro. Rolex Singapore uses loctite when I asked them to replace the screw pins many years ago. I dunno what they use but I managed to chipped the head of my new bergeon 1.6mm screw driver. I also need to heat the link up with fire before I managed to loosen it. They uses the wrong kind of loctite. Should be 221 or 242 blue. Maybe they uses those for aeroplanes.

[leslie]

just to make this more informative:

rolex uses loctite 222 (different from sinn).

Rolex uses 221. Sinn is 242 but still usable. The key is to apply only a dap on the threads. Dun put too much.

[taxico]

221 and 222 (and 222MS to a certain extent) are the same thing depending on territory. 222 is more commonly available. 242 is medium strength, as opposed to the lower strength version rolex advocates and supplies.

there is no difference in 221/222 found in aeroplane garage and the one inside rolex resize kit... the number is the strength. the only difference may be in the quantity used.

i had a screw replaced and bought a link (installed at the same time) a few months ago - no loctite was used on either screw. i was curious about RSC singapore's standard and unscrewed them... they came out very easily.

[Ryuden]

Bro. Rolex Singapore uses loctite when I asked them to replace the screw pins many years ago. I dunno what they use but I managed to chipped the head of my new bergeon 1.6mm screw driver. I also need to heat the link up with fire before I managed to loosen it. They uses the wrong kind of loctite. Should be 221 or 242 blue. Maybe they uses those for aeroplanes.

Heat up with fire? How much did they put? They dipped the screws in? LoL

I have read that this occurs quite often when the screws are so locked in place that it need to be heated up...maybe they used too much?

I also read about some new rolex owners putting Loctite at the thread screw pin and the whole hollow part of the link got jammed up with Loctite as the pin makes its way through. So instead, just place a tiny bit of Loctite using toothpick at the link thread and not the pin thread.

[Ryuden]

221 and 222 (and 222MS to a certain extent) are the same thing depending on territory. 222 is more commonly available. 242 is medium strength, as opposed to the lower strength version rolex advocates and supplies.

there is no difference in 221/222 found in aeroplane garage and the one inside rolex resize kit... the number is the strength. the only difference may be in the quantity used.

i had a screw replaced and bought a link (installed at the same time) a few months ago - no loctite was used on either screw. i was curious about RSC singapore's standard and unscrewed them... they came out very easily.

Agreed. The numbers indicate the strength of the Loctite but the amount used is another factor. Even the smallest number or weakest strength, if put excessively, it will still jammed up the whole link.

Went to home fix but they only have Loctite 243.

Interesting...how inconsistent RSC is...or is it that the older bracelet does not need Loctite and only the newer ones? Maybe?

[leslie]

Heat up with fire? How much did they put? They dipped the screws in? LoL

I have read that this occurs quite often when the screws are so locked in place that it need to be heated up...maybe they used too much?

I also read about some new rolex owners putting Loctite at the thread screw pin and the whole hollow part of the link got jammed up with Loctite as the pin makes its way through. So instead, just place a tiny bit of Loctite using toothpick at the link thread and not the pin thread.

Is not how much they put. It is the type of loctite they use. I used alot of low strength 221 on my rolex before and managed to unscrew easily. I suspected that they are using the 270 which is a perm loctite that requires heat to melt the loctite.

You are safe if you use the 221 or Sinn Blue 242. Can be remove easily when required. But nobody adjusts bracelet after sizing proper. Unless you flip the watch.

Hour glass got dap abit of Sinn Blue 242 on the threads after they help me resize. I can resize myself but better let them do it for me. In case I do it myself, if pew chiu screw means my own business liao.

