Too Loose or too tight.. Which one causes bracelet stretch?

[Ronin78]

I've heard both arguments. I would think that a tight bracelet would be more likely to stretch as its under near constant tension.

Some say a loose fitting bracelet is the culprit by allowing the weight of the watch the stretch the bracelet out over time.

Then there is argument three. Dirt gets into all the crevices an holes and grinds them out and makes them bigger, and thus out of round.

I will clean my bracelet in an Ultrasonic cleaner once a month and hedge my bets. I personally wear my watch rather loose. I can slide a finger between my bracelet and wrist. Which comes in handy in the Florida heat and humidity.

Opinions on this?

[Snow-Dweller]

Too large causes stretch

[Loevhagen]

Q: causes bracelet stretch?
A: Dirt + movement = wear*) -> stretch

*) too loose creates more movement than too tight.

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

Q: causes bracelet stretch?
A: Dirt + movement = wear*) -> stretch

*) too loose creates more movement than too tight.

nailed it

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

nailed it

Too Dirty is the cause....it wears out the pins/tubes inside the links.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

Q: causes bracelet stretch?
A: Dirt + movement = wear*) -> stretch

*) too loose creates more movement than too tight.

Exactly! Wearing a tight bracelet does no harm to the metal, you cannot literally (stretch) metal. The pins and links are much stronger than your wrist.

Folks who wear their bracelets loose and sloppy and don't clean on a regular basis are the ones who get worn out loose links and pins. :cheers

[djackson410]

Wearing it too loose causes the watch flop around the wrist and will eventually wear out the pins.

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

Too Dirty is the cause....it wears out the pins/tubes inside the links.

too dirty and loose makes the problem of "stretch" appear very quickly. No matter how often you clean your bracelet there will always be a small minuscule amount of dirt that builds up rather quickly. If the bracelet is loose it exacerbates the problem while too tight causes the watch to not flop around the wrist and let the dirt do the damage.

[evlkoala]

I wear my bracelet tight, wash once a month. It's been 15 years and 3 months, minimal stretch. I do wear it with Nato and leather strap quite a lot too.

[77T]

The torque exerted on the pins grinds against the links. When combined with any grit that gets into the parts you get abrasion that wears away metal on the softer part - namely the pins...
No long term scientific studies to cite - but logic would say the looser one wears a bracelet, the more torque one imparts on it.

[DCheeta]

Bjoern said it perfectly already.

I've been wearing my 14060 for 16 years. I wear it snug to my wrist and I wash it regularly, I don't notice any stretch in the bracelet. (I wear it in rotation with other watches, so that probably helps too.)

[mfer]

dirt

[gtnator]

too dirty, maybe too loose too

[ref1655]

it also depends on the style/design of the bracelet & whether the linkage is riveted, folded, or solid.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Ronin78

I've heard both arguments. I would think that a tight bracelet would be more likely to stretch as its under near constant tension.
. . .

Opinions on this?

"Stretch" does not literally mean stretching the metal. It means that the bracelet is so worn that it's over length is "stretched" because of the much looser tolerances.

So, the grit and wear (from a dirty bracelet), and the hammering forces that a loose bracelet sees, will increase this wear between the links - the bracelet will be able to be stretched out longer than when it was new and tight.

[kromdom]

NATOs and leather straps = no stretch :)

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by kromdom

NATOs and leather straps = no stretch :)

last time I checked...leather stretches.

[rusty427]

This article has been around awhile, but an interesting read.
http://www.clockmaker.com.au/watchma...nbracelet.html

[joli160]

Originally Posted by rusty427

This article has been around awhile, but an interesting read.
http://www.clockmaker.com.au/watchma...nbracelet.html

Yep, very clear, thanks

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by kromdom

NATOs and leather straps = no stretch :)

Nato and leather = no bracelet!!! (FWIW)

Too tight causes numbness and hand blackening...

[DaveDhc]

I have an SD4 and a new Everose Daytona. Brand new the SD4 bracelet was loose as compared to the Daytona. The Daytona's bracelet was so tight that the links don't freely move. So I'd say there is a significant difference in tightness between different models and materials from my two data points.




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[onthepond]

With the gold links in the TT (16613), one would think the gold, being softer than SS, would wear more rapidly? I never see comments related to the two different bracelets?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by onthepond

With the gold links in the TT (16613), one would think the gold, being softer than SS, would wear more rapidly? I never see comments related to the two different bracelets?

gold models have ceramic sleeves in the holes..

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Ronin78

I've heard both arguments. I would think that a tight bracelet would be more likely to stretch as its under near constant tension.

Some say a loose fitting bracelet is the culprit by allowing the weight of the watch the stretch the bracelet out over time.

Then there is argument three. Dirt gets into all the crevices an holes and grinds them out and makes them bigger, and thus out of round...

I think it's been pretty well cleared up for you. This is the Rolex Forum and every single responder has told you dirt and loose fit causes stretch.

Keep the bracelet clean and wear it on the snug side if you want to minimize the effects of stretch. Snug is still comfortable. I don't care for the one finger test because everyone has different sized fingers and you can slip one in with various degrees of ease. I prefer to define snug as the point at which the watch head stays in one place on the wrist. When you go to look at the time you don't have to flip it into position. Wear it snug and the bracelet stays "quiet".

[armen34]

Exactly.

[onthepond]

gold models have ceramic sleeves in the holes..

Interesting. Tools, are the sleeves throughout the gold links or simply collaring the pins? Either way, it would seem less subject to pin & link wear? That is assuming cleaning & proper fit are maintained, as discussed throughout this thread.

Very interesting. After 19 years, I was certain it wasn't the gold providing the service.

[onthepond]

Following Tools reply to my question, I searched the forum for more information re: ceramic inserts/sleeves and found: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=403477 It does not, however, indicate "when" and "which" bracelets enjoyed this advent? Mine is a '97 16613 TT Black dial?

Great concept, indeed. I must assume mine, 19 years w/o stretch of any kind, must have the ceramic, or I'm just fortunate. It is worn daily (24/7) in ALL activities except welding and metal work. A to be worn timepiece!

[onthepond]

gold models have ceramic sleeves in the holes..

For those interested that may have missed this thread (http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=403477), the ceramic insert/sleeve. The thread does not mention "when", and "which" bracelets have the ceramic? Does anyone have this information - mine is a '97 16613 TT?

After 19 years of daily (24/7) wear in ALL activities, with no stretch apparent, I assume it has the insert/sleeve. Presumably, the ends of the pins must be getting worn, given the photo of the ceramic sleeved pin.

Definitely - these timepieces are designed to be worn!