About the "Stretch Issue"...

[B737]

Looking through different threads around this topic procedures on how to avoid stretch in a bracelet seems to go in opposite directions. In one of the threads someone was refering to Rolex saying that you should keep the bracelet tight, but not so tight that you cut off blood suply to your hand. This would decrease the pin movements inside the links as I understand it.

Applying this approach, two questions;

1. Wouldn't it also mean a lot of wear if you apply preassure on the pin/links at all times (preassure increase when you move your arm/hand etc.?)

2. What is tight? Is it so that you don't get any movement of the watch on the arm, or is it more of a very small amount of space available between the arm and the bracelet?

Right now, I think I could move the micro adjustement in, but then it will be really tight :-)

[bondtoys]

„Pressure“ is not the problem.

The issue is motion between links and pins, particularly when dirt speeds up the grinding process.
And the looser you wear the watch, the more motion you will get between these parts.

[Rolex-istanbul]

Honestly talking here, Rolex or any other durable watches with metal bracelets will eventually brake down and stretch.
To prevent happening to soon you just need to clean up your watch every 2 weeks.

I wear it tight and I am happy. I dont like watches move around my wrist all time. Of course not too tight to loose my hand :)

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

„Pressure“ is not the problem.

The issue is motion between links and pins, particularly when dirt speeds up the grinding process.
And the looser you wear the watch, the more motion you will get between these parts.

[Rori]

Tight or snug so the watch stays in one place on your wrist, ideally behind the wrist protruding bone. Now tight or snug does not mean it should feel like you’re strangulating your wrist. It mean tight enough so it won’t wiggle around or move downward toward the back of your palm.
Cleaning the watch and the bracelet regularly also helps maintain it in optimal conditions since it removes grit and dirt that cause more friction.


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[bp1000]

Dirt is the main issue. Keep it clean.

If you wear it very loose the weight of the head is going to pull it this way and that. Coupled with dirt you get this wear affect. It speeds it up if it’s looser.

Avoid excessively loose and wear it so it’s comfortable.

Only time I really get concerned about figment is on PM watches, like the Daytona. It’s quite heavy so too loose and it constantly sliding down the wrist in the mornings. Get it setup well in store, quite a snug fit with easy link closed and open is good for summer.

Glide lock in the subs is a breeze, wish they all had it

[Bigblu10]

1. Wear it on the wrist instead of down against the hand. No pressure when worn above the wrist bone unless you swell in the heat.
Tight is always better than loose. Wear it so that is remains put when you strap it on.
Keep clean with dish soap and water on a regular basis. Dirt is the enemy that causes wear in the metal pins and links.

[brandrea]

Keeping it clean is probably the most important thing. Fit is a personal preference but for me I prefer about a pinky gap under the clasp for comfort

[THC]

Michael Young on speed dial... enjoy your watches, my friends

[Vincent65]

Everyone keeps talking about dirt. Unless you play in a sandpit all day, it's not really about dirt. Wearing it flapping around like you're in Miami Vice is what will trash the bracelet. Lateral movement/leverage makes it loose.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by THC

Michael Young on speed dial... enjoy your watches, my friends

[SpicyMikey]

Just wear it barely tight enough so that the watch does not move around on your wrist. That will reduce motion to reduce wear and stress between the links.

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[bondtoys]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Everyone keeps talking about dirt. Unless you play in a sandpit all day, it's not really about dirt. Wearing it flapping around like you're in Miami Vice is what will trash the bracelet. Lateral movement/leverage makes it loose.

You for sure have not been cleaning watch bracelets or removed links from bracelets that have been worn for some time and haven not been cleaned.

I have and I can assure you, they get dirty! Fast and very!

[afjag256]

I think it is more of a concern for the 5-digit bracelets than the 6-digit.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by afjag256

I think it is more of a concern for the 5-digit bracelets than the 6-digit.

Any bracelet is susceptible given the right circumstances.
dP

[joli160]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

„Pressure“ is not the problem.

The issue is motion between links and pins, particularly when dirt speeds up the grinding process.
And the looser you wear the watch, the more motion you will get between these parts.

