Rolex 93150 Bracelet Brain-teaser

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I recently picked up a rather dishy 14060 Sub on the Private Sales courtesy of the honorable member from Yorkshire @Davidt.

I suspect a Rolex service or two has resulted in the fine condition which betrays her 32years. However, whilst adjusting the bracelet to my diminutive 6.5" wrist and having to remove one of the five links in the process I'm left scratching my head on a couple of observations:

Firstly the near side run of the bracelet has just four tapered links - including the clasp end link yet. None of the links have a screw link. The last (clasp) link is as I say blind and also tapered from 16.5 to 15.5mm. The bracelet "works" per se but it seems unusual not to have a removeable link or two on this side and without any screws I can't immediately see a simple means to add a link.

A friend of mine has a similar 1998 swiss only version - his bracelet seems identical except that the near side contains 5 links including a screw bar.

Secondly the far side bracelet run contains 8 links in total (incl the clasp link with screw link) four of which are removeable. However, all the removeable links are identical parallel 15.5mm items whereas the last fixed link tapers from 17.6 to 16.6mm leaving a step in the bracelet at this point.

I've taken a few pictures that will hopefully illustrate rather better than I describe.

So based on my observations I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping a Rolex bracelet guru will know the answer to:

1. Is the near side four link non adjustable run simply unusual or wrong in some way?

2. Am I missing a tapered removeable link on the far side run of the bracelet?

many thanks in advance for your consideration!

The bracelet has been modified. The 93150 bracelet comes with 4 fixed links. Starting from the first link that connects with the endlink, and tapering down with each link as you get closer to the clasp. The clasp also comes with its own link (I call it the "H-link") that is riveted on to the clasp on one end, and on the other end should have a threaded hole to accept a screw. The H-link is not tapered and should be completely parallel throughout. I've attached a picture of a spare 93150 I have, for reference.

What I suspect happened with your bracelet is that someone removed the #4 link (this requires a specialty tool) and then removed material off of your H-link to achieve a similar tapered effect as the unmodified bracelet. I suspect after they were done with the process they laser welded both ends of the link that house the screw and then gave it a satin brushed finish to complete the job.

Kind of a cool modification if you ask me. I too have a 6.5" wrist and could not get a good fit with my 93150 bracelet on my Sub and so I swapped the original clasp out with a more modern (milled) clasp from a 39mm Explorer which comes with a much shorter H-link coming off the clasp which allows the bracelet, specifically the clasp, to sit nice and centered on my wrist.

1. The section of the bracelet that attaches to the 6 oclock side of the case is has been modified and is now non-adjustable, without adding back in the #4 link (tapered) that was previously removed + an unmodified H-link to the clasp. Not something for the DIYer, but certainly something that can be done by a competent watch maker.

2.) Your bracelet section that attaches to the 12:00 side of the case has also been modified, with the last tapered link (what would normally be #4) looking like it's been removed, which results in the abrupt step in that section of the bracelet between the #3 link and #4 link as you have pictured above. This can also be reversed, but will need to go to watch maker and he'll need to source those tapered links that have been removed.

Thanks @blueteg. I can confirm that the shorter length of the near side run does result in a good fit on my skinny wrist. But removing the "non-removable" tapered link from the far side when there are several screw removable items available seems odd.

Good to hear that I've the option to reverse the process - I'd be keen to get the tapered link back in - but I suspect that despite a shortage of good watchmakers finding the appropriate link may prove to be a more challenging endevour.

If anyone has one available I'd be keen to hear from them!

24 more posts and you can list in the WTB section for someone who may have had a blow-out and has one in a parts drawer. Better get chatty!

Will do...