My 14060M vs. Vise Grips (X2)

[echau]

Yesterday, my 14060M came in (thanks to DAVIDSW from TRF)!
First thing I did was resize the watch for my 6.5" wrist.
I take out the two removable links and move the micro-adjustment and voila:



Looks great huh? I flip it over:



Gosh, the clasp is very much off-center.
You can see here how biased the watch is to the 12 o'clock side:



This really bugged me, so I decided to take out a permanent link from the 6 o'clock side and add one of the removable links back on the 12 o'clock side.
I did some research and narrowed it down to three options:

1) Send it in to RSC and let them handle it.
2) Use a Dremel and cut the link.
3) Pull the link apart with some Vise Grips.

I just got the watch, so I didn't want to send it off to Rolex already.
Also, I didn't have a Dremel.
So choice three it was.

Missing some pictures here, but these were the steps I took:

1) Remove the spring bar holding the diver's extension in place.
2) Remove each side of the bracelet and take off the end links.
3) Remove the last link from the 6 o'clock side of the bracelet, leaving just the permanent links.
4) Grip each outer link of the permanent link I wanted to remove with this:



5) Get a friend to help me pull this damn link apart. Let me tell you, that link is in there TIGHT! It required a lot of force to separate it, I guess that's good craftsmanship from Rolex.
6) Add link to the 12 o'clock side of the bracelet.
7) Put the watch back together.

Results:

Wow, this link is GONE:



Watch still sits great on top of the wrist:



And now it sits great on the bottom too:



Look at how well balanced it is now:



And the step between the links isn't that noticeable:



I know a lot of people may be either for or against removing a permanent link on their oyster bracelet.
If you have larger wrists, no worries.
However, I wanted the watch to fit properly, and I am very happy with the results.

Hope you enjoyed my write-up.

-Edward

[David Woo]

Well done Ed, it looks more balanced now.
DW

[tools]

Looks good..

The fit is far more important than trying to save that permanent link...

[STEELINOX]

Nice job !

[GinGinD]

Your watch should fit your wrist the way you want it to. Good for you. I wouldn't have had the guts to do it myself though.

Jeannie

[underpar]

I just received the same watch from the same seller today. It is a new random serial still factory sealed and I've got to tell you, I wouldn't have the guts to try that!

Well done, but that takes a lot of guts to do to a BNIB Rolex.

[jay_spec]

Oh no, the taper lol.

Makes me want to go get the IIc I've been after.

[echau]

Thanks for the comments guys.
I agree, the fit of the watch is more important than that link.
underpar, don't worry, the watch still looks brand new.
I took a lot of precaution when working on it.
When I had the 6 o'clock side of the bracelet off and on the vise grips, I had the other bracelet links wrapped up in case they flew after pulling on the vise grips.

[hugo2703]

Waow, I really like it. Good job buddy.
I keep saying this these days: I am soooo jealous!!!

[esm]

good work and glad you are happy now.

I have always thought its better to have 5 links on the 6 oclock side to maintain that "in the middle" of the wrist when wearing it.

Anyway, the main thing is that its fitting the way you liked. Enjoyed the story and pix.

(I wouldn't have the guts to remove the perm link also...)