Micro-adjustments: On-the-fly vs. traditional
Hi Crunchers...
What are your opinions/thoughts on the several micro adjust options that seem to be popping with almost every new release? While I do like the convenience of the On-the-fly adjustability I had one get stuck on me which made me think of the longevity and overall benefit when these break. Whereas the traditional springbar micro adjust holes have been proven for decades.
Which system is best, and if On-the-fly is preferred, which method or brand works best?
Cheers!
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Paul
Lifelong watch enthusiast but only started collecting in 2020.
Canada
Member since
Last active: 2 days ago
I work with my hands, which means that my wrists will swell throughout the workday. For me, that makes on-the-fly adjusting a near must-have for the workday.
On the fly is a must for me!
I've been wearing watches since I was TWO!!! 🤣
I'm 6'2" 205 lbs athletic build with a 7" wrist. I eat like a BEAST and sometimes drink beers like a fish LOL 😆
I've NEVER had to adjust my watch on the day regardless of the season.
In my opinion and experience, the traditional springbar micro adjust is all you'll ever need 🤙🏽
I wear my bracelets a bit loose, I honestly can do with traditional. Heck I even like butterfly clasps or the right model.
On-the-fly adjustment has become a must-have for me because my wrist swells a lot throughout the day in the summer heat.
I prefer the glide-lock system of Rolex for an invisible integration in the clasp, which you can find decent copies of the mechanism for dirt cheap on AliExpress, but they only fit bracelets with a 9mm central link.
Alternatively, I have used ratcheting extension clasps on my standard bracelets. Not as good and not as invisible, but easier to adjust without even taking the bracelet off, and compatible with any bracelet on the market.
You can find these clasps for $10-$15 on AliExpress as a simple customer, and probably half of that as a company if you buy in bulk from a manufacturer, so any brand that still hasn't made the transition to on-the-fly adjustments on their bracelet is being cheap and lazy...
I have very manly wrist (chubby) and due to my fleshy wrists I don't have to adjust bracelets or straps during the day. The soft tissue seems to take up any slack. 🥺
On the fly. Adding a single 5mm on the fly extension link to my Black Bay 36 has been a total game changer for me.
I'm with @sam_kula, I just build my micro-adjust right into the overall wearing experience.
I've not used one yet but I found traditional metal bracelets completely impossible for me. If I didn't want to strangle my wrist and leave a permanent indent (also very uncomfortable), no size was ever perfect. Too tight in the midday heat and too loose in the evening.
For now I just use a loose fkm rubber, g shock or fabric.
Expanding bracelets are also an option (like the type that feels like there's rubber bands inside it).
Once I got used to tool free, on the fly adjustments, I just switched all other traditional bracelets to straps
Personally I prefer the only adjustments coming from link removal. I like the more compact design.
I have a watch with on the fly adjustment and never use it. My wrist fluctuates so much during the day that it seems kinda obsessive to constantly adjust it to get the perfect fit. I’d rather have something a bit slimmer and sleeker.
Idk when I bought my khaki field it fit perfectly then at night it was loose so I looked at my 2 points of adjustment and decided f it I'll live with it 🤣 but seriously I want a ranger just so I can experience t fit 🤦♂️
San Martin’s clasp for $40 is solid. It works the same as an Omega.
If the clasp Does Not have on the fly adjustment, just make lots of closely spaced micro adjustment holes on the clasp. Simple.
I hate being between links on a bracelet, either spaced too far out or not enough holes.
My Baltic clasp has perfect amount and spacing of adjustment for me. Perfect fit achieved
I appreciate on the fly but I could live without it.
On the fly is a must for me
On the fly micro adjustment all the way! I’m one whose wrist changes often. It’s such a pleasure for an easy change.
On the fly is a game changer. Now it’s either that or strap.
I'm good with either option. In fact, I'm good as long as a bracelet has micro-adjustment at all. No micro-adjustment = dealbreaker.
Micro adjustment is like indoor plumbing: there is no going back.
Quite frankly, it is genuinely annoying how higher end brands fail to implement micro adjustment, as it should not add cost to production, particularly as the cost is thousands of 💵 more.
Same is true of quick release spring bars on bracelets and straps.
Bloody annoying when I have to fiddle with the Bergeron tool.
On the fly ALL DAY. Once you get a bracelet with a form of on the fly micro adjust.... It's SO hard to go back
Also, you can even have a semi micro adjust link on butterfly clasps, as Formex , OMEGA and Vacheron Constantin have shown.
The WORST is a brand that had tool less adjustment on some models but not others..... Longines, Oris, and Omega come to mind.
I personally have smaller wrist and like my watch to fit snug (but not tight) above the wrist bone. My wrists will fluctuate through the day making the on the fly adjustment an absolute pleasure on the one watch that I have it on and definitely noticeable when I’m not repping that watch for the day.
San Martin’s clasp for $40 is solid. It works the same as an Omega.
I disagree. The “San Martin clasp” (now also seen on other watches) is not only surprisingly expensive, it’s also not a very good design. The mechanism works well, but the clasp is irritatingly long while only offering around 7 mm of adjustment. That’s less than the link length of many bracelets making it difficult to get a comfortable fit and maintain some adjustability at the same time.
I find my wrist swells/contracts to the point I want an adjustment at least once or twice a day.
Between Rolex Easylink and Tudor’s Pelagos bracelet, I prefer Rolex. Easylink is simple and effective. Tudor offers 4 different levels of adjustment, but I really only need 2. Tudors additional options and operation mean I have to pay attention to where I’m setting it, whereas with Rolex, I can pop it and close it and it’s done.
San Martin has a better clasp that I wish they would put on every watch
But Nomos has the best and simplest solution in my opinion
Also Atellier Wen has a fantastic clasp.
That’s interesting! I have the same watch and love it, but as the weather heats up I do find myself wishing I had a little more room. Where did you buy this, if you don’t mind sharing?
Here you go! — https://steelreef.com/products/black-bay-36-extension-half-link
I disagree. The “San Martin clasp” (now also seen on other watches) is not only surprisingly expensive, it’s also not a very good design. The mechanism works well, but the clasp is irritatingly long while only offering around 7 mm of adjustment. That’s less than the link length of many bracelets making it difficult to get a comfortable fit and maintain some adjustability at the same time.
Then what clasp would you recommend that is cheaper, shorter and offers more adjustment?
Then what clasp would you recommend that is cheaper, shorter and offers more adjustment?
I’d think along the lines of what Rolex did with their glidelock. Or San Martin’s clasp supplier could rework their design to shave off 5 mm or elongate the adjustment leeway.
I’d think along the lines of what Rolex did with their glidelock. Or San Martin’s clasp supplier could rework their design to shave off 5 mm or elongate the adjustment leeway.
Glidelock-style clasp for less than $40 are really bad quality. And your suggestions for improvement on the San Martin clasp are pretty much already implemented on their newer version which @Waybe_6 posted above.