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LittleMsMelody · 24 March 2010, 03:14 AM

Let me just say that this is my first post but I've been looking around and have already found do much helpful information. What a great forum! Everyone seems so nice and helpful.

So here's my dilemma...

I just bought a circa 1984 mid-size, stainless Datejust (6824) on eBay and I need some advice about the bracelet. Here's a link to the ad for it with pictures - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_3271wt_1167

I've sized it down as far as I can for now but several of the screws were rusted, heads stripped, and one had most of the head polished off. Without getting the headless screw out I can't make it small enough to fit me.

It seems that most replacement bands I've found are less tapered and have a larger clasp than this one. Do you think that this was an aftermarket band that was put on it a long time ago? The numbers on this clasp don't look like the ones in the clasp reference thread here.

I'd also like to know if putting an Oyster style bracelet on it is an option and if anyone knows what it should have come with by the reference number.

I look forward to hearing any thoughts you might have on how I can get this watch on my wrist (without spinning all the way around it!).

Thanks,
Melody

fastskater · 24 March 2010, 04:12 AM

Hi Melody,

Welcome to the forum. THAT is a really nice watch, congrats and enjoy. Hard to know if it's an after market bracelet but I suspect not. It probably was simply not afforded the respect it deserved.

As for sizing a mid-size...my girlfriend has a 31mm no-date model and we had a helluva time getting it to fit. She has very petite wrists and I kid you not, we went to two different Rolex ADs a total of three or four times and none could get that watch to fit properly so that the clasp lie flat, centered on the underside of her wrist without protruding out so as not to catch on things and open up. The irony is that I see women wearing full size men's Rolex and they appear to fit perfectly.

My bet is you can swap a new Oyster bracelet with the old jubilee. The AD may tell you it can't be done but unless it's a re-design, it usually can. The new 2009 mid-size Oyster bracelets (solid links, new clasp, better feel and fit) would not fit on my girl's 2008 older model mid-size but you never know, maybe it will on yours, depends largely on hole alignment, width, etc.

Best of luck and send pictures once you have it sorted out.

LittleMsMelody · 24 March 2010, 04:18 AM

Thank you! It's funny, I also have a 36mm Datejust and it does fit perfectly! I had no idea that these links have to be removed 2 at a time either which also ads to the trouble with sizing. They alternate screw, no screw, screw, no screw.

rfknauss · 24 March 2010, 05:47 AM

Melody, welcome to TRF!

JBat · 24 March 2010, 05:51 AM

Melody, welcome to TRF! Please stick around and become part of our community.

DesertDogs · 24 March 2010, 06:07 AM

Hi Melody - Welcome to the forum! It is great to see a new female member join. We are few but mighty!!

Jan

slcbbrown · 24 March 2010, 06:12 AM

If you like the watch and bracelet combination and don't plan to sell it (great looking watch), I'd just take it to a local watch guy and ask him to shorten the band. I recently had a tt jubilee shortened. It can involve cutting off some links if you need more adjustment than is provided, but if you save them, they can be reattached.

LittleMsMelody · 24 March 2010, 12:48 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Having the links cut and soldered is a good idea but can watch/jewelry shops solder stainless steel?

So far I'm having trouble finding an aftermarket bracelet that the clasp will fit. Does anyone know if Rolex changed the clasp size at some point? I checked out an aftermarket Oyster style bracelet locally but the clasp was about a mm larger than mine so swapping it out wouldn't be an option.

Are there any online sellers with used bracelets that you guys know of?

LittleMsMelody · 25 March 2010, 10:14 AM

Also, do any of you experts know what reference number the bracelet for this watch would be?