This and keep it clean

[pbubsy]

I just wear it how I like and if it wears and needs to be repaired, them so be it. Why would you wear a watch in a manner that is less comfortable to you just to avoid wear? Things wear, you fix/r&r parts... simple. Enjoy your watch. The new bracelets are much more robust than the old ones and those STILL lasted quite a while before needing any attention.

[newu5er]

Realistically, it takes quite a long time for either new or old bracelets to show stretch...we are talking years until repair is needed. Take a look at some of the vintage pieces being sold. Sometimes you see 20 year old bracelets that are ready for some work, but for the most part, it's not something that's going to happen to you a few years into ownership.

Another thing to think about...how much is a bracelet? $1k, 2k? Not to expensive if you have to do a full replacement in the event of a disaster.

[afjag256]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Any bracelet is susceptible given the right circumstances.
dP

It is always a matter of degree. But I haven’t seen any stretch in the 6-digits yet (at least the Oyster style), and some are now a decade old. Time will tell, but they seem less susceptible.

[Mbalce]

Originally Posted by pbubsy

I just wear it how I like and if it wears and needs to be repaired, them so be it. Why would you wear a watch in a manner that is less comfortable to you just to avoid wear? Things wear, you fix/r&r parts... simple. Enjoy your watch. The new bracelets are much more robust than the old ones and those STILL lasted quite a while before needing any attention.

This

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by newu5er

Realistically, it takes quite a long time for either new or old bracelets to show stretch...we are talking years until repair is needed. Take a look at some of the vintage pieces being sold. Sometimes you see 20 year old bracelets that are ready for some work, but for the most part, it's not something that's going to happen to you a few years into ownership.

Another thing to think about...how much is a bracelet? $1k, 2k? Not to expensive if you have to do a full replacement in the event of a disaster.

Depends on metal. A bracelet for my YG Sub 116618LB is about 15K to replace new. Not exactly cheap.

[Gtecko]

10+years of daily wear will create the stretch, it happens over time :)

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

You for sure have not been cleaning watch bracelets or removed links from bracelets that have been worn for some time and haven not been cleaned.

I have and I can assure you, they get dirty! Fast and very!

For sure you know not of what you speak.
I have worked on and cleaned many watch bracelets, and removed and replaced many links. I'm well aware how dirty they can be.
You shouldn't make assumptions.
I never said they don't get dirty.

[newu5er]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Depends on metal. A bracelet for my YG Sub 116618LB is about 15K to replace new. Not exactly cheap.

Fair point - I should have clarified SS only! PM will stretch and be expensive to replace.

[doramas]

It is also very important to wash the watch very often. This prevents dirt from affecting the pins

[CDNWatchNut]

Another opinion to just keep your bracelet/watch clean. As long as you do that, size it however is comfortable and wear won't be a significant issue. I'm talking about SS BTW... I would think that gold will wear more significantly regardless of how clean you keep it.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

Another opinion to just keep your bracelet/watch clean. As long as you do that, size it however is comfortable and wear won't be a significant issue. I'm talking about SS BTW... I would think that gold will wear more significantly regardless of how clean you keep it.

Absolutely no wear yet on my gold Oyster bracelet. 2.5 years old and wear it every day. So far so good.

[speedyomega]

can someone actually explain HOW to clean a bracelet? Are you using ultrasonic cleaners? What if the process? Washing it like you wash your hand doesn't seem like it would do much to get dirt out of the PINS.

Would love an answer to this because it's a concern I have but no one ever goes into detail on how to prevent.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by afjag256

I think it is more of a concern for the 5-digit bracelets than the 6-digit.

True.

Personally, the 6d ones will simply snap before 'stretching'. The 5d ones age beautifully with my stretched skin. I actually like normal watch aging and character development. My kids can deal with it when I'm dead if they don't like it.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by speedyomega

can someone actually explain HOW to clean a bracelet? Are you using ultrasonic cleaners? What if the process? Washing it like you wash your hand doesn't seem like it would do much to get dirt out of the PINS.

Would love an answer to this because it's a concern I have but no one ever goes into detail on how to prevent.

I tend to try to clean my watch every day just like I shower every day. That way it really doesn't have a chance for dirt and grime to really get a foothold inside the link holes where the pins ride.