Submariner Glidelock Mechanism

[aHero]

Glad you got it sorted. But cutting corners? Remember…it’s still a rep.

 

[Andrew_watchlist]

I have same issue, I am missing one of the rubber buffers. I was dreading the inevitable trawling trough posts and ali express, but the lord doth provideth.

 

[Procurator]

A huge update: Found an ancient Sub (like 5 years old probably) that also has the glidelock mechanism. Took it apart and replaced the ones in my VSF. The ones in this (terrible quality rep BTW) has metal sliders whereas the VSF (2025) has plastic ones. The metal ones are 10x better and more durable. Not sure why VSF is cutting corners and not using gen spec parts, but it's something everyone should be aware of. I was down a $600 watch due to the carelessness of VSF and their watchmakers.

The sliders on the left are metal and from an off brand rep. They are a little dirty but I cleaned them up with warm water and soap. The right slider (I only have one, not sure if the other one broke due to it being plastic or if it didn't come at all with my watch) is from VSF.


I am not making a big deal out of it, but if we're paying top tier super clone money (ie: $600+), we should be getting metal sliders like the gens. Ridiculous.

I appreciate everyone with their kind wisdom and help on this matter!

I really don't think its cost cutting, I think they figured out exactly what you're showing in this picture - they wear down, because they rust and catch all sorts of grime.
At first I was confused as to why is it made of plastic, but the fit is pretty much exact with very tight tolerances, plus the plastic seems to be hard enough to resist wear in the groove it slides in, so it helps abrasion, corrosion and I would imagine its smoother than the metal ones.

But hey, maybe Im just bullshitting myself.

 

[Procurator]

So I was looking around if I can find picture of one of my gen Subs from the past, but for some reason I didn't think of taking a detail glidelock shot.
What a dumbass.
But over at Everest they show a pretty well lit detail and it seems to be black plastic as well:

I would assume that Everest is not using rep clasps for their promo shots, but maybe they are. Im sure someone currently owning at least 1 gen sub can help you out to verify.

 

[Procurator]

From Crown - the same thing.

 

[Reaps]

I think gen uses plastic as well. You want cheaping out, this is your 12,000 USD luxury watch

In reality I think it makes sense. Metal on metal part would be very hard to actutate smoothly if tolerances are not extremely tight. This part experiences alot of wear and plastic is quite sturdy, can last many years, when it goes into service cheap to just replace.

 

[aHero]

My understanding is gen is plastic, as well.

 

[TonyMonatana44]

Glad you got it sorted. But cutting corners? Remember…it’s still a rep.

Far from thinking it's supposed to made with the same effort and materials such as a Gen would use. I meant cutting corners as in my 5-6 year old off brand NYC special (not a known factory) has metal sliders where as a reputable and known factory such as VSF is using plastic ones. Just saying that for $600, why not include two small metal sliders that do a very important part of holding the clasp together to the bracelet. If i were in public when mine fell apart, my watch could've landed on concrete or something hard and scratched/broken my watch that hasn't even been worn 3 days.

 

[TonyMonatana44]

I have same issue, I am missing one of the rubber buffers. I was dreading the inevitable trawling trough posts and ali express, but the lord doth provideth.

Send me your address, i'll send you mine. I have only one though because VSF either didn't put one in mine or it disintegrated.

 

[TonyMonatana44]

I think gen uses plastic as well. You want cheaping out, this is your 12,000 USD luxury watch

In reality I think it makes sense. Metal on metal part would be very hard to actutate smoothly if tolerances are not extremely tight. This part experiences alot of wear and plastic is quite sturdy, can last many years, when it goes into service cheap to just replace.

Honestly the metal ones i just installed in my sub are super smooth. I did wash the entire bracelet with dawn dish soap and used an oil bath before putting it back together, so that might have helped, but feels great. Not as smooth as my gen subs, but feels good.

If Gen's use plastic, it might be a wear and tear part, and they might change them out when they go in for service.

 

[Procurator]

Honestly the metal ones i just installed in my sub are super smooth. I did wash the entire bracelet with dawn dish soap and used an oil bath before putting it back together, so that might have helped, but feels great. Not as smooth as my gen subs, but feels good.

