Putting Some Muscle on My Kermit - My 16610LV Bracelet Upgrade

[Qinhan]

I love my Kermit but believe that the newer 97200 bracelet that comes with the 116610 is a clear improvement over the older style hollow link oyster. In particular, the fact that the glidelock function allows for millimetre perfect adjustments as and when needed in order to get the fit of your bracelet just right is a great addition.

Thankfully, the Kermit doesn't have the oversized maxi-case of the Hulk which, try as I might, I just can't seem to like. Streamlined is often more beautiful and I really feel that Rolex made a mistake in changing the proportions of the classic case. That doesn't mean that a little bit of extra muscle here and there is necessarily a bad thing. With that in mind...







Taking a few links out to fit my wrists:





Yes, there are plenty of stickers (I'm not sure I found them all):







Finished:





Clasp nicely centred:



On the wrist:

[520Matt]

Sweet

[No SUBctitute]

I agree with you. I love the new bracelet and clasp. In fact, I would love to get a GMT and put a glidelock clasp on it. Where did you buy the bracelet and how much did it cost?

So, the watch is not original any longer, right? I assume that Rolex still has older style bracelets to put on older subs. If you sent the watch in for service, would Rolex refuse to service it unless you allowed them to bring it back to original spec?

[Qinhan]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

I agree with you. I love the new bracelet and clasp. In fact, I would love to get a GMT and put a glidelock clasp on it. Where did you buy the bracelet and how much did it cost?

So, the watch is not original any longer, right? I assume that Rolex still has older style bracelets to put on older subs. If you sent the watch in for service, would Rolex refuse to service it unless you allowed them to bring it back to original spec?

I won't say how much I paid but gave a ball park figure for a bracelet on the previous page.

With this mod the watch is no longer original but, seriously, who cares? If I need it to be original I take five minutes and swap the original bracelet back. I've no idea whether Rolex would service it with the newer bracelet or not. Personally, I only ever use an independent watchmaker that I trust to service my watches as when you give your watch to Rolex you sacrifice too much control over the servicing process. Ironically, my Rolex watches are too important to trust to Rolex.

[xjeeunitx]

Outstanding! Looks awesome buddy.

[JD521]

Blend of old and new...very nice.


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[Schafer94]

Mind sharing where you purchased the bracelet from? I'm in the market for one for my 16610

[Undefeatable]

Very nice! Love the combo. Was also going to ask where you sourced the bracelet.

[rollee1]

Fantastic mod, love the older case here as well.

May I ask if you filed down the bergeon 6825 PF to remove the spring bars?

[kopykopy]

Correct me if I am wrong, I thought that the newer Glidelock clasp and bracelet does not fit into the 5 digit pre-ceramic submariners?

[Qinhan]

Hey Guys. Thanks for the kind words. To answer your questions:

Originally Posted by Schafer94

Mind sharing where you purchased the bracelet from? I'm in the market for one for my 16610

Originally Posted by Undefeatable

Very nice! Love the combo. Was also going to ask where you sourced the bracelet.

I sourced mine from the "For Sale" section of TRF. If you know an independent watchmaker with a Rolex parts account, he/she should also be able to help you out. Either way, this isn't a cheap mod but is still worth it, imho.

Originally Posted by rollee1

Fantastic mod, love the older case here as well.

May I ask if you filed down the bergeon 6825 PF to remove the spring bars?

Nope. This tool (which is a copy of the Bergeon) came with the smaller 1mm forks too. They work well enough and make swapping bracelets pretty straightforward.

Originally Posted by kopykopy

Correct me if I am wrong, I thought that the newer Glidelock clasp and bracelet does not fit into the 5 digit pre-ceramic submariners?

No, it will fit on the 16610/16610LV but not on the 14060. I'm not sure about other five digit references. While the glidelock bracelet sits securely and comfortably between the 16610 lugs, I wouldn't describe it as "flush". The endlinks on the newer glidelock bracelet protrude just 1mm or so on the underside of the case which you wouldn't get while wearing this on the 116610. That said, this in no way effects the wearability of the glidelock, which is superb.

[uansari1]

Originally Posted by Qinhan

No, it will fit on the 16610/16610LV but not on the 14060. I'm not sure about other five digit references. While the glidelock bracelet sits securely and comfortably between the 16610 lugs, I wouldn't describe it as "flush". The endlinks on the newer glidelock bracelet protrude just 1mm or so on the underside of the case which you wouldn't get while wearing this on the 116610. That said, this in no way effects the wearability of the glidelock, which is superb.

That looks excellent...as far as I can tell, the end link is flush on the top side of the case, which is all anyone would ever see.

I have the same pliers, which I purchased from Esslinger. I'm sure Ofrei has something like this as well.

[rollee1]

Originally Posted by Qinhan

Hey Guys. Thanks for the kind words. To answer your questions:





I sourced mine from the "For Sale" section of TRF. If you know an independent watchmaker with a Rolex parts account, he/she should also be able to help you out. Either way, this isn't a cheap mod but is still worth it, imho.



