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Moggo · 28 September 2017, 07:00 PM

Hi all,

Just purchased an Explorer 1 brand new and noticed that one of the links is stiff, it’s one that doesn’t get much movement as it sits above the clasp part.

I’ve had the watch 5 days now, is this common? Any ideas other than getting the AD to take a look?

Many thanks.

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s1im · 28 September 2017, 07:39 PM

did you have the bracelet adjusted? is it a removable link?
there is a possibility that slightly too much lock tight has been used. If this is the case The AD should be able to quickly resolve this for you.

tamiya · 28 September 2017, 07:55 PM

Takes more than a few weeks to wear in.

Hasten it by mechanically manipulating the stiff joint until it stops squeaking.

If I lose patience I break out the drylube; if you don't wish to buy fancy bottles get a candle and drip some wax on that joint. Heat with hairdryer until wax stays liquid long enough to work its way into the pin cavity. Use only white candles & never scented.

Moggo · 28 September 2017, 07:57 PM

It’s a removable link but not one that’s been touched by the AD. Possibly too much loctite from the factory maybe?

Might try gentle heat to see if it frees up at all. It does move but just has resistance.

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tamiya · 28 September 2017, 08:03 PM

Heat releases Loctite... are you wanting to remove that screw?

Moggo · 28 September 2017, 08:20 PM

No, I guess I will just leave it a few weeks to wear in. The link does squeak when I manually manipulate the link too.

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Devildog · 28 September 2017, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moggo

It’s a removable link but not one that’s been touched by the AD. Possibly too much loctite from the factory maybe?

Might try gentle heat to see if it frees up at all. It does move but just has resistance.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Its quite normal My SD had one link near the clasp stiffer than the rest. It should free up in time

vette boy 52 · 28 September 2017, 11:06 PM

Put a little light oil on the link and work it a bit then leave it along it will wear in.

carava501 · 28 September 2017, 11:24 PM

Give it about 3-4 months and it should loosen up as you continue to wear it.

yxc145 · 28 September 2017, 11:25 PM

Yes, it is normal. My DSSD-blue still making some metal/metal friction noise after wearing it 3 times a week for the past 4 months

WhiskyVerb · 29 September 2017, 01:29 AM

I have the same watch. One day next week, it will feel loose and normal. In the meantime, enjoy that precision manufacturing. Those tolerances are tight and lovely.

Moggo · 29 September 2017, 02:48 AM

Pic of the offending link.

jrs146 · 29 September 2017, 03:19 AM

It should wear in after some additional use. If not, maybe it's screwed too tight?

JnmEaton · 29 September 2017, 03:19 AM

looks like a precision timepiece to me.

enjoythemusic · 29 September 2017, 03:38 AM

Wash it with some Dawn and squeak might disappear. Had small squeak in SkyD Blue when new, yet after taking her first shower (my preferred cleaning method) she was fine. Squeak be gone :)

joli160 · 29 September 2017, 04:40 AM

It's new, it should squeak and be stiff. It will pass soon. Don't oil it, it will accumulate grime and causes more wear as a result.

watchwatcher · 29 September 2017, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moggo

Possibly too much loctite from the factory maybe?

Yes...I've had this happen. The loctite sometimes gets smeared around inside the link and can cause stiffness. Which is why when you hear the pros talking about applying loctite, they caution to just use a tiny amount and only on the female end of the link.

The good news...it's a very easy fix. If you got it from an AD, just take it back and they should be able to fix you up right away.

handsfull · 29 September 2017, 06:36 AM

It certainly sounds like too much OR incorrectly applied loctite.

dysondiver · 29 September 2017, 06:43 AM

drop of 3 in 1 oil and just wear it , or oil it and give it a wiggle ,,, then when your happy , soap and water on the bracelet to wash the oil off and wear it ,
wash the oil off to stop dirt sticking , as it can work like grinding paste .

Buckeye4life · 29 September 2017, 07:04 AM

Thanks for the new and insightful topic, OP. Let us know what ends up working!

Moggo · 29 September 2017, 07:46 AM

Looking at it again it is on the side the AD removed a link from - 12 side which should have 4 removable links but now has 3 - so I’m guessing overzealous loctite application.

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JohnAcosta · 29 September 2017, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JnmEaton

looks like a precision timepiece to me.

Time to put the piece on and never take it off if you ask me.

godowning · 29 September 2017, 09:41 AM

I had a similar problem on a permanent link on my new SD43. Told it was probably caused by some inadvertant loctite at the factory as I sized myself without needing to remove links or use loctite. Fixed by applying a little heat. Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moggo

It’s a removable link but not one that’s been touched by the AD. Possibly too much loctite from the factory maybe?

