Bracelet micro adjust: do you use it? What’s optimal?

Posts
7,092
Likes
22,996
My old flat-link bracelet has seven holes. The new stainless 321 has two.

The first generation Seamaster Heritage bracelet gives you 9mm of clasp adjustment; the new one, 4mm.

Do you use this feature with temperature changes, or as a result of exercise? And, what is the sweet spot - how many mm of adjustment would you say is optimal for any user?
 
Posts
7,523
Likes
13,896
You'll get all kinds of responses on this, some say even a half link adjustment via a push button is a requirement these days (even if it means a slightly longer, bulkier clasp). For me, personally, if the bracelet is properly sized I never feel the need to adjust a metal bracelet. For the 321 I took out four links and the watch fits perfect, no micro adjustment needed. And I live in Texas with high temps and humidity in the summer, but still find no need for any kind of summer/winter adjustment. If I did there is an extra hole that 30 seconds with a toothpick will fix.
Edited:
 
Posts
33,164
Likes
37,895
5 Years ago when I spent more time in bars it was more useful, after a long afternoon drinking in Aussie heat my wrist would swell a lot and having the ability to extend a bit was great as far as maintaining circulation. Haven't really had more than one drink in a day since 2021 though and I've gotten a fair bit fitter so I haven't used it in ages.
 
Posts
95
Likes
143
I use the micro-adjust everyday. I train in the morning, work pretty hard all day and move stuff around, drive many hours everyday and I find my wrist vary in size a lot.

With the micro-adjust, I can change the fit on my bracelet even when driving on the highway. For me, there's no downside to this feature and it's a strong selling point on any future watch.
 
Posts
7,092
Likes
22,996
You'll get all kinds of responses on this, some say even a half link adjustment via a push button is a requirement these days (even if it means a slightly longer, bulkier clasp). For me, personally, if the bracelet is properly sized I never feel the need to adjust a metal bracelet. For the 321 I took out four links and the watch fits perfect, no micro adjustment needed. And I live in Texas with high temps and humidity in the summer, but still find no need for any kind of summer/winter adjustment. If I did there is an extra hole that 30 seconds with a toothpick will fix.

Thanks. In general, what’s your sense of the average half-link width? And, is it typically really half of whatever the full width link size is on any particular bracelet?
I use the micro-adjust everyday. I train in the morning, work pretty hard all day and move stuff around, drive many hours everyday and I find my wrist vary in size a lot.

With the micro-adjust, I can change the fit on my bracelet even when driving on the highway. For me, there's no downside to this feature and it's a strong selling point on any future watch.
What’s the typical extent of one adjustment swing to the other? One, two holes? More?
 
Posts
7,523
Likes
13,896
Thanks. In general, what’s your sense of the average half-link width? And, is it typically really half of whatever the full width link size is on any particular bracelet?

What’s the typical extent of one adjustment swing to the other? One, two holes? More?
I don't have the watch in hand so I can't measure it, but as I remember the adjustment on the 321 is 1/2 link (the two holes on the clasp), on the pushbutton 3861 it is right at 1/2 link as well. Someone will chime in with what a link is worth mm wise.
 
Posts
95
Likes
143
Thanks. In general, what’s your sense of the average half-link width? And, is it typically really half of whatever the full width link size is on any particular bracelet?

What’s the typical extent of one adjustment swing to the other? One, two holes? More?
The perfect normal fit for me is with the micro-adjust already open to about a quarter, and then I might swing between two to three different holes in the day, and it's both ways.

So quite a lot of variation depending on what type of training I did in the morning + weather outside + whatever else I'm doing.
 
Posts
29,115
Likes
75,242
Thanks. In general, what’s your sense of the average half-link width? And, is it typically really half of whatever the full width link size is on any particular bracelet?
Not usually - typically 2 half links are a bit bigger than one full link.
 
Posts
7,092
Likes
22,996
The perfect normal fit for me is with the micro-adjust already open to about a quarter, and then I might swing between two to three different holes in the day, and it's both ways.

So quite a lot of variation depending on what type of training I did in the morning + weather outside + whatever else I'm doing.

So, if I’m reading you right, a span of three micro adjustment holes covers all the variation you typically encounter during a day of wrist size fluctuation?
 
Posts
95
Likes
143
So, if I’m reading you right, a span of three micro adjustment holes covers all the variation you typically encounter during a day of wrist size fluctuation?
Usually yes. 2 examples: this morning I trained heavy bench press, so I used tight wrist wraps. So tight that they chafe my wrists. Combining the chafing + swelling, I had to use the adjustment for maybe 2 positions. This afternoon while driving, (2 hours) i felt very uncomfortable not moving a lot so I extended it completely. Tonight everything is back to normal, bracelet is back to normal also.

This weekend, while rocking my youngest during her nap, I used the diving extension. Could also have gone full open on the micro-adjust.

Hope this makes sense!
 
Posts
7,092
Likes
22,996
Usually yes. 2 examples: this morning I trained heavy bench press, so I used tight wrist wraps. So tight that they chafe my wrists. Combining the chafing + swelling, I had to use the adjustment for maybe 2 positions. This afternoon while driving, (2 hours) i felt very uncomfortable not moving a lot so I extended it completely. Tonight everything is back to normal, bracelet is back to normal also.

This weekend, while rocking my youngest during her nap, I used the diving extension. Could also have gone full open on the micro-adjust.

Hope this makes sense!
Thanks.
 
Posts
235
Likes
1,115
I’m in the camp with the other members who like it for when our fit, toned, temples to perfect bodies suffer momentary swelling due to heat, sodium intake or exuberant alcohol exploration. I sized my bracelet to my preferred fit at rest and expand it when my body is suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Here’s normal fit for reference


I’ll have to go down to the cellar and pick out a good Pinot and perhaps can show you the after photos later.
 
Posts
7,092
Likes
22,996
I’m in the camp with the other members who like it for when our fit, toned, temples to perfect bodies suffer momentary swelling due to heat, sodium intake or exuberant alcohol exploration. I sized my bracelet to my preferred fit at rest and expand it when my body is suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Here’s normal fit for reference


I’ll have to go down to the cellar and pick out a good Pinot and perhaps can show you the after photos later.

Questions: how many micro-adjustment holes settings does your watch have, are they enough to accommodate the swelling swings, and do you typically go from one end of the micro adjustment holes to the full extent of the others?
 
Posts
7,523
Likes
13,896
Questions: how many micro-adjustment holes settings does your watch have, are they enough to accommodate the swelling swings, and do you typically go from one end of the micro adjustment holes to the full extent of the others?
There is only one adjustment on a 3861 bracelet.....a half link.
 
Posts
235
Likes
1,115
Questions: how many micro-adjustment holes settings does your watch have, are they enough to accommodate the swelling swings, and do you typically go from one end of the micro adjustment holes to the full extent of the others?

It’s a push button slider mechanism in the clasp. Adds about a half link of adjustment.

Here it is retracted


And expanded
 
Posts
7,092
Likes
22,996
It’s a push button slider mechanism in the clasp. Adds about a half link of adjustment.

Here it is retracted


And expanded

Thanks. So, that pretty much covers the swelling swings, yeah? Would you know how many mm it is?