Nope. This tool (which is a copy of the Bergeon) came with the smaller 1mm forks too. They work well enough and make swapping bracelets pretty straightforward.



No, it will fit on the 16610/16610LV but not on the 14060. I'm not sure about other five digit references. While the glidelock bracelet sits securely and comfortably between the 16610 lugs, I wouldn't describe it as "flush". The endlinks on the newer glidelock bracelet protrude just 1mm or so on the underside of the case which you wouldn't get while wearing this on the 116610. That said, this in no way effects the wearability of the glidelock, which is superb.

Thanks for the reply, it's helpful as I may be doing the same. The spring bars on 14060/ 14060M sits off by a fraction to the lug holes, that's why this new glidelock bracelet cannot fit.

Btw where can I get this tool? Awesome to have the smaller 1mm folk, that's an improvement to Bergeron.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by drives

Do you have a link to that tool? Looks very useful!


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Originally Posted by brettpaul

Looks BEAUTIFUL mate!! I took the cheap route and just purchased the 1/2 link and Glidelock for my 16610LV - had a solid bracelet already being a random serial model!!

Can you tell me exactly which tools you have for your watch - they look amazing and I've been wanting to get some high-quality ones for a while!! Specific manufacturer and tool number would be most appreciated!

Originally Posted by OpusXIII

TOOLS! Watch looks great. Can someone (anyone) tell me where one can acquire the tools pictured within this thread? I'd love to acquire them somewhere. Appreciate any info anyone can provide. Thank you.

Originally Posted by rollee1

Thanks for the reply, it's helpful as I may be doing the same. The spring bars on 14060/ 14060M sits off by a fraction to the lug holes, that's why this new glidelock bracelet cannot fit.

Btw where can I get this tool? Awesome to have the smaller 1mm folk, that's an improvement to Bergeron.

The bergeon tool that inspired the tool used by the OP is ref. 6825, but there is a nice alternative also by Bergeon, inspired by the Rolex tool, which is the Bergeon 7825. I own this last one and it works great.

Here are some pics:

Bergeon 6825


Bergeon 7825


You can find both at Otto Frei:

http://www.ofrei.com/page252.html

[Louies]

Originally Posted by kauebm

The bergeon tool that inspired the tool used by the OP is ref. 6825, but there is a nice alternative also by Bergeon, inspired by the Rolex tool, which is the Bergeon 7825. I own this last one and it works great.

Here are some pics:

Bergeon 6825


Bergeon 7825


You can find both at Otto Frei:

http://www.ofrei.com/page252.html

Thanks for the link.

[Snow-Dweller]

Looks good OP....a well worthwhile upgrade (and IMHO this really is an upgrade).

[drives]

Do you have a link to that tool? Looks very useful!


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[16610v]

That's cool, is it obvious for the improvement?

The bracelet of 16610 is usually sliding down especially when the hand get sweating.

[Qinhan]

Originally Posted by 16610v

That's cool, is it obvious for the improvement?

The bracelet of 16610 is usually sliding down especially when the hand get sweating.

Not sure I follow.

For those asking about tools, I basically used a generic set of pliers that function the same as the Bergeon branded ones plus a solid screwdriver. Nothing special and a pretty simple job.

[And1dre]

Awesome!

[OmegaJJH]

That's quite the upgrade!!

Great pics too.

Thanks for sharing.

[brettpaul]

Originally Posted by Qinhan

I love my Kermit but believe that the newer 97200 bracelet that comes with the 116610 is a clear improvement over the older style hollow link oyster. In particular, the fact that the glidelock function allows for millimetre perfect adjustments as and when needed in order to get the fit of your bracelet just right is a great addition.

Thankfully, the Kermit doesn't have the oversized maxi-case of the Hulk which, try as I might, I just can't seem to like. Streamlined is often more beautiful and I really feel that Rolex made a mistake in changing the proportions of the classic case. That doesn't mean that a little bit of extra muscle here and there is necessarily a bad thing. With that in mind...







Taking a few links out to fit my wrists:





Yes, there are plenty of stickers (I'm not sure I found them all):







Finished:





Clasp nicely centred:



On the wrist:

Looks BEAUTIFUL mate!! I took the cheap route and just purchased the 1/2 link and Glidelock for my 16610LV - had a solid bracelet already being a random serial model!!

Can you tell me exactly which tools you have for your watch - they look amazing and I've been wanting to get some high-quality ones for a while!! Specific manufacturer and tool number would be most appreciated!

[mjclark32]

Good work!

[toolr]

Very nice albeit pricey upgrade... I like it!

[travisb]

Nice! I'd do the same if I still had any 5 digit references. Glidelock is a game changer!

[brucethemanlee]

Nicely done


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[gummy]

Very Nice!

[Rolex addict]

Very nice!!! I just upgraded the bracelet on my 16622 to the newer style. The SubC bracelet wouldn't fit. Believe me, I tried!!! I love the Glidelock clasp.

[mikkemus23]

Love it

[tifosi]

You may have just ended up with the perfect Rolex Sub!
The endlink fit would bug me, but on the whole, awesome upgrade.