If Gen's use plastic, it might be a wear and tear part, and they might change them out when they go in for service.

Yeah, I wanted to add "unless covered in oil" to my post before, but figured thats exactly what you're gonna do anyway, so no point.

Yes I think so, I honestly don't remember what my gens used and I got out of that game years ago, but it makes total sense to me that this part is hard plastic like polyurethane or some such. VSF feels like PExx, which is close enough for what it needs to do.

If you don't go into salt water (like I do), you should be fine with the metal ones me thinks.

 

[mclarendude]

That's how long I haven't paid attention to the material they're made... yikes.

 

[TonyMonatana44]

Yeah, I wanted to add "unless covered in oil" to my post before, but figured thats exactly what you're gonna do anyway, so no point.

Yes I think so, I honestly don't remember what my gens used and I got out of that game years ago, but it makes total sense to me that this part is hard plastic like polyurethane or some such. VSF feels like PExx, which is close enough for what it needs to do.

If you don't go into salt water (like I do), you should be fine with the metal ones me thinks.

I spend 4 months on the Italian and Croatian coast every year, soaking in the sun and splashing around in the salt water, so I too submerge my reps (after i change the crystal gaskets and change the seal in the crown and back casing). But I think it should be fine after washing it off with regular water.

 

[TonyMonatana44]

That's how long I haven't paid attention to the material they're made... yikes.

I'm sure they started off metal and then got changed to plastic.. might have been a rapid change from Rolex after they figured out plastic is better

 

[Procurator]

That's how long I haven't paid attention to the material they're made... yikes.

Time is an abstract. But man, does it run fast lately.

 

[Procurator]

I spend 4 months on the Italian and Croatian coast every year, soaking in the sun and splashing around in the salt water, so I too submerge my reps (after i change the crystal gaskets and change the seal in the crown and back casing). But I think it should be fine after washing it off with regular water.

You're probably right, I don't seem to do a good enough job with that, as there was literal salt layer in the clasp mechanics when I took it apart. Not sure how the oil is gonna hold up, but whats another few hours of soaking over night, right. Maybe I should stop talking.

 

[TonyMonatana44]

You're probably right, I don't seem to do a good enough job with that, as there was literal salt layer in the clasp mechanics when I took it apart. Not sure how the oil is gonna hold up, but whats another few hours of soaking over night, right. Maybe I should stop talking.

I remove all the oil after i put the bracelet in an oil bath. I use this stuff (https://www.amazon.com/Muc-Off-966N...jid=3317539040813844015-B0028RWS5S-&hvexpln=0) and it works like a charm. Then rinse every part with warm water and dawn dish soap. Let it dry.

 

[Procurator]

Ah, ok thats some molecular wizardry!
I use pure cold pressed coconut oil or baby oil. Soaks in the pores, but leaves it a tiny bit greasy after wiping so thanks for the tip, adding to cart

 

[Michaelh]

A huge update: Found an ancient Sub (like 5 years old probably) that also has the glidelock mechanism. Took it apart and replaced the ones in my VSF. The ones in this (terrible quality rep BTW) has metal sliders whereas the VSF (2025) has plastic ones. The metal ones are 10x better and more durable. Not sure why VSF is cutting corners and not using gen spec parts, but it's something everyone should be aware of. I was down a $600 watch due to the carelessness of VSF and their watchmakers.

The sliders on the left are metal and from an off brand rep. They are a little dirty but I cleaned them up with warm water and soap. The right slider (I only have one, not sure if the other one broke due to it being plastic or if it didn't come at all with my watch) is from VSF.




I am not making a big deal out of it, but if we're paying top tier super clone money (ie: $600+), we should be getting metal sliders like the gens. Ridiculous.

I appreciate everyone with their kind wisdom and help on this matter!

But who will sell me a sub without a bracelet for 220 now?

 

[TonyMonatana44]

But who will sell me a sub without a bracelet for 220 now?

I’ll be happy to sell you my impulse Starbucks buy I did today thinking to keep it’s bracelet and sell the sub it’s self