Sizing my SubC bracelet myself for the first time... any tips?

[Freshly206]

In the 5+ years I’ve had my SubC, the watch never sat on my wrist properly. I’ve taken it into the AD a couple times but that hasn’t fixed it and I’m tired of bugging them.

I just purchased a cheap kit on Amazon with a block, Loctite 222ms, some toothpicks and a Panerai Panatime screwdriver to size my bracelet myself for the first time.

I’ve read a couple threads regarding this and watched a couple YouTube videos but I’m looking for things to watch out for or suggestions.

Thanks!


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[Tools]

If the screws don't break loose reasonably, you run the risk of slipping and damaging things.

Take the time to heat any loc-tite areas properly, which softens it and allows the screws to be removed with minimal effort.

[mosanman]

Size all my bracelets myself.
Get yourself a hollow ground screwdriver like this:

https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/col...iant=338710269

and you shouldn't have any problems

Edit: just read your post properly and you already have a Panerai screwdriver so ignore my post

[brandrea]

I’m curious as to what the issue is? Are you having difficulty getting the clasp centered or something else?

Maybe post a few pics with your wrist specs and your link set up....

I have a 7”flat wrist and like my clasp to be centered or slightly offset to the 12 o’clock side. In my case 6 links at 12 o’clock and 5 links at 6 o’clock works best.

I should also mention that I like the glidelock to be all the way in or perhaps 1 notch out when my wrist is at normal size ... YMMV.

[GarbanzoNegro]

Originally Posted by Tools

Take the time to heat any loc-tite areas properly, which softens it and allows the screws to be removed with minimal effort.

This. A hair dryer does the trick.

[joli160]

Proper heating at the female part does the trick.
A cigarette lighter will work. Don’t worry about the black residue. Brushes off easy. Hot water has no effect.
(Loctite 222 breaks at 300F or 150C)

You have the good screwdriver already.
My eyes are not what they used to be anymore so I use a watchmaker loupe 3X
and find that very helpful.

A bracelet holder is also handy, so you don’t burn your fingers.

If it doesn’t come out easy heat up some more. Clean the threaded part and apply a tiny drop in the hole, not on the thread of the pin.
Tight is tight.

Easy peasy.

[Freshly206]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m curious as to what the issue is? Are you having difficulty getting the clasp centered or something else?

Maybe post a few pics with your wrist specs and your link set up....

I have a 7”flat wrist and like my clasp to be centered or slightly offset to the 12 o’clock side. In my case 6 links at 12 o’clock and 5 links at 6 o’clock works best.

I should also mention that I like the glidelock to be all the way in or perhaps 1 notch out when my wrist is at normal size ... YMMV.

My current setup is 4 @ 6pm; 5.5 @12pm. I recently had a link taken out of the 12pm.

My issue is the case doesn’t sit well on my wrist. It looks and feels like it is pulling to one side or the other depending on the link setup. The balance constantly feels off.

Right now, my glidelock is almost fully extended. My hope is I can have the glide lock set in the middle and the case will sit in the middle of my wrist without being pulled in on one side of my wrist. I have a relatively small wrist.

I am thinking about adding back the full link to the 12 and moving the half link from a the 12 to the 6. So it will be 4.5 @ 6; 6 @ 12.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Freshly206

My current setup is 4 @ 6pm; 5.5 @12pm. I recently had a link taken out of the 12pm.

My issue is the case doesn’t sit well on my wrist. It looks and feels like it is pulling to one side or the other depending on the link setup. The balance constantly feels off.

Right now, my glidelock is almost fully extended. My hope is I can have the glide lock set in the middle and the case will sit in the middle of my wrist without being pulled in on one side of my wrist. I have a relatively small wrist.

I am thinking about adding back the full link to the 12 and moving the half link from a the 12 to the 6. So it will be 4.5 @ 6; 6 @ 12.


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How large is your wrist? Photos?

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[reeder1]

I usually do 4 links at 6:00 and 6 at 12:00. It’s sometimes difficult to size and I feel like I’m bugging the jeweler, but I will stay there until it’s right. Hey, for 9 or 10K they can take the time to get it right. I want the clasp to be perfectly centered on the inside of the wrist when the dial is exactly where I want it on the other side.


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[cvo]

Take your sub to your local AD to re-size / adjust. They have the correct tools and expertise. They can do everything you can do at home plus experience.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by joli160

Proper heating at the female part does the trick.
A cigarette lighter will work. Don’t worry about the black residue. Brushes off easy. Hot water has no effect.
(Loctite 222 breaks at 300F or 150C)

You have the good screwdriver already.
My eyes are not what they used to be anymore so I use a watchmaker loupe 3X
and find that very helpful.

