Interesting pics of the "S" word in a solid link bracelet... YES, I said Stretch

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Just need to regularly ultrasonic clean it to reduce chance of wear.

Originally Posted by Michael M.

X2

And some SPF 80 to slather the crystal with so the dial and hands wont fade , rub it in lika wax and buff to clear "protection" of them UV rays

Seriously though, there's no stopping stretch, hmm, that shuld be a t-shirt, "Stretch Happen$" and the only thing ya can do is rinse or Ultrasound cleaner the thing to help prevent the inevitable, but there's no how no way it will ever stop - short of lockin it up...

[sheldonsmith]

Actually, your post HERE makes perfect sense and one of the best explanations on "stretch" I have seen yet...

-Sheldon

Originally Posted by Colnago

I have to chip in....I tried to resist but I cannot...

If the new bracelets are not kept clean microscopic grime can get in between the links and the pins....there has to be a clearance on the holes in the links for the pins or the bracelet would not "hinge"....

Those microscopic pieces of grime will begin to cause wear, simple as that.....then once wear has occurred then larger pieces of grime can get in....if not cleaned then the problem just escalates....not hard to grasp really

But please....bottom line...it isn't stretch....it is wear...plain and simple.....anything mechanical no matter how big or small and what material is prone to wear....no exception....that's why we service mechanical things....if we don't then wear accelerates.....

Keep your bracelets clean......let them get all banged up and scratched...but keep them clean and they will last a lifetime not a lunchtime

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Megalobyte

Our elderly female population might disagree. :)

I thought they were mostly from New York City.

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Does he bring it by the ad and have it cleaned ever?

Funny thing YES, he actually works for his Father that owns the AD...

Originally Posted by azguy

Well worn, but I would expect it to hold up better after just two years.....

Me too, he is "hard" on his watches I guess and I know he does wear it 24/7 no matter what he is doing but still I thought it would fare better

Originally Posted by chris333

Yep. Old SEL sea dwellers show plenty of 'stretch' at the end link.

This is a 116710 (GMT) not a SD 16600

Originally Posted by FremStar

Very interesting Adam! Same issue with the SEL bracelet on my D serial 116231!

Sounds like it is time to flip that one Sam

Originally Posted by z32turbo

Thanks for sharing Adam. Good to know some people do actually wear their watches.

Originally Posted by rodrob59

OK I'll quit bitching about my little scratches. I have 20 year old bracelets that look pristine compared to this.

Myself as well, no more worrying about that little ding after I saw this one.

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I wear my bracelets loose, for comforts sake and in that regard, I don't worry too much about "stretch."

I am concerned enough about the phenomenon to keep my watches clean and I did take in my Explorer and DJ a couple of weeks ago for a ultrasonic cleaning. When I took in my Sub for one, the watchmaker said that the watch was quite clean and didn't need an ultrasonic treatment now, but he did steam clean it, a process he did not explain, although the owner assured me that it was an effective method.

I'm wondering if this amount of "stretch" after two years is the result of having neglected to keep the watch clean or a result of a loose fit or a combination of both.

I would also wonder if there is perhaps more erosion of the links at the beginning as the bracelet breaks-in, which slows down as pressure on the links is relieved.

Any answers would be appreciated.

I would agree this kind of wear in such a short period of time is due to more than normal wear... IE not cleaning the bracelet, loose wear and the like

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Still no big deal, we all stretch a little as we
age.

I have started and I am only 33... When does it end

Originally Posted by nch209

More pics of the entire watch!!!!!

Sorry, this is all I have from him at the moment

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Interesting, thanks for posting. That just goes to show that we should all keep our Rolexes locked in the safe and never wear them.

I do agree that this "stretch" is really just excess wear however I was literally floored when I saw this watch some months back and the condition it was in for such a short amount of time. Funny thing is that I commented on it and he thought it was fine and I was crazy he said you cannot keep it new forever and went about his business.

[Akira]

Originally Posted by handsfull

Actually, the GMT II bracelet is made of 904L, not 316. Also, 904L is softer than 316.

As far as I know, the only watches on 904 bracelet are Sub, DSSD and both Explorers. Plus Jubileee for Datejust. The rest (GMT II, Milgauss, Oyster for Datejust, Daytona etc) are on 316

[Akira]

This is my 17000 Oysterquartz with the bracelet showing NO STRETCH after 18 years of use. It has some small scratches, nothing special, just regular worn. I wear this watch 24/7, about 1-2 days a week (I've bought it 4 years ago), take shower with, sail or play golf etc. The bracelet is adjusted pretty close to the skin, with comfort but no lose at all. If I shake the hand, the watch doesn't move.

















