New shortened Glidelock on YM OF

[tyler1980]

TBH it seems like a workaround to OF sizing to me vs a practical usefulness. Easy link should be fine, but since its OF, this is easier than getting the correct length strap pieces right?

I would bet the number of people who can buy and wear the watch as its delivered is much higher now

I wouldn't take this as a shift to offering a dive extension system to non dive watches. This is an OF extension system

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by HauteHorlogerie

The oysterflex daytonas need this now... yes yes.

Just in time for RG YM on OF because that watch didn’t even have EasyLink.


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[glamorama]

This is exactly what I was hoping for, in fact wrote about it in a thread yesterday. The YM in RG with new glide lock and movement starting to look very attractive.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

It certainly appears shorter to me. It's easier to view if you watch the video on Youtube and go full screen. The clasp is about the same length as an Easylink, and when the slider is nearly fully extended, I count fewer visible ridges than on the Sub's GL.

Zoomed screen grab from ABTW video, along with a down-and-dirty shot of my Sub GL with the slider set to the same position. Note how much adjustment remains on mine, compared to the YM.

That does look shorter. Perhaps 7 increments (maybe 8) compared to 10 on the diver glidelock? So 14mm to 16mm adjustment rather than 20mm?

Probably more useful on Oysterflex given that the range of strap sizes are not ideal for everyone’s wrist size or shape.

The issue with glidelock is that you lose the micro adjustment of the easy link clasp. But the 2mm increments are far better than 3 or 5mm

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

TBH it seems like a workaround to OF sizing to me vs a practical usefulness. Easy link should be fine, but since its OF, this is easier than getting the correct length strap pieces right?

I would bet the number of people who can buy and wear the watch as its delivered is much higher now

I wouldn't take this as a shift to offering a dive extension system to non dive watches. This is an OF extension system

Just posted similar Tyler. Agreed. It’s more an OF workaround

[strafer_kid]

Glidelock is a great innovation and certainly works well on the dive watch range. Hopefully they will roll it out to some of the other sports over time but hard to say if they will. Better still, if they did so using the Deepsea version!

[Roleplay]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

TBH it seems like a workaround to OF sizing to me vs a practical usefulness. Easy link should be fine, but since its OF, this is easier than getting the correct length strap pieces right?

I would bet the number of people who can buy and wear the watch as its delivered is much higher now

I wouldn't take this as a shift to offering a dive extension system to non dive watches. This is an OF extension system

Wouldn’t it be great to see this new shortened PM clasp on the Oysterflex Daytona models?


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[Roleplay]

Not sure if anyone posted this information yet, but the shortened Glidelock on WG OF YM has an adjustment range of 15mm in 2.5mm increments.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Roleplay

Wouldn’t it be great to see this new shortened PM clasp on the Oysterflex Daytona models?


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it would

[Wrist King]

Was there any change in the clasp as they went from 116622 to 126622?

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[NWNL]

Originally Posted by Wrist King

Was there any change in the clasp as they went from 116622 to 126622?

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No, same easylink system

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

TBH it seems like a workaround to OF sizing to me vs a practical usefulness. Easy link should be fine, but since its OF, this is easier than getting the correct length strap pieces right?

I would bet the number of people who can buy and wear the watch as its delivered is much higher now

I wouldn't take this as a shift to offering a dive extension system to non dive watches. This is an OF extension system

Excellent points, Tyler. While I love my OF, it was tricky as hell to get the right fit. It took me two different trips back to the AD and them ordering a couple of different strap combinations to finally get it right. So, what you're saying makes a lot of sense.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Devildog

That does look shorter. Perhaps 7 increments (maybe 8) compared to 10 on the diver glidelock? So 14mm to 16mm adjustment rather than 20mm?

Probably more useful on Oysterflex given that the range of strap sizes are not ideal for everyone’s wrist size or shape.

The issue with glidelock is that you lose the micro adjustment of the easy link clasp. But the 2mm increments are far better than 3 or 5mm

I just saw this, Scott. Sorry I didn't include it in my agreement of Tyler's post. I think both of you guys are spot on.

The big win for me, though, is that I can stop beating myself up for flipping the RG version three years ago. The new YM is a perfect 42mm, is in my favorite metal, WG, and now has glide lock. The RG is dead to me now and I can move on.

[abozz]

That is a GOOD NEWS and the kind of post we enjoy to read in this forum. Thanks for share.

[Roleplay]

It would be nice to see it side by side an EXII since they’re both 42mm.


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[subtona]

Great info,

Thanks.

Personally the easy link works well compared to my 5 digit bracelets.
Glidelock could be useful.

The YM has stepped up its place in the line up.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Roleplay

Not sure if anyone posted this information yet, but the shortened Glidelock on WG OF YM has an adjustment range of 15mm in 2.5mm increments.

