Folded link bracelet stretch

[studioal]

I've got this 7835B oyster that has really bad stretch and I'm trying to understand how that happens. I mean, I understand that each folded link can expand, open and "stretch", but when I look on the backside everything looks tight. I don't see any huges gaps on the center links between where the ends connect. But wow, this one is stretched! So with that, how does this happen?

Has anyone here attempted to tighten one up or is it just best to send it off to Michael? Anyone stateside that can work on these?

[0nly5iv3Digits]

It's the pins that hold each subsequent link together. They are made of thin steel (essentially like a spring-bar). They bend over years and years of wear, particularly when the watches are worn loose and left to "flop" around the wrist. The "top-heaviness" of the case puts a lot of strain on them.

Easily fixed by the right professional. Just needs to be re-pinned throughout.

[studioal]

Ahh, ok. So the pins/bars that run through the middle links actually deform? Interesting. I can see how that would happen.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by studioal

Ahh, ok. So the pins/bars that run through the middle links actually deform? Interesting. I can see how that would happen.

Exactly! A bit labor intensive and time-consuming to fix, but can successfully be done.

[Dan S]

Not only do the pins deform, but the holes enlarge.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Not only do the pins deform, but the holes enlarge.

Oh wow. Didn't know that! I wouldn't have thought the solid outer links of the oyster would deform... huh. Learned something new!

[CTech]

Most of the wear in the links tends to be where the middle section of one link joins the next link and the pin wears away at the inside of the bent strip that constitutes the link.

Severely stretched folded link bracelets often need to have new middle links put in (as well as new pins) as the old ones have a spot where the wall is too thin.

The OP's bracelet seems to show this on a few links, but opening up one of the middle links will reveal just how bad the wear to the link and pin is: