Please Explain: Bracelet Looseness and Longevity

[powerband]

Hi everyone,

I have a bracelet (93150) with folded end-links and hollowed center-links (on my 14063M). I've read on TRF that wearing the bracelet loose will cause accelerated wear and stretch.

Well, I like to wear my Rolexes slightly loose -- not rap-star, thug-like slacked, but with enough breathing room that an index finger can slide between the ulnar artery and the bracelet.

Now I'm no mechanical engineer so I would love to hear an explanation. What is it about wearing the bracelet loose that causes premature stretch?

I can be talked into a slightly more snugged fit, as I'd like to prolong the bracelet's useful lifespan. I just want to hear the mechanical reasons that a loose bracelet may cause premature stretching (apart from dirt and grit).

Thanks in advance.

Pic:

[samsmart]

I would think that a loose bracelet can cause premature stretch just from the weight of the bracelet itself hanging off of your wrist, not to mention, you may catch it on something and pop a spring bar.

That being said, I am no expert.

[c.rod]

That's pretty loose. I like to keep my bracelets a little on the loose side but nowhere near that. It looks like u need to take a link out and it would still be loose. Prob a great fit.

[Chaching]

You need a link out!

[powerband]

OK, I get it. I'm a pseudo-rap-star, thug-like slacker. ;-)

So, I adjusted the bracelet -- see picture. How's it now?

I still would like to understand what's the mechanical cause of bracelet stretch if worn loose.

Thanks again!

[Watch Professor]

Originally Posted by powerband

OK, I get it. I'm a pseudo-rap-star, thug-like slacker. ;-)

So, I adjusted the bracelet -- see picture. How's it now?

I still would like to understand what's the mechanical cause of bracelet stretch if worn loose.

Thanks again!

Much better.

[samsmart]

That looks better. Probably less likely to get snagged on something now. I think that's the main problem with wearing it to loose. But at the same time it needs to feel good on your wrist.

[phiarc]

Loose bracelets look cheap. It's thuggy because all the posers can't afford to have the links taken out on their fake watches.

That said, it comes down to mechanics: the loose bracelet means a lot more movement in the bracelet overall, especially pivoting between links, and this has a tendency to hasten the "stretch" that older bracelets exhibit. It still looks too loose; the discomfort won't last, and it's less painful than buying a new bracelet in a few years.

[samsmart]

Originally Posted by phiarc

Loose bracelets look cheap. It's thuggy because all the posers can't afford to have the links taken out on their fake watches.

That said, it comes down to mechanics: the loose bracelet means a lot more movement in the bracelet overall, especially pivoting between links, and this has a tendency to hasten the "stretch" that older bracelets exhibit. It still looks too loose; the discomfort won't last, and it's less painful than buying a new bracelet in a few years.

Well Said

[powerband]

Originally Posted by phiarc

Loose bracelets look cheap. It's thuggy because all the posers can't afford to have the links taken out on their fake watches.

That said, it comes down to mechanics: the loose bracelet means a lot more movement in the bracelet overall, especially pivoting between links, and this has a tendency to hasten the "stretch" that older bracelets exhibit. It still looks too loose; the discomfort won't last, and it's less painful than buying a new bracelet in a few years.

Thanks. Sounds like excess movement contributes to the stretch?

BTW, for some reason the pictures make the bracelet seem a lot looser than in real life; check out especially the first picture with the blue shirt -- it really isn't that loose when worn normally. And now that I've adjusted the size, what seems to be "still too loose" is actually no longer sliding on the wrist at all, and no more rattle whatsoever.

Cheers.

[T. Ferguson]

OK, here's what I've learned from my time on TRF. Obviously a bracelet doesn't actually stretch i.e. it's not elastic. What happens is friction over time causes the pins in the links to get smaller and the holes these pins are in to get bigger. This results in more play which in turn causes more friction, and results in what is referred to as bracelet stretch.

Wearing a watch loosely cause more friction because with every movement the weight of the watch head causes frictional forces. More importantly, all the movement of the loose links causes them to pivot or rock back and forth, again causing the wear of the pins and pin holes. As the metal wears away it allows even more dirt and grit in which just accelerates the process. When the watch is worn more snug this doesn't happen nearly as much because the bracelet is being more or less held still, in place. With the bracelet moving less to hardly at all, there is less wear on the pins and pin holes.

I'll scout around, I'm sure there are a couple of good illustrative pics of bracelet stretch, but this is what causes it. Wear it on the snug side and keep it clean.

Hope this helps explain it for you.

[Thebiglagu]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

OK, here's what I've learned from my time on TRF. Obviously a bracelet doesn't actually stretch i.e. it's not elastic. What happens is friction over time causes the pins in the links to get smaller and the holes these pins are in to get bigger. This results in more play which in turn causes more friction, and results in what is referred to as bracelet stretch.