[leslie]

221 and 222 (and 222MS to a certain extent) are the same thing depending on territory. 222 is more commonly available. 242 is medium strength, as opposed to the lower strength version rolex advocates and supplies.

there is no difference in 221/222 found in aeroplane garage and the one inside rolex resize kit... the number is the strength. the only difference may be in the quantity used.

i had a screw replaced and bought a link (installed at the same time) a few months ago - no loctite was used on either screw. i was curious about RSC singapore's standard and unscrewed them... they came out very easily.

bro. u seems well verse in loctite. must be engineering people. LOL

here is some technical specs on loctite


Loctite 221

Loctite 221 Low strength, low viscosity, small threads Threadlocker, Breakaway torque 8.5Nm

Technical Data:

Maximum thread size: Up to M12
Strength: Low
Breakaway torque M10 bolts: 8.5Nm
Fixture time steel: 25 min.
Fixture time brass: 20 min.
Fixture time stainless steel: 210 min.
Service temperature range: -55°C - +150°C
Pack sizes: 10ml, 50ml, 250ml




Loctite 242

Loctite 242 Medium strength, medium viscosity, general purpose threadlocker, Breakaway torque 11.5Nm

Technical data:

Maximum thread size: Up to M36
Strength: Medium
Breakaway torque M10 bolts: 11.5Nm
Fixture time steel: 5 min.
Fixture time brass: 15 min.
Fixture time stainless steel: 20 min.
Service temperature range: -55°C - +150°C
Pack sizes: 10ml, 50ml, 250ml

242 is the one used by Sinn. Abit more torque to remove but not too much.

I have asked some of The Rolex Forum people and they say that the Sinn 242 can be remove easily if necessary.

[leslie]

I suspect rsc uses this on my submariner bracelet. Imagine the blade on my new bergeon 1.6mm screw driver and not those cheapo ones got chipped off. Meaning that they are using something very scary.



Loctite 270


Loctite 270 High Strength, general purpose threadlocker, Breakaway torque 33Nm

Your benefits

Suitable for all metal fasteners, including stainless steel, aluminium, plated surfaces and chrome-free coatings
Tolerates slight contaminations of industrial oils, e.g. engine oils, corrosion prevention oils, cutting fluids
Ideal for permanently locking studs on engine blocks and pump housings
To be used if regular removal for maintenance is not required
P1 NSF Reg. No.: 123006
Technical Data

Maximum thread size: Up to M20
Strength: High
Breakaway torque M10 bolts: 33 Nm
Fixture time steel: 10 min.
Fixture time brass: 10 min.
Fixture time stainless steel: 150 min.
Service temperature range: -55°C - +180 °C
Pack sizes: 10ml, 50ml, 250ml

[leslie]

The key to application is only a dap on the thread. dun put too much else it will leak into the links joints and stiffen the links. probably rsc one hard to remove because they put too much and leak into the link joints. the material is like rubber so create more resistance when unscrewing.

whatever u use. do not use the 243. Use only 221 or 242.

Look at page 12 of this attached tech specs. 243 requires 26 Nm of torque to break the bond.

http://hybris.cms.henkel.com/medias/...2960932894.pdf

[Ryuden]

whatever u use. do not use the 243. Use only 221 or 242.

Look at page 12 of this attached tech specs. 243 requires 26 Nm of torque to break the bond.

http://hybris.cms.henkel.com/medias/...2960932894.pdf

So far the DIY stores I have been to non have anything other then the 243...so nope I did not get any.

But also read another remedy is to use a clear nail polish though I am not sure how reliable it is...

[leslie]

So far the DIY stores I have been to non have anything other then the 243...so nope I did not get any.

But also read another remedy is to use a clear nail polish though I am not sure how reliable it is...

ebay got.

222

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOCTITE-222-...item3cddf335d2

242

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Loctite-2420...item43c64f2d33

[taxico]

bro. u seems well verse in loctite. must be engineering people...

i'm definitely no engineer - my maths is awful.

So far the DIY stores I have been to non have anything other then the 243...so nope I did not get any.

But also read another remedy is to use a clear nail polish though I am not sure how reliable it is...

i would not use nail polish as they would 100% gum up the threads with time. the use or non-use of loctite is not a big issue... just check the screws periodically when you change watch.

many millions of people around the world don't use/have loctite in their watch bracelets... let's not boost loctite's annual sales figure unnecessarily.

if i find my bottle, i'll mail it to you!

[leslie]

I did some testing yesterday using alot of loctite 243 from my office to secure a small screw into a new piece of HP laptop hinge. Let it cure for 24 hours and still managed to remove it easily using normal screwdriver without heating. So I think it can be use for rolex bracelets as well.