Some tips when you try on your Oyster bracelet!!

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

Quite a few of the members invariably have problems with the correct fit and sizing of their new Rolex Oyster bracelets for the very first time.

Here are a few useful tips to look out for when you first pull your watch, new out of box.

1. By Rolex standards, the perfect wrist would be 7¼~7½". If yours falls into this category, you most probably will not have to make any adjustments whatsoever to your bracelet - out of box and smack on the wrist.....like this!! Lucky me!!



....and dead centre of the wrist like this!!



2. If you have a small wrist, always try and get a link off the '6' side first. If this is not possible, then take one off the '12' side and make the necessary adjustments with the micropin inside the clasp. With small-wristed persons, I know this does not always work out right and can be a problem at times....a problem some guys just have to live with.

3. If you have a large wrist, then you may have to add on ONE link or possibly even TWO. With a Sub, do so on the '12' side and check for clasp centralization.

4. With the OYSTERLOCK bracelet that comes with the GMT-II and Exp-II, it comes with 13 original links. The Rolex out-of-box arrangement is 7+6.

If you have a normal wrist, then take off ONE link from the '6' side and add it to the '12' side....to give a new arrangement of 8+5 like this pic below!!



If you have to add on a link due to a larger wrist, then a 8+6 arrangement might work.

If you have to take off a link due to a smaller wrist, then try a 7+5 arrangement or even a 8+4 configuration. Make sure that the clasp sits dead centre and you've got the link arrangement spot on.

Good luck - JJ

[Dan Pierce]

Great job JJ. Amazing how many AD's don't know this.
dP

[Superlative]

on the 2st picture jj it look like it real tight on your wrist? My have to be just right not to tight not to lose just right.

[ohsixx]

I have one link off each side.

[ron17402]

Great thread JJ!!

I've been wondering if I need to move one link from the 12:00 side and moving it to the 6:00 side on my new GMTIIC.

My wrist is 7.5" (190.5mm) and it came from the AD with 7 links on the 12 side and 5 on the 6 side. It fits perfectly, as I can just get my little finger under the band.

However, I have been wondering if I should move one of the links.

The reason is that the clasp is not centered on my wrist as you can see. When the clasp is closed, the inner clasp is centered while the clasp cover is off-center as you can see from the last pic (the clasp cover does not cover the entire clasp).

What do you guys think? I post some pics for your review.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by ron17402

Great thread JJ!!

I've been wondering if I need to move one link from the 12:00 side and moving it to the 6:00 side on my new GMTIIC.

My wrist is 7.5" (190.5mm) and it came from the AD with 7 links on the 12 side and 5 on the 6 side. It fits perfectly, as I can just get my little finger under the band.

However, I have been wondering if I should move one of the links.

The reason is that the clasp is not centered on my wrist as you can see. When the clasp is closed, the inner clasp is centered while the clasp cover is off-center as you can see from the last pic (the clasp cover does not cover the entire clasp).

What do you guys think? I post some pics for your review.

IMO you need to swap one link over and it would be better.

SD and GMT @ 7.5"

[Bama]

Great post, JJ.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Superlative

on the 2st picture jj it look like it real tight on your wrist? My have to be just right not to tight not to lose just right.

I know....but it's just that pic that gives the impression of the bracelet being tight.

In actual fact, I have a very comfortable fit with my Sub-date bracelet straight out of box, all links intact and micropin on 3rd hole from the end.

JJ

[SPACE-DWELLER]

EXCELLENT post, JJ!

Cool pics, as well...... and as usual!

[The Engineer]

What do you do when you can't get a extra link or two for the new ceramic GMT and
RSC of New York say's spare link are on back order from Rolex Geneva and we have no
Idea when we will get them in, it could be months many months. Meanwhile I have a brand new piece I can't wear at all because my wrist size is about 9 and a half inches
and I always have to have two extra links plus adjust the band al the way out. I have been buying rolex watches for the past thirty years and this is the first time this has happened to me and now I got a piece I can't enjoy because I don't have any idea when
the extra links will be in and rolex say's that their timepieces are perfect fit every time
I am pissed and don't think I will buy anymore watches made by rolex.

[karmatp]

Ron, mine fits like yours. I have a 7 1/4" wrist and mine fit just right out of the box, lucky me. I have often wondered as you are about moving a link but I feel that if the inner clasp is centered and comfortable, why mess with it.

