Fit solution for Explorer 36mm 124270

[Fraz]

Hi everyone,

I have recently acquired a new Explorer 36mm, and having a hard time finding the right bracelet fit. No matter how I play with links, micro adjustment, easy link, it’s always either too tight or too loose.

I had a 39mm Explorer before and although the watch itself was a bit too big for my wrist, the fit was perfect. My guess is that the extra lug to lug length compared with the 36 was just what I needed to make it perfect.

Given that Rolex doesn’t make half links for the Explorer 36, does anyone have a solution to recommend, other than giving up on the bracelet all together (which I really don’t want)?

Thank you very much!


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[Rick_Nashville]

You didn't state whether it's tight-fitting on more occasions than not, or loose-fitting more than not, but if you previously owned the 39mm Exp, I have to assume the new 36mm watch/bracelet is a bit too tight. How about adding a full link, then moving the micro adjustment to its tightest fit and closing the Easy link extension. If that gets you close to an ideal fit, then save the Easy link for hot weather months and you should be good to go.

[Fraz]

Originally Posted by Rick_Nashville

You didn't state whether it's tight-fitting on more occasions than not, or loose-fitting more than not, but if you previously owned the 39mm Exp, I have to assume the new 36mm watch/bracelet is a bit too tight. How about adding a full link, then moving the micro adjustment to its tightest fit and closing the Easy link extension. If that gets you close to an ideal fit, then save the Easy link for hot weather months and you should be good to go.

My wrist doesn't change that much in size, and I prefer a tighter fit, but with this 36 I am stuck between too tight or too loose (for my liking). No amount of link in/out, micro-extension in/out, easy link in/out helped. That's why I am here for help. Thank you for replying, cheers

[ikincooper]

Have you played around with the clasp adjustments? I had to…




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[Fraz]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Have you played around with the clasp adjustments? I had to…




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I have. That’s what I was referring to as micro-adjustment.


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[HogwldFLTR]

Everest straps would be the path I'd choose.

[ikincooper]

Not much else I can think of to suggest!?

Have you tried playing around with the no of links on each side? Not sure how that would help but perhaps moving (relatively) the clasp around to a different part of your wrist may help.

For what it’s worth, I have four links on the 6 o’clock side and six at the 12 o’clock side and moved the micro adjustment/clasp to the middle setting and I do wear it sometimes with the easy link in for a snug fit versus out for a looser more casual look.


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[Fraz]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Not much else I can think of to suggest!?

Have you tried playing around with the no of links on each side? Not sure how that would help but perhaps moving (relatively) the clasp around to a different part of your wrist may help.

For what it’s worth, I have four links on the 6 o’clock side and six at the 12 o’clock side and moved the micro adjustment/clasp to the middle setting and I do wear it sometimes with the easy link in for a snug fit versus out for a looser more casual look.


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Thank you, that’s a good though. I will try that.

As per the strap, that’s what I am trying to avoid, but might be my only solution.

I was wondering if someone makes aftermarket half links for this model. Does anybody know?


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[Andrews148]

I had a few goes to get my 124270 bracelet right. I found that at certain times my bracelet was just a little too tight. Coming out on the easy link then felt too loose.
I had the AD put a link back in and come to the tightest position on the micro adjustment. This felt ok, but I found that the watch "pointed away" from me when I turned my wrist to look at it.
I returned to the AD and asked them to move a link from the 6 o'clock side to the 12. This has left me with 7 and 4 and the watch now feels great.
Moving a link may help you

[Rufoad]

I believe Patrick has the answer..........go to AD and they can help.

[amphr1]

Not sure what to say with 3 different ways to adjust and still can't get a good fit, maybe it's the bracelet design and not fitting.

[Fraz]

Originally Posted by amphora001

Not sure what to say with 3 different ways to adjust and still can't get a good fit, maybe it's the bracelet design and not fitting.

One more micro adjustment notch on the clasp wouldn’t hurt. Also making half links for all bracelet models.


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[skyblue12]

I've had the same problem with my new BLRO on a Oyster bracelet, again l tried every combination under the sun and totally ruined the screw heads and still couldn't get the perfect fit. Finally I've had to get a jubilee bracelet for it which l didn't really want but that's fits perfectly straight out of the box! Unfortunately I don't think you have that option. In my experience l found if a watch doesn't fit like l want it to doesn't last long in the collection and ends up making space for one that does.

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[Fraz]

Originally Posted by skyblue12

I've had the same problem with my new BLRO on a Oyster bracelet, again l tried every combination under the sun and totally ruined the screw heads and still couldn't get the perfect fit. Finally I've had to get a jubilee bracelet for it which l didn't really want but that's fits perfectly straight out of the box! Unfortunately I don't think you have that option. In my experience l found if a watch doesn't fit like l want it to doesn't last long in the collection and ends up making space for one that does.

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I agree. Bracelet fit is important. My Explorer 39 felt absolutely perfect when strapped on and the 36 definitely does not. I need 2 to 3 more mm, that’s all. But it doesn’t seem like I will get it…

It’s a bit frustrating, the 39 fit perfect but was too big; the 36 is the perfect size but doesn’t fit well. First world problems..

In any case, thank you to everyone that replied. I tried playing with the position of the links, but it didn’t help. My wrist is small, so there are few removable links in place to begin with.

If anyone can think of an out of the box solution, I am all ears.

Cheers


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[hondacb1002]

I would write a hand written letter to Rolex and mail it to them. I would wait for their response.

