minor sunday afternooon mystery (bracelet clasp)

[soundserious]

Happy Sunday everyone.

I recently purchased a ref. 93150 bracelet that apparently came directly off a ref. 1680 Submariner. Apparently the bracelet was slightly "reconditioned" prior to sale. The endlinks (580's) and links themselves look fine, but I noticed some differences in this clasp compared to some of the others I've handled.

To my eye the following things are different:
1. Continuous line of holes (vs 4 + 4)
2. Detente in the back (vs none)
3. larger dimple on fliplock
4. smooth fliplock (not shown, vs. grooves to match
5. larger dimple on fliplock



Any comments?

Regards, V

[soundserious]

any ideas on this one?
anyone?

[roro]

Looks like an older 93150 bracelet. The newer ones have clasps with a "non-conitnuous" line of holes, the two lines on the fliplock, no detent on the back, a shallower "dimple" under the flip lock, and a tapered clasp profile (fatter in the front than in the back).

What is the clasp code (small letter(s) sometimes followed by a number stamped above the "STEELINOX" on the inside of the clasp)?

I have exactly the same clasp on my 1978 1680 and its a VC clasp code.

[soundserious]

thanks roro

mine is VB

[tudorman8276]

...this is an early transitional 93150, one of the FIRST 93150 bands to be produced with the detent and continuous holes..

...subsequently evolved from there.

[pawnshopkiller]

Here is the real answer to your question.
Take if from a guy who has alot of worn out Rolex parts from over 30 years of my father being a Pawnbroker.

Dirt and grime collects on the flip lock and in wears a groove on the clasp from opening and closing it.

When this happens the only way to have it stay snug is to sand down the "track" that the flip lock leaves on the clasp and repunch the Divot on both the Flip lock and the claps itself.

That is why the divot seems larger on both your clasp and the fliplock.

It has been repunched regardless of what year or clasp code it is. Just take a good honest look at it any you will realize this is what has been done.

[soundserious]

Originally Posted by pawnshopkiller

Here is the real answer to your question.
Take if from a guy who has alot of worn out Rolex parts from over 30 years of my father being a Pawnbroker.

Dirt and grime collects on the flip lock and in wears a groove on the clasp from opening and closing it.

When this happens the only way to have it stay snug is to sand down the "track" that the flip lock leaves on the clasp and repunch the Divot on both the Flip lock and the claps itself.

That is why the divot seems larger on both your clasp and the fliplock.

It has been repunched regardless of what year or clasp code it is. Just take a good honest look at it any you will realize this is what has been done.

thanks, i guess i was taking a dishonest look previously

[pawnshopkiller]

Sorry I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. That this is just some anomaly.

[roro]

VB clasp code would put it at 1977. What year is the 1680 from?

[soundserious]

roro: i just bought the bracelet and endlinks, not the whole watch

using it on my red sub