Getting your Rolex strap or bracelet to fit your wrist properly is an important part of making sure it looks its best and feels good on your wrist. Traditional leather straps are relatively easy to adjust, but for Rolex metal straps, the adjustment process can be slightly more complicated.
Some Rolex bracelets have clasps with built-in extension systems that allow the bracelet to be adjusted without tools. Other clasps have micro-adjustment settings that allow you to set the circumference of the bracelet between sizes. However, if you need additional adjustments through the clasp, you can also easily add or remove bracelet links to achieve a custom fit.
Some Rolex watches are equipped with an adjustable clasp. For example, modern Rolex Submariner, Deepsea, and Sea-Disc watches are equipped with the Glidelock adjustment system. If you look underneath the Glidelock buckle, you will see that you can extend or contract the strap in 2mm increments (about 20mm total) – without using any tools. You simply pop the adjustable part of the strap of the buckle, slide it back and forth along the inside of the buckle until you find the size you need, and then press the strap back into place. Submariner watches with the Glidelock system can be extended to 20mm, while the stainless steel Sea-Dweller and Deepsea can be extended a further 26mm on top of this thanks to the Fliplock extension system.
Some replica Rolex watches, such as the Datejust, GMT-Master II, Daytona, and many others, are equipped with the Easylink extension system for fine adjustments. Using a method similar to the one described above, you simply pop one side of the bracelet off the clasp and extend it for a larger fit, or fold it inward and snap it back for a tighter fit. Easylink can extend/contract the bracelet by 5 mm on the fly without the use of tools.
If the Rolex still doesn’t fit after using the built-in extension system, then it may be necessary to remove a link or two from the bracelet. You can find a watch expert you trust to do this, or if you feel confident, you can do this at home with a few tools. If you are removing links from your copy Rolex bracelet, remember that the clasp should be centered with the case as much as possible, not off to the side. This will help keep the balance on your wrist.
If you are going to remove the links yourself, you will need the proper screwdriver, a bottle of purple (low strength) Loctite, soft cloth to place the Rolex on while you work, and some paper towels.
Using a screwdriver, carefully unscrew the pin holding the two links together and pull out the pin. Then wipe any remaining Loctite on the pin with a paper towel and set it aside. Repeat this process to unscrew the pin on the other link you want to remove.
To put the bracelet back together, apply a small amount of Loctite solution to the end of one pin, connect the two open links, thread the pin through the hole, and carefully screw it back into place. Be sure to keep the remaining links and pins in a safe place in case you need to readjust or sell your Rolex watch in the future.