'Old Style' Clasps

[spuds]

Evening Gents (& Ladies).

I figured we've been hearing so many bad things lately about the (aledged) 'fragility?' of the cerachrom bezel & the (again aledged) 'weaknesses' of the (yet again aledged!) perhaps somewhat 'over-engineered' clasp of the new Oyster bracelets I just thought I'd ask if anyone had experienced any problems with the 'older-style' Oyster bracelets &/or Oysterlock &/or Fliplock clasps.

& any problems with the old (aluminium?) bezels of the Classic Sub's & GMTII's????

Personally I've owned only two Rolex watches before (one with the Oysterlock & one with the Fliplock) & I've gotta be honest the 'tin-foil' feel used to pss me off something rotten & I had TWO Fliplock clasps put on my ExpyII in less than eighteen months & had to have both clasps 'crimped' umpteen times as well.

Maybe I'm just heavy on clasps but I've not had any problems on my Omegas so I'm just curious.....



Any comments anyone????

[STEELINOX]

Yeah damnit = mine rattles !

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by spuds

Evening Gents (& Ladies).

I figured we've been hearing so many bad things lately about the (aledged) 'fragility?' of the cerachrom bezel & the (again aledged) 'weaknesses' of the (yet again aledged!) perhaps somewhat 'over-engineered' clasp of the new Oyster bracelets I just thought I'd ask if anyone had experienced any problems with the 'older-style' Oyster bracelets &/or Oysterlock &/or Fliplock clasps.

& any problems with the old (aluminium?) bezels of the Classic Sub's & GMTII's????

Personally I've owned only two Rolex watches before (one with the Oysterlock & one with the Fliplock) & I've gotta be honest the 'tin-foil' feel used to pss me off something rotten & I had TWO Fliplock clasps put on my ExpyII in less than eighteen months & had to have both clasps 'crimped' umpteen times as well.

Maybe I'm just heavy on clasps but I've not had any problems on my Omegas so I'm just curious.....



Any comments anyone????

Hi Dan,

Having owned several Rolex models, most of them the older ones with the hollow links and the older clasps, I can proudly say that I've NEVER had any kind of problems with the clasps nor the bracelets.

By the same token, no problems with my new clasp or bracelet either......nor my Ceramic bezel (which I haven't whacked yet!!)

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi Dan,

Having owned several Rolex models, most of them the older ones with the hollow links and the older clasps, I can proudly say that I've NEVER had any kind of problems with the clasps nor the bracelets.

By the same token, no problems with my new clasp or bracelet either......nor my Ceramic bezel (which I haven't whacked yet!!)

Wait'll some sheep escape that stoney fortress you live in and you go a runnin out into the night and forget that the daughter has been leavin the Benz smak in the middle of the front entry and your gonna run out and BAM - Benz'd Bezel !

[spuds]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Yeah damnit = mine rattles !

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Wait'll some sheep escape that stoney fortress you live in and you go a runnin out into the night and forget that the daughter has been leavin the Benz smak in the middle of the front entry and your gonna run out and BAM - Benz'd Bezel !

STEELINOX: SIMPLY MAD!!!!! LMAO!!!!

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by spuds

STEELINOX: SIMPLY MAD!!!!! LMAO!!!!

I know, I cwack myself up !

[Gerardus]

Same for me!

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi Dan,

Having owned several Rolex models, most of them the older ones with the hollow links and the older clasps, I can proudly say that I've NEVER had any kind of problems with the clasps nor the bracelets.

By the same token, no problems with my new clasp or bracelet either......nor my Ceramic bezel (which I haven't whacked yet!!)

[republik-of-mancunia]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi Dan,

Having owned several Rolex models, most of them the older ones with the hollow links and the older clasps, I can proudly say that I've NEVER had any kind of problems with the clasps nor the bracelets.

By the same token, no problems with my new clasp or bracelet either......nor my Ceramic bezel (which I haven't whacked yet!!)

same here after wearing my SS DJ every day for 13 years!
fingers are crossed that my new baby (a GMT-IIc) will be similarly reliable and robust!

[Perdu]

I've owned four over the years and never had a problem. My Sub was 15 years old and just getting to the point where I planned to put in a new insert. I think the old style bracelets are solid performers.

[rad87gn]

4 sport Rolex and one ladies DJ which I purchased all between 2003-2005. Not one has had a problem with anything and none of them have been serviced yet. I think the quality of the old style bracelets and inserts are just fine.

[JBat]

Dan, I've only had my Sub a few months, but have experienced no issues with it at all, and I don't expect to. The clasp is plenty secure and I'm confident that fifty years of history will bear itself out with my watch.

[JBat]

And no rattles!

[spuds]

Threads only been up for a few minutes & already seven or eight 'mutiple owner' loyal devotees of the original style bracelets & clasps...... (as well as one madman)

Interesting feedback chaps don't you think??

