Swapped for a Glidelock - Am I Screwed?

[RastabanStar]

I wanted to see how my 16710 GMT felt with a glidelock, so I swapped bracelets with my 114060 Sub.

Pics of 16710 (no problems)




I love the customization of the glidelock, but ultimately decided that I prefer the comfort of the original bracelet. The glidelock bracelet went on and off the 16710 pretty easily, but it only took a second for me to figure out the mistake I made by putting a bracelet with endlinks designed for a holes case onto my 114060. Now I can't get this thing off.

Pic of 114060 (big problem)


There is absolutely no room to fit a tool between the endlink and the lugs. What should I do?!?!

[fishingbear]

Push the spring bars in with a pin through the outside of the lugholes.

[Cerachrom12]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

Push the spring bars in with a pin through the outside of the lugholes.

No lug holes on a modern Sub!

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by Cerachrom12

No lug holes on a modern Sub!

Oh, I thought you were talking about the GMT pictured. A lesson for the future for all: swap clasp only in this scenario.

[Gerardus]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

Oh, I thought you were talking about the GMT pictured. ***A lesson for the future for all: swap clasp only in this scenario.

Good luck with the solution.
***Or even better: do not swap at all. (I also tell that to my wife)

[droptopman]

Seen this before. Only solution I know of is to drill a hole in the fixed end link so you can get the spring bar out. Basically will ruin the bracelet but I have never seen another solution. Bracelet will still work but you are stuck with holes in the end links.

[pw98]

Pull hard and hope only the springbar bends.

[Suboc]

I would not simply pull hard, that's very bad advice. You run the risk of damaging the case/lugs. I'd sacrifice end links over case damage-

[RastabanStar]

Originally Posted by droptopman

Seen this before. Only solution I know of is to drill a hole in the fixed end link so you can get the spring bar out. Basically will ruin the bracelet but I have never seen another solution. Bracelet will still work but you are stuck with holes in the end links.

That sounds like a job for a professional. I'm in the market to have a couple other watches serviced, so I guess I'll look for someone who can handle this too.

Any suggestions?

[blue16613]

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

That sounds like a job for a professional. I'm in the market to have a couple other watches serviced, so I guess I'll look for someone who can handle this too.

Any suggestions?

Unless someone like Vanessa chimes in with a fix, if anyone is going to know what to do, it would be someone at an RSC. At least you were experimenting with all original Rolex parts.

[RastabanStar]

Originally Posted by blue16613

Unless someone like Vanessa chimes in with a fix, if anyone is going to know what to do, it would be someone at an RSC. At least you were experimenting with all original Rolex parts.

I only deal with original parts, but I'm not sending anything to RSC. The watch is from 2015 and it's running perfectly. I don't want to have them tell me it needs a "light polish" or a service. I may just leave the bracelets swapped for a while. It's not that big of a deal.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

I only deal with original parts, but I'm not sending anything to RSC. The watch is from 2015 and it's running perfectly. I don't want to have them tell me it needs a "light polish" or a service. I may just leave the bracelets swapped for a while. It's not that big of a deal.

Just swap the clasps out... you won't know the difference..

[droptopman]

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

That sounds like a job for a professional. I'm in the market to have a couple other watches serviced, so I guess I'll look for someone who can handle this too.



Any suggestions?

Agreed if you usually don't work on your watches this would be something for a pro. I would take it on but I have a watch workbench setup and like to do some work on my own watches.
I'm in WA state and have a guy but there must be qualified WS in FL. Hopefully someone will have some input. There are a couple of highly regarded WS on the forum. Rick and Vanessa are two of them.

[Boaters]

Push the spring pin in through the lug put some lube on it and start pulling easy then a little harder. Otherwise take it to a watchmaker I really think a little lube would help but just a little don't soak it ... Good Luck!

[RastabanStar]

Originally Posted by Boaters

Push the spring pin in through the lug put some lube on it and start pulling easy then a little harder. Otherwise take it to a watchmaker I really think a little lube would help but just a little don't soak it ... Good Luck!

The problem is with my 114060, not the 16710. I added notes to the original picture for clarification.

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

The problem is with my 114060, not the 16710. I added notes to the original picture for clarification.

Sorry reading to quick no hole in the lug so just lube it lightly and pull or take it to a watchmaker ... Sorry for the confusion and Good Luck...

[taylor]

drill into endlinks

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

I wanted to see how my 16710 GMT felt with a glidelock, so I swapped bracelets with my 114060 Sub.