That's good information. May I ask your source? That would mean it has six positions, compared to the divers' ten, but has 75% as much range.

[brandrea]

Thanks for the information, very useful

Another reason to like this reference

[Ben.McDonald7]

That is killer for the rubber straps! I hope they eventually introduce a stainless steel option. I'm also dreaming someday rolex will sell the oysterflex straps and adjustable glidelock separate so you could get one for your submariner.

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[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by Ben.McDonald7

That is killer for the rubber straps! I hope they eventually introduce a stainless steel option. I'm also dreaming someday rolex will sell the oysterflex straps and adjustable glidelock separate so you could get one for your submariner.

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You are dreaming!

[Oldfellow]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

That's good information. May I ask your source? That would mean it has six positions, compared to the divers' ten, but has 75% as much range.

I noticed the new dimensions on the Rolex site for the new YM.

[Brew]

I'm surprised Rolex didn't take the opportunity to trademark a new product name: FlexGlide or FlexLock or some such.

[Roleplay]

Originally Posted by Brew

I'm surprised Rolex didn't take the opportunity to trademark a new product name: FlexGlide or FlexLock or some such.

GlidelockLite 🤣

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Rolex introduced a shortened Glidelock clasp this year on both the new WG YM42, as well as the RG YM40, both on the OF strap. Until now, the Glidelock has been used exclusively on diver watches since it was introduced on the Submariner and DSSD in 2008. Along with the clasp's larger size, this has led a number of Rolex wearers to say the Glidelock isn't appropriate for non-diver watches, and expressed preference for the Easylink. Others noted the greater adjustability offered by the Glidelock and said it would be a good option on other, non-diver watches, especially in a shortened form. Did Rolex listen? This latest development indicates Rolex now views the Glidelock as a useful adjustment mechanism for individuals not intending to use their watches for diving. However, the fact it is as yet limited to PM clasps on OF straps (an entirely new generation of GMTs still has the Easylink, as does the remainder of the updated YM range) raises questions about whether this will be offered on non-diver Oyster bracelets in the future.

What do you think? Do you feel the Glidelock is now a better choice for Rolex's bracelets than the Easylink? If you were against the Glidelock being on non-diver watches, does this new clasp change your mind any? Do you think this is a sign of a transition from Rolex, or are they likely to keep it relegated to divers and OF straps only?


Here's ABTW's hands-on look at the YM42 at Baselworld. Demonstration of the new Glidelock begins around 0:30.

Thanks for sharing...I think this is a great feature for the oysterflex, instead of the system of trying to find the right size combination they have for the existing OF. This should accommodate most wrist sizes. Maybe offer a L, M, or S oysterflex with this clasp

[rominvicta]

IMHO revised Glidelock is a perfect solution for any Rolex and is way better than Easy link.

[Roleplay]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

That's good information. May I ask your source? That would mean it has six positions, compared to the divers' ten, but has 75% as much range.

The info is available on the Rolex website. Click on the clasp detail when in the new YM page.


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[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Oldfellow

I noticed the new dimensions on the Rolex site for the new YM.

Originally Posted by Roleplay

The info is available on the Rolex website. Click on the clasp detail when in the new YM page.

Thanks. The information is located specifically on the new YM42 promo page. I'd only checked the standard model pages for the YM42 and RG YM40, which don't provide the information.

"The Oysterflex bracelet on this new model is equipped with a Rolex-designed and -patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp in 18 ct white gold, which prevents accidental opening. It also features the Rolex Glidelock extension system, designed and patented by the brand. This inventive toothed mechanism, integrated beneath the clasp, allows fine adjustment of the bracelet length by some 15 mm in increments of approximately 2.5 mm, without the use of tools."

I'd say that confirms it's a shortened clasp.

[carlhaluss]

I have had a couple of Rolex models with the Easylink, and never used it. For me, at 5mm, it made the watch either too large or too small. I just got used to using the micro adjusts built into the clasp.

The modified/shortened Glidelock is an excellent alternative. Within little more space than the Easylink, smaller adjustments could be fitted. And I see they have done that as shown in the video.

Cheers,
Carl

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by carlhaluss

I have had a couple of Rolex models with the Easylink, and never used it. For me, at 5mm, it made the watch either too large or too small. I just got used to using the micro adjusts built into the clasp.

Do you find those hidden micro-adjusts in the Easylink a bitch to adjust? I had a newer Breitling Pilot clasp with a similar adjustment system, and it was so much more difficult to adjust than the older pin-and-hole system, which could be done in a few seconds with a toothpick.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Do you find those hidden micro-adjusts in the Easylink a bitch to adjust? I had a newer Breitling Pilot clasp with a similar adjustment system, and it was so much more difficult to adjust than the older pin-and-hole system, which could be done in a few seconds with a toothpick.

I do; they're a pain. So much so, I'd rather just spend more time at the salad bar, rather than adjust them.