Rolex Datejust Mens Stainless Watch Jubilee ref 1601 folded link help

[Terk]

Hello

I have a vintage rolex with jubilee folded link
Im trying to remove links but i have no idea how to do that ..
Can anyone point exactly where to pull the links ..
Thank you

[kwcsports]

It's not easy. I have a 1601 with the same links. I'd get an experienced watch guy or Rolex to do it. You have to bend open each link then bend it back.

[crowncollection]

As above


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[vintagewatch]

Originally Posted by kwcsports

It's not easy. I have a 1601 with the same links. I'd get an experienced watch guy or Rolex to do it. You have to bend open each link then bend it back.

I have to agree, it's hard. Basically the center links (pictured below) have to be opened up (heat bracelet first) using specialty pliers (fine needle nose) in two spots (start and end of links being removed). Once the split links are bent open you remove the unneeded link(s) re-assemble the bracelet and gently bend the links back into shape (using brass jewelers hammer and pliers). I've done it, but with the help of a bench jeweler.

[Porsche544]

I took mine to a Lux Bond and Green and they have a watchmaker on site. Cost me $25. Cheers.

[Dan S]

It's not easy to do it without crimping the part of the links that you fold back.

[Paul]

I've had better work done on bracelets by manufacturing jewellers than I have from watchmakers.

It's just a bracelet, bread and butter stuff for a careful, competent jeweller. Easier to find a jeweller now too than a watchaker .

Helpful hint. .. jewellers love to delight their clients with a 'good as new' experience when they service old stuff. You may want to ask them to clean but don't polish your bracelet or it might no longer match the patina on your watch case. Same goes if you ask a watchmaker to do the work.

[Richard Carver]

Sad to see another vintage jubillee get hacked up. Have you thought about .trading fr one thats already been cut? Plenty of those around. A full bracelet is worth a premium, a short one not so much. Try to make a trade with a dealer.

[Terk]

Thanks guys ... sorry did you mean its not worth trying I didn’t get you

[Andad]

Looks like a job for a professional?

[WCHROLX]

Originally Posted by Andad

Looks like a job for a professional?

Definitely

[rezky100]

I have the folded jubilee.
It's not easy to remove the links, it requires special tools. (From what my friend told me)

Sent it to a professional watch service, cost me around $15

[edutom]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Sad to see another vintage jubillee get hacked up. Have you thought about .trading fr one thats already been cut? Plenty of those around. A full bracelet is worth a premium, a short one not so much. Try to make a trade with a dealer.

Hi.

I might be a bit late to the game, as this thread is a couple years old. But I recently bought my fist DJ 1601 on a jubilee. Love it. However, the same problem has occurred. The jubilee is just to long for my wrist. Even though I’d say I’m an experienced watch collector, this is my fist time handling vintage Rolex bracelets. So I really had no idea how difficult it is to resize these.
Now… I obviously can and will wear the watch on a strap too. Plus it’d be a shame to cut the bracelet. I would also like to wear the jubilee from time to time though. Do you have any advice on where it’s best to try to get a trade or buy a shorter sized one?

Thanks. Cheers.