Removing permanent link from 5 digit oyster bracelet

[1mlee0916]

I’m thinking about purchasing a 5 digit model, but just found out there are 5 permanent links on the 6 o’clock side on the oyster bracelet.

I have 4 permanent links on my modern Rolex, so I think 5 permanent links won’t keep the clasp centered.

Do you have any pictures to show how tapered it will be if I remove one link? I understand that the it will be a rather abrupt change?

Thanks in advance.


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[MichelleP]

I actually just put the bracelet back on my 5513 and the clasp was off center. The watch didn't sit right on my wrist. I had the bracelet flipped as well as the clasp. Its a bit odd but fits so much better now.

[Hutrmila]

Try eBay... there are solo links available .... 5 digit have hollow center ... or ask AD ... they shall be able to get you one ... 13 links together plus those half links ... 6 from digit six and 7 on the other side ... I have 6,8 inch wrist and balances 5-7 ... on my 16710


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[LeftCoastBias]

Which 5 digit reference are you looking to buy? I just pulled my 16610 out of the safe to do a count, and I see only 4 permanent links on each side?

[gt0279a]

Depends on the watch.

For example, the last version of the 5 digit Submariners 93250 oyster bracelet has 4 links with a 1/2 link attached to the clasp

That is very similar to the fit of the 6 digit 97200 oyster, I'd say the 5 digit model in this case is about ~3mm longer

[1mlee0916]

Originally Posted by LeftCoastBias

Which 5 digit reference are you looking to buy? I just pulled my 16610 out of the safe to do a count, and I see only 4 permanent links on each side?

16570. I think it’s the 78790A bracelet.



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[Tools]

Taking out a permanent link is a time-honored and common way to fit a Rolex bracelet to smaller wrists.

It was so common, this is why the newer bracelets have been changed to go down to 4 links (one additional removable link).

The 4 link halves have a steeper taper to get down to 16mm over 4 links rather than 5. The slight step on older bracelets is barely noticeable, and the links can be ground to the same taper as the newer bracelets. If it is re-tapered, it will be identical to the newer 4-link halves.

It's a watch, not a delicate Ming vase. Make it fit your needs.

[Hutrmila]

Originally Posted by Tools

Taking out a permanent link is a time-honored and common way to fit a Rolex bracelet to smaller wrists.



It was so common, this is why the newer bracelets have been changed to go down to 4 links (one additional removable link).



The 4 link halves have a steeper taper to get down to 16mm over 4 links rather than 5. The slight step on older bracelets is barely noticeable, and the links can be ground to the same taper as the newer bracelets. If it is re-tapered, it will be identical to the newer 4-link halves.



It's a watch, not a delicate Ming vase. Make it fit your needs.

precisely and to the point “maestro”


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[sillo]

Originally Posted by MichelleP

I had the bracelet flipped as well as the clasp. Its a bit odd but fits so much better now.

This is what I do to get the clasp blade centered on my wrist on all my 5 digits. I just flip the entire bracelet around instead of removing a permanent link.

[1mlee0916]

Any pix?




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[sillo]

Originally Posted by 1mlee0916

Any pix?

Of the flipped bracelet? I can get some up tomorrow.

[Dr Watches]

I break a link off all my five digit bracelets (even newer subs with the shorter link on the clasp) Rolliworks can break them without damage.

No pics right now, but if nobody comes through I'll post up one tomorrow. The step is noticeable, but a watch that doesn't fit is worthless to me.

[CFR]

I need a permanent link removed on pretty much any Rolex for it to fit properly. It's not really noticeable because the links are kind of on the underside of my wrist.

Here's a 93150 bracelet (for a 16600 Sea-Dweller), as well as a 78790A bracelet (for a 16710 GMT Master II), each with a permanent link removed -- Rolliworks removed the 78790A link undamaged:

[bob78h]

I've done this for all my 5 digit watches. The change in taper isn't as bad as the pictures make it out to be.

Another option is having the 4 permanent links riveted directly to the clasp. This will preserve the taper, but you won't be able to add more links to that side (unless you have the rivet redone again).

[1mlee0916]

...so I shouldn't let this deter me from purchasing a 5 digit?

[1mlee0916]

is it just purely cosmetics? any other potential downsides of removing a permanent link?

picture (although only 1 posted), doesn't look too bad... I think I could live with that taper.

