Quick QUESTION FOR 116618LN and 116619LB owners...

[Jake B]

Hi guys,

Quick question for you gold Sub-C owners.



I wear my 114060 Sub-C more than any other watch in my collection, and a large part of the reason for that is COMFORT. The glidelock clasp makes a world of difference living here in HK where it can go from burning hot to freezing cold several times a day due to tropical weather outside and overzealous use of air-conditioning inside. One other thing, though...Part of my perfect comfort with this watch is in my arrangement of the links.

With the 114060 there is a HALF-LINK that if I remember correctly was originally on the 12 o'clock side of the bracelet, that I moved over to the 6 o'clock side, giving me four and a half links + the tiny little "quarter-link" that attaches it to the clasp on the 6 o'clock side. That HALF-LINK is NOT present on my GMTII-C, but due to the thinner case compared to the Sub, I'm comfy without it. My question....Is that HALF-LINK present on the 116618LN and 116619LB bracelets??

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Is that HALF-LINK present on the 116618LN and 116619LB bracelets??

AFAIK, no. Only steel Sub-C models come with a half-link in the bracelet. For the other models you have to pay for it, and pay a good price for a gold half-link:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=4671503

BTW, I share the same concern about gold Subs, since I also need a half-link for the 6-hour side due to my thin wrist.

[Flex368]

I just checked my 116618 bracelet and I can´t find a half link that can be moved to the other side. My AD removed two links when I bought it but these were normal sized ones.

I never noticed a half link on my 116610 though, maybe I´m just blind.

[Jake B]

Thanks, guys. So, this piece is standard kit for a stainless Sub and obviously useful. Ok, so buying a gold Sub I'd have two useless extra full links sitting in a box for eternity and then have to pay $660 - $750 just to get a half link for the proper fit on a watch I've already paid $35,000 for? Awesome, Rolex....Awesome I think that just on principle alone I'm puttin' the kibosh on that plan.

[Flex368]

But shouldn´t the Glidelock on its own give you enough flexibility for the sizing? I am currently wearing my YG Sub and I can´t see how a half link would improve my wearing comfort.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Flex368

But shouldn´t the Glidelock on its own give you enough flexibility for the sizing? I am currently wearing my YG Sub and I can´t see how a half link would improve my wearing comfort.

Not everyone's wrists are shaped the same. My inner wrist is thicker than the outside. Wearing 4 full links on the inner side feels uncomfortable, but wearing 5 full links the head slides over towards the outside of the wrist...4.5 links on the inner side is just right. The glidelock adjusts the outer side of the bracelet...not the inside...and I DO take full advantage of it, too.

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by Flex368

But shouldn´t the Glidelock on its own give you enough flexibility for the sizing?

The GlideLock only gives a flexibility in sizing the 12-hour side of the bracelet. My problem with the 6-hour side is that 4 full links are too long, but 3 full links are too short. With 3 and a half links it is perfect.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Fiery

The GlideLock only gives a flexibility in sizing the 12-hour side of the bracelet. My problem with the 6-hour side is that 4 full links are too long, but 3 full links are too short. With 3 and a half links it is perfect.

Yeah, man. That's exactly where I'm coming from, except for me it's 4 and a half links like in the pic above

[Flex368]

I understand. But in that case I´d just discuss the possibilities of getting a half link with my AD.

If that´s the only constraint I´m sure a good AD will come up with a proper solution for you.

[Fletcher UK]

I recently tried to order a ss half link for my 16610LV through an AD in the UK and the AD was told by Rolex that 1/2 links do not exist. Fortunately I managed to snap up the only one I have ever seen for sale on ebay, so, having had the watch for 7 years I have finally managed to get the bugger to fit properly

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by Fletcher UK

I recently tried to order a ss half link for my 16610LV through an AD in the UK and the AD was told by Rolex that 1/2 links do not exist. Fortunately I managed to snap up the only one I have ever seen for sale on ebay, so, having had the watch for 7 years I have finally managed to get the bugger to fit properly

I'm not trying to defend the AD or Rolex, but half links indeed do not exist for the 16610LN/LV models, but only for the 116610LN/LV models.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Flex368

I understand. But in that case I´d just discuss the possibilities of getting a half link with my AD.

If that´s the only constraint I´m sure a good AD will come up with a proper solution for you.

Yeah, I guess how they handle that request is key.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Yeah, I guess how they handle that request is key.

Blahblahblah....you are done. Stop fighting it looking for reasons, you already own this watch and you don't even know it yet....hahaha The magic of the force.
C'mon Jake who are you kidding already, you are officially under a spell/hypnotized and no scrawny "half link" will stop the inevitable allure of the gold, the blue dial, the weight, the feel....
Finding a half link shouldn't be hard from a suitable AD, then what...haha...

