Adjusting modern Jubilee bracelet size - do I need to apply heat

[Mmssmmss]

Hi all

Hope you are doing well

I've recently bought new Datejust (2024, Jubilee bracelet), and I can not find right fit - usually with other watches I was trying different configurations, and after 3-5 tries I knew which one is best for me - there's no way to know unless I wear it for few days :)

To do this I of course need to adjust bracelet (add/remove links, move them from 12 to 6 o'clock side) - which I was always doing with success myself in my other watches, both ones with push pins and screwed links (Tudor BB58, so quite similar to Rolex) - it's more convinient than visiting AD, and usually I care much more about watch than AD's technical (both on Tudor and Rolex they've slightly scratched bracelet and mangled few screws)

I bought recommended Esslinger screwdriver and I probably read everything available on the internet about adjusting those bracelet, but I still can't find conclusion about applying heat:

1. From your experience - did you have to apply any heat before unscrewing the screw on modern (2024) Jubilee bracelet? I didn't have to do this on Tudor, so not sure why Rolex would be that different, but a lot of people seem to struggle without using heat
2. If you did, which method did you go with? People recommend hot water, hair dryer, heat gun or lighter flame - not sure what's the point of hot water and hair dryer, as break temperature for Loctite 222 is 250C, so way above water boiling temp or temperature of air from hair dryer
3. Any other advice :)?

[KatGirl]

I did have to apply heat to loosen the Loctite. I just used a cigarette lighter at the side of the link opposite the screw head, of course. Worked like a charm. I held the lighter there for perhaps 10 seconds, or even a bit less.

Kat


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[thsiao]

Hair dryer works wonders on Loctite. The point is to loosen it just enough so you can remove the screw.

[DavidSB]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

I did have to apply heat to loosen the Loctite. I just used a cigarette lighter at the side of the link opposite the screw head, of course. Worked like a charm. I held the lighter there for perhaps 10 seconds, or even a bit less.

Kat


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This and only a few seconds.

[kieselguhr]

You don’t have to and in most cases, some people just torque through the factory loctite without issues. That being said, it’s a simple step that doesn’t take that much more time to do so why not just do it?

I use a lighter.

Only other advice is to reapply the loctite. Just a small dab on the female thread using a pin. Again, You don’t have to… but it’s quick and easy and you only have to do it once because you should only be resizing a bracelet once.

[Mystro]

Here you go:

How to properly size a Jubilee bracelet tutorial.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=932527

[Dan Pierce]

I typically remove my own bracelet links. That was until I bought a new jubilee from my local AD. Tried as I might, using heat from a hair dryer to water, I couldn't get any removed. Took it back to my AD who had it done in short order, with no striped screw heads or cussing tirade from me.
dP

[fsprow]

A cigar lighter (flame is like a jet) does the job very quickly.

[Duey]

Hot water from a Keurig is the simplest and safest way to do it. Just hold the link under the stream for a couple seconds. Works every time


I wouldn't use a flame at all.

[mgsooner]

I recently adjusted the jubilee of my 126234 and I did not have to apply any heat at all. I did observe loctite residue on the screws when they came out.

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by Duey

Hot water from a Keurig is the simplest and safest way to do it. Just hold the link under the stream for a couple seconds. Works every time


I wouldn't use a flame at all.

Yup, or boil water in a pot.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Duey

Hot water from a Keurig is the simplest and safest way to do it. Just hold the link under the stream for a couple seconds. Works every time


I wouldn't use a flame at all.

The flame does not harm the bracelet. It doesn’t even leave a soot mark. The ADs have a machine that heats up the links for sizing. I was told it’s been patented by Rolex.


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