Comments:
Question on Nautilus bracelet
Dear All,
This message has been edited by joenghenry on 2012-09-09 09:41:58 This message has been edited by joenghenry on 2012-09-09 09:42:54
I just visited my local AD yesterday, and found that the tiny screws used in the adjustable links of the bracelet of Nautilus have all been changed to the pins.
The change is not only limited to the 2012 new versions (e.g. white dial 5711, 5726/1A) but also in the new stock of the old models like 5712/1A.
Do any members notice the same?
I prefer the usage of tiny screws instead of the pin, as it seems to be more precise during altering the links by screws, than by hammering out the pins.
Thanks!
Henry
This message has been edited by joenghenry on 2012-09-09 09:41:58 This message has been edited by joenghenry on 2012-09-09 09:42:54
Wow, I am surprised
This is a bit disappointing. I am about to purchase the 5712. I was confident there were screws in the bracelet. Having switch to pins is a step backwards for Patek.
I'm in Geneva and in 10 hours take my
3712 for service. I just took it out from the safe and checked the bracelet with a loupe. Luckily there are screws in the bracelet. By the way: has anybody else noticed that the bracelet of 3712 is thinner that the one of 5712?
Best, Kari
3712 bracelet
As I recall, you are correct that the 3712 bracelet is "thinner" than on the 5712--meaning it has slightly less width at the clasp.
Thinner or not
I think it is clearly thinner. I am going to Patek when they open and then I'll check.
Best, Kari
The pins are good...
I have a new 5726/1A that also has the pins.
Each link is held in place with 2 pieces, an outer sleeve that is the length of the narrower polished center link and a full-length pin that snap-locks into a detent in the outer sleeve. IMO this is a much more secure method than the screws which technically can loosen and do call for Loctite in order to be sure.
Yes, you do need a mallet to assemble. No, it's not hard at all. For the weak of heart, an AD can do it as fast as using a screwdriver.
Having done it, I'd say it's better.
OT: check out the bracelet pins on the new IWC Mark XVII. Now that is awesome, clever design. No evidence of pins or screws on the outer link edges at all!
Each link is held in place with 2 pieces, an outer sleeve that is the length of the narrower polished center link and a full-length pin that snap-locks into a detent in the outer sleeve. IMO this is a much more secure method than the screws which technically can loosen and do call for Loctite in order to be sure.
Yes, you do need a mallet to assemble. No, it's not hard at all. For the weak of heart, an AD can do it as fast as using a screwdriver.
Having done it, I'd say it's better.
OT: check out the bracelet pins on the new IWC Mark XVII. Now that is awesome, clever design. No evidence of pins or screws on the outer link edges at all!
No choice
My AD also told me that pin is better than screw in the way that it won't get loosen after a long period of time.
But I still think that the vibration generated during hammering the pin is not that good to the delicate movement.
Anyway, I have no choice if I want to get a brand new Nautilus now, hence still got the 5712/1A with the pins......
While the pins are not as attractive as the "engineered"
appearance of the screws, they are a better solution to a problem encountered with a number of references.
The lady's Twenty-4 was notorious for screws backing out, even after using adhesive. The Nautilus presented other problems with the screws locked down, it was requiring heat and refinishing the link and most of the time, resulting in mangled screw heads. I even had one screw head break.
If done correctly, the pins are much easier to use (removing and installing) with little damage and I believe offer a greater measure of security. The vibration is really not an issue, you would more than likely experience a greater degree of vibration in everyday wear.
I don't believe the change would have taken place if there was not a good reason.
The lady's Twenty-4 was notorious for screws backing out, even after using adhesive. The Nautilus presented other problems with the screws locked down, it was requiring heat and refinishing the link and most of the time, resulting in mangled screw heads. I even had one screw head break.
If done correctly, the pins are much easier to use (removing and installing) with little damage and I believe offer a greater measure of security. The vibration is really not an issue, you would more than likely experience a greater degree of vibration in everyday wear.
I don't believe the change would have taken place if there was not a good reason.
not convinced...
Rolex stopped using pins a long time ago and have used screws very succesfully. Rolex never do anything withut thinking about the long term so I'm left sceptical about the reversion to pins with the Nautilus.
I wouldn't buy it based on the use of pins alone. Had they made it look different or somehow better such as invisible or flush pins I might have thought otherwise. It makes me associate with cheap bracelets, not a feeling I want with Patek.
Disappointed.
Don't like pins
The problem with pins is that they wear out and eventually fall out from the bracelet. I had this happen on an Omega bracelet. That is why Omega switched to screws. Rolex bracelets are just superb. The problem with Nautilus bracelet can be that the links are much thinner than in a Rolex bracelet so the screws might indeed course some problem since they are too small. I wonder if one calls Patek what they would say.
Oh, surprised...
This is a surprise to me.
Always imagined they would be more screw-based than otherwise.
The problem with pins is more about the problem with the installer. If they're installed by a professional watchmaker, we don't have a problem, if they're installed by a salesperson with minimal training, the pin system can actually be quite tricky. Extremely poorly trained or undertrained salespeople can even damage screw heads because they often forget to choose the widest screw that will comfortably fit inside the slot...
I do prefer screws strongly.
