Watch-making issues

[Luann Udell]

I'm posting a question on behalf of a friend...

She purchased a watch with a handstrung "band" of glass and metal beads.  The band is strung with on elastic cord stringing material.  (Not the new stretchy plastic stuff, but the old-fashioned, sort of cloth-covered round elastic if that makes sense?) She loves the stretchy slip-on convenience of the band, but the elastic cord keeps breaking.

She doesn't live near me, so I can't tell what the problem might be--either the knots are coming undone or unglued, or the beads (they seem to be a mixture of Czech and Indian glass beads) might have rough edges that are wearing through the cord.

My question is, is elastic cord durable enough for something like this?  Would the new plastic stretch cord be strong and durable enough to handle metal and glass beads?  Is there something else that would be stretchy but more durable?

The watch was not cheap--she said they ran $150-$180.  The artist has offered to restring it, but I don't think this kind of elastic cord is going to hold up.

Any ideas?

thanks!!
Luann

[marym]

I'd say you're on the right track as far as finding out if the beads are too sharp for the cord- although I think most glass beads should be smooth enough- the metal on the other hand- I know of some brass trade beads that actually wear through Beadalon (over time).

I'd suggest she take the designer up on her offer to re-string.  The designer should probably be the one to figure out the wear problem and compensate accordingly with a new cord or different beads. (I know I always appreciate knowing when an item I'm using fails- so I can replace it with something better).

If your friend wants to re-string it herself we have a few base Stainless steel 'half' bands (called expansion bands) that can be used- although the watch sounds like it may be too high-end for stainless steel. Perhaps another supplier might have these in precious metal (I've seen them so I know they exist somewhere:).

If your friend likes that idea you would string the beads on a tougher cord (like Beadalon) then attach it to the half band using either a soldered jump ring or the Beadalon itself. The ends are a fold over type of end and the bands stretches.  So she would still have the stretchy band that she likes.  Here is a link to some close out stock that we have to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.   Watch Expansion bands

-Hope this helps! let me know if you need anything else Luann.  Oh and welcome BACK!!  '>

-Mary Morton
R&T staff