WatchProSite|Market|Digest
WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Patek Philippe

Simply, the screws were a monumental pain!

 

Many would back out over time due to the bracelet not being fitted correctly or not being cleaned periodically where dirt would build up and create enough friction for the screws to move. Not only that, many new watches would arrive with the screws virtually welded into place with adhesive and with the screws being relatively thin, it was all too easy to completely destroy the screw head. I can't tell you the number of times we had to put a torch to a bracelet to remove screws, but that was far easier than making a mess of the screw heads.

The lady's Twenty-4 was without question, the reference where the bracelet screws were constantly backing out and causing a lot of frustration and problems. Bracelet design seemed to be the problem with the material used inside the links. There is something about a lady who has experienced this that you just cannot imagine. Needless to say, they were not happy campers and I often wished one of the Sterns had been here to hear it. Mind you, this occurred with screws after the bracelet and  had been thoroughly cleaned, dried and each screw locked down with the adhesive provided by Patek.

That being said, I believe the pin system, while not that attractive, is the best solution to a long standing problem. I have far more confidence with the pins than I do with the screws any day.

PS. Not every bracelet watch experienced this issue but there were enough that did to warrant concern.

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16 Comments view entire thread 

Wondering why PAtek has just switched to pins for adjusting the Nautilus bracelet?...

 
By: SRG : December 12th, 2012-16:07
Evidently the new Nautilus watches now have pins instead of screws for adjusting the bracelet size. Interesting, since Omega finally changed from pins to screws for thewir Seamaster. Thaoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve

Pin in bracelet of Nautilus

 
By: joenghenry : December 13th, 2012-02:49
Spoke to PP service center in Hong Kong. They said that they had received quite a number of broken screws head before, hence PP decided to change to pin, which is relatively problem free. Though some PP collectors do not think so, and prefer the old screw... 

Screws for me!

 
By: dr.kol : December 13th, 2012-03:17
That is the reason why I have 3712. I just checked the bracelet of my 5167 Aquanaut. It's having pins. Very sad but at the same time I wear the Aquanaut with rubber strap and the bracelet is resting with the watch papers. Best, Kari

pins

 
By: hutchmanz : December 13th, 2012-07:20
I find the pins very problematic on my 5726. I add or remove a link depending on the season on all my watches and the pins make it difficult. I wish Patek would adopt a micro adjustment system or go back to screws.

No bracelet either.

 
By: yessir69 : December 13th, 2012-09:36
I wanted to get a bracelet for mine. Patek said they would not sell my AD a bracelet since I didn't have the model that originally came with a bracelet. BTW - here's mine.

I agree. I sure wish you could put a bracelet on this older model!

 
By: SRG : December 13th, 2012-15:38
It seems crazy that they would come out with a model that wasn't adaptable. I guess it's only about $50k if you want a bracelet! :-)

Simply, the screws were a monumental pain!

 
By: whit : December 13th, 2012-07:31
Many would back out over time due to the bracelet not being fitted correctly or not being cleaned periodically where dirt would build up and create enough friction for the screws to move. Not only that, many new watches would arrive with the screws virtua... 

Thank you for the great explanation. While I may not like it, I understand better now.

 
By: SRG : December 13th, 2012-15:37
I can see where this could be a problem. :-) I think the Omega seamaster's new screws are quite a bit more hefty, so not the same problem.

I know from experience

 
By: jeremyr : December 14th, 2012-13:24
I went to the Tiffany PP boutique in new york city to get a link and half added and the sales person broke the screw inside my watch while making the adjustment. The watch had to be sent back to Geneva since it was the last link on the watch and couldn't ... 

Funny thing

 
By: 777 : December 15th, 2012-15:11
Just visited NYC, bunch of ADs. One of them was Omega. I was looking at new seemaster, and the salesman was telling me that along with new movement, applied numerals, sapphire crystal back, one of the biggest improvements was screws instead if pins in the... 

Screws

 
By: Timertom : December 19th, 2012-10:25
I prefer screws over pins in my watch bracelets, Keep the watch bracelet sparkling clean and grime free, ensure the screws are properly tightened whenever opened, not over tightened and there's no reason you should face a problem ever. The pins seem cheap...