ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Tools · 23 August 2014, 04:54 AM

One topic that comes up regularly is that of an end-link filler for straps on Rolex watches. This look is typified on the strap Daytonas and Datejusts, but those have end links integrated into the case and are not available for any other models or references.

Smartyjones18 (George) was kind enough to send a pair of end-links that he makes in Singapore for our review so that you can decide for yourself if this is the way you want to go, or if you just want to have a pair around for those times when you decide to use a strap.

The end links arrived in a bubble wrap envelope and each in their own separate plastic bags to avoid contact and unnecessary scratching during transit. These pieces are deceptively small and so their manufacture is difficult at best and I'm sure that you can appreciate the fine detail necessary. Finish is good and fitment is pretty straightforward sliding directly between the lugs.

These links are floating, in-that they do not have any attachment mechanism except a capture fit between the end of the strap/spring-bar and the case. The link back contour matches a 40mm case and there are small lips machined at the base to locate them positively against the case back. The outer, visible, portion is machined to the same dimensions and look as an Oyster bracelet end link, the strap fits against the link and into a groove designed to allow the strap to move up and down. This groove also locks the link around the end of the strap. Close examination of the forward edge of the link shows that it is quite sharp and care must be taken to not bend the strap too far backward or it may dig into the leather. This could be alleviated by a quick de-burring of that edge with some fine grit sandpaper of very fine file. Worn on the wrist it shouldn't be an issue.

Here you can see the links as they arrived. The lips on the back and the strap groove are readily visible, as is the Oyster profile. They are a single machined item with nothing glued, welded, or added.

Smarty_005 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr

These links are suitable for use on most 40mm cases including: Daytona, Sub, GMT, and Explorer II. I thought it would be nice to see how these pieces looked and fit on an older Explorer II. You can see that they fit easily between the lugs and the stainless steel brush finish matches nicely.

Smarty_001 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr

Installation is pretty straight forward; you slide the link in against the case, put your springbar into the strap and install the strap as normal. I am using a padded Hirsch Croc strap and so I found it was a bit difficult to get the springbar to lock in without pressing between the strap and case with a bracelet tool. This strap is as large as you can use with these link. Perhaps if you want to use a thicker strap you could contact George to see if he makes links with a larger cut out for your strap.

Smarty_002 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr

As mentioned, on the backside these links are held in place by lips o each side that press against the lug, similar to the early stamped end-links. That, along with the spring-bar and strap, capture the link, keeping it in place. If you were to lose your strap then the link would likely come out as well.

Smarty_003 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr

Overall, these end links are well made, fit in place nicely, and fulfill a desire to use straps on our watches without the unsightly gap between the strap and case. I believe that these add a different dimension to this old Explorer II and will do the same for any Rolex watch. If you are interested please do not solicit here but send George a pm at Smartyjones18, I'm sure that he will be able to meet your needs.

I will be trying these out on a few other models in the near future, but right now I think that I'll be wearing this Explorer II and giving these links a few weeks to see how they wear, and, of course, to show of my Explorer II on a great looking Croc strap with matching endlinks.

Smarty_004 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr

wantonebad · 23 August 2014, 05:00 AM

nice, how much are they Larry?

Dan Pierce · 23 August 2014, 05:01 AM

Excellent review and pics, Larry!
dP

elcompa · 23 August 2014, 05:04 AM

Thanks for the review. What's a ball park figure for these?

Tools · 23 August 2014, 05:08 AM

Don't ask me about prices or selling, that's not what TRF is about..

If you want to know such things, contact Smartyjones18

wantonebad · 23 August 2014, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Don't ask me about prices or selling, that's not what TRF is about..

If you want to know such things, contact Smartyjones19

Smartyjones18 right? PM sent

Tools · 23 August 2014, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Smartyjones18 right? PM sent

Correct.

Wingman244 · 8 June 2024, 02:32 AM

So it's June 2024 and I am here to say you can still get endlinks from Smartyjones website. They work and look great. If you don't mind waiting for a month do standard shipping to the US. I would maybe ask for expedited shipping if they offer it.

powerfunk · 15 June 2024, 01:40 AM

Love my smarty endlinks!

1259 · 7 August 2024, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingman244

So it's June 2024 and I am here to say you can still get endlinks from Smartyjones website. They work and look great. If you don't mind waiting for a month do standard shipping to the US. I would maybe ask for expedited shipping if they offer it.

Is he still active on the site? If not, what is the website?

77T · 7 August 2024, 08:30 PM

His website has issues but you can go there: smartyendlinks.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

1259 · 7 August 2024, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77T

His website has issues but you can go there: smartyendlinks.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I get pop ups and my page freezes whenever I’m on that site so I thought that was the wrong site. Do you also have issues?

Wingman244 · 8 August 2024, 01:29 AM

It worked when I ordered in May. Seems to work today. The site is very poorly designed. To get to the shopping cart you have to add it to cart from the detailed product page.

1259 · 9 August 2024, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingman244

It worked when I ordered in May. Seems to work today. The site is very poorly designed. To get to the shopping cart you have to add it to cart from the detailed product page.

hongkongrr · 6 November 2024, 12:53 PM

What straps do you guys use?

I found that when I use it, it's hard to take off the spring bars because the end links cover the hole a little bit.

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

Wingman244 · 15 November 2024, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hongkongrr

What straps do you guys use?

I found that when I use it, it's hard to take off the spring bars because the end links cover the hole a little bit.

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

Yes it’s an issue, I used thinner spring bars… Didn’t like that so stopped using the endlinks and now just go without the endlinks.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

BNA/LION · 15 November 2024, 12:16 PM

I bought a pair of his end-links when they first came out, still have them and love them!