[Kliminator]

Originally Posted by MichelleP

I actually just put the bracelet back on my 5513 and the clasp was off center. The watch didn't sit right on my wrist. I had the bracelet flipped as well as the clasp. Its a bit odd but fits so much better now.

Originally Posted by sillo38

This is what I do to get the clasp blade centered on my wrist on all my 5 digits. I just flip the entire bracelet around instead of removing a permanent link.

Same as these two members. I flipped the clasp on my 14060 and the clasp is in a much better position. Without having it flipped, it was off center and looked / felt weird.

I'd recommend flipping the bracelet to get a better fit. It take a little time to get adjusted to have the clasp the other way but it's not a big deal at all. I would not remove a permanent link because you might need it down the road (ie. if you gift it to a child or end up selling the watch) .... a missing permanent link would definitely affect the resale value

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Kliminator

Same as these two members. I flipped the clasp on my 14060 and the clasp is in a much better position. Without having it flipped, it was off center and looked / felt weird.

I'd recommend flipping the bracelet to get a better fit. It take a little time to get adjusted to have the clasp the other way but it's not a big deal at all. I would not remove a permanent link because you might need it down the road (ie. if you gift it to a child or end up selling the watch) .... a missing permanent link would definitely affect the resale value

I flipped my bracelet and found it LOT more comfortable. Not a size thing but something about the clasp was digging into something in my wrist.

[LeftCoastBias]

Originally Posted by 1mlee0916

...so I shouldn't let this deter me from purchasing a 5 digit?

I’d probably pass on the purchase unless you make it a strap queen. It won’t likely be in the rotation as frequent as your ceramic no-date, and the taper issue would definitely bother me.

And the resale value if you fall out of favor with the watch will be torpedoed.

The 5 digit polar explorer II looks fantastic on a NATO... I’d do that before permenantly altering the bracelet.

Good luck with your decision.

[glamorama]

Also flipped bracelet and that works fine

[1mlee0916]

Forgot to ask one really important thing...

If I flip the bracelet, what’s minimum number of permanent links I can have on the new side?


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[sillo]

Originally Posted by 1mlee0916

Forgot to ask one really important thing...

If I flip the bracelet, what’s minimum number of permanent links I can have on the new side?


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I have 4 on each side.

[CFR]

Originally Posted by 1mlee0916

...so I shouldn't let this deter me from purchasing a 5 digit?

I wouldn't let it deter you if you get someone to remove the permanent link without damaging it. If the link is undamaged, you can always get it reinstalled it later if you want. Rolex RSC in NY did this for me with my DSSD back in 2008, Rolliworks did it for me about 2 weeks ago, etc. Depending upon what country you're in, you may be able to get this done really easily and cheaply. I've done this with three "modern" Rolex watches thus far.

I tried flipping the bracelet first, as others suggested (which you should do too, of course, because it's a potential solution that's free, easy, and non-invasive). But I discovered that I didn't like wearing the fliplock clasp backwards. I preferred having the link removed and wearing the bracelet so that the clasp operates in the traditional direction.

FYI, my wrist (shown in the 2 pics in this thread with the permanent link removed) is 6"/154mm circumference.

Here's a video showing one tool that's used to remove links.

Below is what a 93150 permanent link looks like when it's apart.

[Cabaiguan]

I removed a perm link from every 5 digit I’ve owned. You can’t tell and fits great.


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[Jawnz]

Wow this has been super helpful. Going to bring my 5 digit sub to RSC and see if they’ll do it for me.

[kwingy]

Rolex London did mine quite a few years back and it really does make all the difference.

[tifosi]

I wear my 12 series Sub with only 4 links on the 6 o'clock side and I've owned many a 5 digit Sub and other sports models and I never had to remove a permanent link. I think you'll be OK.

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by kwingy

Rolex London did mine quite a few years back and it really does make all the difference.

I went to RSC yesterday and they said they could do it but the link would be destroyed in the process

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Jawnz

I went to RSC yesterday and they said they could do it but the link would be destroyed in the process

Rolliworks can do it without destroying the link.

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

Rolliworks can do it without destroying the link.

Heard that somewhere else as well. Just emailed them for a quote, thank you!