I have an incoming 7a38-7020 with a broken bracelet. Is this difficult to fix? Anyone had a bracelet break like this?
Repair bracelet on 7a38-7020?
Re: Repair bracelet on 7a38-7020?
Difficult ? I'd say impossible in the normal sense of 'a fix' Dave. The crossbar on the leading edge of that link has been completely worn away / broken off. You might want to consider having the two links laser welded together solid (on the underside where it can't be seen). Probably best done with a slight obtuse angle between them, to match the curvature of your wrist, rather than welded flat.
I've had a couple like that in the past - dug through my gash bracelet box and found them, similarly broken.
I've had a couple like that in the past - dug through my gash bracelet box and found them, similarly broken.
Re: Repair bracelet on 7a38-7020?
Thanks for your reply, Paul. Didn't expect it to be this tough! Have you checked with any watchmaker if they have any method of fixing it?
Re: Repair bracelet on 7a38-7020?
I've never personally bothered, Dave. They've been left like that in my bracelet bits box for literally years. From memory, I gave the other half of that two-tone p/n B1171C bracelet to Simon ('Sir Alan') to fix his 7A38-7020. Before you ask, the other half of that p/n B1171S bracelet has long since been used on one of my 7A38-7020 / -7029's. Sorry.
As I wrote in my previous post, any large watch repairer's will have access to laser welding facilities, but it's not cheap. If you're not bothered about the cosmetic appearance (bearing in mind the welds will be out of sight, on the underside of the bracelet, you might want to investigate TIG welding (used in the automotive field). It's likely to be cheaper than laser welding and you can always grind off any excess.
As I wrote in my previous post, any large watch repairer's will have access to laser welding facilities, but it's not cheap. If you're not bothered about the cosmetic appearance (bearing in mind the welds will be out of sight, on the underside of the bracelet, you might want to investigate TIG welding (used in the automotive field). It's likely to be cheaper than laser welding and you can always grind off any excess.
Re: Repair bracelet on 7a38-7020?
PS: Dave try googling this in Swedish, (rather than English).
This outfit looks promising: https://www.guldsmed.com/laser/
This outfit looks promising: https://www.guldsmed.com/laser/