Why do reps have blue screws

[coffindodger]

I am quite new to collecting reps and was wondering why they have blue screws? Is it so they can be identified apart from the gens?? I know this has probably been asked before in the past but can't find it anywhere.

 

[ceejay]

Remember these movements are not made specificaly to put into rep watches, they are put into thousands of other legitimate watches. So the manufacturer makes them apear to be a bit more 'classy' than they realy are.

 

The companies that make the rep watches buy these from the movement manufacturer, they do not manufacture them. So they have to take what they can get, it's the forum modders that take the flaws and try to make them more gen like by replacing the screws when required.

 

Hope that helps?

[martijnp]

Remember these movements are not made specificaly to put into rep watches, they are put into thousands of other legitimate watches. So the manufacturer makes them apear to be a bit more 'classy' than they realy are.

 

The companies that make the rep watches buy these from the movement manufacturer, they do not manufacture them. So they have to take what they can get, it's the forum modders that take the flaws and try to make them more gen like by replacing the screws when required.

 

Hope that helps?

You actually helped me, was wondering the same thing Thanks! 

[mymanmatt]

The different colors of screws indicates their strength. When you buy bolts at a hardware store, you will notice lines on the top of the bolt. No lines is standard, 3 lines is stronger, 6 lines is stronger still. In a watch they don't use lines on the screws, no room for them, so they use colors. Blue is a med strength screw. Black is stronger, silver is the standard and weakest of all.

[ceejay]

The different colors of screws indicates their strength. When you buy bolts at a hardware store, you will notice lines on the top of the bolt. No lines is standard, 3 lines is stronger, 6 lines is stronger still. In a watch they don't use lines on the screws, no room for them, so they use colors. Blue is a med strength screw. Black is stronger, silver is the standard and weakest of all.

 

 

Seiko put 3 lines on top of their reverse thread screws, well on the 7009A etc they do

 

I have my suspicions regarding blueing on the Asian screws as they still fall apart if you breath on them too hard

[billyfras]

Well I've learned my bit for the day too!

[Neuuubeh]

Bluing screws was originally done to offer some corrosion resistance actually. Has nothing to so with strength, as getting steel hot enough to get deep blue means its softer.

I guess for the last 100-110 years its just for decoration though

Regards

Nick

Ps. By softer I mean in comparison to directly after quenching in water or oil. The blue color itself is a thin oxide layer.

Edited March 13, 2014 by Neuuubeh

[marrickvilleboy]

the lines on the reverse screw is to indicate it is reverse thread screw.

 

This was taught in watch school!

[Nightwatch]

This was interesting to learn about. In addition have read that Panerai watches often have blue screws that result from a heating process. Rep. screws are sometimes just painted blue.

[KB]

Ok first there are a number of genuine watches with blue screws in the movements and overall it is for nothing more than decoration...... http://swisswatchwire.com/2013/06/why-do-some-swiss-watches-have-blue-screws.html

 

Ken

[calatrava]

Hand blued screws are considered an upgrade in a good movement, so the Chinese movement manufacturers started using chemical blueing or paint to mimic the look.