Irritating Clasp

[glg2003]

I am new to this. My first Rolex was a stainless/gold date just 1960's vintage. it had the gold/stainless band and stainless clasp. it felt great. Then I traded it in for an Explorer II with a stainless band. After a few weeks my wrist broke out in a rash where the clasp touched my wrist. The rash disappeared when I stopped wearing the watch and reappeared when I started wearing it again. I deducted that I am allergic to the metal in the clasp. No other part of my wrist reacted like the skin touching the clasp. I have been told by more than one Rolex watch dealer that the stainless steel metal composition of the bands has never been changed. No one can explain why I never had the same reaction with my stainless/gold band. Any ideas. I have used a leather band for several years now but would like to use my stainless band if I could find a vintage clasp that would fit the Explorer steel band. Any ideas?

[kauffee]

Makes me wonder if the clasp is genuine.

[mikkolopez]

Most people would not have issues with a SS clasp. Is the rash coming out due to the clasp only but not the bracelet? If yes, then you may not have a SS clasp, aftermarket clasp with questionable SS material.

I’ve had same with nickel plated bracelets that I thought was SS.

Just a thought.


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[PLNYC]

Originally Posted by kauffee

Makes me wonder if the clasp is genuine.

agreed

[glg2003]

How can one tell if the clasp is genuine?

[Kostas]

Post a pic

[RolexPD]

Newer Rolex watches are made with 904L steel, which has a higher nickel content than the 316L steel used on older Rolex watches. Some people have an allergic reaction to the newer steel.

[broken_link]

Cover that clasp with some adhesive tape to see if it’s not because of mere pressure on you skin. Could have nothing to do with the metal but with pressure, sweat, dirt gathering etc.
This way you could isolate the root cause better.

[abozz]

Vintage Rolex Clasp (316L) and your new Explorer is 904L, so there is a change in metal composition. Happens to me and after 1 month my body accept it, be patient.

[HogwldFLTR]

Maybe post a photo through an image hosting site to show the clasp and bracelet on the new watch. I agree it sounds strange that only the clasp is irritating. It could also be related to the shape of the clasp contact patch but I kind of doubt it.

[CXP NYC]

My husband has a Datejust bought in 1990s. The clasp has a beveled edge and chipped a corner. I contacted Michael Young via email; he said the replacement would cost $200-$250 depends on the condition of the part, and he avoided giving me a time frame for the repair work. I read about local watch repair in another thread, and found 3 in NYC. Called first, finally went to WATCH REPAIR. They replaced the broken part with a genuine Rolex replacement (they said it is genuine). The watch was left at their shop at 12 and picked up at 5, the same day, for $60.
I could not believe it. I still cannot believe it. See photos.