Easylink vs glidelock observations

[xtratoe74]

I've had my 114060 since 2018 and wore it most days during that time, rotating primarily with a PAM.

I love the glidelock, since my wrist swells and contracts significantly during the day--especially in the summer, going from outdoor heat to indoor AC, and with that clasp, I was always able to get a good fit.

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to get a 126710 BLNR on jubilee, and was initially worried that the easylink wasn't really going to cut it in terms of daily microadjustment.

Having now worn the GMT daily for a few weeks inside and out during a heat wave, as well as on a tropical vacation, I am happy to report that the easylink works extremely well--if not BETTER--than the glidelock for me.

One thing I've realized in particular is that with the smaller increments available on the sub, I tended to microadjust the fit many times during the day just because I could.

Now that I just have that 5mm to work with, I find myself adjusting the clasp LESS often, and with an equally, if not MORE comfortable fit d/t the supple jubilee bracelet.

I thought these observations might allay the concerns of any glidelock owners who are also considering a watch with easylink.

Cheers.

[Nads786]

I 100% agree - when you have the option of adjustment you're doing it sometimes for no reason. I had a Sub for a few months and then got the BLNR and I don't miss the glide lock at all.

[brandrea]

Nicely written. I sort of feel the same way.

There are trade offs to both. Overall, I prefer the clasp size of the easy link on my BLRO and it trumps the Submariner in terms of comfort (even though it has less adjustment).

[Krash]

I have both of those watches. I think they’re both great. So is my Seamaster, which might have the best quick adjust system of them all.


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[TEPSD4K]

The gridlock is more precise, but to me, each watch has its own personality. I wear my jubilee just a hair looser than I wear my oyster. I rarely adjust either but it is nice to have the ability. I am happy to have both. I do wish Rolex engineer could design a more universal system.

[Gearjockey]

On my 16710 which has only springbar adjustment, I never adjust it. Very proper sizing under dry conditions. On my SD4k with glidelock, I need and appreciate, convenient adjustability because I wear (and use) it outside more with moisture present on my wrist. Never tried easy link, I’m sure it’s fine.
I love glidelock.

[cdmorenot]

As long as I have some kind of on the fly adjustment, I do not care for the variant!

For my 5 Digit Explorer, I went out and bought an aftermarket “easy link” from a company called steel reef. Once you get used to making adjustments without tools, there’s not going back.

Still, my favorite on the fly adjustment is on my Omega SMP.

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by Krash

I have both of those watches. I think they’re both great. So is my Seamaster, which might have the best quick adjust system of them all.


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100% agree with Seamaster.

[Bozzie1982]

Guess it'll come down to wrist size. That said the glide lock on my 114060 enables me to get a better fit, more time spent doing it but better results imo. Have the easy link on my OP41 and explorer 2, they don't wear as good as my 114.

[MYK]

I like less options. But for some reason the submariner bracelet with Glidelock just works better for my wrist. I only move the micro adjustment in and out in 2 mm increments. Maybe its the half link.

[Harry-57]

I get on just fine with the Easylink of my SS BLRO on Jubilee and I use it frequently. I have Sub dates with Glidelocks and versatile though they are, they can be fiddly to get just right. Like you say OP, the small increments of adjustment available can sometimes fall either side of exactly what you need.

Like Brian above, I also prefer the size of the clasp on the GMT Master. I tried a bracelet from an 116610 on my 126710 for the full brushed look but it didn't work for me. The clasp was all wrong for a GMT Master and I could not get used to it. On the Sub it just works. I can't explain why.

[Bald Angus]

I love my Easylink.

I use it several times a day. In Houston, it’s 99° outside and 70° inside.


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[Rolex1982]

I love my GMT meteorite but like the glidelock better because the easylink has it’s moments when it doesn’t fit perfectly and that is with a full gold watch not always comfortable. I got used to it now but wouldn’t have that issue with the glidelock

[illiguy]

I was once told by an AD that use of EasyLink is not as secure as Glidelock. Didn’t know what to make of that, and curious if others have heard this or agree.

[Jprocs24]

Interesting to hear you're adjusting it less and have an overall more comfortable fit. Is it easier to get an overall better fit with the jubilee over the oyster bracelets?

I've got an Explorer 40 but find it's either a smidge too tight with the easylink in, and a bit too loose with it out. Debating swapping it for a Submariner Date to experience glidelock and was hoping it'd solve my weird fitment problem.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by illiguy

I was once told by an AD that use of EasyLink is not as secure as Glidelock. Didn’t know what to make of that, and curious if others have heard this or agree.