24 March 2010, 03:14 AM	#1
LittleMsMelody "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 6	Need bracelet advice (midsize datejust) Let me just say that this is my first post but I've been looking around and have already found do much helpful information. What a great forum! Everyone seems so nice and helpful. So here's my dilemma... I just bought a circa 1984 mid-size, stainless Datejust (6824) on eBay and I need some advice about the bracelet. Here's a link to the ad for it with pictures - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_3271wt_1167 I've sized it down as far as I can for now but several of the screws were rusted, heads stripped, and one had most of the head polished off. Without getting the headless screw out I can't make it small enough to fit me. It seems that most replacement bands I've found are less tapered and have a larger clasp than this one. Do you think that this was an aftermarket band that was put on it a long time ago? The numbers on this clasp don't look like the ones in the clasp reference thread here. I'd also like to know if putting an Oyster style bracelet on it is an option and if anyone knows what it should have come with by the reference number. I look forward to hearing any thoughts you might have on how I can get this watch on my wrist (without spinning all the way around it!). Thanks, Melody

24 March 2010, 05:47 AM	#4
rfknauss 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Richard Location: Macungie, PA Watch: 5513 Sub, LV Sub Posts: 14,500	Melody, welcome to TRF! __________________ *"Few things in life give man as great a pleasure as wearing a Rolex!"* TRF's "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Patron

24 March 2010, 06:07 AM	#6
DesertDogs "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Jan Location: AZ Watch: Everose Daytona Posts: 491	Hi Melody - Welcome to the forum! It is great to see a new female member join. We are few but mighty!! Jan __________________ WG Sub (2014) Everose Day/Date Meteorite (2015) Everose Daytona (2011) YG - Submariner Serti Dial (M Series)/DayDate II (V Series)/Daytona Black Dia Dial (D Series) TT - DJII (V Series)/YM Blue Dial (D Series)/YM Mid-Size Slate Dial (D Series) SS - DJII (V Series)/Daytona (2011)/Sub LV (M Series)/YM Plat&SS (M Series)/GMT Pepsi (78)

24 March 2010, 04:12 AM	#2
fastskater Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: David Location: chicago Watch: Submariner 5512 Posts: 40	Hi Melody, Welcome to the forum. THAT is a really nice watch, congrats and enjoy. Hard to know if it's an after market bracelet but I suspect not. It probably was simply not afforded the respect it deserved. As for sizing a mid-size...my girlfriend has a 31mm no-date model and we had a helluva time getting it to fit. She has very petite wrists and I kid you not, we went to two different Rolex ADs a total of three or four times and none could get that watch to fit properly so that the clasp lie flat, centered on the underside of her wrist without protruding out so as not to catch on things and open up. The irony is that I see women wearing full size men's Rolex and they appear to fit perfectly. My bet is you can swap a new Oyster bracelet with the old jubilee. The AD may tell you it can't be done but unless it's a re-design, it usually can. The new 2009 mid-size Oyster bracelets (solid links, new clasp, better feel and fit) would not fit on my girl's 2008 older model mid-size but you never know, maybe it will on yours, depends largely on hole alignment, width, etc. Best of luck and send pictures once you have it sorted out.

24 March 2010, 04:18 AM	#3
LittleMsMelody "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 6	Thank you! It's funny, I also have a 36mm Datejust and it does fit perfectly! I had no idea that these links have to be removed 2 at a time either which also ads to the trouble with sizing. They alternate screw, no screw, screw, no screw.

24 March 2010, 05:51 AM	#5
JBat "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: John Location: Washington Watch: 16710, 16610, DJ Posts: 7,329	Melody, welcome to TRF! Please stick around and become part of our community.

24 March 2010, 06:12 AM	#7
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,689	If you like the watch and bracelet combination and don't plan to sell it (great looking watch), I'd just take it to a local watch guy and ask him to shorten the band. I recently had a tt jubilee shortened. It can involve cutting off some links if you need more adjustment than is provided, but if you save them, they can be reattached.

24 March 2010, 12:48 PM	#8
LittleMsMelody "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 6	Thanks for the warm welcome! Having the links cut and soldered is a good idea but can watch/jewelry shops solder stainless steel? So far I'm having trouble finding an aftermarket bracelet that the clasp will fit. Does anyone know if Rolex changed the clasp size at some point? I checked out an aftermarket Oyster style bracelet locally but the clasp was about a mm larger than mine so swapping it out wouldn't be an option. Are there any online sellers with used bracelets that you guys know of?

25 March 2010, 10:14 AM	#9
LittleMsMelody "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 6	Also, do any of you experts know what reference number the bracelet for this watch would be?

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