Problems with a screw (again !!).......seeking advice...

[WatchFan1]

After purchasing some nice straps I was ready to do my first strap change on my PAM98 today.
I made sure I had everything set-up properly. I taped the areas around the screws, so there would
be no scratches should the screwdriver slip. I took my watchmaker's screwdriver set and found
a screwdriver that perfectly matched the grove on the screw. I knew this was very important and I checked
the perfect fit up close - with a 20 x loupe.

One side, screws 1 and 2 loosened up, lugs pulled out and strap changed...super easy, took 2-3 minutes.
Other side: - screw #3 came out again very easy, but the last screw would not budge. I tried again. Nothing.
Checked under the loupe if the screw really did not move only to find out in horror that the grove got already mangled with my effort!!

Apparently when they installed the strap in factory, this one screw was over-tightened as it did not budge
at all while the other 3 screws came out SUPER easy. Not sure what to do now..... I do not think that even my watchmaker
can take it out. I wonder if I have to send the watch to Panerai repair center and have the screw carefully drilled out.
Fortunately, besides 1 mangled screw everything is fine and because I taped the watch off - there are no scratches.

Any of you experienced similar challenges ? Should I send the watch to Panerai repair center or
does the NY or Beverly Hills Panerai Boutique have a watchmaker on staff that can help?

Your advice will be appreciated.

[WatchFan1]

I decided to call BH Boutique...They were very helpful and accommodating. They suggested that I ship
the watch to them and they would try to extract the screw and replace it with a new one.
However, when I told them that my watch is 42 Radiomir GMT Alarm, they said that they do not
stock that type of screw and I will have to send the watch to their repair center in Dallas.

Some of you probably recall the problem I had 1 week into ownership of the watch when the screw
holding the winding rotor broke off and I did not want to send the watch to Dallas just to replace
a simple screw. (My local watchmaker found a screw that fit perfectly, fixed it and everything was fine).

Now, after this scenario - it appears that I have to send the watch to Dallas after all. Arrrrrgh !!

[RadiomirFreak]

better safe than sorry. best to send it back to panerai.
sucks though...
but Im sure you will be all smiles once u get it back and put on the new strap

[WatchFan1]

You are right,...while there - I will also ask them to install OEM screw to my rotor.
I had another frustration with this watch 1 week into ownership.

I guess it was just 'meant to be' that this watch goes to Dallas
(I just hope that the service will be rea$$onable and the watch will not be stuck there for weeks!!)

[bmmeup]

I have a suggestion after dealing with tiny screws by the hundreds in my remote control helicopters. Many times the screws have a very tiny amount of lock tite on the screws so they dont work themselves out. if you take a hot solderning iron and touch it to the head of the screw for about four or five seconds and then try your screw driver it usually comes right out with no problem. Even without lock tite it expands the screw enough and cools, shrinking the screw that it comes out in that spilt second with no harm at all. Give it a try if you are a fix it kind of guy and have a soldering iron.

[Vandice]

Spray some silicone lube and let it sit for 20 min... the screw shld loosen.

[diamondgirl]

Yep, Milos. It probably did have loctite on it which gave you the problem. Have run into that many times!!! Also can try a hairdryer for a few secs, or your local AD for a one second steam on the screw. Since your screw is mangled, definitely send to Dallas.

[WatchFan1]

Thanks everyone for your tips.... I tried heating the screw - nothing except for more screw mangling :mad:

When people are suggesting that there was some loctite there, I am thinking:
"No way! Why the heck would Panerai put loctite there?"
"Why they would put it on only one of these 4 lug screws?". (The other three did not have it and came out like a breeze.)
"I'd think that by now Panerai people should know that their customers like to change straps, right?"

Diamondgirl, the fact that you are telling me that you have seen loctite there is very surprising to me.....

I guess this watch is just testing my patience with the brand....Its putting me through a test to see if really want one...LOL !
I hope it will have no more issues after it comes back from Dallas. :rolleyes:

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Could also be a defect of the wire loop strap holder at the end where the screw that would budge is... If the groove in the wire loop is not made to 100 % exact standards, OR the wireloop is slightly bent out of shape, it will tend to hold onto the screw making it very hard to screw out. Maybe you should give it one more go and try to wiggle the wire loop strap holder whilst trying to screw out the screw. I know that won't be easy, but if you could put the watch case in a watchmakers caseholder while doing it (you know: the gadget you use when you want to remove the caseback and want to avoid the case from slipping out), it would help.

[DarkHeart]

I can offer no advice, but I can offer my sincere sympathy with you. I hope it all works out to your liking.