Glidelock is a Rolex system built into the clasp that lets the wearer change bracelet length in small steps. It can add up to 20 mm, in 2 mm steps. Rolex made it for its professional sports watches, including the Submariner and Sea-Dweller.
How does Glidelock work?
Glidelock sits inside the clasp. Under the clasp is a toothed panel, and the bracelet length is set along it in small, fixed steps. Each step is 2 mm, and the full range is up to 20 mm. On the Submariner ref. 114060 of 2012, the system is described in the same terms: up to 20 mm of total adjustment in 2 mm steps. On the Submariner, the watch has to come off the wrist before each change is made.
Which Rolex watches have Glidelock?
Rolex fits Glidelock to the Submariner, Submariner Date, Sea-Dweller and Rolex Deepsea. These are the brand’s professional sports watches, the models it was made for. A quick-adjust Glidelock clasp was among the upgrades on the Submariner-Date ref. 116613, a model dated to 2008. When the Sea-Dweller 4000 returned in 2014, its bracelet gained the system too. On the Sea-Dweller and Deepsea, Glidelock works with Fliplock. Used together, they let the watch be worn over a wetsuit up to 7 mm thick, with no tools needed.
Not to be confused with
Fliplock is a separate part. It is a fold-out link on the Deepsea and Sea-Dweller, used alongside Glidelock to add more length. Easylink is also different. It is an older Rolex quick-extension system, patented in 1996. Easylink unfolds one link hidden under the clasp and adds about 5 mm in a single move. Glidelock instead adjusts in a series of small steps, so the fit can be set more closely.
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