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Old 3 May 2020, 02:33 AM   #1
htrap2294
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Casual Clasp Detail Noticed...

So, I traded in my SMP 300 Pro 2018 for an OP39 Dark Rhodium. I also have a 16613 Submariner.

For the life of me, when I owned the SMP300 I could never figure out why the watch would slide over my wrist bone sometimes when my skin got drier.

Now, after two models of Oyster to compare to, I think I found the answer. The bracelet tapering reduces weight, so less mass. Less mass means less grip needed on the skin to maintain the watch from sliding. Additionally, the clasp arm (even in stamped clasps) is polished. The polishing allows your underside of the wrist to grip and maintain a good balance with the watch.

I'm not sure if it was intended or designed this way, but very interesting to notice. The Omega's swing arms, I believe, are brushed and this would mean less grip.

Thoughts? Opinions?
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Old 3 May 2020, 03:00 AM   #2
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Seems like splitting hairs, but it does make sense

And I guess to a company like Rolex, all details matter

So you might be right about them doing that on purpose
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Old 3 May 2020, 03:03 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by htrap2294 View Post
So, I traded in my SMP 300 Pro 2018 for an OP39 Dark Rhodium. I also have a 16613 Submariner.

For the life of me, when I owned the SMP300 I could never figure out why the watch would slide over my wrist bone sometimes when my skin got drier.

Now, after two models of Oyster to compare to, I think I found the answer. The bracelet tapering reduces weight, so less mass. Less mass means less grip needed on the skin to maintain the watch from sliding. Additionally, the clasp arm (even in stamped clasps) is polished. The polishing allows your underside of the wrist to grip and maintain a good balance with the watch.

I'm not sure if it was intended or designed this way, but very interesting to notice. The Omega's swing arms, I believe, are brushed and this would mean less grip.

Thoughts? Opinions?
I'm sure Rolex has put a LOT of thought into the bracelet. These things amaze me with their comfort. There is something "grippy" about them. You don't have to wear them that tight but they kind of stick to your arm and don't move around a lot.
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Old 3 May 2020, 03:08 AM   #4
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Perhaps your wrist when it was dry was slightly smaller vs when moist.


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Old 3 May 2020, 03:20 AM   #5
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Perhaps your wrist when it was dry was slightly smaller vs when moist.


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I don't think that was the case, because I could resize the bracelet tighter but it would still slip. It was only if I really clamped it down, it wouldn't slip.
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Old 3 May 2020, 03:23 AM   #6
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Seems like splitting hairs, but it does make sense

And I guess to a company like Rolex, all details matter

So you might be right about them doing that on purpose
I had a Tudor Pelagos that had the same issue the Omega did as well. As we know, the Pelagos is completely brushed (including clasp). It's a lighter watch, so it didn't happen as often but when it did...it was annoying (and would pull hairs in the process).
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Old 3 May 2020, 03:38 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by htrap2294 View Post
I had a Tudor Pelagos that had the same issue the Omega did as well. As we know, the Pelagos is completely brushed (including clasp). It's a lighter watch, so it didn't happen as often but when it did...it was annoying (and would pull hairs in the process).

Has Tudor “fixed” the issue now?


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Old 3 May 2020, 03:45 AM   #8
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Has Tudor “fixed” the issue now?


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In the BB58, I believe it has been fixed. That one does not exhibit the same traits.
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Old 3 May 2020, 03:46 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by csaltphoto View Post
I'm sure Rolex has put a LOT of thought into the bracelet. These things amaze me with their comfort. There is something "grippy" about them. You don't have to wear them that tight but they kind of stick to your arm and don't move around a lot.
Absolutely agree with what you say!The Oyster bracelet on my 14060 (yes, the old stamped "jingly-jangly" one!) is superbly comfortable, and I've never had any hairs pulled. I love it...
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Old 3 May 2020, 04:09 AM   #10
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Absolutely agree with what you say!The Oyster bracelet on my 14060 (yes, the old stamped "jingly-jangly" one!) is superbly comfortable, and I've never had any hairs pulled. I love it...
I completely agree with this. With more watches catering towards solid everything, it makes you think - is it actually an upgrade? Sure, it may feel better to hold but does it actually feel better on your wrist?

I still haven't found a better solid link bracelet than the Oyster due to the philosophy and design Rolex employs. And their older bracelets? Sure, they felt cheaper compared to the new ones in production today. However, I never felt they were uncomfortable. To me, they were supremely comfortable.
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Old 3 May 2020, 05:52 AM   #11
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In the BB58, I believe it has been fixed. That one does not exhibit the same traits.

Awesome
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Old 3 May 2020, 10:52 AM   #12
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One of the reasons I only use Rolex is that I have a lot of hair on my arms and I always get pinched by other brands' bracelets, an oyster has never pinched me.

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Old 3 May 2020, 02:54 PM   #13
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I can't tell you how many watches I've owned. I love the look of all of them. I love collecting. The thing that keeps driving back to always wearing my different Rolex at the end of the day, the bracelet comfort. It's the best in the game for me. I've had Omegas, grand seikos, tudors, JLC, tons of seikos, but the comfort of the Rolex spoils the rest of them. You could smear dog %*&% all over the crystal of a rolex, but it will still be damn comfy. This is why I go to my Rolex most days.

Today I was wearing my Seiko STO turtle on rubber. Very comfy. Tonight I switched to my DJ41. No comparison when it comes to comfort.
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Old 3 May 2020, 03:57 PM   #14
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I can't tell you how many watches I've owned. I love the look of all of them. I love collecting. The thing that keeps driving back to always wearing my different Rolex at the end of the day, the bracelet comfort. It's the best in the game for me. I've had Omegas, grand seikos, tudors, JLC, tons of seikos, but the comfort of the Rolex spoils the rest of them. You could smear dog %*&% all over the crystal of a rolex, but it will still be damn comfy. This is why I go to my Rolex most days.

Today I was wearing my Seiko STO turtle on rubber. Very comfy. Tonight I switched to my DJ41. No comparison when it comes to comfort.
While there are a lot of collectors these days that was not always the case. And probably isn't the case for the majority of Rolex wearers. A part of the Rolex design philosophy is one watch you can wear for rest of your life. So the style has to be timeless. It has to be durable. And it has to be comfortable. If none of these things are working after 10/20 years, the watch has failed it's mission to the owner. Say what you will about Rolex but I think the company takes this seriously.

Take car paint. Most car companies probably don't put a lot of thought into it other than what will sell that year, be durable enough to avoid lawsuits and so on. A buddy of mine does a lot of beta testing for 3D design programs and did some work with BMW. They were wanting to visualize how their various car paints looked under all sorts of lighting conditions. They have a whole division devoted to it. I'm sure Porsche, etc does as well. They care what the customer experience is after the product is sold. Rolex wants you to like their product well after they sold it to you. Which is an interesting design strategy in this day and age.
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Old 3 May 2020, 04:57 PM   #15
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The Rolex Oyster bracelet, like all Rolex bracelets, is legendary. The comfort could be attributable to the underside of the bracelet having small, arch-like cutouts that also avoid pinching hairs. I’m sure thousands of hours or more of Rolex R&D went into it. It’s the Crown for a reason.
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Old 3 May 2020, 11:40 PM   #16
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These type issues are why Rolex refined the clasps and bracelets of the six digit series. A properly fitted watch does none of these things.

I have no idea what the Pelagos comment above means. It is the most comfortable and wearable watch I own...
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