Bracelet stretch

[blevine]

Just curious about bracelet stretch. (From the pictures commonly showing the level of stretch I am curious why it’s not called sag.)

More importantly:

1. What typically causes it?
2. What is physically happening to the bracelet to create the stretch?
Are the links themselves stretching or bending or are the spaces between links getting wider or something else.

I can see the jubilee being more prone to stretch since it is made from such tiny pieces. But the oyster seems like it’s links are bigger and more resistant to stretch yet I have seen examples of them stretching too.

Also when someone tightens up a stretched bracelet how do they do it?

Thank you in advance.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by blevine

Just curious about bracelet stretch. (From the pictures commonly showing the level of stretch I am curious why it’s not called sag.)

More importantly:

1. What typically causes it?
2. What is physically happening to the bracelet to create the stretch?
Are the links themselves stretching or bending or are the spaces between links getting wider or something else.

I can see the jubilee being more prone to stretch since it is made from such tiny pieces. But the oyster seems like it’s links are bigger and more resistant to stretch yet I have seen examples of them stretching too.

Also when someone tightens up a stretched bracelet how do they do it?

Thank you in advance.

Metal cannot stretch unless you pull with extreme force which no human could do.What happens is the dirt sweat from normal wearing gets around the bracelet screw pins.This with normal friction acts like sandpaper and over time elongates the pinholes.Simple action to prevent wear just keep bracelet clean with regular washing in plain soap and water.Then all Rolex bracelets will outlast their owners, some of mine well over 20 years old and had quite a hard life yet show none or very little signs of wear.

[Bigblu10]

"Stretch" is a misnomer for wear. Friction, dirt and grime between the bracelet pins and inner links literally wear away metal, so pins become thinner where they rub the inner links. The holes in the links also become worn and elongated, so the bracelet becomes sloppy and increases in length. Jubilee has more parts and they are smaller which makes the bracelet more prone to so called stretch. They are fixed either by laser welding and adding lost material to the worn links, bracelet pins are either replaced with new ones or if salvageable a metal "sleeve" is placed over the original pin which makes the surface round again and takes up the slack.

[037]

It's wear, not stretch. Nothing actually stretches when bracelets wear and sag.

Dirt and debris cause pins and links to wear, along with friction between neighboring links.

Repair usually requires replacing pins at a minimum and laser welding at a maximum.

[WJGESQ]

Not an issue in the new models to my knowledge.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by WJGESQ

Not an issue in the new models to my knowledge.

They will and can wear just like the older bracelets if not kept clean.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by WJGESQ

Not an issue in the new models to my knowledge.

The solid links might slow down the process, but it can still happen if not kept clean.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by sillo38

The solid links might slow down the process, but it can still happen if not kept clean.

Yup. A little effort to clean will go a long way towards maintaining bracelet structure.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by sillo38

The solid links might slow down the process, but it can still happen if not kept clean.

And worn properly fitted (snug). Loose and floppy will wear it out also.

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by WJGESQ

Not an issue in the new models to my knowledge.

Not yet. Wait until they get old.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Not yet. Wait until they get old.

Hahaha, not yet? You should see some 3-4 year old watches coming in, some are just as bad as the old ones. People wear them loose and don't clean 'em.

[scurfa]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Not yet. Wait until they get old.

I have sent a few newer style jubilee bracelets for retightening to Michael Young, I checked with him first to see if it could be done and he said he’s had loads, One was really bad.

[Dsmith1974]

Same as a bike chain, the pins in the rollers wear themselves and the links. Overall the chain length stretches and sags although no individual link was actually stretched.

[roosvelt]

My serti sub has sleeves for the pins so I think just or more durable than solid bracelet. Mine is over 10 years old does not show any wear but it's alway clean because I shower with it on.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Just as a note, even if kept clean a bracelet will wear. Metal against metal will cause wear.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Same as a bike chain, the pins in the rollers wear themselves and the links. Overall the chain length stretches and sags although no individual link was actually stretched.

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

Just as a note, even if kept clean a bracelet will wear. Metal against metal will cause wear.

After cleaning, I soak my bracelet in a surgical instrument lubricant to help reduce “stretch”.....just like the bike chain.

