Debate about solid links #stretching #wrist

[Alex21]

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a brand new sub 116610LN. Anyone knows if wearing my bracelet tight on my wrist might stretch the links after couple of weeks, months, years?
Not sure what is the best. Wearing the bracelet tight or with little space on wrist.
Thanks for your comments.

[2th_doc]

Tigheter is better. A loosely fitted bracelet wears more because of the movement of metal across the bracelet pins. Also cleaning weekly with soap and water is key.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[J Scott]

[QUOTE=2th_doc;8132527]Tigheter is better. A loosely fitted bracelet wears more because of the movement of metal across the bracelet pins. Also cleaning weekly with soap and water is key.


^^^this^^^

[Alex21]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Frequently wash your watch with a little soap and water, and wear it high and snug above the wristbone, and you'll minimize stretch over time. Any combination of not washing the watch, wearing it loose, or wearing it low directly over the wrist joint can contribute to bracelet stretch.

Makes sense. Thx for the advice.

Originally Posted by Dirt

Just worry about wearing the watch the way that's most comfortable for you. Use common sense.
Bracelet stretch is an overated concept.
Rolex will let you know when it's too far gone and will tell you when it goes in for service.
And it won't become an issue for decades.

Absolutly right. Thx

Bracelet stretch is usually accelerated by not cleaning your watch regularly with some dish soap and warm water. Some agitation from the inside of the bracelet with a very soft bristled tooth brush is all that's needed to get the vast bulk of it shifted.
The build up of oils from your skin combined with dust and dirt forms an abrasive paste which works its way into the nooks and cranies of your bracelet.
That build up ought to be washed away regularly.

True that and in addition to the build up of oils there's also dead skin as well. Very interresting point of view about the abrasive paste.

Originally Posted by al503

He wore it snug above the wrist bone. We both find snug, below the wrist bone, uncomfortable.

I sent mine in for service twice during that time but cleaned the bracelet maybe once or twice besides that. He was more diligent with his.

I have an ultrasonic cleaner now and use that on the DD40. First time was after a month of ownership. Cleaning solution was pretty much spotless. Tried a 3 month interval after that and the cleaning solution was still very clean afterwards. Just the slightest amount of haze right next to the links. So, I've decided to just use the cleaner whenever I get the urge every ~2-3 months.

Interresting. What ultrasonic cleaner does more than soap and toothbrush?

Originally Posted by 2th_doc

Tigheter is better. A loosely fitted bracelet wears more because of the movement of metal across the bracelet pins. Also cleaning weekly with soap and water is key.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you all. I made my mind. I will wear it tight and will try to clean it regularly.
Merry Christmas!

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by Alex21

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a brand new sub 116610LN. Anyone knows if wearing my bracelet tight on my wrist might stretch the links after couple of weeks, months, years?

Not sure what is the best. Wearing the bracelet tight or with little space on wrist. Thanks for answering.

Why do you want to stretch the links? Just open the glidelock a little.

I always wear my watches loose - even the ones on leather.

[2th_doc]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

Why do you want to stretch the links? Just open the glidelock a little.

Lol. That is not what the OP is saying.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[douglasf13]

Frequently wash your watch with a little soap and water, and wear it high and snug above the wristbone, and you'll minimize stretch over time. Any combination of not washing the watch, wearing it loose, or wearing it low directly over the wrist joint can contribute to bracelet stretch.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Frequently wash your watch with a little soap and water, and wear it high and snug above the wristbone, and you'll minimize stretch over time. Any combination of not washing the watch, wearing it loose, or wearing it low directly over the wrist joint can contribute to bracelet stretch.

Are the solid links subject to the same degree of stretch as hollow links?

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Are the solid links subject to the same degree of stretch as hollow links?

They’re still pretty new, so hard to say, but I don’t see why not, because “stretch” comes from the pins routing out the inside of the link over time.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

They’re still pretty new, so hard to say, but I don’t see why not, because “stretch” comes from the pins routing out the inside of the link over time.

How do the jewelers that fix the bracelet stretch do it? And will they be able to do it with solid link bracelets the same way they have done with hollow link bracelets?

[2th_doc]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

How do the jewelers that fix the bracelet stretch do it? And will they be able to do it with solid link bracelets the same way they have done with hollow link bracelets?

There are some pretty good videos on youtube. Here is one:

https://youtu.be/MSwCV7rFuVY


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

How do the jewelers that fix the bracelet stretch do it? And will they be able to do it with solid link bracelets the same way they have done with hollow link bracelets?

Wear also comes from the actual diameter of the bracelet pins becoming thinner as things move and grind metal away. So, tubular sleeves are placed over the worn bracelet pins, making them round and symmetrical again. I suppose the gold center links can be filled in with molten gold and a new hole drilled through the link. This is speculation on my part, but pretty sure this is how Michael Young restores worn out bracelets.

[Thatguy]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Are the solid links subject to the same degree of stretch as hollow links?

They don’t stretch. It’s the pins between the links that wear down loosening the bracelet. I would guess the same will happen on the solid link as well over time. As stated above minimize movement and dirt in between the links.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

They don’t stretch. It’s the pins between the links that wear down loosening the bracelet. I would guess the same will happen on the solid link as well over time. As stated above minimize movement and dirt in between the links.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, it's about time we dropped 'stretch' from these narratives and just call it as it is ...'wear'.

Some members have thought that bracelets do really stretch and in he past have asked if mounting them too tightly on a winder can cause it.