Pics of 16710 (no problems)




I love the customization of the glidelock, but ultimately decided that I prefer the comfort of the original bracelet. The glidelock bracelet went on and off the 16710 pretty easily, but it only took a second for me to figure out the mistake I made by putting a bracelet with endlinks designed for a holes case onto my 114060. Now I can't get this thing off.

Pic of 114060 (big problem)


There is absolutely no room to fit a tool between the endlink and the lugs. What should I do?!?!

Jeez what were you thinking, aren't we in a pickle now!

Aside from drilling thru the solid endlinks I just don't see how you'll ever get that bracelet off the Sub.

And I mean come on people, there were never lug holes on 6-digit Subs.

Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk

[RastabanStar]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

Jeez what were you thinking, aren't we in a pickle now!

All I was thinking about was how to improve my favorite watch. I already bought a complete set of the bezel inserts and nylon pliers so I can swap from black to pepsi to coke in about 60 seconds. I was blinded by the thought of improving it just a little more.

But I wasn't willing to give up the use of my Sub, so I snapped the older bracelet right on. No thinking necessary.

[THEPAM687]

Take it to Rolex they'll get it off and charge you for new end links

[albmich]

Cool post! Very interesting mistake. Best wishes and goodluck. Agree - take it to Rolex and they'll sort it out and likely charge you for endlink x2

[seand442]

Originally Posted by albmich

Cool post! Very interesting mistake. Best wishes and goodluck. Agree - take it to Rolex and they'll sort it out and likely charge you for endlink x2

I'd put my money on Rolex charging for a whole new bracelet. Good luck.

[mattedialdoc]

gotta drill a hole under the endlink. i owned a bracelet that had this done to it . fyi it won't affect the function of the bracelet after it's done...just will be a little "customized".


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[RastabanStar]

Here's a pic of the 114060 on the older bracelet. Aside from the clasp, they look almost exactly the same, but there's a noticeable weight difference. It makes the watch feel a little top heavy.

[LuminousMaximus]

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

Here's a pic of the 114060 on the older bracelet. Aside from the clasp, they look almost exactly the same, but there's a noticeable weight difference. It makes the watch feel a little top heavy.

I thought this would be the case, due to the extra weight. Good luck!

[mjclark32]

Oh crap! Let us know how this works out

[nch209]

Yea, you gotta cut the end link out and replace it. We all make bonehead moves like this sooner or later. I did somthing simular; I grabbed hole type spring bars and used with a super jubilee on a ceramic piece. Bad news cause no shoulders to remove the bars. Ended up cutting them out through the access holes on the bracelet and I'll tell you what, those little bars are harder than a coffin nail. Unfortunately you don't have that option.

Bottom line, your a bit screwed, but just stop now and take it to a pro. Don't try pulling the bracelet to bend the bars- you will just make it worse. Perhaps someone like ABC would be a good fit for the fix???

Best of luck- could be worse. All will come out ok! :-)

[goldfixer21]

Take it to a reputable/qualified jeweler, ask them to cut a notch on the back side of the end link to access the spring bar. I have done this a few times for customers. You just have to be careful not to touch the case lugs, but it's not that difficult. I see that you are in FL, I am in in the Cocoa Beach area if you want to bring it to my shop.

[RastabanStar]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

Take it to a reputable/qualified jeweler, ask them to cut a notch on the back side of the end link to access the spring bar. I have done this a few times for customers. You just have to be careful not to touch the case lugs, but it's not that difficult. I see that you are in FL, I am in in the Cocoa Beach area if you want to bring it to my shop.

Where's your shop and how long will it take? I was thinking about driving over to Canaveral Seashore anyway tomorrow. Is it something that I can drop off and pick up later in the day? Would you post or PM me your address?

[77T]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

Take it to a reputable/qualified jeweler, ask them to cut a notch on the back side of the end link to access the spring bar. I have done this a few times for customers. You just have to be careful not to touch the case lugs, but it's not that difficult. I see that you are in FL, I am in in the Cocoa Beach area if you want to bring it to my shop.

This is the best solution - least costly and preserves endlink's functionality and aesthetics from topside view.

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

Where's your shop and how long will it take? I was thinking about driving over to Canaveral Seashore anyway tomorrow. Is it something that I can drop off and pick up later in the day? Would you post or PM me your address?

Looks like a mini GTG is in your future - at the Sandbar sports grill