[rfknauss]

Dan, I have been wearing my 5513 sub almost every day since 1978 (when I purchased it new) and have never had a problem with the clasp or bracelet.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by rfknauss

Dan, I have been wearing my 5513 sub almost every day since 1978 (when I purchased it new) and have never had a problem with the clasp or bracelet.

Friend that's incredible.....

WTF did I do to MINE then?!?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by rfknauss

Dan, I have been wearing my 5513 sub almost every day since 1978 (when I purchased it new) and have never had a problem with the clasp or bracelet.

Likewise SD subs too and using them what they was intended for with many 100s of dives underwater.And while working as a instructor and dive guide on various live-aboard boats world wide never ever had any problem with any fliplock oyster.On one occasion while wearing a SD bracelet held my almost 15stone dangling over the side a zodiac boat for several minutes until the weakest link the spring bar failed.But good job it did might have damaged my wrist a lot more.Watch was lost to the abyss watch easily replaced but body parts are not.The fliplock has a well proven track record in the field for almost 50 years.While the new clasp is a new kid on the block and it has a long way to go before it get the same credentials as the fliplock.

[esm]

how did you wear yours Dan?

[spuds]

Originally Posted by esm

how did you wear yours Dan?

hello eric mate how are you??

& I guess the best way to answer that is that I could/can get my littlefinger in between my wrist & the bracelet....

The watch wouldn't appear to 'hang' at all but if I gave my wrist a shake the watch face would move backwards & forwards across the 'watch-side' of my wrist & not spin all the way round.

I wear my Omega's very much the same & I've not (yet!) had a problem with either of them.

Having said that it doesn't matter how good their clasps are they simply ain't a Rolex!!

what is it they say......??

Oh yeah........


"Close but No Cigar!!"

[sirjohnbrian]

When I first got my midsize DJ in 1990, I couldn't get the clasp to engage very strongly. Even the slightest pressure would "unhook" it. Not knowing Rolexes at the time, I just lived with it. I happened to run into an Rolex AD in the mid 90's while wearing it and complained. He took the clasp, bent the inner fliplock, and from then on, it engaged very strongly. I couldn't bend that same part on my new Datejust even if I tried. From personal experience, the newer bracelets are stronger.

[The GMT Master]

In my experience, haven't seen very many problems with the clasp - a couple of older watches have had it shear off from the bracelet, and we often have to rebend the blades back into place, but that's an inconvenience rather than any sort of problem. Regardless, I wouldn't own a Rolex with the old style clasp, it just feels cheap compared to the new ones

[spuds]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

....we often have to rebend the blades back into place, but that's an inconvenience rather than any sort of problem...

it's a problem to me on a £4,000 watch Chris mate!!!!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by spuds

it's a problem to me on a £4,000 watch Chris mate!!!!

Have to agree Dan, as I say, I wouldn't own a Rolex with the old style clasp

[acce1999]

I prefer the older style clasp. Eventhough I am impressed by the new one. When I got my first Rolex (on a 93150) I expected more, but over the years I have become a true convert, and I now fear the replacement of the current models of the old style; like the Explorers, and the Submariners. Both the SEL and non-SEL Oyster bracelets are very comfortable on my wrist, especially those that are well worn.

Also. For some reason I have not figured out the new style clasp seems to pinch the skin on my wrist in some situations...

BTW: Omega makes very nice solid clasps. I like them a lot (as long as the tiny spring holding it all together is fresh and strong).

Best,

A

[spuds]

Originally Posted by acce1999

...BTW: Omega makes very nice solid clasps. I like them a lot (as long as the tiny spring holding it all together is fresh and strong).

agreed friend.

& I don't plan on keepin' mine long enough for that spring to waer out!

[Subfiend]

I have had problems with the clasps on all of my Subs opening when I hit the water on a dive. It has happened with all of them -- the Sub, TT Sub and SD. It is annoying and all too common.

[Speed]

No problem Spuds on my GMT ll or Sub. They have never opened up on me. The Flip lock on the Sub lifts up slightly...but that's it!

I don't mind the clasps...I know some rave about the Omega clasps...but. Don't prefer them.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Speed

No problem Spuds on my GMT ll or Sub. They have never opened up on me. The Flip lock on the Sub lifts up slightly...but that's it!

I don't mind the clasps...I know some rave about the Omega clasps...but. Don't prefer them.

Bill mate I only came across Omega clasps by accident & although I AM a fan they're not without their problems too.

For one the 'divers extension' often pops open when I take the watch off.

(Now Chris THAT's an "inconvenience!!!!")

[CoopJr]

Two Subs and no problems but I did have a small issue with the GMT II that I had. This was back before the flip lock came on their bracelet...I guess you call that an "Oyster Lock"?

Where it would snap closed, those two tangs would bend out a bit, causing the clasp to flip open. I simply took a pair of needle nosed pliers and gently bent them back.

[spuds]

Hi Allan.

That's exactly what used to happen to me but I work in Construction & although I'm 'Management' it can be quite "hands-on".....

it was happening so often my clasps ended up looking like crushed tin cans around the edges!!

[HDHNTER]

Never had any problems with mine.