Rattling of bracelet between the lugs

[greg35]

I just received my first Rolex, a vintage one at that.

I have raised a few questions in a different thread.
But I didn't Attache the rattle video I had.

So it is attached herez

My question:

Is this kinda rattle normal for vintage?
I know I over rattled in the video to give you guys the impression, however, I have to only slightly move my wrist and I can hear it.

Looking for answers.thanx

[greg35]

damn.. i cant attach the file... it is an MP4 file...
any tip on how to attach it?

[greg35]

A quick call to a rolex service tech has assured me that it is something that is possilbe. he explained that:
1) it depends on how often the watch has been polished
2) if it has been cleaned recently, it means that the grime that does build up between the bracelet and the lugs are gone. Therefore the metal can move freely... against the other metal components...

I will be sending it in for a once over anyways.
The contact is Glen of Watch Wise.
London Court in Perth Western Australia.

[crowncollection]

Older bracelets can rattle


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[greg35]

Thanx, David. It makes me feel better.

[zapokee]

Perfectly normal for vintage bracelets to rattle. It's part of the charm of vintage!

[Vincent65]

Yep - get used to it!

[QueueCumber]

Rattling?! Better you should return it under Rolex warranty......

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Perfectly normal for vintage bracelets to rattle. It's part of the charm of vintage!

x2

[droptopman]

Part of the vintage magic. They make beautiful music..sometimes a little adjustment to the end links can reduce this and improve fit. As in the fit of the end links to the case. If the tabs on the bottom side of the end link are spread too wide the end link will sit low on the case and rattle more. A slight tweak will improve the look and reduce the rattle.

[mineral]

Enjoy the vintage. I only collect Rolex vintage nowadays. You feel satisfied if you could find good example and full set.

[jban5]

I think that adjusting the end pieces on these bracelets is something that too many people overlook and it makes a big difference.

It seems to me that if they are spread too wide they have a tendency to rock up and down too much, more than enough to make them feel fluid. I've seen a lot of older watches, not just Rolex, that have a ridge cut in the case from the top edge of the end pieces hitting it and if not a ridge than a general scraping off of the case between the lugs destroying the markings there.

[MitchSteel]

Greg, what kind of watch is it? And which bracelet and end links.The reason I'm asking, is the endlinks may not be appropriate for certain cases, some too thick, thus the rattle.
Let us know
Congrats by the way.

[Fredrik]

I adjusted my 7836 bracelet and it is virtually rattle free now, first the spread needs to be correct and I had endlinks with the correct spread to compare with. Then I also tightened the fitting of the endlink to the last link of the bracelet which made it sit better between the lugs and also got rid of the last rattle. It is a 7836 bracelet with 358 endlinks.

[greg35]

Thanx for the advice.
It is a 1964 ref 1003.

I am going to attach a pic of where the rattle occurs. I think I understand about the spread of the end links. It seems that the end links are not spread as much and therefore causing the rattle.

Thoughts?

[John in MA]

On the bottom of the endlinks are two tabs. Bend those up slightly. This will push the top side of the endlink into the case for a tighter fit. On the older rivet bracelets you can't make it super snug but it will decrease the rattle.

I do this with all my rolex bracelets as I hate the endlink rattle.

[greg35]

Originally Posted by John in MA

On the bottom of the endlinks are two tabs. Bend those up slightly. This will push the top side of the endlink into the case for a tighter fit. On the older rivet bracelets you can't make it super snug but it will decrease the rattle.

I do this with all my rolex bracelets as I hate the endlink rattle.

Awesome.. i guess i need to find an instrument to be able to do this...ie remove the bracelets and then to bend the tabs.