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Old 25 January 2025, 02:45 AM   #1
ajh77
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18238 Very Difficult to Open

My 1990 18238 requires quite a bit of force to open. I have to put my fingernail under the clasp and really give it a very hard tug to open.

Can’t an AD use some type of tool to adjust this to where I still hear the click when closing the clasp, but it’s not so difficult to open ?

Thank you
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Old 25 January 2025, 03:12 AM   #2
Dr.Smellody
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If it is a very fresh bracelet it will loosen over time. My bracelet is also very tight overall on my 18239.

I've noticed over time these hidden claps loosen with use.

Unless is it very, very difficult to open it wouldn't mess with it. Just my six or seven cent advice.

Hello from my 18239.
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Old 25 January 2025, 03:15 AM   #3
ajh77
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Ok, I won’t mess it with it , but it’s so stiff that when the clasp does finally release the watch sort of twirls on my wrist as the force needed to release the clasp does that, but I guess better too tight than too loose.
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Old 25 January 2025, 03:15 AM   #4
Dan S
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Be careful what you wish for. ;-)
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Old 25 January 2025, 11:44 AM   #5
crowncollection
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18238 Very Difficult to Open

Tight is better than Loose. It will loosen anyway over time


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Old 25 January 2025, 12:25 PM   #6
0nly5iv3Digits
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Tight is better than Loose. It will loosen anyway over time


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Old 25 January 2025, 12:34 PM   #7
racerx
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Tight is better than Loose. It will loosen anyway over time


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This is true of many things…
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Old 25 January 2025, 06:08 PM   #8
502 to Right
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Tight is better than Loose. It will loosen anyway over time


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It's a 1990 clasp. 35 years isn't enough time?
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Old 25 January 2025, 10:30 PM   #9
crowncollection
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This is true of many things…


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Old 26 January 2025, 02:11 AM   #10
Dr.Smellody
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It's a 1990 clasp. 35 years isn't enough time?
Some of these watches are rarely used. And if you have as many watches as some of us, there is just one daily wearer.
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Old 27 January 2025, 07:27 AM   #11
WiseRat
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Esslinger sells a tool that adjusts the tightness of the clasp for the 5-digit day dates. I have one and it works great to adjust if the clasp closure if its too tight or too loose.

https://www.esslinger.com/watch-clas...SABEgLQovD_BwE

Do not try and bend the prongs of the clasp with a pair of pliers to adjust the tightness. This will damage the clasp, and you run the risk of breaking the prongs. The tool listed above gently bends the clasp itself, not the prongs.
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Old 31 January 2025, 11:04 AM   #12
928ktgold
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Originally Posted by WiseRat View Post
Esslinger sells a tool that adjusts the tightness of the clasp for the 5-digit day dates. I have one and it works great to adjust if the clasp closure if its too tight or too loose.

https://www.esslinger.com/watch-clas...SABEgLQovD_BwE

Do not try and bend the prongs of the clasp with a pair of pliers to adjust the tightness. This will damage the clasp, and you run the risk of breaking the prongs. The tool listed above gently bends the clasp itself, not the prongs.
Yes the clasp can be bent inwards to loosen it a little.have a watchmaker do this . I have my dad’s similar old dd serviced for the first time 2 years ago.it was also fairly unused. The watchmaker decided to tighten it with his service. It didn’t need it but I had him loosen it as it as way too tight
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