Is dirt the main cause of bracelet stretch?

[joemack83]

Just wondering if dirt is the reason for bracelet stretch...

Also, wondering the newer oyster bracelets - would they get stretch over time?

[Andad]

Yes.

[Zakalwe]

Dirt, dead skin, oil and sweat get into the link-pin holes and form what is effectively a grinding paste that over time hollows out the holes, loosening the once-flush pins and stretching the links.

Some people suggest this won't happen with modern bracelets, but I don't see a reason this physical process can't happen with 6-digit bracelets. Since they're better constricted it might take longer, but it'll still happen over time.

[joemack83]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Dirt, dead skin, oil and sweat get into the link-pin holes and form what is effectively a grinding paste that over time hollows out the holes, loosening the once-flush pins and stretching the links.

Some people suggest this won't happen with modern bracelets, but I don't see a reason this physical process can't happen with 6-digit bracelets. Since they're better constricted it might take longer, but it'll still happen over time.

whats the best way to prevent this?

[roadie1]

Originally Posted by joemack83

whats the best way to prevent this?

Keep clean and wear snug


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[padi56]

Originally Posted by joemack83

whats the best way to prevent this?

Just regular washing is plain old soap and water.

[Mystro]

Nothing that elaborate to wash a watch. Dish soap like Dawn is very good at removing oil, soap scum, and dirt. It also cleans very well under the bezel components.without leaving any residue. Hand soap, hair shampoo, and body wash leaves behind a film.

[Wizardly]

My Submariner is new. I don't sweat in it, and don't shower with it, etc. How often should I (water) clean out the band?

(What I have been doing is using the Giotto hand blower (for camera lenses) to blow out the links. It works for sure.)

[Terrakot]

Originally Posted by Wizardly

My Submariner is new. I don't sweat in it, and don't shower with it, etc. How often should I clean out the band?

Once in a week

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by joemack83

whats the best way to prevent this?

Wear mine 24/7 and shower with it too. Showering helps keep things clean

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Wizardly

My Submariner is new. I don't sweat in it, and don't shower with it, etc. How often should I (water) clean out the band?

(What I have been doing is using the Giotto hand blower (for camera lenses) to blow out the links. It works for sure.)

I clean mine when it needs it. That can mean everyday if I sweat in it. You really can’t wash it too much. Anytime you are in the pool or any water, you should wash it to get contamination out of the bracelet.
Dirt is the enemy. I like my watches to “pop” and that requires them to be spotless. It’s easy to do.

This is what a 17 year old watch can look like if you wash it often as I mentioned. I took that watch diving a lot. It’s been everywhere.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by joemack83

whats the best way to prevent this?

I've bought an ultrasonic cleaner. I'm not endorsing it because a) I haven't actually used it yet and b) I am not aware that there's any evidence it will prevent bracelet stretch. Still, I don't mind potentially wasting a bit of cash on a gadget and the substantial OCD part of my psyche is looking forward to the ritual of removing my bracelets and buzzing them in the bath.

[CaryTheLabelGuy]

I would be using distilled water, not tap water. Tap water can be hard and cause calcification between the links and under the bezel. Distilled water and Dawn dish soap.

Always rinse well with distilled water (if possible) after being in a clorinated environment as well.

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I've bought an ultrasonic cleaner. I'm not endorsing it because a) I haven't actually used it yet and b) I am not aware that there's any evidence it will prevent bracelet stretch. Still, I don't mind potentially wasting a bit of cash on a gadget and the substantial OCD part of my psyche is looking forward to the ritual of removing my bracelets and buzzing them in the bath.

Ultrasonic is the best way to remove dirt. Do an experiment - wash it regularly with dish soap for a couple months. Then stick in in the ultrasonic and see how much extra crud comes out.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I've bought an ultrasonic cleaner. I'm not endorsing it because a) I haven't actually used it yet and b) I am not aware that there's any evidence it will prevent bracelet stretch. Still, I don't mind potentially wasting a bit of cash on a gadget and the substantial OCD part of my psyche is looking forward to the ritual of removing my bracelets and buzzing them in the bath.

If you’ve got it, use it. It works.

9AC5E064-E2BB-4A41-9155-5B10EBF16293.jpeg

[77T]

Originally Posted by joemack83

Just wondering if dirt is the reason for bracelet stretch...



Also, wondering the newer oyster bracelets - would they get stretch over time?

I wouldn’t limit the reason to a sole source as “dirt”; better to say “foreign material”. The actual process is a combination of factors but everyone who said weekly washing are on the right track.

