Sub Bracelet Link Sizing Riddle

[chris_nor_cal]

I can't figure this out by looking at it. I have a Z Sub/Date. I currently have all the links in the watch and have the micro pin on the furthest in and it's a little tight. If I move it to the second pin its way too loose. My question is, If I take a link out and move the micro pin all the way out is it loser than the position I am currently in or is it the same?

[Tools]

pin movement is less than link removal

[chris_nor_cal]

im confused.

2 options

1. all links in the sub date. micro pin pulled in to the furthest hole

2. minus one link on the sub date. micro pin pushed out to the farthest hole

which one is going to be looser on my wrist?

[Tools]

Sorry I did not answer your question.

option 1 and 2 may be about the same.

You need to remove a link and find a pin hole that is comfortable. Take out the extra link on the non-extension side if there is one there, otherwise, pick one on the extension side. Save it, you might put a little more meat on your bones like some of us do.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by chris_nor_cal

I can't figure this out by looking at it. I have a Z Sub/Date. I currently have all the links in the watch and have the micro pin on the furthest in and it's a little tight. If I move it to the second pin its way too loose. My question is, If I take a link out and move the micro pin all the way out is it loser than the position I am currently in or is it the same?

In the furthest pin position you have an extra link inside the clasp - this gets scratched by the clasp.
Take out this link and you will have more adjustment using the micros. You now have a spare link that wasn't doing anything but scratching is sides on the clasp.
I have done this to my subs and SD.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by chris_nor_cal

im confused.

2 options

1. all links in the sub date. micro pin pulled in to the furthest hole

2. minus one link on the sub date. micro pin pushed out to the farthest hole

which one is going to be looser on my wrist?

Chris,

The Sub-date bracelet comes with 9 links on the '12' side (this includes the two links inside the clasp, but not counting the "S" flat link)....and 4½ links on the '6' side.

When the watch comes straight out of box, the micropin is in the third hole from the end of the clasp....like this!!



If you take one link off the '12' side, then you say you have to move the micropin to the last hole, i.e. the very edge of the clasp. Is that right?

If, so I see no reason why you should not get a proper fit. Please post some pics for us to see, then perhaps it would be easier for us to guide you.

Cheers - JJ

[Andad]

Nice Pix JJ.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Sorry, but I am a bit confused, too.

I mean: You bought an SD and flipped it in favour of the Sub Date, because you stated that the SD was a bad fit.

When you bought the Sub Date - as far as I remember - you stated that the Sub was a MUCH better fit than the SD - for you.

But now it doesn't fit??

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

Sorry, but I am a bit confused, too.

I mean: You bought an SD and flipped it in favour of the Sub Date, because you stated that the SD was a bad fit.

When you bought the Sub Date - as far as I remember - you stated that the Sub was a MUCH better fit than the SD - for you.

But now it doesn't fit??

By much better fit than the SD I think Chris meant 'size, height and weight' We are now taking about adjusting the bracelet which as some of us (except Bo Bo ) know can take time to get right.

[southernlawyer]

Hi! I'm new here...just got my first Rolex a week ago today! A stainless steel sub with date. I've been reading this board all week and this thread has been quite informative, as I'm dealing with this same issue, re: sizing. If I keep the pin, shown in JJ's picture above in that location, the bracelet is just a little snug, i.e., when the watch is at the bottom of my wrist, there's perhaps a quarter inch gap between the bottom of the bracelet and the bottom of my wrist. If I move the pin out one, then the gap widens and my watch moves a little more freely on the wrist, i.e., it can slide essentially the same distance as before up and down the wrist, but with greater ease. Basically, is this something y'all find is just a preference issue, or style, e.g., does it look bad that a watch is somewhat loose on one's wrist?

Thanks!

[chris_nor_cal]

Originally Posted by directioneng

By much better fit than the SD I think Chris meant 'size, height and weight' We are now taking about adjusting the bracelet which as some of us (except Bo Bo ) know can take time to get right.

exactly

[Blue Bull]

Just to let anybody know I am NOT confused ( ) Seems there are a few here,thats confused.Adjust the bracelet and wear the watch and stop fussing ...

Your wrist size vary during the day,you wont get that "perfect fit" all the time.

[Erix]

Get a nice NATO and the problem is solved.

[Tools]

southernlawyer,
Welcometo TRF, and congratulations on your excellent taste in watches.

On wearing your Rolex. Some prefer to wear it very loose, as an ornament rather than a watch. This makes it a two hand operation to tell the time.

Wear it for comfort. It should not be too snug because we do swell up and down during the day. If too loose, it will ride over the wrist and something as simple as pushing yourself up from a chair will create tremendous pressure on the links.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by southernlawyer

Hi! I'm new here...just got my first Rolex a week ago today! A stainless steel sub with date. I've been reading this board all week and this thread has been quite informative, as I'm dealing with this same issue, re: sizing. If I keep the pin, shown in JJ's picture above in that location, the bracelet is just a little snug, i.e., when the watch is at the bottom of my wrist, there's perhaps a quarter inch gap between the bottom of the bracelet and the bottom of my wrist. If I move the pin out one, then the gap widens and my watch moves a little more freely on the wrist, i.e., it can slide essentially the same distance as before up and down the wrist, but with greater ease. Basically, is this something y'all find is just a preference issue, or style, e.g., does it look bad that a watch is somewhat loose on one's wrist?

Thanks!

Welcome to TRF, my friend.

