Putting modern Rolex bracelets on 5 digit models

[Peej]

Does anyone have experience putting 6 digit bracelets on 5 digit watches? I have a 16570 Explorer, and figured the 20mm bracelet of the 39mm Explorer might fit. I don't have one to try, but was thinking about seeking it out.


The bracelet is my only gripe with 5 digit Rolex models.

[HERITAGE82]

If your 16570 has SEL (Solid End Links) then yes it will fit. if not then it may still fit just not as well.

[MrGoat]

There was someone on here that did it with their 16613 I believe.

If I remember correctly it was like 5-7k.

Don’t remember if SEL’s are required or not.


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[Eric88]

There have been a few people that have taken the glidelock bracelet from a 114060 or 116610 and put it on a 16610 and maybe a 16710. I think they may have needed different spring bars that were more flexible. Another thing I've seen a few times is someone adding just the glidelock clasp to an older bracelet.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by Eric88

Another thing I've seen a few times is someone adding just the glidelock clasp to an older bracelet.

I remember this as well.

[thesharkfactor]

I tried a 6 digit Sub bracelet on a 5 digit Sub temporarily and not only did it fit, it transformed the watch.

[Geckobros]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

I tried a 6 digit Sub bracelet on a 5 digit Sub temporarily and not only did it fit, it transformed the watch.

Do you happen to have any pictures?

[faimag]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

If your 16570 has SEL (Solid End Links) then yes it will fit. if not then it may still fit just not as well.

Aren't the SELs part of the bracelet?! I cannot see how this is a factor.

Myself, I kind of prefer the fit and little rattling of the 5 digit bracelets

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by faimag

Myself, I kind of prefer the fit and little rattling of the 5 digit bracelets

I agree with this.

This is part of the appeal of the five-digit, or less, watches.

[WBaileyii]

Looks to me like the bracelets are slightly different sizes...I measured my 126610LV bracelet at the lugs and it was 20.38mm, then I measured my 16610 at the lugs and it was 19.55mm. I didn't try an actual swap, but just from appearance and my measurements, it doesn't look like a direct fit...ymmv...

126610LV vs 16610 Bracelets_1.jpg

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by WBaileyii

Looks to me like the bracelets are slightly different sizes...I measured my 126610LV bracelet at the lugs and it was 20.38mm, then I measured my 16610 at the lugs and it was 19.55mm. I didn't try an actual swap, but just from appearance and my measurements, it doesn't look like a direct fit...ymmv...

Attachment 1341504

They’re talking about the 11**** references which had the 20mm lug width. Your 126 has 21mm

[Finslayer83]

97200 on 16610

works great

[Finslayer83]

Originally Posted by WBaileyii

Looks to me like the bracelets are slightly different sizes...I measured my 126610LV bracelet at the lugs and it was 20.38mm, then I measured my 16610 at the lugs and it was 19.55mm. I didn't try an actual swap, but just from appearance and my measurements, it doesn't look like a direct fit...ymmv...

Attachment 1341504

They do.

I use the same bracelet on a 16610.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Finslayer83

They do.

I use the same bracelet on a 16610.

Imagine you have a 116610 (20 mm lugs) if works on your 16610 (20 mm lugs as well); the 126610 bracelet is 21 mm and would not work on the 16610. 97200 is 20 mm


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[Onikage]

No one did tuna like Rolex can. Or something. Stop fooling around. Old bracelets are cool!

[Finslayer83]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Imagine you have a 116610 (20 mm lugs) if works on your 16610 (20 mm lugs as well); the 126610 bracelet is 21 mm and would not work on the 16610. 97200 is 20 mm


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Yes.

They are different.

Those are mine. I bought the 97200 from a CW21 on here.

[mmalek1]

I have two glidelock clasps, I have one fitted on my expII 216570 and occasionally my 116710BLNR, the clasps fit perfect to the original bracelet as they are from 116610 submariners not the newer 21mm 126610s.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by faimag

Aren't the SELs part of the bracelet?! I cannot see how this is a factor.