Your bracelet is a magnet for foreign material because of oil and lotion picked up from your skin. This acts like “the magnet” and holds the material. Once that adheres to a pin it acts like sand paper wearing down both the link and the pin. Seabathers and divers bring salt and quartz grit and other calcium bits into play too.

But - and an important “but” - YMMV.

Just like a car’s air filter should be changed based on operating environment like dusty, or “severe service” operation.

So if you have but one watch, worn daily for 12 hours or more, and use any skin products like sunscreen, lotion, etc. - then weekly scrub with mild, clear soap (baby toothbrushes are good).

But a collector who rotates their watches - and each one is perhaps worn 12 hours per week - then maybe monthly.

Lastly, if you are outdoors oriented and maybe wear your watch on the loose end - then prevention may warrant 2-3 times a week. Divers should do a wash after each dive methinks.

An Oyster bracelet has many pivot points and double the number in a Jubilee bracelet. Poor maintenance allows things like salt, dust and other abrasive material to remain in contact with those bracelet pivot points.

The link pins are static - they are press-fitted to the outer pieces of the bracelet links. But the center pieces are pivoting and acting like tiny grinding wheels against the static pins. New bracelets have sleeves to help but even they can be compromised. See the diagram for an exploded view of an Oyster link:



Eventually, over years of use, the grinding reduces the pin’s diameter at those pivot points and can even elongate the holes in the links. (That’s operating years - don’t count the time spent sitting in the safe)

The resulting looseness is called stretch - the bracelet appears longer and the links not as tight because the pins inside have changed. Here is an example from a Jubilee link:



And don’t forget the clasp pins either. Older clasps are more prone to this phenomenon than new ones - like this old Sub clasp:




While cleaning the bracelet, be sure to check your bracelet screws. Just look to see if they still appear flush or are “standing proud”. A gross example below:




Occasionally, the screws holding your removable links can work loose. For example if the loctite has degraded (or was never employed). Use a correctly sized screwdriver to re-tighten if they are loose (or have your watchmaker do that for you).

A prevention against bracelet stretch is to wear the bracelet above the wristbone - if comfort allows. A loose bracelet pivots more often and in a wider arc at each link because of your arm action.

* Note: several images borrowed from other TRF threads with gratitude to the hundreds of members who posted them. Too many to mention.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Wizardly]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I clean mine when it needs it. That can mean everyday if I sweat in it. You really can’t wash it too much. Anytime you are in the pool or any water, you should wash it to get contamination out of the bracelet.
Dirt is the enemy. I like my watches to “pop” and that requires them to be spotless. It’s easy to do.

This is what a 17 year old watch can look like if you wash it often as I mentioned. I took that watch diving a lot. It’s been everywhere.

So nice to seee an older model looking so nice. Good job.

[oldman2005]

Originally Posted by 77T

I wouldn’t limit the reason to a sole source as “dirt”; better to say “foreign material”. The actual process is a combination of factors but everyone who said weekly washing are on the right track.

Your bracelet is a magnet for foreign material because of oil and lotion picked up from your skin. This acts like “the magnet” and holds the material. Once that adheres to a pin it acts like sand paper wearing down both the link and the pin. Seabathers and divers bring salt and quartz grit and other calcium bits into play too.

But - and an important “but” - YMMV.

Just like a car’s air filter should be changed based on operating environment like dusty, or “severe service” operation.

So if you have but one watch, worn daily for 12 hours or more, and use any skin products like sunscreen, lotion, etc. - then weekly scrub with mild, clear soap (baby toothbrushes are good).

But a collector who rotates their watches - and each one is perhaps worn 12 hours per week - then maybe monthly.

Lastly, if you are outdoors oriented and maybe wear your watch on the loose end - then prevention may warrant 2-3 times a week. Divers should do a wash after each dive methinks.

An Oyster bracelet has many pivot points and double the number in a Jubilee bracelet. Poor maintenance allows things like salt, dust and other abrasive material to remain in contact with those bracelet pivot points.