The picture I've posted above is exactly how the watch came out of the box with ALL original links. And that's exactly how it fits me. I must have the perfect Rolex wrist somehow!!

Yes, you may loosen it by one hole if you find the fit too snug. Just wear it such that you are still able to insert your index finger between the bracelet and your wrist....like this!! And this is a perfect fit!!

[southernlawyer]

Thanks for the responses and help. This site has been my constant reading for the past week...will post a pic of my watch when I get a chance. Thanks again!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by southernlawyer

Thanks for the responses and help. This site has been my constant reading for the past week...will post a pic of my watch when I get a chance. Thanks again!

You're more than welcome. We look forward to your pics!!

JJ

[scott22]

Originally Posted by chris_nor_cal

im confused.

2 options

1. all links in the sub date. micro pin pulled in to the furthest hole

2. minus one link on the sub date. micro pin pushed out to the farthest hole

which one is going to be looser on my wrist?

I understand your question perfectly because I have wondered it myself. We are in exactly the same boat. Out of the box (with no links removed), my Submariner is either a bit too tight (especially on hot/humid days, when it becomes UNCOMFORTABLY tight) or much too loose, going between two micropin adjustments. (I have very thin wrists so the micro-adjustment is more of a macro-adjustment for me!) In other words, I think the *perfect* fit would be a hole in between two existing holes. I have wondered if I might get to that magic spot by removing a link and then trying the different adjustment holes. It seems like that might "offset" the micropin adjustments a bit to hit slightly different diameters.

So -- I understand what you're asking, but I haven't tried it myself, and I haven't seen an answer to your specific question yet. If you figure this out or try it out, please let me know!

Another question for folks: is removing a link as simple as using an eyeglass screwdriver and removing the screw? I thought I read somewhere that there's also a light glue (or some other adhesive) that keeps the screw from coming loose on its own. I haven't tried the above experiment because if it doesn't provide the perfect fit, I would want to put the link back on and go back to my almost perfect fit.

[Andad]

Yes, removing the screws is easy but make sure you use the biggest small screwdriver (oxymoron?) that will fit. The screwdriver supplied with the SD for example looks too big to fit but is exactly right for the job, using too small a screwdriver is the biggest mistake you can make.
Yes, there will be some white thread loc on new pins, just put the pin back in without cleaning it and I found that this is satisfactory and none of my pins have fallen out yet.
Measuring the SD & Sub bracelets I estimate that removing a link takes out 10mm. The micropins are 4mm centre to centre. If you do the math you will find that you can size the bracelet to your exact requirements give or take wrist changes during the day.

Do not wear your watch with your finger under the bracelet (like JJ does) as it will make life very difficult eg:- driving, working, drinking coffee, playing tennis, typing etc.

[Arturo]

I always have just taken the watch out of the box, and then adjusted the micro pins to the tightest fit without removing a link and that has worked fine for me. Now I gather that on the sub, there is a link inside the clasp getting scratched. But I don't think I am motivated to do anything about that, unless I hear that this method of fit is somehow bad for the watch.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Welcome to TRF, my friend.

The picture I've posted above is exactly how the watch came out of the box with ALL original links. And that's exactly how it fits me. I must have the perfect Rolex wrist somehow!!

Yes, you may loosen it by one hole if you find the fit too snug. Just wear it such that you are still able to insert your index finger between the bracelet and your wrist....like this!! And this is a perfect fit!!

WHEN did the goldPLATING wear off on the clasp and bracelet of your TT Blue SUB, JJ??

[Andad]

Hey Bo Bo,

Obviously you can tell that is an SD bracelet.

How about a pix with a finger under one of yours?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Hey Bo Bo,

Obviously you can tell that is an SD bracelet.

How about a pix with a finger under one of yours?

How about a pix with a finger up your ........

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

How about a pix with a finger up your ........

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

How about a pix with a finger up your ........

[scott22]

Originally Posted by scott22

I understand your question perfectly because I have wondered it myself. We are in exactly the same boat. Out of the box (with no links removed), my Submariner is either a bit too tight (especially on hot/humid days, when it becomes UNCOMFORTABLY tight) or much too loose, going between two micropin adjustments. (I have very thin wrists so the micro-adjustment is more of a macro-adjustment for me!) In other words, I think the *perfect* fit would be a hole in between two existing holes. I have wondered if I might get to that magic spot by removing a link and then trying the different adjustment holes. It seems like that might "offset" the micropin adjustments a bit to hit slightly different diameters.

So -- I understand what you're asking, but I haven't tried it myself, and I haven't seen an answer to your specific question yet. If you figure this out or try it out, please let me know!

So, I can now answer my own question and chris_nor_cal's original question. With my small wrists, the "perfect" size for my Submariners seemed to be right between two of the micro-adjustment holes -- meaning they were either too loose or too tight at different times throughout the day.

I went to the hardware shop and bought a set of jeweler's screwdrivers, and just removed one of the links from the bracelet. I then set the microadjustment to be in the widest setting. (Before I had it in the narrowest setting with no links removed -- which became too tight when the watch/wrist warmed up.) After doing this, the bracelet is just a *smidgeon* wider than it was before -- which is absolutely perfect. The Rolex crown is also centered on my wrist when I flip my wrist over. Time will tell, but I think the bracelet is now just about perfect for my wrist.

So this does seem to be a successful technique for getting slightly different diameters than using the micro-adjustment holes alone. Very cool!