Rolex wants me to change my bracelet on my Pepsi

[Roly25]

So I went to the RSC in Manhattan the other day to get my bracelet adjusted on my 16710 from 1996. I wanted a permanent link removed from the 6 o'clock side, which they did no problem.

However, while there they told me I should change out the bracelet since the one I have has a lot of stretch. They were telling me it could fall off my wrist. Now on my way out I stopped by two Rolex ADs and both service guys told me not to worry about it. That there are vintage Rolexes from the 60's, 70s, etc where people still wear the old bracelets.

I love the watch, but I just picked it up. I don't want to drop whats about 1/4 of the purchase price on a bracelet right about now. Does anyone on here have any experience with bracelet stretch? Has it caused any issues with your watch? I might as well buy a nice leather or put it on a NATO if it is an issue.

[RoyalOac]

There's nothing wrong with the bracelet other than the overpolished clasp and a bit of stretch. If you're concerned about the stretch, Michael Young is your guy.

[Fat_ninja]

I think i just met you :)

[Fat_ninja]

Dont know if the privae message sent but

Go loook up michael young

Hes one of the bracelet guys.

[Wcdhtwn]

From what I understand stretch happens when the watch is worn too loose. So keep it snug on your wrist, it looks like you are in the pictures, and it shouldn't get worse or fall off.

[rushca01]

You might try these guys, they are US based. I am not affiliated with them nor have I used them, just sharing.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=618472

[joli160]

Your bracelet is worn already to the point where the links needs to be welded. Only a matter of ( relatively short) time before it fails and you loose your watch.

It needs the same treatment as provided in the links imo

[The Libertine]

Yes, I agree. There’s a lot of stretch in your bracelet.

[tyler1980]

i have no idea on functional impact of that as far as it failing, but the look of it would bug me.

[AznD85]

I wonder does Rolex Service staff have a quota to meet in terms of service sales and pushing for clients to get stuff they don’t need.


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[jsausley]

I would get it repaired, but not replaced. Stretch happens when dirt gets into the spring bar areas and motion wears out material in that area. It has nothing to do with too tight, too loose, etc., but everything to do with not cleaning your watch (or the previous owner in this case I guess) every time you wear it in dirt, sand, the ocean, or when you're sweating heavily.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by AznD85

I wonder does Rolex Service staff have a quota to meet in terms of service sales and pushing for clients to get stuff they don’t need.


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He needs something but RSC is in the parts replacement business and not the restoration business


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[Dan Pierce]

There's absolutely no stretch but lots of worn away metal on the inks. A new bracelet is in order, IMHO.
dP

[nektar]

Originally Posted by jsausley

I would get it repaired, but not replaced. Stretch happens when dirt gets into the spring bar areas and motion wears out material in that area. It has nothing to do with too tight, too loose, etc., but everything to do with not cleaning your watch (or the previous owner in this case I guess) every time you wear it in dirt, sand, the ocean, or when you're sweating heavily.

exactly..

[kegan]

I Have to ask, what are they getting for a new bracelet these days for an old 16710?

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by jsausley

I would get it repaired, but not replaced. Stretch happens when dirt gets into the spring bar areas and motion wears out material in that area. It has nothing to do with too tight, too loose, etc., but everything to do with not cleaning your watch (or the previous owner in this case I guess) every time you wear it in dirt, sand, the ocean, or when you're sweating heavily.

This

Get it repaired/restored, NOT replaced !

[NKflyer]

If definitely has some stretch but I've seen alot worse. Regardless of whether you have it rebuilt with thicker pins or sleeves or whatever to remove the stretch, the chunking/wear spots need to be laser welded to restore cosmetics.

The weakest part on these is the rivet that the fliplock pivots on, which also attaches the 6 o'clock links to the clasp. It's a thin piece to begin with so you should inspect to see if it's dangerously thin now. This rivet can be replaced a'la carte by any halfway competent jeweler or watchmaker.

Excellent condition used 78790's are available <$1000 so that's another option and hang on to your existing bracelet for originality. The 78790A's with solid end links are particularly nice.

[Roly25]

So as others have said I am thinking about utilizing Micheal Young. I've read many great review about him. Has anyone had any long term experience with his work? I'm curious on how the bands look after a few years of usage?

**Also RSC put a scratch on the back of my watch when removing the bracelet. Not happy about that, thought they would be more careful**

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Roly25

So as others have said I am thinking about utilizing Micheal Young. I've read many great review about him. Has anyone had any long term experience with his work? I'm curious on how the bands look after a few years of usage?

**Also RSC put a scratch on the back of my watch when removing the bracelet. Not happy about that, thought they would be more careful**

Most seem very happy with his work. There is also a company in the bay area restoring bracelets, and they install new bracelet pins and laser weld in material where there is scalloping on the links. I would restore not replace.

[Tools]

Stretch is not really "stretch", in that no metal was really stretched.

It means that the connecting pins and the metal holes where the pins ride have ground themselves down considerably, and so, the actual length of the bracelet, when pulled on, has physically stretched in length.

Looking at the photos it is visible at the edges of the outside link parts that the metal has worn considerably. Also, with the extended distance between links, either the pins are worn considerably, or the inside of the center link is well ground down.

So, yes, if a pin finally wears down so it's strength is minimal, it will simply break under low stress activities. It could simply break and fall off.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by Tools

Stretch is not really "stretch", in that no metal was really stretched.

It means that the connecting pins and the metal holes where the pins ride have ground themselves down considerably, and so, the actual length of the bracelet, when pulled on, has physically stretched in length.

Looking at the photos it is visible at the edges of the outside link parts that the metal has worn considerably. Also, with the extended distance between links, either the pins are worn considerably, or the inside of the center link is well ground down.

So, yes, if a pin finally wears down so it's strength is minimal, it will simply break under low stress activities. It could simply break and fall off.

Sounds like a very good synopsis...I think as minimum I would go for a refurb! Could pay in the long run!