oysterlock
crowning security,
sensorial delight
No other part of a Rolex is subject to such regular manipulation as the
clasp, a tactile bond between the watch and its wearer. Few are so
crucial to the security of a Rolex owner’s prized possession and to their
comfort. The Oysterlock clasp reconciles the demands made on the
Professional watches, with a sublime blend of robust yet sophisticated
engineering, simple handling, smooth lines and, above all, security.
First introduced on the GMT-Master II in 2005, latest generation Oysterlock
developed and patented by Rolex represents state-of-the-art engineering,
providing both a secure fastening and seamless ease of use for travellers and
adventurers regardless of their environment, from rugged summits to the deepest reaches of the ocean. Offered in 904L steel, Rolesor or 18 ct gold to match
the bracelet, the folding clasp with safety catch acts as a visual counterweight
on the wrist to the robust cases of the Professional watches. It was designed
as a paragon of uniquely Rolex engineering, with a dual security system that
prevents accidental opening even in the harshest conditions.
The Oysterlock is outwardly simple. The gentle curve of the cover espouses
the shape of the inside of the wrist, hiding the clasp blades as well as the Rolex
Glidelock and Fliplock extension systems when fitted. The bevelled edges reinforce the genuinely solid and clean appearance. Handling this embodiment
of form and function is an exercise in simplicity, requiring just two movements.
One positive but effortless flick of the finger or thumb lifts up the safety catch,
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OYS T ERLO C K
C ro w n i n g sec u r i ty, se n sor i a l d el i g h t
revealing the core of the clasp, the patented snap-fit lever. Fingertip pressure
on the lip unlatches this spring-loaded lever, releasing the elegantly machined
blades of the clasp. The forces are precisely balanced, allowing the bracelet to
be opened smoothly and without imposing any mechanical stress.
TACTILE WONDER
Fastening the clasp is an equally satisfying experience. Everything closes with
the right pressure, no more, no less, without squeezing the wrist. Two firm
clicks in succession signal that the watch is securely fastened, inspiring confidence. This tactile wonder is fastened and unfastened at least once a day, tens
of thousands of times in a lifetime; it performs with the utmost reliability and
ease without affecting the comfort of the bracelet.
The gestures required to use the Oysterlock are instinctive, almost mechanical, a feat of ergonomics. Engineers call the clasp’s snap-fit lever the “motor”.
Beneath the polished upper surface, this small but complex part comprises 15
components, including the hook that latches onto the lug on the bottommost
blade to secure the fastening. The lever also incorporates two tiny springs that
allow the clasp to be opened without putting any strain on the rest of its parts,
thereby increasing longevity.
AUDIBLY ROBUST
Accidental knocks and gestures like vigorous applause or a golf swing can subject a bracelet and clasp to the toughest of forces. The Oysterlock underwent
26 different types of drop tests during its development. The lever was also
immersed in tanks of chlorine and salt water with added sand, where it was
opened and closed 100,000 times – about three times the clasp’s given lifecycle. Real-life security was not enough though. Even the sound of the closure
was crafted to evoke solidity when the clasp is fastened and unfastened, providing a consistently crisp and reassuring sound for the owner to match the
positive action of each latch.
VISUAL HARMONY
Just as the clasp is simple to operate, such simplicity is extended to its appearance. No mean feat for a component that is among the most complicated that
the watch designer has to deal with. The Oysterlock is highly technical yet it
rivals the elegance of the Crownclasp or Oysterclasp used on the Day-Date and
Datejust, while the overall shape and proportions contribute to the robust visual
impression of the Rolex Professional watches.
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OYS T ERLO C K
C ro w n i n g sec u r i ty, se n sor i a l d el i g h t
VISION OF THE FUTURE
From the outset, the Oysterlock drew on peerless existing components, such as
the Easylink comfort extension system or the Fliplock extension link on diving
watches. Yet it was also engineered to incorporate future developments, such
as the innovative Rolex Glidelock extension now fitted on the Rolex Deepsea,
the Submariner and Submariner Date. In 2011, the Oysterlock was introduced
as the clasp of choice on a leather strap for the first time, on the Cosmograph
Daytona, with a special design that elegantly conceals the strap fitting. The
Oysterlock is designed to bring together the best of the past, present and even
the future of Rolex.
CROWNING DETAIL
A subtle feature illustrates the meeting of minds between the designer and the
engineer. The sizeable crown on the clasp was an aesthetic demand. It was
turned into a functional advantage by being mounted low on the safety catch
so that its bottom edge would form the small lip that assists the fingertip opening of the catch. Such crowning detail marks the alliance between form and
function, technology and aesthetics that characterizes the very philosophy of
Rolex, and secures a lasting bond with the wearer.
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