Bracelet Buckle Stiffness?

[gregdolley]

Ya know how on brand new Rolexes the buckle part of the bracelet clasp is stiff and it takes a couple months of wearing for it to loosen up... I was wondering, what causes it to be stiff when it's new??

This is the part I'm talking about: (notice how it doesn't fall open loosely like it would on any watch more than a few months old)

[77T]

The hinge pin is placed into the curved sleeve and then the tip gets compressed much like a rivet head. This is done tightly and with little tolerance. It does become more compliant as the edges of the hinge work themselves in.

You can speed that process by some regular flexing (no pressure - just back and forth motion).

[gregdolley]

Thanks Paul! Wouldn't want to speed it up - I like the stiffness. Just was curious as to why it happens.

[Psmith]

I've never noticed this on the new style clasps - only on the old, stamped 'hinges'. Forgive the silly question, but perhaps there is a sticker still on the clasp causing it to errr... stick? (pardon the pun!)

Heaven knows Rolex put a lot of little stickers all over the watch and clasp...


Paul's explanation does sounds perfectly reasonable though

[mannyv11]

I just received a BNIB SUBC yesterday and did not have this stiffness.
The M serial Sub I had which I bought used still had this stiffness in it when I first got it.

I wonder if this was more common in the older subs rather than in the newer clasps or if mine was just played around with a lot in the AD =).

[kilyung]

Both my gold Rolexes were stiff as well but loosened up.

[gregdolley]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

I just received a BNIB SUBC yesterday and did not have this stiffness.
The M serial Sub I had which I bought used still had this stiffness in it when I first got it.

I wonder if this was more common in the older subs rather than in the newer clasps or if mine was just played around with a lot in the AD =).

My old DJ had this stiffness (M serial bought new from an AD), but it went away after a couple months.

Your sub was probably played around a lot at the AD. I notice the models at the AD which show signs of "store wear" don't have much stiffness left in the clasp (or none at all). One's that look new always have this stiffness.

[tkerrmd]

No problem just new!!
Congrats again on a beautiful watch!!

[caryyee]

My RG Daytona is super stiff, not just in the buckle part, but also in the bracelet links themselves. I like that tight stiff feeling, means the watch is brand spanking new.

[gregdolley]

Originally Posted by caryyee

My RG Daytona is super stiff, not just in the buckle part, but also in the bracelet links themselves. I like that tight stiff feeling, means the watch is brand spanking new.

Yup, I like the stiff feeling too, it just feels so brand new!

[Psmith]

Maybe it's just gold watches? Have never noticed this stiffness with any new SS watches