Who can tighten a loose bracelet

[terras14]

Hi I have a 6138-8020 stelux. It is wearable but abit loose. Anyone know who can I send to to tighten the bracelet?
Thanks.

[Groundhog66]

Most jewelry stores are capable of removing a link.

If it's just the micro adjustment, you can do that yourself easily.

[nordlys]

Jul 7, 2020 19:52:59 GMT -8 Groundhog66 said:

Most jewelry stores are capable of removing a link.

If it's just the micro adjustment, you can do that yourself easily.

This. Old Seiko Stelux bracelets have pins and collars for attaching links. Any local jeweler can remove a few links for you in less than 5 minutes. Most will charge $5-10 for the job.

[terras14]

Thanks guy. My apologies. To clarify I meant the bracelet is loose as in worn such that it is not tight anymore between links. I dont mean the bracelet is too long for my arm.
Thanks again for any suggestion.

[bklake]

I don't think it was in the design to be taken apart or repaired.  The broken or loose bracelets I have looked at show a lot of internal wear on the links.  I did see a youtube video of a Rolex bracelet being restored.  Entirely different construction. 

I did have a bracelet from an Actus.  I thought, finally, I got a good solid one.  Ran it though the ultrasonic and was shocked at how much crud was in it.  As I was rinsing it some of the adjustment links started falling out on their own.  The crud was holding it together. 

[Groundhog66]

I seem to remember there was somebody here that did some reworking on rattley links, but I don’t remember who it was, and I doubt they were actually in the business.

[terras14]

Jul 8, 2020 4:05:04 GMT -8 bklake said:

I don't think it was in the design to be taken apart or repaired.  The broken or loose bracelets I have looked at show a lot of internal wear on the links.  I did see a youtube video of a Rolex bracelet being restored.  Entirely different construction. 

I did have a bracelet from an Actus.  I thought, finally, I got a good solid one.  Ran it though the ultrasonic and was shocked at how much crud was in it.  As I was rinsing it some of the adjustment links started falling out on their own.  The crud was holding it together. 

I see thanks

[terras14]

Jul 8, 2020 6:44:42 GMT -8 Groundhog66 said:

I seem to remember there was somebody here that did some reworking on rattley links, but I don’t remember who it was, and I doubt they were actually in the business.

Yes I read somewhere maybe it can be repaired so trying my luck. Thanks

[SeikoPsycho]

Lets see some photos of the underside of the bracelet. They will clue us in on the link style and the possibility of tightening it up. If it's split links they can often be tightened by carefully squeezing them back together.

[bklake]

I'm not saying it can't be done.  It seems to me that the links are one complex piece that is folded around a form.  The part that wears is not replaceable, it's part of the link itself. 

I saw a youtube video of an 18k gold Rolex bracelet being repaired.  It could be pulled apart and wear parts replaced.  I don't think it was designed for that but it can be done.  I suspect Rolex melts them down and starts over. 

[HiBeat]

Jul 10, 2020 8:40:15 GMT -8 bklake said:

I'm not saying it can't be done.  It seems to me that the links are one complex piece that is folded around a form.  The part that wears is not replaceable, it's part of the link itself. 

I saw a youtube video of an 18k gold Rolex bracelet being repaired.  It could be pulled apart and wear parts replaced.  I don't think it was designed for that but it can be done.  I suspect Rolex melts them down and starts over. 

Michael Young in Asia is (at least was) the very best to fix and repair older Rolex bracelets.   

Considering a  new 18K gold president is probably around $7500 these days, he'd fix 'em up like new for a few hundred.

[SeikoPsycho]

Jul 10, 2020 8:40:15 GMT -8 bklake said:

I'm not saying it can't be done.  It seems to me that the links are one complex piece that is folded around a form.  The part that wears is not replaceable, it's part of the link itself. 

I saw a youtube video of an 18k gold Rolex bracelet being repaired.  It could be pulled apart and wear parts replaced.  I don't think it was designed for that but it can be done.  I suspect Rolex melts them down and starts over. 

Often times on Seiko bracelets the links are not worn but the center split links spread apart "stretch" and cause slack in the bracelet. I've tightened the slack out of many Seiko bracelets of this design.

[kue]

It's hard to tell without seeing it.

If the holes has enlarged, or the pins or the links are worn then you will need to fix or replace the links.

As seikopsycho mentioned, if the link is separating, causing a gap, then you should be able to close it These are typically friction fitted.

I could be wrong, but I believe the Stelux to be a similar construction to a fishbone bracelet.

Here's one I have just repaired.

The top one has a worn pin and it enlarged the hole from the excess movement.

The bottom one is the replacement.

[DanS]

There is a market for restoring worn Rolex bracelets, and at least two places will do it:

(1) classicwatchrepair.com in Hong Kong (Michael Young) 

(2) rolliworks.com in Northern California (Mike Hui).


I don't know if they will work on non-Rolex bracelets, since it's a fairly specialized process. I also don't know if it's worth the cost for most bracelets, but even many SS Rolex bracelets have a significant market value.

[terras14]

imgur.com/a/eY5Yz5U
Thanks for all input. I am thinking the coat to repair outweighs the value by the guys who repair rolex bracelet. Thanks for the input thou. I heard of Michael Young.
This is the back of the bracelet. Is there room to tighten?
Thanks