Myself, I kind of prefer the fit and little rattling of the 5 digit bracelets

I also prefer the look of the hollow endlinks. However the reason I mention the SEL on the 5 digit is because there is a machined lip on the underside of the case to accommodate the SEL which would allow the 97200 bracelet be mounted without issue. The non SEL 5 digit watches do not have the machines lip on the underside of the case.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by Finslayer83

97200 on 16610

works great

I put a 97200 on my 16710 coke. It’s fantastic.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

I also prefer the look of the hollow endlinks. However the reason I mention the SEL on the 5 digit is because there is a machined lip on the underside of the case to accommodate the SEL which would allow the 97200 bracelet be mounted without issue. The non SEL 5 digit watches do not have the machines lip on the underside of the case.

Absoutely right. I’ve enjoyed my 97200 GlideLock bracelet on 16610, and other 5-digit sports models that accept SEL bracelets.

I do like to keep things correct, so it’s just a bit of fun.


Just another WIS who loves to trade.
IG @bladeandwatch1

[Easy E]

Dup

[e dantes]

Originally Posted by Peej

Does anyone have experience putting 6 digit bracelets on 5 digit watches? I have a 16570 Explorer, and figured the 20mm bracelet of the 39mm Explorer might fit. I don't have one to try, but was thinking about seeking it out.


The bracelet is my only gripe with 5 digit Rolex models.

As others have said, if it has SEL then you can use an 11 series Glidelock. I use a 97200 Glidelock on my 16570 Explorer II (F serial, no lug holes) in the summer. It works great in the warmer months.

In the cooler months (a majority of the year where I am), the OEM five digit SEL bracelet works well.

[FightOnSC!]

Originally Posted by e dantes

As others have said, if it has SEL then you can use an 11 series Glidelock. I use a 97200 Glidelock on my 16570 Explorer II (F serial, no lug holes) in the summer. It works great in the warmer months.

In the cooler months (a majority of the year where I am), the OEM five digit SEL bracelet works well.

So a bracelet from a 116610 would fit just fine on a 16570 SEL? I have a V serial explorer 2 i just got and my wrists are tiny. The original clasp is so unbalanced with all the extra links taken out. Trying to figure out a solution.

[Newt]

I’ve done a few combos:
- 97200 on 16570(1999, holes, SEL cut in case), 16710(2004, no holes, SEL)) and 16610(1999, holes, SEL cut in case)
- 69200 on 16570 and will try 16610 this weekend. It’ll work on the 16710 as well but you need different spring bars for the No-holes case.
- 77200(20 mm from 39mm explorer) on the 16610/16570 but this wasn’t a great fit. It worked but I had to use much smaller springbars to fit and because of it the endlinks were loose against the case. This was not a great combo and I'd avoid it.

I’ll post some pics when I can.

Newt

[Hardtimes]

This is very interesting. I would love to see the heavy President bracelet on a 5 digit day date!!

[e dantes]

Originally Posted by FightOnSC!

So a bracelet from a 116610 would fit just fine on a 16570 SEL? I have a V serial explorer 2 i just got and my wrists are tiny. The original clasp is so unbalanced with all the extra links taken out. Trying to figure out a solution.

Yes, that should work. The F and V serial number cases should be the same. You can either use the entire 116610 bracelet or just switch the clasp, as it fits the 78790A links.

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I agree with this.

This is part of the appeal of the five-digit, or less, watches.

Me too

[Jster]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

Me too

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I agree with this.

This is part of the appeal of the five-digit, or less, watches.

Same here. When I first got into watches I was shocked at the bracelets on the then current 5 digit Subs and GMT's. I thought they were cheap looking and not befitting the status of the brand. Now, I 'm a big fan. I love the bracelet on my 16710.

[TheAmazingMrZ]

[QUOTE=HERITAGE82;12554555]I also prefer the look of the hollow endlinks. However the reason I mention the SEL on the 5 digit is because there is a machined lip on the underside of the case to accommodate the SEL which would allow the 97200 bracelet be mounted without issue. The non SEL 5 digit watches do not have the machines lip on the underside of the case.


I have a P serial (holes case, hollow end link) and Y serial (no holes case, SEL) 16613 and both have the same lip machined you are mentioning. Now that P serial is the last year of the holes case so if that’s non existent on previous iterations then maybe it’s a transitional case? I don’t have any other 5 digit subs to compare (thus the extent of the subs in my collection).

[the dark knight]

I am guessing then that a 5 digit bracelet may fit some of the 6 digit cases too?