Nanuq Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 I picked up a real nice gen 9315 band this morning for a mere $355. Granted, it has someone else's initials engraved on the clasp, but that's easy enough to fix. The good news is the date stamp matches my old tired stretched band exactly. SCORE!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiman12 Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 COMEON!!!!! Good find N! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Pretty sweet, eh? These have been going for north of $1,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorilladame Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 NICE!!! Like no stretch at all. Congrats!!!! I just send mine to M. Young to have it unstretched. But it will take 8-10 weeks... Will post pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 I just send mine to M. Young to have it unstretched. But it will take 8-10 weeks... Will post pics. Please do! I'd like to have my original "unstretched" but I'm afraid it can't be done, my links are worn most of the way through at the bends and are very fragile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Great find!! Question for you. Mine has a slight little bend in one of the midlinks where it was once resized. Is there a good trick to putting the nice curve shape back into it, or is it forever changed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 You'll have something else coming your way soon as well, Nanuq! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Redwatch, sorry but once bent forever bent. My original had 3 links replaced by its previous owner back when links were readily available. The repairman is a Rolex factory trained watchmaker and even the ones he put in have the little bend. I've learned to like the look. Ubi, you are too generous! Unbelievable that you'd do that for me. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Not saying it's not a bad look, but I was curious The look definitely works well with a '74 era Tudor 9411 So when one resizes these things, is there any way to resize it without messing up the mid-link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Very nice find. And if I am guessing correctly very nice Ubi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eton Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Nice!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Chalk one up to persistence! Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 So when one resizes these things, is there any way to resize it without messing up the mid-link? I understand there is a tool (cue soft mysterious music). Only the true WIS cognescenti are allowed to discuss its existence. We mere mortals are left to muse. It has been whispered that the use of this elusive tool (should it exist) will indeed replace folded mid links, without "the bend". Nobody has ever seen this tool; we are left with but rumors. I personally believe that Rolex mines the folded links in situ in the perfectly curved form, no bending required. That's the simplest explanation. And now this message must be destroyed lest it fall into nefarious hands. It was once read by a member here known as Klink, and ............ ........he was never seen again. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 You could always try mailing your bracelets to Uri Geller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 *PFTSNORRRRRT!!!* Thanks... I just blew coffee all over my screen. Score! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Rolex has a special tool/jig for opening/closing riveted/folded links that was fairly ubiquitous among professional watchmakers until the late 70s. These days, I believe only some RSCs have them. For us mere mortals, your only real options for riveted links are to grind the rivets off, remove/add links & replace the rivets (good luck finding replacements though), or unbending 2 links with a pair of screwdrivers (or whatever works for you), adding/removing a link & rebending them back. This latter option nearly always, in my experience, results in the bent links' outer skin being left somewhat dimpled or mangled. For folded links, the latter option is the only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Just found this while searching for the ubiquitous folded link tool. Its a guy who re-built a folded link bracelet with a pictorial of it. Pretty cool! Can be found here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Wow, that's a GREAT pictorial. I'd sure like to see a video of exactly how he got those smooth curves when he folded them down. Maybe the reverse curves / dimples only happen as we open up the links and then reclose them? If I could get my hands on a dozen or so of those factory folded middle pieces, still open and not yet bent down ... yowza! I think it could be done! I've experimented with thick layers of soft leather on work surfaces as I attempt to bend/fold steel, and you can distribute the pressure that way so the finished surface doesn't get deformed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Great catch Nanuq. Could you show it with the watch(es) you are going to wear it ?? Carpe Diem Cats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Wow, that's a GREAT pictorial. I'd sure like to see a video of exactly how he got those smooth curves when he folded them down. He replaced those links with NOS links. That is why the outer skins of the replaced links are not dimpled. Maybe the reverse curves / dimples only happen as we open up the links and then reclose them? Correct. If I could get my hands on a dozen or so of those factory folded middle pieces, still open and not yet bent down ... yowza! I think it could be done! I've experimented with thick layers of soft leather on work surfaces as I attempt to bend/fold steel, and you can distribute the pressure that way so the finished surface doesn't get deformed. It is relatively easy to replace the links without damage as long as you have access to a set of NOS replacements. Unfortunately, it has been several years since I last saw a set for sale. Though, I am sure they are out there (even if they are Asian-made ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Cats, sure thing... here's how the watch looks now with the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Freddy do you know what sort of steel would have been used for the NOS links? I wonder how difficult it would be to have some made up? I have one spare folded link (with a really nasty dimple in it) that I would gladly donate to flatten and determine the dimensions. It can't be that hard to make a new mid link. Do you happen to have a picture of a NOS mid link that I could use for a reference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Freddy do you know what sort of steel would have been used for the NOS links? I wonder how difficult it would be to have some made up? I have one spare folded link (with a really nasty dimple in it) that I would gladly donate to flatten and determine the dimensions. It can't be that hard to make a new mid link. Do you happen to have a picture of a NOS mid link that I could use for a reference? Folded/riveted links are not listed (as separate items) in any of my parts books, but I do not have any vintage parts lists. I have also never seen any official descriptions of the type of steel used for these links, though I would guess it is the same steel that was used for vintage cases (316L). As far as Nanuq's DRSD bracelet goes, I think the only option (to tighten it up) is link replacement. Some of the links, as Nanuq observed, are clearly missing some metal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.