I'll be the first to say Congratulations.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Blahblahblah....you are done. Stop fighting it looking for reasons, you already own this watch and you don't even know it yet....hahaha The magic of the force.
C'mon Jake who are you kidding already, you are officially under a spell/hypnotized and no scrawny "half link" will stop the inevitable allure of the gold, the blue dial, the weight, the feel....
Finding a half link shouldn't be hard from a suitable AD, then what...haha...

I'll be the first to say Congratulations.

You're probably right, Rashid. You're...probably...right.

[Alpino]

.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Yeah, I guess how they handle that request is key.

Well, knowledge is power...if you know going in that you are going to need the half link, then you can use that as a bargaining chip...perhaps the dealer wouldn't want to lose the sale of a multi thousand dollar deal based on a $600 link.

I'm sure the AD's--and Rolex--don't count on their buyers being so well educated and informed from good old TRF.

And as Neil said, you could certainly sell one of the full ones to finance the deal. That's a great suggestion, by the way . And, you might even find one in the watch accessories sub-forum...Heck, I wouldn't let this get in my way if you want the watch. Go get that bad boy. Good luck and happy hunting.

[up2nogood]

Glad mine fits with standard links!!

[ufboy73]

you know, i didnt even know there was a half link on my sub. im going to have to check it when i get home because i wear with 4 links on the 6 side (and it is sized properly) but because of how my wrist/forearm is when i rotate it the clasp edge has a tendency to get pretty close to my bone...and even when in a neutral position all of my space is on the 12 side with the 6 snug...so, im going to need to check this out....if i could get s little more breathing room on the 6 side but not push the clasp too far over, it could be perfect...thanks!!!

i hear you on the principle thing....but we ARE talking about several hundred dollars on a tens of thousand dollar watch! lol

[AK797]

Why not sell one the full links you will never use and use that to pay for the half link.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by AK797

Why not sell one the full links you will never use and use that to pay for the half link.

Have to find someone with a mammoth wrist first who needs extra links!

[Jake B]

Hey, I grabbed this pic from the "Club" thread...it's from forum member SaddleSC. In this pic, the half-link is present, as I've pointed out with the red arrow, in its original position next to the glidelock link on the 12 o'clock side.... Saddle, did you order this, or is it actually there & most just don't realise that it is, and that it's moveable?




I've really gotta get me down to an AD that's got gold Subs in stock this weekend.

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Hey, I grabbed this pic from the "Club" thread...it's from forum member SaddleSC. In this pic, the half-link is present, as I've pointed out with the red arrow, in its original position next to the glidelock link on the 12 o'clock side.... Saddle, did you order this, or is it actually there & most just don't realise that it is, and that it's moveable?



I've really gotta get me down to an AD that's got gold Subs in stock this weekend.

Great detective work!
As you know, I own both the Hulk and the Smurf and I can confirm that only SS Submariners include the half-link from the factory. It is NOT included with precious metal or TT models.

This picture was taken the first week that I owned the WG Sub and I actually installed an extra SS half link that I had lying around (used for my DJII) to test the fit before ordering the WG half link.

At the end of the day, I was not excited at all about spending another $750 + tax for the half link, so I just added back one of the full links that was removed when I initially sized the watch and took the slack out of the Glidelock. The watch fits perfectly now. The difference between a half link and a full link is only about 3.5mm so it can be "corrected" by moving the Glidelock in 2-3 notches.

This was a better solution for me and the watch fits perfectly! It fits so well in fact that I am actually contemplating removing the half from my Hulk and replacing it with a full.

I have found the half link to be much more important with watches that don't have glidelock, like the YMII, the GMTII, the DJII. With the Glidelock, it is not as essential.

I also agree with you, it does seem like a "slap in the face" to include the half with SS and not with WG or YG, but at the end of the day if you find that you need it, then I would not let it stop you from buying the watch. It is just too great of a piece to let $750 get in your way.

But try it my way first:) I hope this helps.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

Great detective work!
.......I hope this helps.

Thanks, man...Clears that up
Yeah, my issue is that I want/need it on the OTHER side. Bummer, but if I really want the watch I just might have to suck it up.

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Thanks, man...Clears that up
Yeah, my issue is that I want/need it on the OTHER side. Bummer, but if I really want the watch I just might have to suck it up.

Ahhh...ok, so you use the half link on the 6 o'clock side?
Then yes, you will definitely need to buy it separately for $750...cost of doing business I guess:)

[Keith1]

Here is the pricing from Rolex for the half links. On their retail price list it shows for a TT $180, for 18k YG $660, and the WG is $750.

On page 53 (Rolex page), the TT is listed. On the top of page 57, the YG & WG is listed.

http://www.minus4plus6.com/pdf/Rolex...une-1-2012.pdf

[Nycturbovr6]

Love these pics of the smurf

[buke45]

I never noticed a half link on any of my 116610's