This is to compare with a brand new bracelet for 17000, ordered especially in Paris in 2008, just in case (the model is discontinued, so I decided it's wise to get a spare bracelet). This new one was never worn, just fitted by the AD and I swapped for the old one immediately. As you can see, this new bracelet doesn't show less stretch than a 18 years worn one. The links are tight on both, the only difference I feel is the clasp with more ease to close and some scratches on the old one. That's it. NO STRETCH.

















And this is to show the 17000's bracelet is a regular SEL bracelet, "tin can" links .



All this is to say, if you take care of your watch and wear it on a correctly adjusted bracelet, it will last for decades.

Cheers

P.S. this is a full 17000's photo album, made some years ago http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ighlight=17000

[77T]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Does he bring it by the ad and have it cleaned ever?

Every time he cleans his room...never!

[subtona]

thats a lot of wear for 2 years time!

[acce1999]

Oleg,

Very nice pictorial! But to be clear about the stretch: You have owned the watch for four years, and given that you use it 1-2 days per week, you have used in total for a year. Did you know the previous owner, so you can verify that it have been worn 18 years? Or is it 18 years old, and perhaps have been used little?

I am asking just out of curiousity, and to learn more.

This afternoon I compared four Oyster bracelets that I own: One that I have used daily for eleven years, and then in rotation. Perhaps it has seen some thirteen to fourteen years of wrist time. One NOS 20 year old bracelet (that I have given only a couple of days of wrist time). One 20 year old bracelet (exactly the same age as the NOS one), with heavy use, and another bracelet that is some seventeen years old, but have only been in use for some three to four years in total. Obviosly the NOS bracelet is as crisp as they come, but the others are well taken care of, and the two most used show some minor wear, but I would say that I have at least 20 more years from them. And given the number of bracelets that I have... I am more concerned about service of the watches... :-)

Best,

A

P.S. Absolutely beautiful 17000. And I am thinking like you... with more bracelets than watches... :-)

Best,

A

[Akira]

Originally Posted by acce1999

Did you know the previous owner, so you can verify that it have been worn 18 years? Or is it 18 years old, and perhaps have been used little?

That's true, Anders, I can't verify if the previous owner wore it for 14 consecutive years or not. The only one info I have is the clasp has been changed (why? no idea) but the bracelet is original. I purchased this watch in a very nice condition, got full service Rolex and wear it quite often, mostly w.e. watch.

The thing I know for sure, there is a direct relationship between how lose you wear your watch and the stretching of the bracelet. I'w ve heard that several times, but got a proof by myself.

When bought this 17000 the bracelet was missing one link, and I was forced to wear it as it, tight on my wrist. Rapidly, I got used to this and observed a strange thing: my Sub, which I was wearing more losely was geting stretched, while 17000, worn about the same period, stayed strait and perfectli aligned.

I experienced this with two Air Kings, one worn (much) more losely than other. The lose one got stretched more quickly. That's it.

Now, I try to adjust my bracelet in order to just stay in the comfort zone but never let the watch to turn on my wrist too much.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by directioneng

316. 95 Rockwell.
904. 90 Rockwell.

Yes, I suppose that is 'softer'.

904L has a typical Rockwell of 79.....have to look up 316L...

Originally Posted by TSts

After heat treatment - the material used by Rolex is in Annealed form - not heat treated, thus it's relatively easy to scratch. Ever tried scratching material that has a Rc of 90? Not easy.

There is no heat treating with Rolex bracelets/cases or 904L....However, it can be icehardened/tegimented.

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by Akira

That's true, Anders, I can't verify if the previous owner wore it for 14 consecutive years or not. The only one info I have is the clasp has been changed (why? no idea) but the bracelet is original. I purchased this watch in a very nice condition, got full service Rolex and wear it quite often, mostly w.e. watch.

The thing I know for sure, there is a direct relationship between how lose you wear your watch and the stretching of the bracelet. I'w ve heard that several times, but got a proof by myself.

When bought this 17000 the bracelet was missing one link, and I was forced to wear it as it, tight on my wrist. Rapidly, I got used to this and observed a strange thing: my Sub, which I was wearing more losely was geting stretched, while 17000, worn about the same period, stayed strait and perfectli aligned.

I experienced this with two Air Kings, one worn (much) more losely than other. The lose one got stretched more quickly. That's it.

Now, I try to adjust my bracelet in order to just stay in the comfort zone but never let the watch to turn on my wrist too much.

Thanks for the reply. I wear my bracelets fairly tight too. Tight enough to not have the watch move around. Twenty years ago I wore them looser, so I share your observation.

Best,

A