Wearing a watch loosely cause more friction because with every movement the weight of the watch head causes frictional forces. More importantly, all the movement of the loose links causes them to pivot or rock back and forth, again causing the wear of the pins and pin holes. When the watch is worn more snug this doesn't happen nearly as much because the bracelet is being more or less held still, in place. With the bracelet moving less to hardly at all, there is less wear on the pins and pin holes.

I'll scout around, I'm sure there are a couple of good illustrative pics of bracelet stretch, but this is what causes it.

Hope this helps explain it for you.

Well said! You learn something new everyday on the Rolex forum!

[powerband]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

OK, here's what I've learned from my time on TRF. Obviously a bracelet doesn't actually stretch i.e. it's not elastic. What happens is friction over time causes the pins in the links to get smaller and the holes these pins are in to get bigger. This results in more play which in turn causes more friction, and results in what is referred to as bracelet stretch.

Wearing a watch loosely cause more friction because with every movement the weight of the watch head causes frictional forces. More importantly, all the movement of the loose links causes them to pivot or rock back and forth, again causing the wear of the pins and pin holes. As the metal wears away it allows even more dirt and grit in which just accelerates the process. When the watch is worn more snug this doesn't happen nearly as much because the bracelet is being more or less held still, in place. With the bracelet moving less to hardly at all, there is less wear on the pins and pin holes.

I'll scout around, I'm sure there are a couple of good illustrative pics of bracelet stretch, but this is what causes it. Wear it on the snug side and keep it clean.

Hope this helps explain it for you.

Very helpful! Thanks a bunch for an objective and detailed explanation.

Thanks, everyone!

[George Ab]

Along with movement you need you need to add a polishing compound to result in wearing down the pins and enlarging the holes. The polishing compound is dirt migrating into the bracelet through sweat. Get rid of the dirt and you get rid of the polishing compound. If you remove a screw and there is black gunk on it, then there is black gunk in the internal pins. A long soak in an ultrasonic cleaner once or twice a year will greatly add to the life of the bracelet.

[powerband]

George, thank you. A "polishing compound" (dirt and grime) that literally wears away metal would make sense. I will look into getting an ultrasonic cleaner. Does anyone have a recommendation?

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by powerband

George, thank you. A "polishing compound" (dirt and grime) that literally wears away metal would make sense. I will look into getting an ultrasonic cleaner. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Your local AD or most any jeweler will give it a bath for a nominal fee while you window shop, maybe even gratis.

One thing for sure - only the bracelet gets ultrasonic, NEVER the watch head.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by samsmart

That looks better. Probably less likely to get snagged on something now. I think that's the main problem with wearing it to loose. But at the same time it needs to feel good on your wrist.

Snagging really isn't a problem, have rarely even heard of that, besides maybe reaching in pockets or drawers. Now as Ferguson pointed out, with looseness the culprit is increased fiction.
A too loose bracelet allows too much play which generates more friction. Strangely this seems to be a big problem with Rolex more than any other brand especially the jubilee bracelets.
I had a SD that exhibited bracelet stretch at the point where the bracelet connects to the end link. I had an Omega PO that I owned for three times as long and wore it the same(snug) and not one sign of stretch. The main difference with Omega bracelet was that the pin connecting the end link and bracelet ran all the way through like a spring bar where as Rolex uses a permalink.
Rolex is the only watch company I worry about having bracelet stretch, to the point where I will get a rubber band to use while away at work and spare the bracelet a bit.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by powerband

Thanks. Sounds like excess movement contributes to the stretch?

BTW, for some reason the pictures make the bracelet seem a lot looser than in real life; check out especially the first picture with the blue shirt -- it really isn't that loose when worn normally. And now that I've adjusted the size, what seems to be "still too loose" is actually no longer sliding on the wrist at all, and no more rattle whatsoever.

Cheers.

No excess movement causes wear on the link holes what happens is friction and dirt gets between the link pins and screws and over time elongates the screw and pin holes.But keep bracelets clean with regular washing in soap and water and wearing bracelet a snug fit.Preferably just about the wrist bone so as you can just get your pinky finger tip under clasp they will last a very long time.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

OK, here's what I've learned from my time on TRF. Obviously a bracelet doesn't actually stretch i.e. it's not elastic. What happens is friction over time causes the pins in the links to get smaller and the holes these pins are in to get bigger. This results in more play which in turn causes more friction, and results in what is referred to as bracelet stretch.

Wearing a watch loosely cause more friction because with every movement the weight of the watch head causes frictional forces. More importantly, all the movement of the loose links causes them to pivot or rock back and forth, again causing the wear of the pins and pin holes. As the metal wears away it allows even more dirt and grit in which just accelerates the process. When the watch is worn more snug this doesn't happen nearly as much because the bracelet is being more or less held still, in place. With the bracelet moving less to hardly at all, there is less wear on the pins and pin holes.