Might try gentle heat to see if it frees up at all. It does move but just has resistance.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Elrafo · 21 February 2020, 11:16 PM

Had the same problem with a brand new oyster bracelet, took a hot shower, problem solved :)

28 September 2017, 07:00 PM	#1
Moggo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wales Watch: 16610, SD4K, Exp 1 Posts: 1,098	Stiff Link Oyster Bracelet Hi all, Just purchased an Explorer 1 brand new and noticed that one of the links is stiff, it’s one that doesn’t get much movement as it sits above the clasp part. I’ve had the watch 5 days now, is this common? Any ideas other than getting the AD to take a look? Many thanks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

29 September 2017, 02:48 AM	#12
Moggo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wales Watch: 16610, SD4K, Exp 1 Posts: 1,098	Pic of the offending link. Attached Images

29 September 2017, 03:19 AM	#13
jrs146 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Josh Location: Lost in time Watch: Me Nae Nae Posts: 9,823	It should wear in after some additional use. If not, maybe it's screwed too tight? __________________ "Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own." -Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter

29 September 2017, 03:38 AM	#15
enjoythemusic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: Steven Location: Glocal Posts: 21,194	Wash it with some Dawn and squeak might disappear. Had small squeak in SkyD Blue when new, yet after taking her first shower (my preferred cleaning method) she was fine. Squeak be gone :) __________________ __________________ ----> Was Great Seeing Everyone At The TRF December 9 Tampa Meetup <---- https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=968133 Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.

29 September 2017, 04:40 AM	#16
joli160 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,761	It's new, it should squeak and be stiff. It will pass soon. Don't oil it, it will accumulate grime and causes more wear as a result. __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

28 September 2017, 07:39 PM	#2
s1im "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: UK Watch: 116610ln Posts: 108	did you have the bracelet adjusted? is it a removable link? there is a possibility that slightly too much lock tight has been used. If this is the case The AD should be able to quickly resolve this for you.

28 September 2017, 07:55 PM	#3
tamiya "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Real Name: Willy Location: AU, SG, MY Posts: 1,248	Takes more than a few weeks to wear in. Hasten it by mechanically manipulating the stiff joint until it stops squeaking. If I lose patience I break out the drylube; if you don't wish to buy fancy bottles get a candle and drip some wax on that joint. Heat with hairdryer until wax stays liquid long enough to work its way into the pin cavity. Use only white candles & never scented.

28 September 2017, 07:57 PM	#4
Moggo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wales Watch: 16610, SD4K, Exp 1 Posts: 1,098	It’s a removable link but not one that’s been touched by the AD. Possibly too much loctite from the factory maybe? Might try gentle heat to see if it frees up at all. It does move but just has resistance. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

28 September 2017, 08:03 PM	#5
tamiya "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Real Name: Willy Location: AU, SG, MY Posts: 1,248	Heat releases Loctite... are you wanting to remove that screw?

28 September 2017, 08:20 PM	#6
Moggo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wales Watch: 16610, SD4K, Exp 1 Posts: 1,098	No, I guess I will just leave it a few weeks to wear in. The link does squeak when I manually manipulate the link too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

28 September 2017, 11:06 PM	#8
vette boy 52 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Jeff Location: Katy, TX Watch: GMT II-c TT Posts: 773	Put a little light oil on the link and work it a bit then leave it along it will wear in.

28 September 2017, 11:24 PM	#9
carava501 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Tampa Posts: 86	Give it about 3-4 months and it should loosen up as you continue to wear it.

28 September 2017, 11:25 PM	#10
yxc145 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Real Name: David Location: Chicago Watch: SkyD,JC, BLNR, Ex2 Posts: 1,578	Yes, it is normal. My DSSD-blue still making some metal/metal friction noise after wearing it 3 times a week for the past 4 months

29 September 2017, 01:29 AM	#11
WhiskyVerb Banned Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: San Francisco Watch: 214270, Speedy Pro Posts: 146	I have the same watch. One day next week, it will feel loose and normal. In the meantime, enjoy that precision manufacturing. Those tolerances are tight and lovely.

29 September 2017, 03:19 AM	#14
JnmEaton "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Gulfport Watch: 18038 Presidential Posts: 1,009	looks like a precision timepiece to me.

29 September 2017, 06:36 AM	#18
handsfull "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: J Location: The great Midwest Watch: youlookinat? Posts: 2,369	It certainly sounds like too much OR incorrectly applied loctite.

29 September 2017, 06:43 AM	#19
dysondiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: tom Location: northern ireland Watch: my fins Posts: 10,063	drop of 3 in 1 oil and just wear it , or oil it and give it a wiggle ,,, then when your happy , soap and water on the bracelet to wash the oil off and wear it , wash the oil off to stop dirt sticking , as it can work like grinding paste .

29 September 2017, 07:04 AM	#20
Buckeye4life "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Real Name: Steve Location: Little Rock, AR Watch: Z blue Milgauss Posts: 207	Thanks for the new and insightful topic, OP. Let us know what ends up working! __________________ 2016 Rolex Milgauss 116400GV Z-Blue 2015 Frederique Constant FC715H4S6 Manufacture Moon Phase 2015 Seiko SARG017

29 September 2017, 07:46 AM	#21
Moggo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wales Watch: 16610, SD4K, Exp 1 Posts: 1,098	Looking at it again it is on the side the AD removed a link from - 12 side which should have 4 removable links but now has 3 - so I’m guessing overzealous loctite application. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

21 February 2020, 11:16 PM	#24
Elrafo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Montreal Watch: GMT-Master II COKE Posts: 26	Had the same problem with a brand new oyster bracelet, took a hot shower, problem solved :)

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