ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
21 August 2008, 12:59 PM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Bill
Location: East Bay RI
Watch: GMT-II 16710LN
Posts: 12,039
|
Bracelet stretch? Real danger?
I've been wearing my watch to bed more and more. At least once per week, sometimes 2 or 3. How real is the danger that over time I'll stretch the bracelet and need to replace it. The watch is a 16710 Z series (worn daily) that I plan to own forever, then pass on to my son.
Should I be more diligent and take it off?
__________________
I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man Floating down canal It doesn't use numbers or moving hands It always just says "now" Now you may be thinking that I was had But this watch is never wrong And if I have trouble the warranty said Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On J. Buffett Instagram: eastbayrider46 |
21 August 2008, 01:07 PM | #2 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,453
|
I don't think that you will see any stretch for at least a decade or two, if at all, unless you never clean it or let it just bang around on your wrist...
Remember though, bracelets are expendables, so if you're going to wear it 24/7, and then hand it down to your son, then expect to replace that bracelet in 20 to 30 years to give an heirloom that will last another 30 years..
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member |
21 August 2008, 01:13 PM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Bill
Location: East Bay RI
Watch: GMT-II 16710LN
Posts: 12,039
|
Will the bracelet for that watch be available in 20-30 years? Sounds doubtful.
Something to think about...
__________________
I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man Floating down canal It doesn't use numbers or moving hands It always just says "now" Now you may be thinking that I was had But this watch is never wrong And if I have trouble the warranty said Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On J. Buffett Instagram: eastbayrider46 |
21 August 2008, 02:47 PM | #4 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: So Cal, USA
Watch: Not a ONEWatch Man
Posts: 7,383
|
Quote:
__________________
SS Submariner Date "Z" SS SeaDweller "D" SS Submariner "Random" TT Blue Submariner "P" SS GMT-Master ll "M", Pepsi Pam 311, 524, 297 |
|
21 August 2008, 02:54 PM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 3,295
|
Well, sleeping with it on can't be GOOD for the bracelet (although it might not be bad for it either). I'd take it off just to be safe. I highly doubt it will add to wear and tear if you did, however, especially with the SELs.
__________________
__________________ |
21 August 2008, 07:27 PM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Real Name: Adam
Location: Philly ‘burbs
Posts: 5,656
|
LOL!!! Wear and enjoy your watch. The bracelet will be fine.
__________________
Adam |
21 August 2008, 08:14 PM | #7 |
"TRF" Life Patron
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 52,946
|
Well after wearing Rolex watches now for well over 30 years and using the sports models what they was made for.Myself have never experienced any appreciable stretch in any oyster bracelet.Just keep them clean with a occasional wash and brush up in plain old soap and water and the oyster bracelet will last decades with just a service now and then.Most Rolex watches worn today get in reality quite a pampered life, so stretch should never be a problem Jubillee or Oyster,just keep them clean its that simple.
__________________
ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder |
21 August 2008, 08:21 PM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Northumberland,UK
Watch: 1675 GMT
Posts: 641
|
The Jubilee bracelet on my SS GMT is forty years old this year. I have worn the watch daily throughout that time and have slept wearing it for probably 70% - 80% of the nights. The bracelet is now a bit stretched (see pic), but I've had it checked out by a Rolex-trained technician recently and it's nowhere near reaching the stage where it needs refurbishment.
Hope this helps. Stan. |
21 August 2008, 09:36 PM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: F
Location: Scotland
Watch: Exp II White Face
Posts: 4,272
|
I am always amused by these post.
Valid question granted, but the stretch issue has always perplexed me. I wore a Seilko on a "Jubille" brecelet for 10 years and it has stretched, but that watch is now 25 years old and does not have solid links. With the oytser bracelet of today I think stretch is less of a worry. Wear and enjoy.
__________________
Why have what's new when you have what's best. f |
21 August 2008, 09:37 PM | #10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: canada
Posts: 721
|
Took 18 years for my Sea Dweller bracelet to finaly self destruct. RSc says it is beyond repair as the SEL the holes in them went oblong. Can one get just the SEL and put new ones on or does the whole bracelt have to be pitched
|
21 August 2008, 09:38 PM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Ty
Location: Irving, TX
Watch: Exp II 42mm
Posts: 919
|
I'm having a 'date-appropriate' bracelet put on a 1675 from 1969 right now at RSC, so I say yes.
__________________
Rolex Explorer II 42mm • Panerai 389 47mm |
21 August 2008, 09:39 PM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: F
Location: Scotland
Watch: Exp II White Face
Posts: 4,272
|
Parachrom, no doubt you will have to spring for a new band.
