Question about oyster bracelet and stretching

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Candle00

·Apr 23, 2020

I've noticed an issue with the bracelet on my Oyster Perpetual from 1969 (ref 1002).

It's on a period correct 7205 Swiss Rivet 19mm bracelet with 12 links and 57 end links. The bracelet has light stretch for its age but I've noticed that on the link below "6 o'clock" the bracelet is twisting a fair bit. I've tried to capture this in the pictures.

Is this expected from these old rivet bracelets? Any suggested remedies?

 

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Canuck

·Apr 23, 2020

That “T” piece at the lug end is made of flat stainless sheet of thin gauge, formed to a suitable shape. It is common after many years of wear for the metal to wear thin at the hinge pin, and this sort of problem is the result. At one time, those “T” pieces were available for repair. But probably no longer available. The bracelet is 50 years old, after all.

 

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NikoMartinez_SYD

·Apr 23, 2020

I have seen this happen before on a 1603 i used to have. Wasn't a rivet bracelet but that same link had a similar issue. Nothing to particularly abnormal about this, however i unfortunately dont have a remedy for this.

 

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Dan S

·Apr 23, 2020

It's possible that adjusting the shape of some of the thin sheet metal parts using fine hand tools could improve things slightly, but you could also make things even more crooked, or break a delicate part, if you're not careful. Take it apart and see if it is obvious to you what needs to be done. If not, then you would probably be better off having the whole bracelet restored by Rolliworks or classicwatchrepair.

 

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Donn Chambers

·Apr 24, 2020

I don’t know anything about those bracelets, but I’d be worried to wear it in that condition! Looks like it could break at any moment. The pin connecting the link is supposed to be straight and one piece, correct? If so, then how is it able to twist like in the second picture unless it has broken in two?

 

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Canuck

·Apr 24, 2020

I’ve included two images of the “T” piece that has worn out on the bracelet. You can see how flimsy this component is, considering the job it had to do, and the expected lifetime of the piece. The arrows point to the area that wears thin over decades, from wearing against the rivet that’s runs through it. The only answer would be to replace those “T” pieces, IF you can find them! They are long obsolete, but the pictures might help you locate a firm that may still have them in stock.

 

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janice&fred

·Apr 24, 2020

Our guy in Cebu city regularly replaces those finicky tube style connectors with the standard style center connecting link from a later folded or solid bracelet. The head links are then separate from the bracelet and actually end up fitting tighter to the case even without the soldered spring bar guide tubes in them like more modern head links. he does the same for the early jubilee folded style bracelets with similar tube style center connecting links. It's a good strong fix to replace those worn out original tube style connectors.

 

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Canuck

·Apr 24, 2020

Sounds like the guy in Cebu City can do a repair that will outlast the rest of the bracelet!

 

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blubarb

·Apr 26, 2020·I might rise, but I refuse to shine.

Not stretch but worn - I have always thought "stretch" is just a euphamisim for worn when you want to sell 😁

Michael Young in Hong Kong is the magician to bring this back to life. https://www.classicwatchrepair.com

 

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nicks

·Apr 26, 2020

A guy I know inherited a Rolex where a jeweller or watchmaker had "fixed" that problem by installing some thin steel that was sort of clamped over the whole joint. Sorry now that I didn't take a picture. It was ugly up close.

He got it fixed again as part of a bigger service. I am not sure if his watchmaker cannibalized a scrap bracelet or if he made a facsimile part, but it worked and looked fine.

 

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lpestre

·Apr 27, 2020

You can also send it to Micheal young in HK, he does a crazy good job restoring those

 

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Canuck

·Apr 27, 2020

Before you send your bracelet off to Hong Kong, give some thought to locating the “T” pieces I discussed, earlier in this thread. It seems to me that your greatest concern in your opening post was the twisted and bent end pieces. If you can find them, that would be a much cheaper option that a trip overseas. @Candle00 has posted several likes since his opening post, but other than that, we have no idea if all this help has been a benefit.

 

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Ninja2789

·Apr 27, 2020

I’m in the US and I can speak highly of the work Rolliworks has done. Really a magician and I think even better than M.Young.

bonus points for it being domestic vs international shipping, which can have its own headaches.

 

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lpestre

·Apr 27, 2020

Ninja2789

I’m in the US and I can speak highly of the work Rolliworks has done. Really a magician and I think even better than M.Young.

bonus points for it being domestic vs international shipping, which can have its own headaches.

I do agree Rolliworks does a very good job as well.

 

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Candle00

·Apr 27, 2020

Thanks all for your input. I'm currently in the US but about to relocate back to Australia so this fella in HK may be an option....if I can't source the "T" pieces.