How many links in new ceramic 116610 Sub bracelet with Glidelock clasp?

[mjohnr99]

Hi, I have searched the forums for help with my situation, but nothing exactly on point that I can find. Any assistance getting to the correct thread/answer is much appreciated!

Situation: I received the brand new 116610 Sub Date (SS with black ceramic bezel) as a gift and am having trouble sizing the bracelet (first time Rolex owner). Per my wife, apparently the dealer removed two links, and I am not sure where they were in the original, factory set-up, something I would like to find out.

Currently, the bracelet has 4 links (3 fixed, 1 with a screw) at the 6-side, and 8 links (3 fixed, 3 with screws, 2 "half-links" with screws) at the 12-side. The 2 "half-links" lead into a special, sliding link in the glidelock clasp.

My wrist measures 6 7/8" around.

Questions:

(1) Were the two links that my wife had taken out originally from the 6-side of the watch? If so, shouldn't the dealer have instead removed a link on each side of the bracelet (as opposed to the two on the same side), so that then when the watch is held by its case, the clasp hangs exactly even in the middle of the bracelet below the watch? [Currently, the clasp hangs unevenly and is higher up on the the 6-side of the watch.]

(2) Are the 2 "half-links" removable in order to fine-tune the bracelet fit size (e.g., can one of them be removed for fit purposes?), or are they better left intact in order to ensure easy adjustment of the new glidelock clasp? If they are OK to remove, then one sizing option for me is to consider removing one of the two "half-links" after adding back one of the two full links the dealer removed (presumably on the 6-side of the watch).

(3) I ask all this, because although the current configuration of the bracelet seems to be comfortable (pinky tip barely fits under clasp) on my 6 7/8" wrist, it seems that (a) the clasp is not perfectly in the center of the underside of my wrist (it's pretty close and it is comfortable, but I don't have experience with metal bracelets and where ideally the clasp should sit on the underside) and (b) I may want the bracelet starting point to be just a little bit looser (i.e., without having to use the glidelock feature).

So, I am trying to better understand my sizing options, as well as what the "correct" sequence of link removal is when downsizing this new Sub bracelet with glidelock clasp. With a 6 7/8" wrist, I am not sure if adding one of the two full links back in will make the watch too loose, as I would probably have to set the glidelock closer to its fully retracted position. I am also not sure of where the glidelock clasp should be set (fully retracted, in its middle?) when deciding what links should be added or removed.

Curious if there is anyone with similar size wrists that wears the bracelet with two full links removed (both on presumably the 6-side of the bracelet)?

I won't be wearing the watch with wetsuits, so that is not an issue. I was thinking that maybe adding one full link back at the 6-side, and then removing a "half-link" on the 12-side (if that can be done without interfering with the function of the glidelock clasp) might then result with both a better centering of the clasp and a slighlty looser fit then the current configuration, but again I am unsure of the ideal approach to sizing this new bracelet and clasp combo.

Any advice/direction is much appreciated. I want to be informed of these basics BEFORE I approach the dealer and weight the options. If it is easy enough, perhaps folks here can even recommend that I learn to do this my self with my jeweler's screwdriver set and the proper precaution by taping off the link edges, etc.

[I already had to tighten one screw down that had come out a bit and was preventing me from opening the clasp and taking off the watch. I was baffled on how it had come loose in only a week's time. Perhaps the dealer undid this screw when removing one of the two links and did not tighten it properly. I tightened it just enough to get the clasp open and watch off my wrist, as I was afraid to overtighten the screw.]

Again, thanks in advance for comments/suggestions, and sorry for the long post, but I wanted to give as precise detial as I could for the Rolex experts that I know are on this forum. Thanks!