Help removing a link on a vintage expansion bracelet.

[Nicko]

Anyone know how I would go about removing links on this type of bracelet? Thanks...

[CaveDiver]

Déjà vu my friend.

The best way is to drill out the rivet. Some will bend the links to get them off, but I believe that is more destruction than necessary.
Drilling out the end of the rivet will do the least amount of damage and a good jeweler should be able to re-rivet the link if needed in the future. Welcome to vintage bracelets.


BTW, looks like a very long nice USA version Rolex bracelet

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Déjà vu my friend.

The best way is to drill out the rivet. Some will bend the links to get them off, but I believe that is more destruction than necessary.
Drilling out the end of the rivet will do the least amount of damage and a good jeweler should be able to re-rivet the link if needed in the future. Welcome to vintage bracelets.


BTW, looks like a very long nice USA version Rolex bracelet

Thanks!

Any watch tech post available on how to do this?

[CaveDiver]

I have not seen any. Removing the rivet should not be that hard, just have to be careful not to scratch up the links. The harder part I would think would be to find matching rivets. I would think a watchmaker would have them though.
Do you have a watchmaker close by?

I think I saw some place were they showed pressing rivets into place for a similar bracelet.

[CaveDiver]

Here is a sight that has some tools and pins. I have no idea if they match the Rolex.
http://www.esslinger.com/watchbandparts.aspx

Here is a little tool for removing. Could do this by hand if you are careful.
http://www.esslinger.com/littlegiant...inremover.aspx

This is only to give you an idea.

[Nicko]

Well, I'm not going to remove the pins because once I need to put it back to it's original condition then the pins are no longer original to the watch. I would much rather bend the links...Any help on bending the links out there? I know someone has done this. Come on...Take time from the jokes and word association threads for a minute and help a brother out....

[Jimbits76]

You could lightly bend the folded metal link to slip the rivet bar out.

I added link sto mine using a small flat head with tape over it to prevent scratches. I bent the metal enough to slip the new links in and then just pushed it back into shape!

J

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

You could lightly bend the folded metal link to slip the rivet bar out.

I added link sto mine using a small flat head with tape over it to prevent scratches. I bent the metal enough to slip the new links in and then just pushed it back into shape!

J

Thanks J! I think that's what I'm going to do....I was thinking the same thing but was wondering if there was a post available here (I have searched) with maybe a pictorial showing how to do this for dummies like me...Thanks for your answer!

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by Nicko

Thanks J! I think that's what I'm going to do....I was thinking the same thing but was wondering if there was a post available here (I have searched) with maybe a pictorial showing how to do this for dummies like me...Thanks for your answer!

That is why I do not want to mod my father’s bracelet. Before you go bending, you might want to view some hack jobs and how bad they can look.
Rivet versus what I have seen is not pretty.

[CaveDiver]

This is from an ebay ad. Suspect bending hack.. Just keep in mind once you bend metal and bend it back it weakens it.. Cheers..

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

That is why I do not want to mod my father’s bracelet. Before you go bending, you might want to view some hack jobs and how bad they can look.
Rivet versus what I have seen is not pretty.

Thanks, I'll give it some thought....I was able to adjust the band a lot this morning and once the head comes in I'll see how it fits. I really don't want to screw with such an expensive vintage bracelet...Cheers!

[Tools]

I would say that if you are going to wear it regularly, get a good substitute rivet bracelet from a good source such as Qualitytyme.com - or even a good service replacement 93150. That way you stop any further degradation of an original piece, but you still have it as part of the watch "package"

For adjustment, the accepted method has been to unfold the link just enough to slide the links apart... extreme bends will begin to crack the fold and it will need to be heat treated to maintain it's integrity..