[NachoNeal]

Originally Posted by hondacb1002

I would write a hand written letter to Rolex and mail it to them. I would wait for their response.

And then when Rolex fails to respond, he can ask Santa for a typewriter for Christmas.

[hondacb1002]

Originally Posted by NachoNeal

And then when Rolex fails to respond, he can ask Santa for a typewriter for Christmas.

Why would Rolex fail to respond when someone writes them a hand written letter because of issues with a new watch?

[amphr1]

I will take away your trouble by transferring ownership to me ��

[gordonite]

Rule of thumb is putting one finger in-between your links and wrist, try keep it on like that a day or two, you'll get used to it. Rolex tends to wear bit loose, and that's the way it is. I had same problem with my 114270 Explorer, but keep it one-finger away made me used to it,

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by gordonite

Rule of thumb is putting one finger in-between your links and wrist, try keep it on like that a day or two, you'll get used to it. Rolex tends to wear bit loose, and that's the way it is. I had same problem with my 114270 Explorer, but keep it one-finger away made me used to it,

For me it's a pinky finger. Feels a little loose occasionally and a little tight occasionally. But mostly good. Rolex bracelets are "grippy" for some reason. They don't need to be super tight to stay in place. But too tight definitely sucks.

[amanbra]

You must be like me where I need the watch within +- 1 mm to feel good. The easy link is 5mm yet the micro adjustment is 3mm and the link is 10mm. Surely you can get very close with a combo of these?


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[Fraz]

Originally Posted by amanbra

You must be like me where I need the watch within +- 1 mm to feel good. The easy link is 5mm yet the micro adjustment is 3mm and the link is 10mm. Surely you can get very close with a combo of these?


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Close by not quite right. Yeah, I do need it to be within maybe +/- 2mm and no combination of the above will do it. What I need is a half link + play with the microadjustments, then it would be perfect. That's why I was asking for ideas here, or maybe for an aftermarket solution.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Fraz

Close by not quite right. Yeah, I do need it to be within maybe +/- 2mm and no combination of the above will do it. What I need is a half link + play with the microadjustments, then it would be perfect. That's why I was asking for ideas here, or maybe for an aftermarket solution.

But that's the thing, the easy link is a half link, so if you leave it open and move the micro adjustment that should be what you need right?

any way i'm spending 2k usd right now to get another 1.5mm on a DD40 =(

[gmtln]

Originally Posted by amanbra

But that's the thing, the easy link is a half link, so if you leave it open and move the micro adjustment that should be what you need right?

any way i'm spending 2k usd right now to get another 1.5mm on a DD40 =(

Half links from a SubC are slightly bigger than the easy link extension, I believe they are 6.5mm

[christian-h]

Originally Posted by amanbra

You must be like me where I need the watch within +- 1 mm to feel good. The easy link is 5mm yet the micro adjustment is 3mm and the link is 10mm. Surely you can get very close with a combo of these?


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It's not that easy. Circumstance is one thing; adjustment of the clasp is another one. The clasp rarely gets mentioned and even if you get the circumstance right, the clasp might be centered wrong, for you wrist.

A half link allow you to adjust the clasp in a whole different way.

The Explorer clasp is short, which can be a problem and the clasp is much thicker then earlier versions of the Explorer bracelets (pre 214270). Earlier Rolex bracelets tend to fit much more comfortable and it's more forgiving when you are looking for a comfortable fit. Here's two pictures to illustrate:





You can clearly see how slim the clasp on the 14270 is, compared to the new 124270.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by christian-h

It's not that easy. Circumstance is one thing; adjustment of the clasp is another one. The clasp rarely gets mentioned and even if you get the circumstance right, the clasp might be centered wrong, for you wrist.

A half link allow you to adjust the clasp in a whole different way.

The Explorer clasp is short, which can be a problem and the clasp is much thicker then earlier versions of the Explorer bracelets (pre 214270). Earlier Rolex bracelets tend to fit much more comfortable and it's more forgiving when you are looking for a comfortable fit. Here's two pictures to illustrate:



You can clearly see how slim the clasp on the 14270 is, compared to the new 124270.

Yep. The older clasps also have more adjustment holes, and you can bend the metal blades to add more or less curvature, which will slightly tighten/loosen the fit, too.

[rusty427]

*

[Ensign]

Just get as close as you can with the micro adjustments and get used to the fit.

[Heady Topper]

Not what you’re looking for, but try at the “too loose for you” configuration for a few days and see if you change your mind? I’ve learned that they all don’t fit the same and sometimes we have to adjust ourselves as opposed to the bracelets

[matthew P]

Good timely post for me…….. just picked up a 124270 and still trying to figure out the fit.

On my 7 inch wrist AD removed one link on 6 o’clock side and then I had him slide clasp pin to shorted position.
In heat later in the day that made it a little too tight with easy link closed and a little too loose with easy link opened.
I moved clasp pin back to middle hole position and it’s now comfortably loose with easy link closed assuming warm weather …… but now easy link is way too loose.

Current fit is good but I’d like to set it up so that it’s a little tighter in preparation for cooler weather shrinkage and keep the open easy link position in reserve for summer heat.

On my 214MKii I was able to get theirs set up to work.

I’m wondering if I should try to shift a link to 12 size to shift the clasp over wrist tend bulges or remove a link and slide clasp pin to most open position.
Any bodies previous experience comments welcome…. Or I will report back here after I get back from AD next week.

Loving the watch so far.





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