Watch winder-induced Stretch???

[Speed]

OK, here is my relatively new Brookstone watch winder. $150. A relative bargain...I know, I know, many here say the best winder is your wrist. Well, I thought I would give this guy a try.



I have small wrists...6.5" or so. Just took my Y Series Sub off the winder cushion this AM and the clasp, which usually held itself in place before the fliplock was flipped over, is now loose and will not hold. If the flip lock is flipped off, the entire bracelet comes loose.

Hoping my local RSC can tighten this back up on Monday.

I have read threads about people using NATOs or Velcro straps if the Winder cushions are too large or to avoid what happened to me...

Any other more elegant suggestions?

I also considered slicing off a quarter inch or so of the firm cushions so that my bracelets will not be stretched so darn tight over the firm foam cushions...

I do NOT want my tight GMTII Oyster and Soop Joob / DJ bracelet to get stretched out.

[hhh007]

On my cushion, I just took a couple of rubber bands wound tight over the cushion and it compressed the cushion enough so the watch now fits more easily.

[Speed]

Thanks Howard.

That's an idea. If I can get some wide black rubber bands...or velcro bands...Excellent!

[George Ab]

Sounds like the bracelet is slightly tweaked. That can easily be adjusted. See this thread on how: http://forums.timezone.com/pdf.php?th=2311

Size the winder to the watch by removing material or some method. Do not force the watch on something it should not be forced onto.

[SLS]

Never heard of that happening before, are you sure the cushion is not compressed instead?

Edit: I misread your post, when you said stretch in your title, I was thinking of your bracelet. You can fix the clasp yourself by lightly pushing the edge of the clasp on a hard surface to get it back into place.
Scott

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by hhh007

On my cushion, I just took a couple of rubber bands wound tight over the cushion and it compressed the cushion enough so the watch now fits more easily.

Uhm, you rock!!!

Doing this for my wife's winder now...

[Dr.Brian]

Mine easily compresses, I'm surprised it's rigid enough to deform the clasp.

[Speed]

Thanks all.

The cushions are firm rubber / foam. I *think* perhaps the folding clasp part may be gotten a bit bent?

At any rate, the cushions are so big relative to my bracelet that the watches are likely too tightly wrapped around them. Compressing the cushions seems a good idea...need to find some large black rubber bands if possible a couple extra NATOs perhaps.

[Rolesor]

It's a great display for your beauties there bill!

[Speed]

Thanks Brandon... Now I just need to fix the dang cushions!

[Watch Professor]

Both Orbita and Wolf have smaller cushions which they sent out free of charge. All it took was a phone call. You might try calling Brookstone. If they don't have it, I would return this winder and get one from the two above mentioned companies. Orbita especially is excellent, but expensive. It's not worth putting a Rolex on a cheap winder.

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

Both Orbita and Wolf have smaller cushions which they sent out free of charge.

+1

I've been using the smallest cushion without any complaints.

Brookstone seems to be using similar cushions.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

Both Orbita and Wolf have smaller cushions which they sent out free of charge. All it took was a phone call. You might try calling Brookstone. If they don't have it, I would return this winder and get one from the two above mentioned companies. Orbita especially is excellent, but expensive. It's not worth putting a Rolex on a cheap winder.

Thanks Myron. Not sure if they have different sizes...until I make an adjustment, I am not putting any watches with bracelets on the winder.

Originally Posted by sakuraba

+1

I've been using the smallest cushion without any complaints.

Brookstone seems to be using similar cushions.

Thanks Jib. Need to look into another size...or compressing the cushions I have.

[sleddog]

If you or the wife are any good at stitching Bill,try cutting the pillows shorter and restitching them on a sewing machine!!! Just a thought.

[Speed]

Thanks Rob...

Hoping to find a solution just short of slicing off a hunk of the cushions.

Hopefully, my local RSC can put the click back in my Subbie's bracelet. The GMT is still snappy...but I won't be putting it on the winder for a bit.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Speed

Thanks Rob...

Hoping to find a solution just short of slicing off a hunk of the cushions.

Hopefully, my local RSC can put the click back in my Subbie's bracelet. The GMT is still snappy...but I won't be putting it on the winder for a bit.

Sounds like the blades need adjusting...Or is it the flip lock piece not closing tight???

[Speed]

The bracelet used to snap into place and basically hold before the flip lock was flipped. Now the blades do not nestle in the clasp and the flip lock is the only thing holding the bracelet on wrist.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Speed

The bracelet used to snap into place and basically hold before the flip lock was flipped. Now the blades do not nestle in the clasp and the flip lock is the only thing holding the bracelet on wrist.

Ok...
It's an easy fix then...The curve in the blades is either to flat or to curved!
A couple of mins will fix it!

As for the cushions,it looks as though they are leather/or vinyl wrapped??

[Speed]

Cushions are firm foam...might be vinyl wrapped...

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Speed

Cushions are firm foam...might be vinyl wrapped...

Well that stops the alteration yourself as far as cutting them down...
Although an auto trim detailer could do it for minimal cost if your unable to source smaller ones....

Don't worry about the watch though,your local RSC will have it fixed in minutes!!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Speed

The bracelet used to snap into place and basically hold before the flip lock was flipped. Now the blades do not nestle in the clasp and the flip lock is the only thing holding the bracelet on wrist.

Over in the Reference Library, under The Amateur Watchmakers Corner, we show you how to adjust your clasp blades to get the "click" back.. this is a common adjustment..

to put your watch on a cushion, you should close the watch first, then compress the cushion and insert it into the watch.

[335ic]

im having the exact same problem with the brookstone winder - it has all but ruined my pam strap and i've been afraid to put my gmt on it for fear of the like. I was considering shaving it down (even put it under one of the legs on my bed for a day, darn memory foam goes right back to how it was, haha). I guess i'll have to find some velcro, any suggestions as to where? I also considered moving the pin to the farthest setting but thats quite annoying to do every time i want to throw the watch on the winder - please help.