The link pins are static - they are press-fitted to the outer pieces of the bracelet links. But the center pieces are pivoting and acting like tiny grinding wheels against the static pins. New bracelets have sleeves to help but even they can be compromised. See the diagram for an exploded view of an Oyster link:



Eventually, over years of use, the grinding reduces the pin’s diameter at those pivot points and can even elongate the holes in the links. (That’s operating years - don’t count the time spent sitting in the safe)

The resulting looseness is called stretch - the bracelet appears longer and the links not as tight because the pins inside have changed. Here is an example from a Jubilee link:



And don’t forget the clasp pins either. Older clasps are more prone to this phenomenon than new ones - like this old Sub clasp:




While cleaning the bracelet, be sure to check your bracelet screws. Just look to see if they still appear flush or are “standing proud”. A gross example below:




Occasionally, the screws holding your removable links can work loose. For example if the loctite has degraded (or was never employed. Use a correctly sized screwdriver to re-tighten if they are loose (or have your watchmaker do that for you).

A prevention against bracelet stretch is to wear the bracelet above the wristbone - if comfort allows. A loose bracelet pivots more often and in a wider arc at each link because of your arm action.

* Note: several images borrowed from other TRF threads with gratitude to the hundreds of members who posted them. Too many to mention.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Cool info. Thanks!

[johnny.tran1]

wow great info here

[Net-man]

Bracelets of yore were not of highest quality, eventually any thing not maintained will wear/age

Jubilee tend to show it more, moving parts I suppose.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[joli160]

Yes and yes.

Cleaning with soap or air only removes the outer grime.
If you want to do it properly buy a Ultra Sonic cleaner, these cost nothing and removes dirt from between and inside the links.
All RSC uses these as well.

You'll be surprised to see how much gunk comes out from a clean looking bracelet.

Does using a Ultra Sonic extends the life of a bracelet ? Don't know, but does not hurt and I like things to be perfectly clean.

It's also therapeutic to fiddle around with your watches

L1010203.JPG

ultra.JPG

[SamP]

Enjoying great weather here in the UK & feeling cheeky, so... No dirt doesn’t cause bracelet stretch.
It’s the grinding action!

[HogwldFLTR]

Cleaning technique!!! Half hour cleaning 5 to 6 times per week!!!

[wesdaniel]

Originally Posted by joli160

Yes and yes.

Cleaning with soap or air only removes the outer grime.
If you want to do it properly buy a Ultra Sonic cleaner, these cost nothing and removes dirt from between and inside the links.
All RSC uses these as well.

You'll be surprised to see how much gunk comes out from a clean looking bracelet.

Does using a Ultra Sonic extends the life of a bracelet ? Don't know, but does not hurt and I like things to be perfectly clean.

It's also therapeutic to fiddle around with your watches

I'm not nearly brave enough to take the bracelets off my Rolex watches. I'll take them off the others because they're not that big of deal to me. But, I don't want to risk gouging the gold.

Is it safe to put the whole watch in the ultrasonic cleaner (with the head kept out of the water on a watch attachment)? Or are the vibrations of the machine bad for the movement?

[wesdaniel]

Also, what about steam cleaners? How effective are they?

[Juantxo]

Entropy and gravity are the main culprits.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by wesdaniel

I'm not nearly brave enough to take the bracelets off my Rolex watches. I'll take them off the others because they're not that big of deal to me. But, I don't want to risk gouging the gold.

Is it safe to put the whole watch in the ultrasonic cleaner (with the head kept out of the water on a watch attachment)? Or are the vibrations of the machine bad for the movement?

Masking tape is your friend.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by wesdaniel

I'm not nearly brave enough to take the bracelets off my Rolex watches. I'll take them off the others because they're not that big of deal to me. But, I don't want to risk gouging the gold.

Is it safe to put the whole watch in the ultrasonic cleaner (with the head kept out of the water on a watch attachment)? Or are the vibrations of the machine bad for the movement?

No only bracelet. No watchmaker submerges the watch head in the ultrasonic. Don't know why, but they don't. Perhaps the lubrication goes where it should not be.

Removing bracelets is an easy DIY. Don't rush it. Correct tools and nowadays I need a loupe.

[bobernet]

I wash all of mine regularly. I like using warm/hot water and dish soap, as the soap nowadays specifically targets oils and such.

Never the less, I’m always amazed and how much gunk comes out in an ultrasonic. I think a cheap home timegrapher and a cheap home ultrasonic are the best tools a watch nerd can have.

The timegrapher to tell you when your watch actually needs service, and the ultrasonic to save tons of bracelet wear. At the price of these watches, both tools are a very inexpensive investment that pay future dividends in reduced service costs and reduced bracelet wear.

[Wizardly]

Two Ultasonic questions.

I'm chicken to take off my bracelet as well, so:

How long do you keep it in the ultrasonic?
Could I just hold the case out of the bin and just let the bracelet dangle in there?