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Old 13 November 2023, 01:35 AM   #1
sampelligrino
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Why did Rolex switch the inner clasp texture from sanded to polished ~2015?

Was noticing how much I like the feel of the sanded texture on the inner clasp of my Daytona from 2014, and seems like all Rolexes switched to a fully polished inner clasp across their model line from 2015 to present...

Anyone have an idea why?
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Old 13 November 2023, 01:54 AM   #2
Daytonaman799
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My 2021 DD 40 has a sanded inner clasp.
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Old 13 November 2023, 01:56 AM   #3
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No idea. I also liked the sanded one better
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Old 13 November 2023, 02:34 AM   #4
t65tampa
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Isn’t the bead blasted finish cheaper to produce than the polished finish?


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Old 13 November 2023, 12:54 PM   #5
Subguy48
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If I had to guess its because bead blasting is much more difficult to restore/refinish compared to simply repolishing.
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Old 13 November 2023, 03:18 PM   #6
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Probably changed to bring in a new style for era and new official change to help with counterfeiting.
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Old 14 November 2023, 08:09 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Subguy48 View Post
If I had to guess its because bead blasting is much more difficult to restore/refinish compared to simply repolishing.
This would be my guess
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Old 13 November 2023, 07:45 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sampelligrino View Post
Was noticing how much I like the feel of the sanded texture on the inner clasp of my Daytona from 2014, and seems like all Rolexes switched to a fully polished inner clasp across their model line from 2015 to present...

Anyone have an idea why?
Not all - platinum Daytona still has sanded texture on inner clasp.
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Old 13 November 2023, 08:05 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sampelligrino View Post

Anyone have an idea why?
To give another topic for todays Rolex owners to fixate and sometimes moan about. Its just purely a cosmetic change just like the hundreds of others over the past 5 decades of Rolex watches.
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Old 14 November 2023, 12:02 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padi56 View Post
To give another topic for todays Rolex owners to fixate and sometimes moan about. Its just purely a cosmetic change just like the hundreds of others over the past 5 decades of Rolex watches.
MKIII clasp
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Old 14 November 2023, 03:38 AM   #11
Eric-London
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MKIII clasp
I have a MkVlll clasp lol
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Old 13 November 2023, 11:56 PM   #12
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Whilst I agree that it really makes no difference I only have the sanded finish on one watch, my GMT II, and I much prefer it.
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Old 14 November 2023, 04:24 AM   #13
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Perfectly reasonable question IMO. I don’t feel that the OP is stressing about it - seems to me to be purely out of curiosity.
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Old 14 November 2023, 06:17 AM   #14
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I think Rolex wanted to up the anti in terms of finishing so they could justify increased prices.
We need to remember that prior to the introduction of the bead blasted finish inside the clasps, all their clasps were fully polished anyway and it's only on one section of one part

I quite like it as an identifier of a particular era that adds to the mystique of the brand like dial variations and the MK II dial on my 116660 DSSD.
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