I'll scout around, I'm sure there are a couple of good illustrative pics of bracelet stretch, but this is what causes it. Wear it on the snug side and keep it clean.

Hope this helps explain it for you.

Perfect explanition. Movement of metal (loose bracelet) against metal causes wear, less movement (tighter bracelet), less wear. Your second pic shows a much better fit than the first in my opinion. A good cleaning as posted above goes a long way also. A weekly scrub with a mild hand soap (I use dawn) and a soft toothbruch can't hurt.

[SUBversive]

Originally Posted by powerband

OK, I get it. I'm a pseudo-rap-star, thug-like slacker. ;-)

So, I adjusted the bracelet -- see picture. How's it now?

I still would like to understand what's the mechanical cause of bracelet stretch if worn loose.

Thanks again!

Is this a folded end link?

[Daytona-Dan]

Originally Posted by padi56

No excess movement causes wear on the link holes what happens is friction and dirt gets between the link pins and screws and over time elongates the screw and pin holes.But keep bracelets clean with regular washing in soap and water and wearing bracelet a snug fit.Preferably just about the wrist bone so as you can just get your pinky finger tip under clasp they will last a very long time.

+1 on keeping it clean. From what I've seen of stretched bracelets it's almost always wear around the pins that causes it. Having it too loose can also cause it to slide towards your palm and when you bend your wrist, it can put a lot of pressure on the bracelet, this alone will not stretch it, but imagine the sandpaper/grinding effect it has on the pins and links if there is dirt inside.

I wear mine over the wrist knuckle but it's loose enough to slide down my arm with a little effort and yet tight enough that it can't hit the back of my hand when i move around or slide onto my palm. IMO your second pic is just about right although I believe mine is slightly tighter, I can fit my index finger in there but its a pretty tight fit.

[powerband]

Originally Posted by SUBversive

Is this a folded end link?

Hi SUBversive. It is a non-SEL. (Sorry, I wasn't aware there is a difference.)

[Billywiz]

Second pic looks perfect...

[powerband]

Originally Posted by Daytona-Dan

I wear mine over the wrist knuckle but it's loose enough to slide down my arm with a little effort and yet tight enough that it can't hit the back of my hand when i move around or slide onto my palm. IMO your second pic is just about right although I believe mine is slightly tighter, I can fit my index finger in there but its a pretty tight fit.

After the adjustment, this is how my watch now sits. However, I can fit only my pinky in there. (In the first picture that appears really loose, I could fit easily an index finger in there; and, no, I don't have a Fred Flinstone index finger.)

Cheers!

[powerband]

Originally Posted by phiarc

Loose bracelets look cheap. It's thuggy because all the posers can't afford to have the links taken out on their fake watches.

Like this thug and his fake rollie?



Before my adjustment, this was how loose my watch was. But you're right, I needed to tighten it up a little, more to mitigate wear than to prevent myself from looking like a thug.

Thanks!

[Mystro]

Honestly, wash your watch often and you don't have to worry about stretch. As long as the watch doesn't roll around your wrist and you pinky finger size it, its more of how you like the feel. I know some guys wrist really swell and they need their watch on the loose side. After 15 years my bracelet is still like new. I wash my Rolex often with a diluted dish soap mix i keep by the sink.

[powerband]

Is liquid Dawn a good soap to use?
It cuts grease like a rabid dog.

[Oyster Al]

Use Dawn sparingly, like once every fifth or sixth cleaning. The degreasing agents can wear down the seals over time. Use a mild soap like liquid hand soap majority of the time, in my opinion.

[bridgs]

I will say that I did not notice any stretch on my sub bracelet until I had worn the watch 24/7 for 16 years. I wore that watch while doing serious manual labor during most of the 16 years. I wore the watch every night while I slept. I washed the watch and bracelet every morning before going to work as I like a clean watch. I know that every morning when I rose, I noticed that the watch would work it's way up my forearm and stay there probably the whole night (many hours). There would be a deep imprint on my arm and my arm would be numb. I think it was this that made my bracelet stretch. Also I did wear my bracelet just a tad loose (pinky fingers worth) as I worked and of course humid weather I think will not allow the most strong willed of us to wear it snug sometimes.

Basically, I do not think you can avoid the possibility of stretch if you are one who wants to wear his watch often while you live and breath. Enjoy it! I eventually bought a new oyster last year which cost a fortune. I have it on my sub now and have the old one still. I do not regret wearing that sub all of the time. You only live so long.

[powerband]

Originally Posted by bridgs

I do not regret wearing that sub all of the time. You only live so long.

Agreed!