So - with all this banging on about flimsy bracelets

[JPP]

who has had a Rolex bracelet bend or become disfigured? I am really keen to know because all I seem to read about is how flimsy the bracelets are. But I've never ever seen a pic or heard a story of anyone suffering a bent bracelet.

So come on guys and girls - let's hear or see the stories please. Or is the case of everyone jumping on a non-existent bandwagon...

[scottschoe]

I don't think many people think the bracelets are structurally weak, but they just feel flimsy in comparison to a lot others on the market.

[C.J.]

I've beaten the hell out of mine. Lot's of scratches and even bent the clasp portion that catches to hold the bracelet closed. But, one has never failed

[cmr]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

I don't think many people think the bracelets are structurally weak, but they just feel flimsy in comparison to a lot others on the market.

they aren't flimsy in strength unless they are very old and poorly maintained. the hinge pins will wear through causing the bracelet to break. that goes for any watch bracelet no matter the manufacture. they just look and feel flimsy, not like a bracelet you would find on a 5,000.00 watch. i have seen many of them dented because they are hollow. i have a seiko monster that i paid 86.00 for brand new and the bracelet and clasp on it feel and look better than a oyster bracelet.

the bracelet on my gmt2c feels very wonderful and was one of the major selling points for me. with all that said it is very subjective and is entirely up to the individual. some love it because it is light and insignificant feeling but for me that very thing kills it. it just comes down to personal preference.

[sharif]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

I don't think many people think the bracelets are structurally weak, but they just feel flimsy in comparison to a lot others on the market.

That sums it up perfectly, IMHO.

It's just the feeling of flimsy....but from all indications, its a very strong design.

[GoldenBear]

One day I posted all of the things I did over the past 18 years while wearing my Rolex. From Deep-sea fishing and deep powder skiing, climbing Half-dome and golfing at courses all over the world. No issues with the durability of my SS Sub. No worries.

[Trainer]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

One day I posted all of the things I did over the past 18 years while wearing my Rolex. From Deep-sea fishing and deep powder skiing, climbing Half-dome and golfing at courses all over the world. No issues with the durability of my SS Sub. No worries.

I agree w. GB. I have worn my TT Blue dial 16613 and 16710 almost everywhere, for the better part of nine years. At this point I think I'll be able to at least double that without any concerns of bracelet failure.

That being said, last september I tried on the new 116170 (GMT IIc) and the new bracelet blew me away.
My next rolex acquisition will be a SD, but I am waiting to see what surpises Basel brings. I'm hoping the SD gets the Bracelet/clasp upgrade. If it does, I'll buy the SD with that new bracelt. Without the new bracelet, I'll buy it anyway, I'd just rather have the new style bracelet and clasp.

Tepus Fugit,

Trainer

[0luke1]

I actually ordered the GMT II instead of the GMTIIc because it has the hollow links. I find sold link bracelets to be annoying by the end of the day, especially when I'm traveling.

[f16570]

Size is no definaition or gaurantee of strength. The oyster bracelet has proved it over many years in the most adverse situations.

[DSJ]

When I started seriously shopping for my 16613, the AD showed me a used black dial that he got in on trade. The previous owner had gotten the watch caught on his boat somehow, and significantly deformed one of the gold center links. You may also recall a recent 14060m for sale on here with a similare condition:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...nk+damage+sale

That said, I still bought a 16613 and would have no problem owning another Rolex with either SEL or the previous version. However, I would PREFER if they were solid!

[Perdu]

I put a dent in the hollow end link of my 16613. A service took most of it out.

[Jimbits76]

As you can see in my other post....my OP has a 51 year old oyster bracelet. Up until the last couple of years, it was worn almost everyday by either my grandfather, my father or me.
Only now, after five years of my 8 and a half inch wrists has it started to stretch and the rivets start to give.
If that isn't a testament to the Oyster bracelet I don't know what is!!!!!

J

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Well, being a serial flipper, I must admit that I have yet to have to the chance to have a Rolex long enough to have had any issues with the bracelets. But the "flimsy" Oyster bracelets are made to last at least 20 years+ even with heavy duty wearing habits.

[Jimbits76]

I was a cereal flipper this morning Bo, I knocked my wife's bowl of Cheerios over our living room carpet!

J

[mike]

I tore one up one time, but that was a freak thing. Over time I've had the clasp wear, but tightened it myself. I've had a few stretch a bit over the years, but again with very hard use (and abuse).
My experience has been the SELs have been a lot stronger than the older non-sels (even though I prefer the old style LOL!)