[ron17402]

Originally Posted by karmatp

Ron, mine fits like yours. I have a 7 1/4" wrist and mine fit just right out of the box, lucky me. I have often wondered as you are about moving a link but I feel that if the inner clasp is centered and comfortable, why mess with it.

I just can't decide.

The watch normally sits a little off center on the top of my wrist, which makes the clasp center almost perfectly.

Perhaps I'm being a little OCD because I actually think it fits pretty good. But JJ is making me think a little.

[ron17402]

Originally Posted by The Engineer

What do you do when you can't get a extra link or two for the new ceramic GMT and
RSC of New York say's spare link are on back order from Rolex Geneva and we have no
Idea when we will get them in, it could be months many months. Meanwhile I have a brand new piece I can't wear at all because my wrist size is about 9 and a half inches
and I always have to have two extra links plus adjust the band al the way out. I have been buying rolex watches for the past thirty years and this is the first time this has happened to me and now I got a piece I can't enjoy because I don't have any idea when
the extra links will be in and rolex say's that their timepieces are perfect fit every time
I am pissed and don't think I will buy anymore watches made by rolex.

Pardon me for being literally honest...

But that SUCKS!!

[The Engineer]

Well I just don't know what I should do inthis case.

[jasonbellevue]

Great informative post JJ!

[Incurable]

Engineer... I feel your pain. When I bought my new GMTII, it came short a link... It only had 12. I fussed with the AD and they said they would order a new one... Fast forward three months and still no link. I finally had them rob the link from another watch, just as they had done w/mine (apparently). Just the idea that they had such a hard time getting ANYTHING out of Rolex after paying multiple THOUSANDS for something doesn't sit well with me. I hope you get your situation resolved. I would apply more pressure on your AD, up to and including returning the watch if you can't even wear it. Maybe they will do as mine did and rob the links from another to keep you happy. Or, you could just do as others do and put it on a NATO OK, just kidding. Sorry for your frustration.

[leopardprey]

Engineer, I would put your GMT II on a Nato, until the extra links come in. At least that way you can still wear and enjoy your new watch.

[The Engineer]

Thanks for the input guys, but on monday I'm driving down to rolex of New York city and
their going to make good on this, or i am going to make a lot of noise on this issue with
the law,just that simple. I am not going to be put on no waiting list. These people pride
them selfs on perfection,charge you the utmost premium price for it, and they will make
good on the matter or give me a full refund for my trouble.

[Obsession]

so you wear your Rolex without removing any lugs? With 13 lugs? I havent got a Rolex yet but at my Tissot I ve 11 lugs ( 5 after the 6 position and 6 after the 12 position) and 2 is out as well as at my Folex, Swatch and Raymond Weil that was sold, I think I will need to take out 2 lugs in my future Rolex too in this case.

[Geoff]

My wrist is about 6 3/4" measured just behind that bone that bumps up behind the wrist.

I had to have two links removed from my new TT GMT IIC and then set the micro adjust to the loosest of the 3 settings, i.e. closest to the 12 o'clock side of the clasp for a comfy and centered fit. If my wrist swells during the day and it feels to tight I just use the neat link expansion system incorporated into the clasp to loosen it up a bit.

The watch came with 7 links on the 12 side and 5 on the 6 side. I had one link removed from each side. This is the only one of my three Rolex's that I had to remove 2 inks.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Geoff

My wrist is about 6 3/4" measured just behind that bone that bumps up behind the wrist.

I had to have two links removed from my new TT GMT IIC and then set the micro adjust to the loosest of the 3 settings, i.e. closest to the 12 o'clock side of the clasp for a comfy and centered fit. If my wrist swells during the day and it feels to tight I just use the neat link expansion system incorporated into the clasp to loosen it up a bit.

The watch came with 7 links on the 12 side and 5 on the 6 side. I had one link removed from each side. This is the only one of my three Rolex's that I had to remove 2 inks.

As long as you have centralized fit of the clasp, that's fine, Geoff.

Remember, with this advanced bracelet, you also have an instant adjustment by way of the flip-flop HALF link concealed inside the clasp.

JJ

[Geoff]

It's centered JJ - a technique I learned and passed on onto my AD thanks to one of your earlier posts.

And yes, I will use the link expansion on occasion.