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by pickettt

After cleaning, I soak my bracelet in a surgical instrument lubricant to help reduce “stretch”.....just like the bike chain.

LOL - actually now I think about it some dry parrafin wax lube squirted on the rollers once a year would be a good thing to do.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

LOL - actually now I think about it some dry parrafin wax lube squirted on the rollers once a year would be a good thing to do.

Easy now, I'm not talking about White Lightning. LOL. It's a lubricant we put on the hinges of hemostats and other surgical instruments after they come out of the ultrasonic cleaner.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by pickettt

After cleaning, I soak my bracelet in a surgical instrument lubricant to help reduce “stretch”.....just like the bike chain.

Interesting. When you say "soak," how do you apply it? Do you remove the bracelet from the head and submerge it in the lubricant, or just apply it directly? (I see some is sold in spray bottles.) Are you concerned that the lube would attract and hold dirt and grime to the pins, thus increasing wear? How does the lube feel to the skin? Forgive all the questions, but I have no experience with surgical lube, and you've piqued my curiosity.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Interesting. When you say "soak," how do you apply it?

I always remove the bracelet from the case. I submerge it in the “instrument milk” for 20 seconds or so, then set it on a towel to let all the liquid run off. Then I take a microfiber cloth and thoroughly wipe off all the excess (as is I’m trying to get all of the lubricant off). You never feel it on your skin, because it’s all been wiped off, except between the pins and links.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I always remove the bracelet from the case. I submerge it in the “instrument milk” for 20 seconds or so, then set it on a towel to let all the liquid run off. Then I take a microfiber cloth and thoroughly wipe off all the excess (as is I’m trying to get all of the lubricant off). You never feel it on your skin, because it’s all been wiped off, except between the pins and links.

Lubricant will attract grime and dust, a bracelet isn't supposed to be lubricated...

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I always remove the bracelet from the case. I submerge it in the “instrument milk” for 20 seconds or so, then set it on a towel to let all the liquid run off. Then I take a microfiber cloth and thoroughly wipe off all the excess (as is I’m trying to get all of the lubricant off). You never feel it on your skin, because it’s all been wiped off, except between the pins and links.

Thanks for the reply.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

Just as a note, even if kept clean a bracelet will wear. Metal against metal will cause wear.

Yes but less wear


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[Dr. Robert]

We all stretch a bit due to aging, don’t worry be happy, wash your watch and yourself often to prevent this!

[R!$]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

We all stretch a bit due to aging, don’t worry be happy, wash your watch and yourself often to prevent this!

[doodledoc]

To help those that don't know, what do people mean by "regularly clean"?

My answer is: I clean my day date every once every 2 wears. 1 wear = at least 8 hours (for me, a work day).

I "clean" my watch by running it under faucet under warm water (water won't burn my hand) for 10 seconds and then put hand soap on the watch and massage the soap into the watch for about 10-15 seconds. I then rinse off the soap and dry it with power towels.

I should buy an ultrasonic cleaner but I don't know how often I should use it and I'm too lazy to research which cleaner I should buy.

My day date is from 1986 and I purchased it last April. I wear it at least twice a week and I usually wear it at work and I still keep it on when I'm at home (eating, watching TV, but not in the shower).

[TudorTuesday]

We used to call it bracelet stretching, but then times changed, and now we know it's actually bracelet yoga. I'm told it's much more than stretching, and good for the soul.

[Dsmith1974]

I picked up a Speedy Mk II from the ‘70s which has worst stretch I’ve ever seen and the most faded dial. Wouldn’t change either though!


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[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

I picked up a Speedy Mk II from the ‘70s which has worst stretch I’ve ever seen and the most faded dial. Wouldn’t change either though!


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If you continue to wear the watch with a worn bracelet like that, one day it will break and depending on where you are could result in a broken watch hitting the pavement or a lost watch if you happen to be in the ocean.

[dnslater]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

If you continue to wear the watch with a worn bracelet like that, one day it will break and depending on where you are could result in a broken watch hitting the pavement or a lost watch if you happen to be in the ocean.

Do we think he will find himself swimming in the ocean with a vintage Speedy?