Switching from screws to pins
I believe that the switch from screws to pins is driven in the name of efficiency in production. Assembly becomes faster compromising i think the some values which they parade in their glossy ads. Patek philippe seal??? Think again. Thats the problem when a relatively smaller company like patek produces more watches that it actually can.
Don't like pins but may be there is a reason
The problem with pins is that they wear out and eventually fall out from the bracelet. I had this happen on an Omega bracelet. That is why Omega switched to screws. Rolex bracelets are just superb. The problem with Nautilus bracelet can be that the links are much thinner than in a Rolex bracelet so the screws might indeed course some problem since they are too small. I wonder if one calls Patek what they would say.
If Patek is Patek..
Shouldn't everything be top notch, no matter what the cost, and no matter what the difficulty?
They never hesitate to add multi-thousands to their watch prices every couple years...
This sort of thing bugs me about the brand.
You may very well be right and it wouldn't surprise me
in the least. But, there are a lot of folks who have experienced problems with the screws. I'm not talking so much about "us" (on the forum), as much as the folks who wear the same watch pretty much all of the time. So, I understand Patek's approach, don't necessarily agree with it, but understand it.
I just had a client with a 3970R with a folding buckle who had a screw to back out of the head assembly on the buckle, lost the screw and the calatrava cross. Could have easily lost the watch as the T-bar was not soldered correctly on top of everything else. $800 later, the clasp is now correct and the T-bar is now welded.
I'm sure there is a better solution to a relatively simple problem that would maintain an "engineered appearance and function" for a timepiece at this level. The pins remind me of those used in very low end watches and really have no business in a high end watch, particularly a Patek. Makes you wonder why a firm that makes the most complicated watch the world can't engineer a better method.
I just had a client with a 3970R with a folding buckle who had a screw to back out of the head assembly on the buckle, lost the screw and the calatrava cross. Could have easily lost the watch as the T-bar was not soldered correctly on top of everything else. $800 later, the clasp is now correct and the T-bar is now welded.
I'm sure there is a better solution to a relatively simple problem that would maintain an "engineered appearance and function" for a timepiece at this level. The pins remind me of those used in very low end watches and really have no business in a high end watch, particularly a Patek. Makes you wonder why a firm that makes the most complicated watch the world can't engineer a better method.
Another angle to look at is ...
The phasing out of old machines in Patek to produce the screw. Everything is done in house but maybe the machine has finally conked out and is end of life? Just guessing...
Chat with PP service center in Hong Kong
Just talked to the staff of PP service center in Hong Kong.
They confirmed that all Nautilus bracelets are changed to pins.
The reasons being numerous incidents of broken screw heads.
They said that the screw is glued to the link to avoid loosening, thus it requires skill to gently unscrew the screw. If it is unscrewed with force, the screw head may break.
I had my bracelet (with pins) adjusted at the PP service center, and with no mark "added" to the link in my bare eyes.
But I still prefer bracelet with screws, as it seems to represent a higher degree of micro-engineering and be more compatible with fine watches.
This message has been edited by joenghenry on 2012-09-14 22:58:10
Admitting broken screw heads
Who's the responsible?
Are there so many owners who have tried to set the bracelet?
Or are the ADs unable to safely unlock a screw?
Come on, these are excuses, before to unscrew the screw you have to heat it for a while and melt the glue...
It's just a way to produce more nautilus, and there are really too many references right now
Pictures of pins....
...as you can see the fixing is in two pieces as explained by jim251 and for a watch you may only wear now and again it would be fine but a daily wearer it may be a problem in around 5 years, a friend of mine had her 24 slip off her wrist as the pin had worn and she had been wearing the watch every day for over 5 years so i would reccomend replacing the pins at service.
How to remove the links?
Hi,
I just purchased the Nautilus 5712A. Lovely watch. I want to take out some links from the bracelet. There is no arrow marking on the liks showing in which direction to push out the link. Does it matter in which direction I push the link out?
Thank you!
How do you guys explain this. Not my photo. Someone else just posted this pic of 5980
New old stock
At the ADs in Hong Kong, I also saw brand new 5980/1A ( Blue dial and black dial) with screw link recently. But all the white dial 5980/1A are with pin links already.
Cheers
Henry
product information
Hello,
My mother has a Patek Philippe watch and the bracelet it's too tight. If i want to buy a link for the watch how i will proceed? What is the price for one link ?
Here is some details of the watch from the authenticity certificate:
- Reference: 4830/1J-001;
- Movement: 1967901/2987794;
- Calibre: E-15 Quartz;
- Movement jewels: 6R;
- Dial: FD BLANC PORCELAINE-H.ROMAINES;
- Case: Or JAUNE 18 C.;
- Bracelet: OR Jaune 18 C.
Thank you!
Bogdan Andrii
Romania
PP made the switch to pins from screws in the Nautilus line a few years ago. My early examples with Geneva seal are all screwed links; my later examples with PP seal are generally pins.
Both systems work fine and are reasonably easy to change...if you have the right tools. I have a tool set provided by my AD which makes either process straightforward, though of course one needs to be comfortable working with small pieces and tight tolerances. One piece of advice from an early mistake...do not store extra pins by inserting into its sleeve, it's a bear to remove!