A bracelet holder is also handy, so you don’t burn your fingers.

If it doesn’t come out easy heat up some more. Clean the threaded part and apply a tiny drop in the hole, not on the thread of the pin.
Tight is tight.

Easy peasy.

Just a small point in that 222's strength will drop down to 25% at 150C but it doesn't completely break down at that temp.
But as you said a lighter will work.

From my spec sheet.
Loctite 222. For Disassembly
1. Remove with standard hand tools.
2. In rare instances where hand tools do not work because
of excessive engagement length, apply localized heat to
nut or bolt to approximately 250 °C. Disassemble while
hot.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by cvo

Take your sub to your local AD to re-size / adjust. They have the correct tools and expertise. They can do everything you can do at home plus experience.

Unfortunately many threads about AD’s who marred screw pins, links and lugs.
If you do it yourself, you can take the time to avoid this.
Many AD’s don’t have a watchmaker on site, you are stuck with the SA.
A SA does not necessarily have any technical skills and it’s going to be most probably a rush job. No money to be made out of this.

Apart from that it’s nice to “work” on your own watches, therapeutic

[Freshly206]

All of my tools came so I am going to make the adjustments this morning.

Couple questions:

1. I’ve seen people recommend sanding down the tip of the screwdriver. I got a Panatime 1.6mm screwdriver. Should it still be sanded down or is that one ok?

2. Should I put something on the screwdriver tip to prevent scratches like tape or something?

3. How long do you wait for the Loctite 222ms to dry before wearing? How long to dry before swimming?

Thanks!


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[Brian Page]

1. don't sand your tip

2. if you cover the tip of the screwdriver it won't fit in the screw slot.

3. doesn't matter unless your jumping in the water immediately. Wear it.

Cheers!

[Xky]

I watched a very good YouTube video. He used a bracelet holder with a micro fibre cloth between the bracelet and the bracelet holder to stop the bracelet holder scratching the bracelet, jewellers tape over the link and screw just in case of any slips, plus the tape helped minimise any damage to the screw.

Best watch sizing video I’ve seen.

The YouTube video is called, Rolex Bracelet Link Removal and Sizing for Submariner.


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[Freshly206]

Originally Posted by Brian Page

1. don't sand your tip

2. if you cover the tip of the screwdriver it won't fit in the screw slot.

3. doesn't matter unless your jumping in the water immediately. Wear it.

Cheers!

Thanks for the tips. I have noticed in videos people recommend putting tape over the screws to prevent scratching. Do you recommend this and if so, what kind of tape? Or is tape only used if you don’t have the correct size screwdriver??


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[Freshly206]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m curious as to what the issue is? Are you having difficulty getting the clasp centered or something else?

Maybe post a few pics with your wrist specs and your link set up....

I have a 7”flat wrist and like my clasp to be centered or slightly offset to the 12 o’clock side. In my case 6 links at 12 o’clock and 5 links at 6 o’clock works best.

I should also mention that I like the glidelock to be all the way in or perhaps 1 notch out when my wrist is at normal size ... YMMV.

I have about a 7” wrist but the bone in my wrist is pronounced, which makes it difficult to wrest on my wrist properly. I have to wear it loose in order for it not to pull and be off center.




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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Freshly206

I have about a 7” wrist but the bone in my wrist is pronounced, which makes it difficult to wrest on my wrist properly. I have to wear it loose in order for it not to pull and be off center.




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Hmmm .... seems we are about the same? I have a very pronounced bone as well and my set up as above seems to work great YMMV
20201113_125825.jpg20201113_125854.jpg

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[RJRJRJ]

If you know how to use a screwdriver, you shouldn't have any problems. The biggest issues seem to stem from using the wrong screwdriver. Unless you're completely reckless, the worst that happens is you damage the screw head and buy another one if you choose to.

I've never had to use heat to loosen the screws. I've found the tighten it and then try loosening it technique to work well. In any event, use heat if necessary. As for letting the loctite dry, I don't think it matters, but I usually let it sit for a few hours or overnight.

[Eric88]

If you want a blast from the past where I shared my journey a decade ago, this thread has some good suggestions on bracelet sizing. So many ways to place the links!

[Freshly206]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Hmmm .... seems we are about the same? I have a very pronounced bone as well and my set up as above seems to work great YMMV
Attachment 1183647Attachment 1183648

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Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

If you know how to use a screwdriver, you shouldn't have any problems. The biggest issues seem to stem from using the wrong screwdriver. Unless you're completely reckless, the worst that happens is you damage the screw head and buy another one if you choose to.

