XF New AP Royal Oak 15202 Releasing Soon!

[lolo1972sg]

At this point I've been exploring this forum for a while and I can tell you that there's been few members that had problems in resizing their bracelet, and even proceeded to buy a new bracelet since they couldn't remove most of the screws.

A) In case you're asking before ordering it: I suggest you to tell your TD directly to adjust it on the wrist size you communicated, and send it to you with the spare links with it. It happened this way with my TD. Unfortunately, since I'm still waiting, I can't tell you how it went.
B) In case you already own one: have you tried to put (just the bracelet) into hot water? Sorry for the banality of this advice, but it worked to me with some really old (gen) bracelets.

I actually soaked mine in WD40 solution for 2 days. And yes, I murdered the screws (and along the way, crippled my own fingers as well as destroyed my noob ego so much that, in a state of fury, I sold the watch for cheap here a month or so ago).

But yes, I was also thinking of asking my TD to resize the bracelet for me before shipping. They have all these watchsmiths in Guangzhou who probably have Avengers gifted Golden fingers.

 

[lolo1972sg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Rc0FD_chg&t=8s

Not to flog a dead horse but here is a video in which Tim Mosso from Watchbox says that bezel screws on royal oaks should always be slightly recessed below the bezel. Listen from 5:15.

There is actually another video in which he goes into detail why this is but I can't find it. I saw it about two years ago when I was heavily researching AP watches in anticipation of buying one.

Oh Tim, good old Tim. I love the notion of flogging horses but not dead horses because they don’t actually react. Anyhow, so, they are supposed to be recessed ya? Maybe we should do a poll on all the Gen ROO owners and see what would be the result?

Anyway, it is easy to recess the bezel screws. But once recessed, it becomes extremely difficult to un-recess them. Hmmmmmm......

 

[Sonofalich]

I actually soaked mine in WD40 solution for 2 days. And yes, I murdered the screws (and along the way, crippled my own fingers as well as destroyed my noob ego so much that, in a state of fury, I sold the watch for cheap here a month or so ago).

But yes, I was also thinking of asking my TD to resize the bracelet for me before shipping. They have all these watchsmiths in Guangzhou who probably have Avengers gifted Golden fingers.

Tbh this sounds more like a tool issue than a user issue.

Buy yourself decent slotted screwdrivers and you're never going to have a problem.

1.2mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingma...2mm+slotted+screwdriver&qid=1592344663&sr=8-7
1.4mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcingma...7&sr=1-1-91e9aa57-911e-4628-99b3-09163b7d9294
1.6mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingma...mm+slotted+screwdriver&qid=1592344651&sr=8-18


Those 3 will fit all the bracelets you possibly desire and will never ruin any screws... and they're so cheap.

 

[lolo1972sg]

Tbh this sounds more like a tool issue than a user issue.

Buy yourself decent slotted screwdrivers and you're never going to have a problem.

1.2mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingma...2mm+slotted+screwdriver&qid=1592344663&sr=8-7
1.4mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcingma...7&sr=1-1-91e9aa57-911e-4628-99b3-09163b7d9294
1.6mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingma...mm+slotted+screwdriver&qid=1592344651&sr=8-18


Those 3 will fit all the bracelets you possibly desire and will never ruin any screws... and they're so cheap.

I believe I have the right tools. I believe it is a bracelet screws issue.

Yes, I will only blame others and in this case, something (the screws) that will not argue back. Lol

 

[Hom]

All of the bracelet screws on my V2 were fine and unscrewed without resistance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bosaftw]

I resized the bracelet on my XF 15202 V1 without any problems. With a good screwdriver set with different sized drivers it is doable. Even for a noob like me lol

 

[Anadrol5]

Tbh this sounds more like a tool issue than a user issue.

Buy yourself decent slotted screwdrivers and you're never going to have a problem.

1.2mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingmap...2344663&sr=8-7
1.4mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcingmap...3-09163b7d9294
1.6mm - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingmap...344651&sr=8-18


Those 3 will fit all the bracelets you possibly desire and will never ruin any screws... and they're so cheap.

When i bought my V1 i was one of those unlucky enough to get one with unmoveable bracelet screws. Believe me when i say it is not a tools issue. I have been collecting watches for a long time (both rep and gen) and in the course have adjusted many bracelets of all shapes and sizes. I also have professional tools. However, nothing i tried worked on this XF V1. I eventually had to spend another $120 for a new bracelet (which had other problems of its own).

This unmoveable bracelet screws issue seems to be one that crops up from time to time whether it be V1 or V2. I cant help but to think that it is deliberate. IMO the best thing to do would be to ask the TD to unscrew all the bracelet screws as part of the QC process. ie- have the TD take a pic of all the bracelet screws having been unscrewed.

 

[Ultra929]

Here it is mine! What do you guys think?? I believe it's stunning...

