Tips on how to do a Quality Check upon arrival

[edigital 0]

The original post maybe a bit old but the information is still relevant and useful to newbies. Thanks OP!

[Robin195959 2]

Doesn't it suck when you get a new rep and after a couple of days it stops, the clasp breaks, you loose a bracelet screw or even worse the bloody thing falls of your wrist.....Especially losing parts is very annoying as these are often very hard to source.

 

With a few basic tools, which are all avialable in the RWG Toolshop btw..., you can prevent in many cases these annoying issues.

 

Tools I use to do a quality check when a new rep arrives are:

* a decent screwdriver set

* An eye loupe

* Sticky ball to open just about any screwdown caseback

 

* Rodico cleaning putty

* Tweezers

* Springbar tool

* Quick caseback and O-ring creaser

 

 

The first thing I always check is if the screws are screwed down tightly, in this case it's a Rolex which has screws on the bracelet, but in case of a Panerai be sure to check the Crown Guard screws!

 

 

Next is the rezising of the bracelet, be sure to keep the removed links....if at a point you want to sell the rep it's best to have the bracelet complete with all the links

 

 

With Rolex reps the bracelet is often quite dirty and the links can be a bit stiff, to make the bracelet smooth WD40 is great for cleaning and making the bracelet feel smooth....be sure to keep WD40 away from the movement! Just let the bracelet soke for a couple of hours in WD40 to get rid of any debry stuck inbetween the links. After that rinse the bracelet with warm water and it will feel much better.

 

 

After that it's time to have a closer look at the movement, to check if the rotor is screwed down, movment tab screws and to see if the inside is clean.....sometimes there're undeifined pieces of lint, dust, hairs floating around..... :P

 

 

There are many caseback openers available but the sticky ball works perfect for 99% of the caseback...just press it down firmly on the caseback and unscrew....Often the caseback is fairly loose upon arrival, so it should be coming off without any difficulty

 

 

I then grease the caseback seal....often they are very dry and creasing it will improve the water resistantcy of the watch

 

 

Now it's time to check the movement tab screws, a check if the hairspring isn't tangeled and quick look with the eye loupe for dust, pubichairs etc.....

 

 

Small dust pieces or any other undefined crap are easily removed by tweezers or rodico putty....it is also a good idea to swipe the caseback threads....9 times out of ten the thread is filled with debry.

 

 

When this is all done place back the caseback seal, screw down the caseback tightly, refit the bracelet and your new rep is ready to be worn.....and most likely the chance of screws falling out or movements stopping etc, etc.... will be very unlikely!!!!

 

Fab tutorial. One to keep. Thanks.

[N.Rico 1]

very good tips ,i do my QC check but not so pro...

[stevenreid 0]

Many thanks for sharing, every day is a school day!

[chenzomg 0]

Using WD40 for the bracelet is absolute genius. Can't believe the difference in feeling after. Smooth as. Does anyone know if wd40 can be used with a PVD coated bracelet or not?

[BeauBands 0]

Great tips!

[draggnation 0]

Nice. Helped a great deal.

[hauspro 0]

Where can I buy the sticky ball?

U can buy at ebay

you can buy it in rwg store that's where i got it.

 

http://shop.homage-watches-guide.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=48

[chenzomg 0]

I couldn't wait to order a sticky ball so used a roll of duct tape. Worked very well.

[Marksharrock 0]

Thanks. For the advice

[gbx 0]

Great guide! I'll definitely use this when my reps arrive next week.

 

I am curious on the WD-40. Do you guys think the darkening of the WD-40 is from oxidation of the metal? I've seen some photos of the bracelet and WD40 soaks and wonder how on earth could there really be that much dirt and debris in the bracelet? I know if you polish aluminum or some gold alloys, your polishing rag turns black in the process from oxidation. So while it gives the appearance of "cleaning", the black stuff shows up in the sudden oxidation of the removed microscopic top layer of metal.

[Ar71888 0]

This is great thank you.

[noob2 0]

Awesome advice! I lost my first rep because I failed to check the link screws and the band came apart. Now, I make sure I check every watch thoroughly before it ever goes on my wrist.

[droptopman 0]

Great information here. I usually send them to my watchsmith to check over and regulate the movement but am thinking I need to start working on my own stuff. This is very helpful thanks.

[Technit1957 0]

This is the best advise I've had since my dad had "the talk" with me. Thank You.

[Dozza 221]

Great advice, especially for a newbie like myself. I also used the duct tape ball, works like a dream! Thanks

[DoubleRaw 0]

Where is a good place to get tools?

[DR3M3L 4]

Where is a good place to get tools?

 

RWG shop Get the toolkit, it's awesome!

[ach2012 0]

Great tip

[loiidol 0]

Thanks for the tips!

[kayser2705 0]

Thanks for the info!!!

[ritama 0]

I just see many new arrival watches here .woo ,It's cool .

[Lefty83g 0]

THANKS SOOOO MUCH

[dobo101 0]

have my new sub. coming any day, this is very helpful, thank you

Edited July 23, 2014 by dobo101

[Collaudatore 0]

I bought a GMT Master II from Josh at PC my first rep. How often should I wind it and how many times? I am paranoid of 'overwinding' but setting the time every 4-5 hours at the moment.