118238/218238 Barcelet Stretch

[z32turbo]

Has anyone ever seen the newer DD brackets with any stretch? I know they are solid compared to the older hollow models. Just curious if anyone has seen one that has actually been worn/stretched?

Just curious.

Thanks!

[JustABreathAway]

My 218238 demonstrates no stretch, but it isn't anywhere near old or used enough to have any issue - I hope!! I do clean mine weekly to hopefully mitigate bracelet stretch as I want this watch to last 50 or more years. My AD told me (funny, I know, but true) that Rolex mentions that the newer designed Presidents should be much less prone to the stretch phenomenon. Perhaps I'll have more info for you in a decade or so (although I hope to not see this affliction!)

[z32turbo]

Thanks for the info doc. Actually your pictures are pushing me to flip my SS models for a DDII.

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by z32turbo

Thanks for the info doc. Actually your pictures are pushing me to flip my SS models for a DDII.

I must tell you that I absolutely love my time piece. Wear it everyday and it puts a huge smile on my face. If you decide to go for it, I would love to see voluminous pictorials!!

Particular model configuration you're looking at?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by z32turbo

Has anyone ever seen the newer DD brackets with any stretch? I know they are solid compared to the older hollow models. Just curious if anyone has seen one that has actually been worn/stretched?

Just curious.

Thanks!

Metal cannot stretch unless its heated to a high temperature what happens more on the gold bracelets being a softer metal than SS.Its the dirt grim from everyday wearing gets around the bracelet screws and pins and with the bracelet wearing friction it acts like sandpaper and wears and elongates the pin holes.Just keep them clean with plain old soap and water with a occasional use of say a ultrasonic cleaner on bracelet.Then there is no reason that any Rolex bracelet should not last 20 plus years.And wearing the bracelet a snug fit rather than loose that helps too.Myself have a few oyster 20 plus years old and they have had a hard life, and they show little or no sign of this so called stretch.

[JustABreathAway]

padi, I've seen you write that so many times that it should just be in your signature!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

padi, I've seen you write that so many times that it should just be in your signature!

Maybe its because many ask the same questions time after time.

[z32turbo]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

I must tell you that I absolutely love my time piece. Wear it everyday and it puts a huge smile on my face. If you decide to go for it, I would love to see voluminous pictorials!!

Particular model configuration you're looking at?

I haven't seen many DDII is person but picture based I'm looking at the stick dial (I like the lume) or roman dial (based on your pics). I've also seen a picture with a silver roman dial that look really nice.

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by padi56

Maybe its because many ask the same questions time after time.

Yes yes, I know, and I must say that it was quite useful the first time I read about the cause of the phenomenon. I was simply trying to inject some humor, perhaps a little too dry.

Also, FWIW, I think 'stretch' is a wonderful visual descriptor of the bracelet wear phenomenon, even if it's technically inaccurate for the actual processess involved.

[z32turbo]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

Yes yes, I know, and I must say that it was quite useful the first time I read about the cause of the phenomenon. I was simply trying to inject some humor, perhaps a little too dry.

Made me laugh

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

Yes yes, I know, and I must say that it was quite useful the first time I read about the cause of the phenomenon. I was simply trying to inject some humor, perhaps a little too dry.

Also, FWIW, I think 'stretch' is a wonderful visual descriptor of the bracelet wear phenomenon, even if it's technically inaccurate for the actual processess involved.

Very true, some stretch is pretty good

[DDG]

Any time you have metal to metal contact between moving parts, you will get wear every time these parts move against each other. The ony way to prevent that is with a thin layer of lubrication to seperate those two metal parts. It's not really practical to lubricate the pins & bores on watch bracelets, the only way we can prolong the inevitable is to keep them clean. Like it or not, the bracelet with all it's unlubricated, close fitting parts are the expendible part of a Rolex. They won't last as long as the watch will. With a Timex, you just throw the band away, and pick up another one for a few bucks & you're new again. You might go through a dozen before you wear out the watch itself. Can't do that with a luxury watch.

[sond86]

Mines 6 years old little to no stretch

Although mines a 118235 so doesn't count :)






Here's one (not mine) from the 70s very stretched

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by sond86

Mines 6 years old little to no stretch

Although mines a 118235 so doesn't count :)

Cool picture.

[z32turbo]

[QUOTE=sond86;3116801]Mines 6 years old little to no stretch

Although mines a 118235 so doesn't count :)





Good to know thanks for sharing!!!