[CaveDiver]

^^
Yes Tools,
This is going down the same patch I’ve been.
I contemplated this bracelet although qualitytyme indicates it is out of stock. Then there is the question about putting non Rolex part on the watch. The picture of the bracelet looks okay, but wonder about the quality and it is not Rolex part. There is also lower priced ones on ebay, but it is impossible to tell of the quality is the same from the pictures.
http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/acc...bracelets.html



The other option to the 93150 is the 78360. I did confirm with Rolex Service that that bracelet will fit and they would place it on a 5512 Sub. However they could not confirm if that bracelet (or variant) was ever sold with a Sub as their catalogs do not go back that far. The clasp on the 78360 is closer to the old rivet type and if you have small wrists, it might fit better.

Back to the old Rolex Rivet.. If a watch maker has access to the same rivets (in my case the ones with hollow end), I would feel much safer with removing a link by removing the rivet. Just me, but no bending on mine.. And if I did remove rivets, I would get a few extra matching unused ones from the watchmaker incase they are no longer available in the future for reversing the modification.

(and ya, it is just a watch Rolex, so chill and sell be bracelet! lol)

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by Tools

I would say that if you are going to wear it regularly, get a good substitute rivet bracelet from a good source such as Qualitytyme.com - or even a good service replacement 93150. That way you stop any further degradation of an original piece, but you still have it as part of the watch "package"

For adjustment, the accepted method has been to unfold the link just enough to slide the links apart... extreme bends will begin to crack the fold and it will need to be heat treated to maintain it's integrity..

Thanks Larry, I don't think I want to buy an aftermarket bracelet or a 93150. The bracelet I bought is to wear, maybe not every day, but at least 50% or the time or 3 days a week. I won't wear the watch while doing any dirty or rough work. I think I am going to bend the band and remove the link if I need to, I will post pics of the finished piece if ever the Tudor arrives!!

[YewchD]

As far as someday reinserting the links that are removed, I am having my links reinserted by Bob Ridley at a cost of $95.00. I haven't actually used my original bracelet on my 5513 since 1989 when I switched to the newer version. What are these rivet bracelets worth? I don't want to sell, just curious? My sub has a 1M serial number dated around 1964.

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by YewchD

As far as someday reinserting the links that are removed, I am having my links reinserted by Bob Ridley at a cost of $95.00. I haven't actually used my original bracelet on my 5513 since 1989 when I switched to the newer version. What are these rivet bracelets worth? I don't want to sell, just curious? My sub has a 1M serial number dated around 1964.

How many links are involved? 95US sounds steep unless there is some restoration or something. Were they removed by bending or was the rivets removed? I wonder if he has the original style rivets at hand.

I have seen the 7206 bands range on ebay from 400-650 US. Some higher for some crazy reason.

[YewchD]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

How many links are involved? 95US sounds steep unless there is some restoration or something. Were they removed by bending or was the rivets removed? I wonder if he has the original style rivets at hand.

I have seen the 7206 bands range on ebay from 400-650 US. Some higher for some crazy reason.

I have two attached links that need to be re-inserted. They were removed by drilling out the rivet. It is expensive but Bob Ridley is expensive in general and he does have the original style rivets which may be why it is so expensive. I was just tired of them laying around loose all these years.

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by YewchD

I have two attached links that need to be re-inserted. They were removed by drilling out the rivet. It is expensive but Bob Ridley is expensive in general and he does have the original style rivets which may be why it is so expensive. I was just tired of them laying around loose all these years.

Thanks, that is good to know. I'm leaning on taking my watch to him for service and he is only 20 miles from me. He told me he could remove some links from my band, but did not discuss the price. I'm still leery about removing them. I would not have thought it would be that much to press a couple rivets though considering I just hear about one person buying a link and having it installed at Dallas RSC for ~80 US.

When do you expect your bracelet and watch back? I'm interested to see how the bracelet rivet looks. A picture would be very nice:)

[YewchD]

I expect to have it back the 1st week of February.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

How many links are involved? 95US sounds steep unless there is some restoration or something. Were they removed by bending or was the rivets removed? I wonder if he has the original style rivets at hand.

I have seen the 7206 bands range on ebay from 400-650 US. Some higher for some crazy reason.

Gave 500 for mine...