23 August 2014, 04:54 AM	#1
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	Smartyjones End Links, A TRF Review One topic that comes up regularly is that of an end-link filler for straps on Rolex watches. This look is typified on the strap Daytonas and Datejusts, but those have end links integrated into the case and are not available for any other models or references. Smartyjones18 (George) was kind enough to send a pair of end-links that he makes in Singapore for our review so that you can decide for yourself if this is the way you want to go, or if you just want to have a pair around for those times when you decide to use a strap. The end links arrived in a bubble wrap envelope and each in their own separate plastic bags to avoid contact and unnecessary scratching during transit. These pieces are deceptively small and so their manufacture is difficult at best and I'm sure that you can appreciate the fine detail necessary. Finish is good and fitment is pretty straightforward sliding directly between the lugs. These links are floating, in-that they do not have any attachment mechanism except a capture fit between the end of the strap/spring-bar and the case. The link back contour matches a 40mm case and there are small lips machined at the base to locate them positively against the case back. The outer, visible, portion is machined to the same dimensions and look as an Oyster bracelet end link, the strap fits against the link and into a groove designed to allow the strap to move up and down. This groove also locks the link around the end of the strap. Close examination of the forward edge of the link shows that it is quite sharp and care must be taken to not bend the strap too far backward or it may dig into the leather. This could be alleviated by a quick de-burring of that edge with some fine grit sandpaper of very fine file. Worn on the wrist it shouldn't be an issue. Here you can see the links as they arrived. The lips on the back and the strap groove are readily visible, as is the Oyster profile. They are a single machined item with nothing glued, welded, or added. Smarty_005 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr These links are suitable for use on most 40mm cases including: Daytona, Sub, GMT, and Explorer II. I thought it would be nice to see how these pieces looked and fit on an older Explorer II. You can see that they fit easily between the lugs and the stainless steel brush finish matches nicely. Smarty_001 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr Installation is pretty straight forward; you slide the link in against the case, put your springbar into the strap and install the strap as normal. I am using a padded Hirsch Croc strap and so I found it was a bit difficult to get the springbar to lock in without pressing between the strap and case with a bracelet tool. This strap is as large as you can use with these link. Perhaps if you want to use a thicker strap you could contact George to see if he makes links with a larger cut out for your strap. Smarty_002 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr As mentioned, on the backside these links are held in place by lips o each side that press against the lug, similar to the early stamped end-links. That, along with the spring-bar and strap, capture the link, keeping it in place. If you were to lose your strap then the link would likely come out as well. Smarty_003 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr Overall, these end links are well made, fit in place nicely, and fulfill a desire to use straps on our watches without the unsightly gap between the strap and case. I believe that these add a different dimension to this old Explorer II and will do the same for any Rolex watch. If you are interested please do not solicit here but send George a pm at Smartyjones18, I'm sure that he will be able to meet your needs. I will be trying these out on a few other models in the near future, but right now I think that I'll be wearing this Explorer II and giving these links a few weeks to see how they wear, and, of course, to show of my Explorer II on a great looking Croc strap with matching endlinks. Smarty_004 by LarryDPhotography, on Flickr __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

23 August 2014, 05:00 AM	#2
wantonebad 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Watch: 126600, 116500LN Posts: 12,849	nice, how much are they Larry? __________________ "I'm kind of a big deal... on a fairly irrelevant social media site that falsely inflates my fragile ego"

23 August 2014, 05:01 AM	#3
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,215	Excellent review and pics, Larry! dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

23 August 2014, 05:08 AM	#5
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	Don't ask me about prices or selling, that's not what TRF is about.. If you want to know such things, contact Smartyjones18 __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

8 June 2024, 02:32 AM	#8
Wingman244 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Pacific NW, USA Watch: Root Beer Posts: 733	So it's June 2024 and I am here to say you can still get endlinks from Smartyjones website. They work and look great. If you don't mind waiting for a month do standard shipping to the US. I would maybe ask for expedited shipping if they offer it. Attached Images

23 August 2014, 05:04 AM	#4
elcompa "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: North Carolina Watch: DD 118206 Posts: 1,858	Thanks for the review. What's a ball park figure for these?

15 June 2024, 01:40 AM	#9
powerfunk "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Rob Location: Boston, MA Watch: 1530 Posts: 3,799	Love my smarty endlinks!

7 August 2024, 08:30 PM	#11
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,010	Smartyjones End Links, A TRF Review His website has issues but you can go there: smartyendlinks.com Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

8 August 2024, 01:29 AM	#13
Wingman244 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Pacific NW, USA Watch: Root Beer Posts: 733	It worked when I ordered in May. Seems to work today. The site is very poorly designed. To get to the shopping cart you have to add it to cart from the detailed product page.

6 November 2024, 12:53 PM	#15
hongkongrr "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Global Posts: 109	What straps do you guys use? I found that when I use it, it's hard to take off the spring bars because the end links cover the hole a little bit. Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

15 November 2024, 12:16 PM	#17
BNA/LION 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Larry Location: San Diego, CA Watch: ROLEX Posts: 25,643	I bought a pair of his end-links when they first came out, still have them and love them! __________________ ✦ 28238 President DD 18K/YG ✦ 16610LN SS Sub ✦ 16613 18K/SS Serti ✦ 16550 Exp II Non-Rail Cream Dial ✦ Daytona C 116500 ✦ 126710 BLRO GMT-Master II ✦ NEXT-->? ⛳ Hole In One! 10/3/19 DMCC 5th hole, par 3, 168 yards w/ 4-Iron.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)