Bracelet stretch?

[watchnut]

I've been wearing my Daytona pretty much everyday for some time and I always wash it every few days. Try to work some non-oily type soap into the links and rinse it thoroughly. I like the new foaming type hand soaps as they seen to rinse off well. I was just thinking though, that the biggest concern I have about wearing it all the time is that the bracelet will get worn. I've seen some examples on here of bracelets that are extremely worn almost to the point of looking like a twist-o-flex. They seem to still hold the watch reasonably secure. Just wondered how many people have had an actual bracelet failure due to being worn out. This is an academic question I guess, because at my age I won't live long enough to wear one out I'm sure. That stainless steel is a lot stronger that my old bones.

[snowbird]

I'll be interested to hear thoughts on this one . . . it certainly does seem that some of the older Rolexes out there have pretty loose bracelets and I've wondered the same thing, what are the implications of wearing a watch with a stretched bracelet.

[ParisDakarBmw]

I saw a lady DJ the other day at the shop. The woman asked for a clean and polish. When I held it to the watch sideways, the bracelet pointed towards the floor, and dangled. It was the worst stretch I'd ever seen.

She wore it loose for 30 years. It looked far worse than one the same age worn snug. I polished it, and gave it a good cleaning. It looked pitiful, but It wasn't near breaking. I wouldn't have a clue how long a well maintained bracelet would last. This one had another 5 - 10 years before it falls apart.

I'm curious what the other guys have seen.

[Rscmaine]

Metal fails from movement and stress. Bracelets worn loosely move. Like this.

The only difference is scale.

[kyle L]

I love the look of stretched bracelets... My Uncle has worn his air-king for at least 20 years everyday, and his oyster bracelet is stretched.

[erling]

I´ve had my Datejust 16233 since 1988.
The band is quite stretched. It doesn´t show when I´m wearing it.
I asked my AD in Iceland how much a new bracelet would cost me. He said it would be about $2.400.

The book Rolex Report 4th edition says about stretched bracelets:
"Be careful not to confuse this smoothness of the bracelet with "stretch" which is when the bracelet links become worn out (or stretched out) over time, and therefore do not hold their shape. .......While this does not give the indication of a fake, it does mean that the bracelet is worn out and therefore should be replaced".

I have also wandered when I should replace my bracelet.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Honestly, when you can see more flesh, than band, It's time to retire it!

[swissautopro]

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

Metal fails from movement and stress. Bracelets worn loosely move. Like this.

The only difference is scale.

Yep. Wear it a little tight, and it should lengthen the life span of the bracelet significantly.

[Maxtor]

Is stretch more of an issue with an oyster or a jubilee bracelet?

[watchnut]

I've seen men and women both wear their bands very loose to the point where the watch itself is hanging below the wrist. My daughter wore her Raymond Weil that we bought her so loose that the crystal became scratched almost to the point of unreadability. I prefer to see a watch worn a bit loose rather than tight. A friend of mine has an old DJ with the Jubilee with oval links and it looks great and very supple. I wish they still made that band.

[Watch Professor]

Worse case scenario- buy a new bracelet.
I think that the new bracelets with solid center links will have much less of a sretch problem.

[sea-dweller]

My first Rolex (14060 from 1994) still has it's original Oyster bracelet and it has very minimal stretch. It was worn carefully and not too loosely. I also cleaned it frequently to prevent dirt from rubbing against the links.

[2005rivers]

I have a Seiko Sport 150 it is near 20 years old, my dad wore it for about 13 years and I have worn it about six years and still wear it. My dad and I talk all the time about how loose the bracelet has become from when it was new and compared to his Yacht-Master and my GMT

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Maxtor

Is stretch more of an issue with an oyster or a jubilee bracelet?

Normally its the Jubillee that will show signs of wear the most.

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

My first Rolex (14060 from 1994) still has it's original Oyster bracelet and it has very minimal stretch. It was worn carefully and not too loosely. I also cleaned it frequently to prevent dirt from rubbing against the links.

Like wise I have a few oyster from the early 1980s that are worn quite regular and show only a very minimal signs of wear.Its the pins that wear and the holes elongate steel does not stretch only when red to white hot.Oyster bracelets will last for decades just keep them clean with soap and water and wear snug not loose.

[Colnago]

The "S" word seems to be cropping up a lot again lately......please read this

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=89630

[BarkMaster]

My wife loves to wear hears loose and would never notice and/or care about stretch.

[escudoturbo]

I believe US market Rolex's are produced with a loose fit compared to other markets this may cause a more premature wear, though I am unsure of the exact engineering diffrences between the two.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by escudoturbo

I believe US market Rolex's are produced with a loose fit compared to other markets this may cause a more premature wear, though I am unsure of the exact engineering diffrences between the two.

Although Rolex USA is a separate company They are the same spec world wide they all come now from Rolex Geneva.And how you wear your Rolex world wide surely is how you adjust it to your wrist.

[idk01]

My DJ is about to turn 15 and the bracelet is quite good considering I have friends wit the same vintage jubilee and theirs looks like they are going to pop any moment, I always did the old gentle soap and a soft bristle brush then soak in a champagne glass in hotish soapy water over night, head of the watch on chopsticks so only the band was submerged, just love the gunk in the bottom of the glass the next morning.

I've always worn the watch not too loose or tight, just enough space to fit my index finger between wrist and clasp :-) I think its going to be many years before this band nears the end of its life :-)

[ParisDakarBmw]

I clean my watches in a pot of boiling water, 2 chicken bullion cubes, celery, carots, and a pinch of rosemary. It's a great recipe!

[idk01]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

I clean my watches in a pot of boiling water, 2 chicken bullion cubes, celery, carots, and a pinch of rosemary. It's a great recipe!

I know that dish Paul, Chicken CacciaRolex

[snowbird]

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

Metal fails from movement and stress. Bracelets worn loosely move. Like this.

The only difference is scale.

Is that the Tacoma Narrows bridge by the way? I've seen that film somewhere where the bridge oscillates in the wind then finally falls.

[snowbird]

Originally Posted by Colnago

The "S" word seems to be cropping up a lot again lately......please read this

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=89630

Thanks, the drawings and discussions in that thread are very helpful.

[SSD]

I tend to wear mine in a manner where it is very seldom loose on my wrist. It fits perfectly in hot weather, and only a very little movement when things get cold. Hopefully this will lead to good longevity.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Originally Posted by idk01

I know that dish Paul, Chicken CacciaRolex

Yes, it has an interesting oyster flavor to it.