Cutting aquanaut strap.

[cmcm3]

I’ve got a 5164 tucked away, sitting waiting for my 40th birthday in a couple of weeks. I appreciate you need to be careful doing the cutting because there’s no going back, but what I was wondering is if people generally cut it pretty much even on both sides or whether it is better to cut it shorter at the 6 side and longer at the 12? Logic tells me that it would be even, given the central locking nature of the clasp, but would appreciate any thoughts. I’ve got a couple of aftermarket straps (blue and red) I’ll cut first, before getting stuck into the Patek one! ��

Thanks for any help you can give!

[srvrf]

There are threads about cutting Aquanaut straps. The consensus is that the 6:00 side is shorter if you want the clasp to be centered on the underside of your wrist. I've got I believe a 3-notch difference. Like everyone says, go slowly. The only other suggestion I'd make is since you can't add "links" back, to wear it a little loosely at first and then depending on how you like to wear your watches, fine tune it by removing single sections at a time. Great birthday present!

[psv]

It is easy, use a razor blade - just don't cut too much. Better to cut a bit, try it on with the clasp and then cut a bit more. Easy does it!

[campfire]

Advanced happy birthday. Enjoy your new watch when it comes time.

[chiscott_29]

I cut mine even between 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock, and I swear my clasp is evenly centered on my wrist. I have heard many people recommend leaving the 12 o'clock side longer, but it's not clear to me why this would be necessary.

[rayshipley]

Originally Posted by chiscott_29

I cut mine even between 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock, and I swear my clasp is evenly centered on my wrist. I have heard many people recommend leaving the 12 o'clock side longer, but it's not clear to me why this would be necessary.

Same for me

[fredfiga]

both my 5164 and 5167 are one piece longer on the 12 side. fits exactly centered and comfortably on the wrist.

[dardeca]

Congrats in advance!!!

This may also be helpful...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=743587

[Bearxj86]

I have mine 2 longer on the 12 side. I guess I have a big....wrist bone.

[yoast]

Depends on your wrist. Is it round or flat?
I need 8 teeth at 6 and 10 at 12 on a 7 and change inch flat wrist

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ut+strap+guide

[guanxi]

I have a 17cm wrist I use 8 grooves on each side, sits perfectly and the clasp is completely centered.

[Mr. Miami]

Thanks for sharing. When I hopefully get my aquanaut, I will reference this thread.

[Calatrava r]

Cut evenly to too big but close enough to see how the clasp is sitting. Then cut one side or the other one groove at a time. I like my clasp to ride just higher than even or middle of the inside of the wrist so it does not scratch as much so the 12 is longer.

[GreenLantern]

This is the most stressful thing for me to do. I hate it. I really do.

[sensui]

I cut my 5164 strap longer at 12 I clock too and just went one at a time at first too get a feel how much it reduces in comparison to the fit on wrist... With that and some general idea from the thread posted above with people's results/wrist sizes... I then chopped a bigger block and fine tuned from there. It's pretty quick to pop the springbar in and out with the lugholes so just be patient and cut slowly after confirming.

[SL BRABUS]

Originally Posted by sensui

I cut my 5164 strap longer at 12 I clock too and just went one at a time at first too get a feel how much it reduces in comparison to the fit on wrist... With that and some general idea from the thread posted above with people's results/wrist sizes... I then chopped a bigger block and fine tuned from there. It's pretty quick to pop the springbar in and out with the lugholes so just be patient and cut slowly after confirming.

Congratulations my brother & welcome to the Aquanaut club.....!!!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

This is the most stressful thing for me to do. I hate it. I really do.

I really took my time doing it and I still ended up cutting it a bit tight to my wrist so I had to lose a couple of pounds so worked out in the end.

[Offline99]

It will also stretch out over time. If you end up getting a new strap in the future, don’t cut to the same notch. May you learn from my mistake.


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[lsupcar]

The best advice I used was to use a straight pin in place of the spring bars to quickly assess size prior to more cutting.

[Rushne]

I wore mine a little loose for about a month before taking another notch out. It was great as I got to try it out in different heat conditions before really deciding it needed to be slightly smaller. Just take it slow :)

[Bearxj86]

Originally Posted by Rushne

I wore mine a little loose for about a month before taking another notch out. It was great as I got to try it out in different heat conditions before really deciding it needed to be slightly smaller. Just take it slow :)

This. +1

It may feel like a perfect fit and then the following happens:

1) I got on a plane and it was incredibly uncomfortable when the wrist expands
2) It gets loose when weather is cold
3) Try sleeping with it too, for some reason my wrist tends to expand when I sleep, and it can get uncomfortable if too fitted

[cmcm3]

Thanks for all the pointers guys. Does anyone recommend a particular set/tips size for springbar removal tweezers for the 5164?

[Offline99]

no need for tweezers to adjust strap size (only to change straps). don't know the exact size, but many spring bar tools will work.

[cmcm3]

Yeah, I have a few different straps so keen to get tweezers to assist the process

[Offline99]

The Horofix Watch Bracelet Springbar Pliers Band Tool worked great. Just type up the lugs.


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[kaiserphoenix]

Congratulations! I have a 5167 but the straps are the same length on both ends. Not sure if that helps.

[GrahamM]

Originally Posted by cmcm3

I’ve got a 5164 tucked away, sitting waiting for my 40th birthday in a couple of weeks. I appreciate you need to be careful doing the cutting because there’s no going back, but what I was wondering is if people generally cut it pretty much even on both sides or whether it is better to cut it shorter at the 6 side and longer at the 12? Logic tells me that it would be even, given the central locking nature of the clasp, but would appreciate any thoughts. I’ve got a couple of aftermarket straps (blue and red) I’ll cut first, before getting stuck into the Patek one! ��

Thanks for any help you can give!

I would let the AD do it. Laings will happily do it for you!

[Offline99]

I got my first scratch thanks to an ad adjusting my strap.


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[PatekSF]

Originally Posted by Offline99

It will also stretch out over time. If you end up getting a new strap in the future, don’t cut to the same notch. May you learn from my mistake.


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I’ve had my 5167 since May 2009 and my 5168 since July 2017. Neither band has stretched 1mm since purchase. Same thing goes for both of my wife’s 5067s ~ not a mm of stretch.

[wisguy]

I owned two 5167 in the past.

Cut one side first and try on, it's tedious but the only way.

My first one I was impatient and ended up being a winter strap... had to buy another for the summer.