Mine had the same flaw on the 56 minute marker. I rejected. Must be a printing issue as I thought mine was unique.

 

[Ultra929]

Oh Tim, good old Tim. I love the notion of flogging horses but not dead horses because they don’t actually react. Anyhow, so, they are supposed to be recessed ya? Maybe we should do a poll on all the Gen ROO owners and see what would be the result?

Anyway, it is easy to recess the bezel screws. But once recessed, it becomes extremely difficult to un-recess them. Hmmmmmm......

"They should always be recessed." Yep, Tim knows everything there is to know about watches.

 

[Ultra929]

Mine had the same flaw on the 56 minute marker. I rejected. Must be a printing issue as I thought mine was unique.

Oh wait, that’s the one I rejected yesterday.

 

[Sonofalich]

Mine had the same flaw on the 56 minute marker. I rejected. Must be a printing issue as I thought mine was unique.

If you check my QC pictures, the 56 marker was fine on mine. So it isn't an issue with all of them, just the one you got.
Full set of pics about 2-3 pages back.

 

[legend]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Rc0FD_chg&t=8s

Not to flog a dead horse but here is a video in which Tim Mosso from Watchbox says that bezel screws on royal oaks should always be slightly recessed below the bezel. Listen from 5:15.

There is actually another video in which he goes into detail why this is but I can't find it. I saw it about two years ago when I was heavily researching AP watches in anticipation of buying one.

The reason some guys put forth, K, is because the bezel screws which are white gold aren't so susceptible to scratches and damage when surrounded by the more resilient stainless steel bezel.
I remember a rather asinine argument recently with a member named Anadrol5 ... oh wait, you ARE him. :hehehe:

From my own experience, the new batches of ROOs and ROs (mostly bought brand new) all have screws that look more level with the bezel than sunken. Maybe its just a natural variation which we need to accept when owning an AP.

 

[kobe24]

kobe24 any new info of the salmon dial 15202 yet?! thanks

I heard it will release end of this month. But will use the same clasp as steel version.

 

[lolo1972sg]

Anyone experienced difficulties in removing the screws on the bracelet while resizing?

Would love to get another one and sunken the bezel screws to make it gen like but my previous experience with the bloody bracelet resizing still hurts me (well, my fingers actually).

Or are the bezel screws supposed to be flushed? F it. I will go ask that guy who has the monopoly of AP knowledge. ;p

I asked the guru who has the monopoly of AP knowledge and his answer is...... “Go Fxxk off. Look at the dial lah, why look at those bezel screws. And if you are so free, go find something more useful to do.”

Anyway, after being told off, I felt compelled to nurse my ego back to good health. So I have ordered another XF 15202 and i will probably F the shit out of the bracelet screws, the bezel screws and all the other screws. Yes, screw them all. Lol.

Jokes aside, I hope I will have less problems with resizing the bracelet. Shall see. This 15202 is probably the most suitable AP rep for small wrists folks like me (and of course for those of us noobs who can’t afford any gen at all. This must be the best consolation price, right?)

 

[jasonbaylee]

Lolo do us a kindness by naming that guru Hahahaha....

We will look at the dial n not the screw heads

 

[lolo1972sg]

Lolo do us a kindness by naming that guru Hahahaha....

We will look at the dial n not the screw heads

Gay guru? Errr.... or you mean Bay the guru, or Jason Bay Lee the guru?

I don’t call people names. I don’t use Gay as a prefix on others. Sorry..... no do.

 

[lolo1972sg]

Be extremely careful with the bracelet screw,they are like butter,I've seen one sold for nothing because the owner murdered the screws and ended to being unable to resize it.

Does that idiot go by the screen name Lolo1972sg or something like that? Anyway, good advice.

 

[jasonbaylee]

Be extremely careful with the bracelet screw,they are like butter,I've seen one sold for nothing because the owner murdered the screws and ended to being unable to resize it.

I rem this case ...

I suspect the screws were glued instead of screwed in albeit the tools used were not to be blamed

 

[BIONONE]

I rem this case ...

I suspect the screws were glued instead of screwed in albeit the tools used were not to be blamed

Pretty sure they used a version of locktite on their screws - had the same problem but managed it to heat up the bracelet with a bowl of boiling hot water - doesn‘t seem to be the most watchmaker‘ish thing - but i guess if it‘s stupid and it works - it isn‘t stupid haha

just hang one side of the bracelet into the cup/bowl of hot water while trying to avoid any steam reaching the watch head. And then you are good to go - worth a try.

i wasn‘t too fond of heating it up with a jet flame lighter let alone a BIC lighter lol
Water is just right not to overheat while still affecting the glue/locktite slightly.

 

[SHB]

Does that idiot go by the screen name Lolo1972sg or something like that? Anyway, good advice.

LOL