Nope never heard that, and I would tend towards disagreeing. The attachment point of the Easylink is on the link itself when doing the adjusting rather than the clasp, so it seems like the GL would be more at risk of failing. Also I'm only tugging the link when I "open" the EL, not when closing. I have to tug the GL mechanism whether I want more or less length.

Also the GL would just get more use in general since it has many more adjustment possibilities, so more wear and tear.

[the dark knight]

I guess I'm lucky in the sense that my wrist doesn't swell much, esp over the course of just a day. I don't think I've adjusted the GL since the first day I got my Sub, which is almost a year ago.

But the GL helped me dial in the most perfect fit I think I've ever gotten on a wristwatch, so I haven't felt the need to ever fiddle with it afterwards.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

Nope never heard that, and I would tend towards disagreeing. The attachment point of the Easylink is on the link itself when doing the adjusting rather than the clasp, so it seems like the GL would be more at risk of failing. Also I'm only tugging the link when I "open" the EL, not when closing. I have to tug the GL mechanism whether I want more or less length.

Also the GL would just get more use in general since it has many more adjustment possibilities, so more wear and tear.

Don’t disagree. What I gathered was that the EasyLink ought not be the permanent way to wear (fine tune the adjustment without it) and use it temporarily for when wrist size varies due to temperature, etc.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

I love my GMT meteorite but like the glidelock better because the easylink has it’s moments when it doesn’t fit perfectly and that is with a full gold watch not always comfortable. I got used to it now but wouldn’t have that issue with the glidelock

Ah, the mini glidelock now that’s one I’d like to see on the SS GMT

[Bald Angus]

I would think the glidelock would be more fragile than the easylink. The easylink is more sturdy. It’s binary.


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[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Don’t disagree. What I gathered was that the EasyLink ought not be the permanent way to wear (fine tune the adjustment without it) and use it temporarily for when wrist size varies due to temperature, etc.

That's an interesting point, I do recall some debate here over whether keeping the EL "open" all the time causes undue wear and tear, not sure if that was ever settled.

[kilyung]

I much prefer the glidelock. So much so that I got YG and WG ones to replace my gold GMT and YM2 clasps.

[xtratoe74]

Originally Posted by Jprocs24

Interesting to hear you're adjusting it less and have an overall more comfortable fit. Is it easier to get an overall better fit with the jubilee over the oyster bracelets?

I've got an Explorer 40 but find it's either a smidge too tight with the easylink in, and a bit too loose with it out. Debating swapping it for a Submariner Date to experience glidelock and was hoping it'd solve my weird fitment problem.

Yes I do think getting a good fit is a bit easier wiith the jubilee--at least for me personally. I find I can wear the GMT tighter than the sub on oyster wthout it feeling too tight.

[Bazil]

Have both, and if honest 5mm is good enough, just having the glidelock is a good alternative to the 5mm adjustment, I’m not saying in summer my wrist swells that much but the glidelock is minimal increments when adjusting, just how I see it ..

[t65tampa]

Rolex Oyster and Jubilee bracelets give me the best comfort in adjustability by far. Can't get that with AP, PP, or Omega bracelets to that same degree. (I know Omega has an Easylink variant, but doesn't have the internal adjustability the Rolex clasp has.)

[xtratoe74]

Originally Posted by xtratoe74

Yes I do think getting a good fit is a bit easier wiith the jubilee--at least for me personally. I find I can wear the GMT tighter than the sub on oyster wthout it feeling too tight.

Although I should mention that I love both watches, and they are both very comfortable to wear. Splitting hairs is what being an enthusiast is all about, isn't it? ;)

[Mystro]

If the watch is inherently comfortable I don’t ever have to adjust. That is why the easylink in the smaller clasp works perfectly for me. The glidelock is a better engineered clasp but it comes at a cost of weight and size.

I never have to even use the easylink flip out when it’s paired on the jubilee bracelet so that might be a big X factor in the mix.

[joli160]

I prefer the easy link. The glidelock is not only way too big but cumbersome to adjust. All you see is clasp.

[911cz]

Glide lock all the way. Genius design and loved it when I first had it on the Deepsea in 2008. Easy link is great but no where as precise as glide lock.

[Bozzie1982]

Originally Posted by 911cz

Glide lock all the way. Genius design and loved it when I first had it on the Deepsea in 2008. Easy link is great but no where as precise as glide lock.

Agreed. How can something which gives you the exact fit you desire not be better 😂 easy links good...... Glidelock is just better.