Rolex bracelet dilemma

[Abre]

Hello fellow members,
So I bought this 16030 about 2 weeks ago and it arrived 2 days ago, the watch is in immaculate condition and it is really a time capsule other than the plexiglass.
Since the watch arrived I noticed that the bracelet is very very stiff and I immediately had a red flag that the bracelet was restored previously,
So I wore it for a day and I felt the bracelet was getting better.
Today I took it to RSC the watch maker was blown away by the condition and he checked the watch for around and hour most of that time was spent checking the bracelet and taking second and third opinion from other watch makers (RSC in my area has a glass wall so I can see every single thing the watchmakers are doing )
so I talked to a couple of the watchmakers about the watch and it’s story, it was sitting in a collection with about 30 other vintage Rolexes for 30years or more, a woman in my local area inherited the collection and I managed to get my hands on this one, it came with a 1970 Rolex hand tag with a serial number that matches the case but unfortunately she couldn’t locate the box and papers as with most of the other watches that she inherited .
The watch makers came to a conclusion that due to it being literally sitting for more than 30 years the bracelet needs breaking in and with use and time it will back to normal.
Attached are some photos of the bracelet you can literally shape it and it will hold it’s shape in it’s pretty hard to move it around.
What are your thoughts?
All comments are appreciated.
Thank you

[springer]

Immaculate indeed - both the watch and the fingers.

Based on your photos, the bracelet links exhibit a tightened restoration. I have seen this many times - the links are over-tightened and they kink like those found in your photos.

[Dan S]

I suspect the bracelet will loosen up with a little wear. If the links are stiff to rotate, I suppose you could try a tiny bit of oil, but it could be messy and maybe not worth the trouble.

[newkidonblock4]

Sorry this isn't helpful regarding your question, but is there a pic of that 30 watch collection?

Sounds amazing and would love to see it

[Abre]

Originally Posted by newkidonblock4

Sorry this isn't helpful regarding your question, but is there a pic of that 30 watch collection?

Sounds amazing and would love to see it

Nope , I wanted to see that as well.


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[EEpro]

Adjust them straight gently under soapy water and work it back and forth a bit. Even modern Pepsi will jam up if pushing upward toward lugs.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by springer

Based on your photos, the bracelet links exhibit a tightened restoration. I have seen this many times - the links are over-tightened and they kink like those found in your photos.

Agree. I once bought a vintage Jubilee that had been super-overtightened in HK. It was so stiff that you had to literally bend it to get the links to move, just like the OP's.

I tried breaking it in by wearing it for a few weeks, but it didn't change at all and I ended up returning it.

Jubilees should by definition be silky. They're not stiff like this when new.

[PVR]

I am going to have to disagree with the responders in this thread.

Based on the condition of the lugs, the case back sticker and overall unworn condition of the watch, in addition to the fact that I believe the bracelet is original to the watch, I feel the bracelet is factory new old stock.

No question that kinked links are a byproduct of being overtightened from restoration, they could also be a byproduct of a watch that just hasn't been worn in 40 years as well. The steel center links actually fuse with the opposing steel outer links creating a friction and being "too tight".

The solution for either is the same. As you wear it, the bracelet will loosen and free up as metal wears against itself and smooths out.

Thats one serious time capsule watch. If it was a sport model it would be worth a boatload..

[ppbskis]

Thats a great piece. Great looking Buckley dial too!

Ive owned my 16800 sub over 30 years and I recall that the bracelets when new were really nice and tight like yours, even on my Subs Oyster bracelet.

I even recall that super tightness on a bracelt replacement in the early 90's.
Just had my watch overhauled and outfitted with a new bracelet a couple years ago and was very dissapointed how loose the links were.
I guess they dont make em as tight as they used to.

[NOPDK]

beautiful piece. wear and enjoy. based on condition of rest of watch prob just a minty bracelet which is a great find. reasonable to think that not restored, just in great original condition. I have a piece on same bracelet and it did same thing in a few areas. I removed bracelet from watch and sparingly used silicone lubricant on the links. Worked the bracelet around to get the lubricant in then wiped off excess and reinstalled bracelet. Now bracelet tight but no binding. You can even wash bracelet in soapy water after if there is residue on outside of bracelet you want to remove. Once the lube gets into the pin area it will keep it from binding.

[forgedblades]

couple more pictures please.LOL ok great ot me