Rolex bracelet "sticky" links

[Nigel_O]

I've had my Sub for three months now and its only been off my wrist for taking a shower

However, in the past couple of weeks, I've noticed that the links in the bracelet have become quite stiff, presumably with sweat and gunge from my wrist. A bit of flexing of the links often frees it up, but only for a short time

Its got to the point where when I put my wrist down on my desk, the bracelet "clunks" as the weight of my arm presses against the links, which are sticking in the approximate shape of my arm

Also, one of the "arms" of the clasp (the thinnest one) is very stiff - it'll easily hold the weight of the watch

Is there a recommended cleaning method for the bracelet, or should I just do the watch a favour and get it wet?

I'm assuming that any form of lubrication is a bad idea....

[PJ S]

Soap and warm water, rinse well – use a child's toothbrush if need be.
Job done.

[Nigel_O]

perfect - thanks - I'll give it a go

[Spice_Weasel]

Sweat, dust and skin can create a lot of gunk!

As has been said, a toothbrush will do the trick. I keep an old one for this purpose

[PJ S]

Nigel_O said:

perfect - thanks - I'll give it a go

Just remember to make sure the crown is fully screwed down.
I'd dry brush the threads first, screw down the crown, then do the bracelet and back.
Fill the hand basin, dunk it, then rinse, and blow and pat dry with microfiber cloth.

I'd advise against sticking it in the tumble drier or washing machine for a spin cycle!!

[KungFuPanda]

Alternatively, get one of those cheap ultrasonic jewellery cleaners. Take the bracelet off and stick it in one of those with cleaning solution and hot water.

[Nigel_O]

I'm wondering if its also a temperature / environment thing....

Took the watch off this morning for a shower and the links were noticeably freer and the very stiff clasp arm was perfectly free

The office where I work has no opening windows and is air-conditioned 24/7 - the air is extremely dry (many people working there have chest infections and sore throats)

I'm working elsewhere today (still a desk job) - will be interesting to see if the same thing happens later today

[Miguel Alvarez]

I just take my watches in the shower. It's a watch designed for diving and 5 mins in the shower is not going to harm it. They found one at the bottom of the ocean a few years back. 14 months under water.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=252013

rolex forum said:

The owner was fishing on the west coast of British Columbia when the clasp of his Submariner hooked onto his fishing rod, broke a pin on the bracelet and fell overboard. His first reaction was to record the coordinates on his GPS so he knew within a few meters of the "Drop Zone"

It just so happened that not far from this particular location there was a dredging barge, that moves sediment from the oceans floor working on a regular basis, so he contacted them asking to search the area on occasion (at a cost of 85.00 per hour) to see if the watch could be found. For some extra incentive he offered 1000.00 cash if the watch was recovered.

14 months later guess what??
Found in over 100 meters of salt water and the cool part? look at the second hand in the pics below! After 40 winds the watch still works to spec!

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp318/versatile...

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp318/versatile...

[rich83]

Buys watch capable of being 1/2 kilometre below and takes it off in shower?? Crazy.

[bobbybee]

rich83 said:

Buys watch capable of being 1/2 kilometre below and takes it off in shower?? Crazy.

But a Sub is only rated to 300m, I'm surprised it gets worn at all especially outside if it even looks like rain

[DSLiverpool]

KungFuPanda said:

Alternatively, get one of those cheap ultrasonic jewellery cleaners. Take the bracelet off and stick it in one of those with cleaning solution and hot water.

If you get one make sure you get the seaclean organic fluid as it does make a difference, you get a watch holder that only puts the strap in the water. PH Discount of course

[Nigel_O]

rich83 said:

Buys watch capable of being 1/2 kilometre below and takes it off in shower?? Crazy.

I take it off because I was warned that some shampoos and shower gels can stain the stainless steel, not because I'm worried about water ingress. Not Crazy.....

[nick s]

Nigel_O said:

rich83 said:

Buys watch capable of being 1/2 kilometre below and takes it off in shower?? Crazy.

I take it off because I was warned that some shampoos and shower gels can stain the stainless steel, not because I'm worried about water ingress. Not Crazy.....

And I take mine off because I can't be bothered having a wet watch that also needs drying when I get out. What on earth is the point in wearing your Rolex in the shower just because you can? Why not just spend the 5 seconds to take it off and leave it on the side?

[Dempsey1971]

Take the bracelet off the watch (removal tools are £3 on ebay). Soak it in baby oil for 24 hours, giving it an ocassional thorough flex.
Take out and rinse in warm soapy water, then dry carefully on soft clean towel.
Put back on watch. Lovely.

[bobbybee]

nick s said:

Nigel_O said:

rich83 said:

Buys watch capable of being 1/2 kilometre below and takes it off in shower?? Crazy.

I take it off because I was warned that some shampoos and shower gels can stain the stainless steel, not because I'm worried about water ingress. Not Crazy.....

And I take mine off because I can't be bothered having a wet watch that also needs drying when I get out. What on earth is the point in wearing your Rolex in the shower just because you can? Why not just spend the 5 seconds to take it off and leave it on the side?

And wash your mucky wrist too!

[toohangry]

nick s said:

And I take mine off because I can't be bothered having a wet watch that also needs drying when I get out. What on earth is the point in wearing your Rolex in the shower just because you can? Why not just spend the 5 seconds to take it off and leave it on the side?

Because then you have to keep a child's toothbrush to hand and brush your watch every now and then?

Just wear it in the shower! Soap doesn't harm SS, water doesn't harm the watch, it's no wetter than you are!

Madness, absolute madness.

[Spice_Weasel]

All good points but detergent, hot water and steam (humidity) are not good for the rubber seals

[ExplorerII]

Can the OP confirm that it is the removable links (screws) only that are stiff? There is no way that sweat and gunk would do that over such a short period. If it is indeed the non permanent links then it may be too much loctite.

[Nigel_O]

ExplorerII said:

Can the OP confirm that it is the removable links (screws) only that are stiff? There is no way that sweat and gunk would do that over such a short period. If it is indeed the non permanent links then it may be too much loctite.

It is indeed the removable links nearest the clasp that are stiffer than the rest

Interestingly though, the links have been nowhere near as bad all weekend as they are when I'm at work - I'm beginning to think that the atmosphere in the office is contributing

[Nigel_O]

I'm actually getting concerned about the air quality in this office - several people have been suffering from coughs, colds and general malaise since December, despite having been here for several years without ailment

Anyway over the long weekend, I spent many hours at my (home) desk and didn't once notice the sticky links problem. Today, I've noticed it several times already, so I took the watch off a few minutes ago to flex the links and some were creaking!!!

A genuine, audible creak (as well as being able to feel it throughout the bracelet) - surely something is not quite right?