Stuck screw in bracelet

[Jong]

I recently bought a Tudor bb. Love the watch except for a stuck screw in the bracelet. It's currently too loose for me and I need to remove the link.

How do I loosen up the screw? It's so frustrating that I can't wear my new watch because of this!

 

[al358]

Have you tried soaking it over night with some wd40?

 

[demolitionman]

Does it refuse to come out while still rotating or is it too tight and you can't turn?
It it rotates but doesn't back out try a little pressure as though you're trying to screw it in and or try pushing with a pin on the other side while rotating to put some outward pressure. If it's too tight, try screwing it back in and remove a different link. Sometimes you have to skip a messed up one and go two above or below while still using the stuck one.

Feel your pain, hope it works. Got a strap laying around?

 

[SUMIKITO]

I can see from your pic that you almost have it out. Get the smallest little tiny nail that fits on the other side. Now lean on that nail head, pushing up, from a butchers block or slab of wood while you turn the screw counter-clockwise. It should pop out quick. dirty threading on the bracelet and screws is what causes all these issues. ..........look at your screw threads once its out....hmmmmm, black and grey dirt, right ? Inside the bracelet threads is more dirt, clean with a piece of cotton rolled up to enter the bracelet thread holes. Kinda like cleaning a pet insects butt !! Insert and twirl !!..........good luck !!

 

[SWWB]

I actually have the same problem (also with a Tudor BB). One screw that turns a little bit but stops after a few turns and one that doesn't turn at all. Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated because I really would like to start wearing this beauty. Thanks in advance.

 

[Alex_P1]

As Sumikito says, these threads are full of a black gunge apparently unique to rep factories. Its a mix of filthy cutting fluid, dirt, fine swarf and more dirt, and works beautifully as a glue and gap-filler!

You need to take the bracelet off the watch and leave it soaking overnight in acetone, nail varnish remover will do if it is acetone based. I use an ultrasonic cleaner full of acetone and strip the bracelet down into component parts to ensure every bit of it is cleaned.

Once it is clean, you'll find all the screws will tighten and untighten much more smoothly and the ones which used to stand proud at the head end might even now go flush.

Rebuild the bracelet with Loctite 222 on all the screws and oil the links with your chosen lubricant.

This might sound like a fair bit of work to remove a link from a bracelet, however, the watch will wear much better, you won't have to worry about losing screws and the thing falling apart, plus it'll get rid of the mysterious black gunge you'll now be able to see in ever crevice of your bracelet!

 

[d4m.test]

As all have said. You will need a lugbar tool to remove the bracelet, take it off the watch, check some vids on Youtube on how to. Than You can properly soak it. Meanwhile use a strap or get a NATO-strap to use it. You need this procedure on all stainless steel bracelet watches so just get used to it right now and get the tools. Johnsons Baby Oil works best on mine, others use WD-40 or tuffglide but I´m not a chemicals fan on the bracelet, with the Johnsons I can be quite careless.

 

[SWWB]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a springbar tool so I'll give it a try.

 

[bronica]

I can see from your pic that you almost have it out. Get the smallest little tiny nail that fits on the other side. Now lean on that nail head, pushing up, from a butchers block or slab of wood while you turn the screw counter-clockwise. It should pop out quick. dirty threading on the bracelet and screws is what causes all these issues. ..........look at your screw threads once its out....hmmmmm, black and grey dirt, right ? Inside the bracelet threads is more dirt, clean with a piece of cotton rolled up to enter the bracelet thread holes. Kinda like cleaning a pet insects butt !! Insert and twirl !!..........good luck !!

This is a common problem.

 

[RichRobby]

Has anyone tried applying some heat to a Noob Rolex bracelet if none of the above work?
Is a gas blow torch used very gently going to cause some cosmetic damage?

 

[Stuvetjee]

Uuh what? never heard of that one before lol. WD-40 always saved my ass when a screw wouldnt come out of the link.

Has anyone tried applying some heat to a Noob Rolex bracelet if none of the above work?
Is a gas blow torch used very gently going to cause some cosmetic damage?