__________________
Why have what's new when you have what's best. f |
21 August 2008, 10:45 PM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Jamie
Location: Georgia
Watch: Stainless Sub Date
Posts: 3,023
|
Jocke posted a pictorial of a referb. he did on his Datejust a while back. He performed extensive cosmetic cleaning because the watch gets used very hard. New crystal, case polished, ultrasonic cleaning of parts, etc. The thing that struck me was excessive wear on the bracelet's springbars: they were worn through and had to be replaced. I don't think your bracelet will be in any danger or see very much accelerated wear in this case. These suckers are tough!
__________________
SUBMARINER OWNERS' CLUB
ESTABLISHED 1953 TRF Member # 5464 |
22 August 2008, 12:30 AM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Singapore
Posts: 467
|
I don't think mine will be stretched as it is enjoying a pampered life like mine.
|
22 August 2008, 12:42 AM | #15 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Real Name: Will
Location: Colorado USA
Posts: 556
|
THE definitive answer to this question, in my opinion.
Quote:
|
|
22 August 2008, 01:23 AM | #16 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Caleefornia
Posts: 19
|
I recently sold a spare 78360 on Fleabay. This bracelet had been in daily use since 1992. I slept with it on every evening. I painted the house, did woodworking, did just about everything except work around AC electricity and my car with it on.
Here's how it looked. IMO, the number one thing you can do to reduce stretch is to wear the bracelet tight. I find more damage happens to my watches when off my wrist than when on. Number two would be clean it with a soft brush and soap and water weekly. (Anyone still have one of the real old Rolex cleaning cloths that used have that printed on it?) |
22 August 2008, 01:33 AM | #17 | |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,453
|
Quote:
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member |
|
22 August 2008, 02:28 AM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: LNDN/Turks&Caicos
Watch: Sea-Dweller
Posts: 212
|
Is 'stretch' caused by the link stretching or the pin deforming?
|
22 August 2008, 02:34 AM | #19 |
TechXpert
Join Date: Mar 2008
Real Name: Dal
Location: Seattle
Watch: 168000
Posts: 1,614
|
got a pic. they could be repaired.
|
22 August 2008, 02:35 AM | #20 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,453
|
On the Jubilee it's caused by both. The relatively small center links would actually pull and flatten out, and the pins would gouge the other links and also be worn down. To fix these, new pins are fitted and the links need to be bent back to more round..
On the Oyster most of the damage is caused by the pin wearing a deep groove in the link and also the pins thinning out. These can usually be rebuilt with sleeves and new pins.. Sometimes labor costs are more than a new bracelet..
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member |
22 August 2008, 02:38 AM | #21 |
TechXpert
Join Date: Mar 2008
Real Name: Dal
Location: Seattle
Watch: 168000
Posts: 1,614
|
also, other than the fear of theft in a hotel or vacation home. Why do you guys sleep with your watches on?
|
22 August 2008, 03:36 AM | #22 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Ally
Location: Surrey (UK)
Watch: 15223
Posts: 638
|
I would not wear a TT (hollow) bracelet playing golf. I have worn my Oyster with TT band for 7 plus years and the second main link from the 6 o'clock position has stretched.
Next service I will look at a bracelet rebuild or replacement of that link and pin. Depending on RSC recommendation. The watch stays in the golf bag now. AJF. |
22 August 2008, 03:56 AM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco
Watch: Submariner
Posts: 2,480
|
Wear it. It will be fine. It will break-in over time but it won't be "damaged" from sleeping. Playing golf is fine, too. I've been wearing mine for golf and sleep for almost 17 years. It has gone through 2 services. They replace the pins and tighten the bracelet. It comes back as good as new. I have heard of more people damaging their watches by taking them off and dropping them on the floor than damaging them by sleeping.
__________________
____________________________________________ Rolex Blue TT Submariner Rolex SS Submariner Breitling Emergency Mission **They are just watches, wear 'em.** ____________________________________________ |
22 August 2008, 04:03 AM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Calgary, Canada
Watch: Sea-Dweller
Posts: 164
|
Take that beauty off and let it rest.
|
22 August 2008, 04:15 AM | #25 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Ally
Location: Surrey (UK)
Watch: 15223
Posts: 638
|
Quote:
I did not think they replaced pins and tighten the bracelet as part of a normal service. My understanding was that they just polish the band! AJF |
|
22 August 2008, 04:45 AM | #26 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 739
|
Wear it all the time, but go buy a new bracelet now and save it. In 20 years it will be about 3 times more. When you are ready to pass the watch along, put on the new bracelet and save to old one.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.