THE JOURNAL

Why does a watch bracelet become looser over time?

News centrePublished 2014-04-09

People who wear watches regularly often encounter this issue: why does my watch feel looser the longer I wear it? It feels as though after wearing it for a few days, I can fit my finger into the gap.

Seiko bracelet

Regarding the cause of this problem, I believe it comes down to the following points:

1. Perhaps you have successfully lost weight! If you manage to lose 30 jin of weight, your wrist should also shrink by 2 centimetres. If that is the case, you should be happy; as for the bracelet, you can simply replace it.

2. Thermal expansion and contraction! A new watch kept at room temperature may fit perfectly when first put on, but during autumn and winter, metal bracelets—which have a high coefficient of expansion—may naturally lengthen slightly due to body heat after being worn all day. However, this difference is likely only noticeable to those who are particularly sensitive.

3. Elongation due to long-term tensile stress! This is likely the primary reason. Metal bracelets are composed of individual links connected by pins. When worn over a long period, the bracelet is subjected to constant tension. Although this force is small, it accumulates over time, naturally causing the metal pins and links to deform, resulting in larger gaps between the links. K-gold bracelets are softer, making this effect more pronounced. If you visit a pre-owned watch shop and look at vintage gold Rolex watches, you will notice this clearly; experienced collectors often judge the condition of a gold Rolex by observing the slack in the K-gold bracelet.

Leather straps go without saying; the belt around your waist is proof enough, as it will deform at the back after a season of wear. Furthermore, leather straps are susceptible to sweat, which further degrades their quality and causes deformation.