I've never had to use heat to loosen the screws. I've found the tighten it and then try loosening it technique to work well. In any event, use heat if necessary. As for letting the loctite dry, I don't think it matters, but I usually let it sit for a few hours or overnight.

I just finished the adjustments. I started out with 4@6:00; 5.5@12:00, then moved the half-link from the 12 to the 6 and added an extra link to the 12. Making it 4.5@6:00; 6@12:00.

I tried it on before adding loctite 222ms (which is much more watery than I expected). The clasp wasn’t centered and the glidelock was all the way in. So I removed the half link all together from the 6 making it 4@6:00; 6@12:00.

Tried that on, thought it was as best as it will be and added the Loctite.

It definitely fits better although I think the pulling issue I am getting is primarily due to the finish on the inside of the clasp. The polished SS sticks to the back of my wrist while the case moves around a bit, causing it to sit funky.



I think I did a pretty good job w the screws. A couple were very stubborn but I used a lighter to heat them up. It was a bit difficult to see the screw/ screwdriver position due to my lighting and it was hard to secure the watch properly with the cheap Amazon watch blocks. This caused some accuracy issues on my part causing some scratches but Very minimal. The screws look perfect unless you get super close with a flashlight and glasses, then you can see some small marks but those are pretty much imperceivable to the naked eye.



I appreciate everyone’s help! I am going to wear it for a week or two and see if it needs any further adjustment.

Quick question- Is loctite 222ms supposed to be watery?? I ordered it on Amazon and there are a lot of knockoff products. Just want to make sure it is normal and will do it’s job.

Thanks!

I’ll just leave these here, I took it a few months back on a hike in the PNW...




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[TTalk]

Looks good.

[Duey]

Bracelets are sized from the 6 side not the 12 side so the key is how many links do you have on the 6 side for a good fit. The 12 side just holds it in place, like on a tang buckle where the strap goes through it, so centering the clasp has nothing to do with a good fit. The heavier the the watch case the more it will tend to roll and or shift as you turn your wrist.

I wear my with 4 1/2 on the 6 side and they fit great.



And to loosen the loctite just use hot water on the link. Like from a keurig and just hold the link under the stream. The screws come right out with no issues.

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by Freshly206

I just finished the adjustments. I started out with 4@6:00; 5.5@12:00, then moved the half-link from the 12 to the 6 and added an extra link to the 12. Making it 4.5@6:00; 6@12:00.

I tried it on before adding loctite 222ms (which is much more watery than I expected). The clasp wasn’t centered and the glidelock was all the way in. So I removed the half link all together from the 6 making it 4@6:00; 6@12:00.

Tried that on, thought it was as best as it will be and added the Loctite.

It definitely fits better although I think the pulling issue I am getting is primarily due to the finish on the inside of the clasp. The polished SS sticks to the back of my wrist while the case moves around a bit, causing it to sit funky.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201113/1e7973b5712ac33e9512bf93c6ebc3dd.jpg[/IG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201113/2a67dc1976ee18ae06a171329177812e.jpg[/IG]

I think I did a pretty good job w the screws. A couple were very stubborn but I used a lighter to heat them up. It was a bit difficult to see the screw/ screwdriver position due to my lighting and it was hard to secure the watch properly with the cheap Amazon watch blocks. This caused some accuracy issues on my part causing some scratches but Very minimal. The screws look perfect unless you get super close with a flashlight and glasses, then you can see some small marks but those are pretty much imperceivable to the naked eye.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201113/68ddd50f157e71435921b4c4a5f3a6b9.jpg[/IG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201113/d8d867a0601f936f880389632988b158.jpg[/MG]

I appreciate everyone’s help! I am going to wear it for a week or two and see if it needs any further adjustment.

Quick question- Is loctite 222ms supposed to be watery?? I ordered it on Amazon and there are a lot of knockoff products. Just want to make sure it is normal and will do it’s job.

Thanks!

I’ll just leave these here, I took it a few months back on a hike in the PNW...

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201113/b95f5fbe0b141091c15b9eec1a21c93c.jpg[/IG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201113/83dd9802c1f7f20a83198d0f7963cf42.jpg[/MG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201113/b3f347205b41fbac8f505d05b3baea4f.plist[/MG]


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Yes, the loctite is pretty watery.

[Zdenek]

.... https://www.minus4plus6.com/bracelet_kit.php#bracelet

[Xky]

This video helped me size my bracelet myself, Some very good tips in the video, such as putting a microfibre cloth in-between the bracelet and the bracelet holder to stop the bracelet holder scratching the bracelet.

The video title is called,

Rolex bracelet link removal and sizing for Submariner

By the English watch gent, on YouTube.

I can’t copy and paste the link as I don’t have enough posts.


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