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

I was a cereal flipper this morning Bo, I knocked my wife's bowl of Cheerios over our living room carpet!

J

Good'un!

[Dan Pierce]

Granted the stamped clasp and hollow center links utilised by Rolex for decades seem less than substatial compared to some other Swiss brands. However, they have certainly stood the test of time. It was once an issue for me but experience has proven the design very sound.
dP

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Sometimes, less is more! The design of the conventional Oyster bands is simple and light-weight, yet ingenious. It WORKS, and that's what matters.

[Incurable]

I'm not entirely sure if all this dissatisfaction with the Rolex bracelet is not based more on financial than practical reasons...

[GoldenBear]

Finding a reason not to buy something instead of all of the reasons to buy it. My wife hates the cup holders in her new 7-series. Well, we own that already, nothing we can do about that.

[sharif]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

Finding a reason not to buy something instead of all of the reasons to buy it. My wife hates the cup holders in her new 7-series. Well, we own that already, nothing we can do about that.

I partially agree with you....

I cannot judge the decision making process that occured in this buyer's head. But I can tell you from experience....that after years and years of lusting/hearing about how great the Rolex watch is.....it can sometimes be a little bit of a let down, when you pick one up for the first time. Maybe he was expecting the bracelet to be hewn from a solid ingot of stainless steel....hand carved by old world craftsman toiling away in a cave somewhere to create it. Then he picks up the stamped steel clasp, and thinks otherwise??

Just speculating of course.

Check out the GMTIIc....if you still don't think it's the definition of solidity, then maybe GoldenBear is right! :)

[bwalkerVintage]

Originally Posted by sharif

I partially agree with you....

IBut I can tell you from experience....that after years and years of lusting/hearing about how great the Rolex watch is.....it can sometimes be a little bit of a let down, when you pick one up for the first time.

Exact opposite for me. It felt right when I put it on. I still have yet to feel somethign more right and doubt I ever will.

[DavidHasselhoff]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

Finding a reason not to buy something instead of all of the reasons to buy it. My wife hates the cup holders in her new 7-series. Well, we own that already, nothing we can do about that.

Ohh, that poor thing...

[GoldenBear]

Originally Posted by DavidHasselhoff

Ohh, that poor thing...

Yeah, exactly. Small issues hardly outweigh the bigger picture. I doubt there is a perfect watch (or car) for everyone. Someone isn't going to like something.

[Arturo]

I actually love the feeling of the oyster when you first pick it up. I like the sound of the links clicking together. Both of my oyster bracelets (LV and GNT ll) feel plenty solid. IF you wear them loose like jewelry, then you will subject the bracelet to stretch, regardless of manufacture when you are dealing with link bracelets. Just wear the bracelet snug and this will promote healthy winding, and the weight of the watch head will not be slopping around to incrementally stretch the bracelet. Even the stretch would be slow to happen and very incremental, but why do it? Don't wear the watch low on the wrist and then puch up out of a chair....that has stretched another solid silver bracelet of mine, so it could damage a watch bracelet. That is why I wear the watch snub and up a bit on the wrist. No real stories of any friends who have beaten up their Oysters....These boys are solid.

[JJ Irani]

You could hang a 200 pound man from an Oyster bracelet. End of story!!

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

You could hang a 200 pound man from an Oyster bracelet. End of story!!

Or a bratwurst! Last bad joke of the day. Time to go home and read.

[docjohn]

let's face the music. A rolex bracelet works well and is strong, so is a hammer, a tin can, a lead weight, etc.... Lot's of junk works well. But, I won't pay 10 grand for a hammer. Sorry, just won't do it. Rolex kept the bracelet design the same because they wanted to milk more profit out of an old design. The center links are a joke, ask a process engineer how quickly rolex can make a hollow center link vs. a machined link. They use a SS tube (an extrusion, just like the copper pipe in your house) and crimp it and cut it. Half of them go into cracker jack boxes, the other half go on rolexes. The clasp is made in a press. 1000 and hour at about 11 cents. But it sure works real good!!! LOL. The new bracelet and clasp is a beauty and has no evidence of cost cutting. If more folks demanded improvements at rolex, this would have come sooner, don't you think???

[Andad]

C'mon JJ, show us a pix of you doing that.

[bwalkerVintage]

Originally Posted by directioneng

C'mon JJ, show us a pix of you doing that.

But not in your birthday suit!!!!