Enough is enough?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Yes, it's about time we dropped 'stretch' from these narratives and just call it as it is ...'wear'.

Some members have thought that bracelets do really stretch and in he past have asked if mounting them too tightly on a winder can cause it.

Enough is enough?

yes.


There is no debate about actual stretch. It doesnt happen. It wears.

[al503]

Just anecdotal observation here. My brother and I got 16610's within a couple of months of each other in the early 90's. I wore mine loose and he wore his snug. About the mid 2000's, his stopped working (never serviced) and asked me to take a look. I noticed right off that his bracelet showed noticeable stretch whereas mine had none. He wore his only on weekdays whereas I wore mine every day and was/am more active (He's a dentist).

I've had my DD40 almost 17 months now. It's my daily and I wear it very loose. Still have no noticeable stretch.

Again. Just anecdotal but wearing it loose worked and still works for me in terms of keeping stretch at bay.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by al503

Just anecdotal observation here. My brother and I got 16610's within a couple of months of each other in the early 90's. I wore mine loose and he wore his snug. About the mid 2000's, his stopped working (never serviced) and asked me to take a look. I noticed right off that his bracelet showed noticeable stretch whereas mine had none. He wore his only on weekdays whereas I wore mine every day and was/am more active (He's a dentist).

I've had my DD40 almost 17 months now. It's my daily and I wear it very loose. Still have no noticeable stretch.

Again. Just anecdotal but wearing it loose worked and still works for me in terms of keeping stretch at bay.

Did he wear it above or below the wristbone? If you wear it snug and below the wristbone, that may be worst of all, because the wrist flexing puts a lot of pressure on it. Also, do you both have the same cleaning regime?

[al503]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Did he wear it above or below the wristbone? If you wear it snug and below the wristbone, that may be worst of all, because the wrist flexing puts a lot of pressure on it. Also, do you both have the same cleaning regime?

He wore it snug above the wrist bone. We both find snug, below the wrist bone, uncomfortable.

I sent mine in for service twice during that time but cleaned the bracelet maybe once or twice besides that. He was more diligent with his.

I have an ultrasonic cleaner now and use that on the DD40. First time was after a month of ownership. Cleaning solution was pretty much spotless. Tried a 3 month interval after that and the cleaning solution was still very clean afterwards. Just the slightest amount of haze right next to the links. So, I've decided to just use the cleaner whenever I get the urge every ~2-3 months.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by al503

He wore it snug above the wrist bone. We both find snug, below the wrist bone, uncomfortable.

I sent mine in for service twice during that time but cleaned the bracelet maybe once or twice besides that. He was more diligent with his.

I have an ultrasonic cleaner now and use that on the DD40. First time was after a month of ownership. Cleaning solution was pretty much spotless. Tried a 3 month interval after that and the cleaning solution was still very clean afterwards. Just the slightest amount of haze right next to the links. So, I've decided to just use the cleaner whenever I get the urge every ~2-3 months.

How do you wear it both loose and above the wristbone? Doesn’t it stay down below the wristbone when loose? Or are we referring to “above the wristbone” as opposite things?

[al503]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

How do you wear it both loose and above the wristbone? Doesn’t it stay down below the wristbone when loose? Or are we referring to “above the wristbone” as opposite things?

I think we're on the same page. I wear it loose. Most of the time, it sits below the wrist bone (closer to the fingers). Some times, it will ride up above the wrist bone (closer to the elbow) and stay there with a friction/press fit against the wrist (especially in the warmer months when I might be sweating.) Hope that made sense.

[Dirt]

Just worry about wearing the watch the way that's most comfortable for you. Use common sense.
Bracelet stretch is an overated concept.
Rolex will let you know when it's too far gone and will tell you when it goes in for service.
And it won't become an issue for decades.

Bracelet stretch is usually accelerated by not cleaning your watch regularly with some dish soap and warm water. Some agitation from the inside of the bracelet with a very soft bristled tooth brush is all that's needed to get the vast bulk of it shifted.
The build up of oils from your skin combined with dust and dirt forms an abrasive paste which works its way into the nooks and cranies of your bracelet.
That build up ought to be washed away regularly.

[Spoonage]

Modern bracelets will wear eventually, more so the pins... I would argue that vintage folded links can stretch, or more accurate unfold. I think I’ve seen pictures of older jubilees do this.

[watchwatcher]

What debate?

[Etschell]

i thought the solid mid link bracelets of the 6 digit models have cermaic jackets to cut down on stretch.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by Etschell

i thought the solid mid link bracelets of the 6 digit models have cermaic jackets to cut down on stretch.

Some do, either my Yacht-Master or WG sub has them as I posted a question about those. I forgot which one

[BAMBAM]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Some do, either my Yacht-Master or WG sub has them as I posted a question about those. I forgot which one

Do you have some pictures as well Please ?!

[BAMBAM]

Nope,
only the new DD 40 in Gold on the president bracelet has such ceramic inlays !

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by BAMBAM

Nope,
only the new DD 40 in Gold on the president bracelet has such ceramic inlays !

ty

[uansari1]

Originally Posted by BAMBAM

Nope,
only the new DD 40 in Gold on the president bracelet has such ceramic inlays !

Are you sure about that? I know that toned models and solid gold models have sleeves, though I’m not sure if they’re steel or ceramic.

[BAMBAM]

Originally Posted by uansari1

Are you sure about that? I know that toned models and solid gold models have sleeves, though I’m not sure if they’re steel or ceramic.

Pictures Please !