Outside the Deepsea: The Glidelock-Clasp in Detail

[Prof. Rolex]

Dear Rolex-Fans,
following please find my second thread about the details of the Deepsea, but today I go from the inside (Ringlock-system, see my thread dtd. 10.06.08) to the outside and will have a closer look to the new Glidelock-clasp.

At first please find the official Rolex-photo of the new clasp with some personal additions, which are needed for further explanation:


(Source original photo: Rolex SA, Sicherungsbügel=locking cover, Öffnungshebel=opening lever, the additions were at first used in my german version of the thread)

In their press release Rolex explains, that the new clasp allows an easy adjustement of the bracelet length by in total 18 mm (without the additional adjustement by the folded Fliplock-element), but does not explain how this is realized by the “strange” rack.

The patent application for the Glidelock-clasp (No. EP 1908366A1, „Fermoire de bracelet“, published 09.04.08) allows a deeper look into the new clasp and clarifies the function. Following I will try to explain the new clasp using some pictures taken from the patent application. For a better understanding I have also added some part numbers to the above shown official clasp photo.

A perspektive view of the upper clasp part:


(Source: EP 1908366A1)

The endlink 20’ of the bracelet slides with the sliding shoe 39’ in the track 18 of the flap 13’’c and is freely adjustable wihin the flap.

A sectional drawing of the upper clasp part with the complete clasp closed:


(Source: EP 1908366A1)

With the clasp completely closed, the endlink 20’ is locked by the tooth 20’a resting in the saw toothed rack 14’’.

The following drawing shows a sectional view through the upper clasp part, but now the middle flap is opened, but the clasp itself is still closed:


(Source: EP 1908366A1)

If only the middle flap 13’’a with the saw toothed rack is opened and the clasp is still closed (see also official Rolex-photo), the endlink 20’ is released and able to slide freely within the track 18. This allows an easy adjustement of the bracelet length with the clasp still closed. After adjustement the middle flap 13’’a is closed again and through the saw toothed rack the endlink 20’ is arrested in the new position.

The middle flap itself is guided by a spring operated toggle lever system (levers 31,32 and spring 35) with a point of equilibrium between closed and opened position of the middle flap. The spring acts underneath the point of equilibrium in closing direction and keeps the flap closed even if the locking cover (which secures the middle flap as well as the complete clasp) and/or the clasp is opened. For opening the middle flap the user has to lift the flap over the the point of equilibrium against the spring with some defined forces and after passing the point of equilibrium the middle flap opens easily as the spring now reacts in opening direction.

The opening system of the clasp itself with locking cover, opening lever and main hinged joint is nearly the same as already used for the GMT-Master II 11671x. Not shown on the a.m. pictures is the folded Fliplock-element, which was not part of the patent application.

Rolex has described in their patent application three different systems of length adjustement. One without middle flap (a length adjustement of the bracelet with closed clasp is not possible), one with middle flap, but without the spring-operated toggle lever system (the middle flap will open anytime the locking cover and/or the clasp is opened) and finally the real used a.m. system. Rolex has decided to use the best system from the functional point of view, but also the most expensive system.

Best Regards
Matthias

[Hannes]

Thanks for the translation

[Hannibal]

Thanks for sharing. Very informative.
Kind regards
Volker

[[Dents]Milchschnitte]

This Glidelock thing alone is a reason to buy a new SubD in gold. Or wait for the new steel version.

[Remco]

Wow, fantastic review! Thanks for sharing
(Can't wait to get my Dipsy )

[retsyo]

Very interesting report!

Thank you!