2016 Explorer bracelet stretch

[somnian]

I just had my 2016 Rolex Explorer (214270) refinished at the AD.

When it came back, I noticed a bit of "play" in the bracelet. It is by no means as bad as the photos of "bracelet stretch" I can find online, but I am worried that the refinish may have loosened the bracelet or worn it in some way.

Can anyone tell me how much "play" is normal in a brand new Explorer oyster bracelet? i.e. when the watch is held by the case and the unclasped bracelet is allowed to extend horizontally to the floor, will it be perfectly firm or will there be a little "droop" towards the floor.

I cannot get the end corners of the links to touch, but some do get close - probably half a millimeter.

Is this normal? I'd hate to think the refinish "stretched" my bracelet a bit. This is a brand new piece and I am now 3000 miles from the AD who did the work (this is why I went in for a free refinish before I moved away, despite it being a new Rolex).

Any advice would be helpful. I am probably overreacting. I just cannot remember how much play the bracelet had prior and I no longer have access to a dealer where I can compare it to a brand new oyster bracelet.

Thank you.

[kilyung]

I can't imagine any stretch in a year old watch. Can you post pics?

[sickened1]

Yup, we need some pics for this one.



Oh and were are my manners! Welcome to TRF.

[strafer_kid]

Seems a bit strange on a watch that new but pics would probably give some indication?

[The Libertine]

So, in other words, your bracelet feels different than before you left it with the AD?

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I can't imagine any stretch in a year old watch. Can you post pics?

+1

[somnian]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

So, in other words, your bracelet feels different than before you left it with the AD?

Seems to be, yes. Perhaps I am being overly picky.

I will post pics ASAP, though a video showing the movement in question would be better, I think.

[roadie1]

Just curious but why did you have a new watch refinished? Metal is removed with each refinishing.

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by roadie1

Just curious but why did you have a new watch refinished? Metal is removed with each refinishing.

Yes, good point, why on earth would you get a year old bracelet polished, you are going to notice a difference just by virtue of that process.

If I scratch a bracelet on a new watch, you know how long I would leave it to get refinished........10 years

[mtgjr]

I am baffled by the idea of getting a 1 year old (or less) Rolex refinished.

[Etschell]

This is strange. Both The stretch the decision to refinish it after a year or less. Makes no sense.

[flintsghost]

Originally Posted by Etschell

This is strange. Both The stretch the decision to refinish it after a year or less. Makes no sense.

The other thing that makes no sense is letting the AD do it. Sending it back to Rolex....maybe. Letting an AD do it on his buffer in the back room...never.

[somnian]

Originally Posted by roadie1

Just curious but why did you have a new watch refinished? Metal is removed with each refinishing.

Would they be removing metal inside the link holes that hold the pins, though?

[karmatp]

Originally Posted by somnian

Would they be removing metal inside the link holes that hold the pins, though?

No. The only way your bracelet is any different is if they gave you a different bracelet. Re-brushing the outer bracelet won't do anything.

[TickTockChuck]

That's a well made oyster braclet, so it shouldn't be stretched after just a year. They would have had to handle the braclet aggressively during polishing or maybe it's a different braclet that was swapped in. Perhaps a bit more info on why it needed a polish and pics showing the stretch. Cheers!

[wrist_watcher]

Originally Posted by roadie1

Just curious but why did you have a new watch refinished? Metal is removed with each refinishing.

Exactly. The watch is practically new. No need for refinishing until first service years down the road!

[srf52]

...I have a new Explorer, purchased three weeks ago. It has not been polished since I've owned it. Holding it horizontally as described by the OP, reveals that the links do indeed have a bit of flex/play/droop. Fraction of a millimeter, or so. Appears to be factory normal.

[somnian]

Originally Posted by karmatp

No. The only way your bracelet is any different is if they gave you a different bracelet. Re-brushing the outer bracelet won't do anything.

I might just be going crazy. I am very particular about my watch and just hadn't notice the "play" in the bracelet before....but I also wasn't looking for it.

I don't see why they'd swap my bracelet for another.

But I can definitely tell they removed the bracelet for the refinish, because its scratched on each lug by the pins (I've never swapped the bracelet off myself, so these marks must be them)

[116500LN]

World Record for getting a bracelet polished on a new watch.

[somnian]

Originally Posted by srf52

...I have a new Explorer, purchased three weeks ago. It has not been polished since I've owned it. Holding it horizontally as described by the OP, reveals that the links do indeed have a bit of flex/play/droop. Fraction of a millimeter, or so. Appears to be factory normal.

This is what I was wondering. Thank you for your reply.

[wrist_watcher]

Originally Posted by somnian

I might just be going crazy. I am very particular about my watch and just hadn't notice the "play" in the bracelet before....but I also wasn't looking for it.

I don't see why they'd swap my bracelet for another.

But I can definitely tell they removed the bracelet for the refinish, because its scratched on each lug by the pins (I've never swapped the bracelet off myself, so these marks must be them)

If I may ask, what is your rationale for refinishing a basically new bracelet? And if the case wasn't done do they match? Usual protocol is to refinish both at same time.

[somnian]

Originally Posted by wrist_watcher

If I may ask, what is your rationale for refinishing a basically new bracelet? And if the case wasn't done do they match? Usual protocol is to refinish both at same time.

I was moving away from the AD, so wanted to take advantage of what they said was "making the watch look brand new again." You get one refinish per year there.

the spots they didn't do were on the bezel. I was told they avoid polishing the bezel because it might interfere with the delicate movement.

[Trazor]

Originally Posted by 116500LN

World Record for getting a bracelet polished on a new watch.

World record for getting four scratched lugs on a new watch.....

[srf52]

Originally Posted by somnian

This is what I was wondering. Thank you for your reply.

...very welcome. And I'll add that I had the PCL's brushed on a very new ExpII bracelet, which I believe is a more abusive procedure than refinishing/polishing would be. That bracelet incurred no damage whatsoever with respect to stretch. Enjoy your Explorer.

[Thatguy]

Originally Posted by somnian

I was moving away from the AD, so wanted to take advantage of what they said was "making the watch look brand new again." You get one refinish per year there.



the spots they didn't do were on the bezel. I was told they avoid polishing the bezel because it might interfere with the delicate movement.

Please post a pic with bracelet horizontal and we can tell you if it is normal.

Once a year? I really can't imagine what a watch would look like if someone polished it 9 times before first service.....


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[Tools]

Originally Posted by somnian

Would they be removing metal inside the link holes that hold the pins, though?

No.. But they would have probably sonic cleaned it, which would have taken any grit or dirt that was around the pins or in the holes out..

It is highly unlikely that anything the AD could have done would result in "stretch".