Bracelet stretching

[Ck8]

Recently there have been many discussions on this topic and the general conclusion is erosion between the pins and the links caused by dirt trapped in between them. Looking at my bracelet I cannot see how dirt can get in between and has it been proven this is the cause of bracelet stretching. I've had the Exp II year 2000 model which had hollow centre links for 10 years and I had not noticed any stretching in the bracelet. At that time I thought stretching only occurred in gold jubilee and Presidential bracelets and not the hard SS.

If it is dirt that is causing it then once inside the link I don't see how washing and brushing the bracelet would get rid of the dirt. Anyway how much dirt can get on your watch through normal daily wear, driving, cooking, shopping etc.. OK if you wear your watch to do active sports or you work outdoors or in heavy industry you might get more dirt on your watch.

[hhh007]

<<< Anyway how much dirt can get on your watch through normal daily wear, driving, cooking, shopping etc.. OK if you wear your watch to do active sports or you work outdoors or in heavy industry you might get more dirt on your watch. >>>


Probably more than you would think. I think the best method for keeping all the nooks and crannies of your bracelet clean is to use an ultrasonic cleaner once every couple weeks.

[George Ab]

So when you remove your screw pins there is no black dirt on them at all? Yes, the dirt acts like polishing compound. It gets in the nooks and crannies from your sweat, dust, etc. Ultrasonic cleaner is the only method to remove that dirt. Howard may be a tad overzealous with the every couple of weeks. However, every four to six months will result in preventing band stretch. You can always give it to your watchmaker as that is what they do.

[Rogue884]

I have noticed, can't prove it mechanically, but a few friends that wear their watches tight on the wrist show less stretch than those who wears theirs with a little slack. Example: I bought my mom a Lady DJ, and she wears hers tight, and after 5 years there is virtually no stretch. My 16600 that I had for 7 years, I wore it where I could put a finger in between my wrist and bracelet, and it had considerably more stretch to it, not excessive, but noticable.

Like I said strange, opposite of what I thought would happen.

[padi56]

All my oyster bracelets ranging from 10 to over 30 years old show no sign of this so called stretch.

[Rogue884]

and. . . . . .


The stretch on my 16613 was more noticable than on my 16600, and I think that had more to do with the center-link.

[Dan Pierce]

Wearing your bracelet more on the snug side than loose and a regular cleaning regimen will eliminate any stretching issues.
dP

[Rogue884]

+1

[Colnago]

As Padi says it is only...."so called stretch"....it's plain and simple wear....that's all...nothing more, nothing less......keep it clean and prevent it from "clanking" around every time you move and it will not "elongate due to wear"

[simon1]

To successfully and quickly wear out a bracelet, you need the dirt and polishing compound dirt, grease and whatever and a certain amount of movement.

So if you wear it on the rather tight side and clean it every now and then, it should not show much wear for decades.

All the really worn out bracelets I have seen were worn way too loosely.

[Brian J]

Great info, thanks guys. I am one that likes to wear my watches tight and now I don't have to feel like I'm stretching it out by doing so.

Dumb question, for the ultrasonic cleaning do you take the braclet off or just dunk the whole watch in?

[Ck8]

Originally Posted by hhh007

<<< Anyway how much dirt can get on your watch through normal daily wear, driving, cooking, shopping etc.. OK if you wear your watch to do active sports or you work outdoors or in heavy industry you might get more dirt on your watch. >>>


Probably more than you would think. I think the best method for keeping all the nooks and crannies of your bracelet clean is to use an ultrasonic cleaner once every couple weeks.

Do you put the whole watch in the ultrasonic cleaner or you take off the bracelet every 2 weeks? What is an ultrasonic cleaner and how does it get rid of the dirt trapped in the links and the pins.

[Ck8]

Originally Posted by padi56

All my oyster bracelets ranging from 10 to over 30 years old show no sign of this so called stretch.

That what I noticed with the Exp II I had, there was no stretch after 10 years. It did not have solid links which is more prone to trap dirt. In fact I did not wash it that often only when I noticed a build up of dirt in the links.

[Ck8]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Wearing your bracelet more on the snug side than loose and a regular cleaning regimen will eliminate any stretching issues.
dP

Regular as in once a week, 2weeks, a month?

[pz93c]

Just the bracelet and regular as in every 6 months.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Ck8

Regular as in once a week, 2weeks, a month?

Depends, adjust as needed. I rotate mine enough that grime doesn't build up as fast, especially when sitting at a desk.
dP