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Old 27 June 2007, 03:04 AM   #1
Olyckan
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Lifetime of a 18k gold bracelet?

Some of us dream about owning an 18k watch - for example, a DD with a Presidential bracelet. But I worry about the lifetime of the bracelet - I remember reading somewhere (was it you JJ?) that the author of the post had a friend with a ten year old President in which you could drive a truck between the links...

If you wear a gold bracelet daily, somewhat snug and keep it clean, how long will it last?

And what will you do then? Can an old bracelet be restored or do you have to buy a new one? That's quite an investment when it's 18k...
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Old 27 June 2007, 04:11 AM   #2
JJ Irani
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Olyckan View Post
Some of us dream about owning an 18k watch - for example, a DD with a Presidential bracelet. But I worry about the lifetime of the bracelet - I remember reading somewhere (was it you JJ?) that the author of the post had a friend with a ten year old President in which you could drive a truck between the links...

If you wear a gold bracelet daily, somewhat snug and keep it clean, how long will it last?

And what will you do then? Can an old bracelet be restored or do you have to buy a new one? That's quite an investment when it's 18k...
My dentist bought his 18 K DD way back in 1997 and now you could easily drive a Mack truck between those links.

I'm pretty sure Rolex could restore them eventually. Most people who own DDs may not wear them on a daily basis - just as a dress watch. I suppose if it's worn on a regular basis (the way my dentist does), the links are bound to pull away from each other over a period of time.

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Old 27 June 2007, 02:44 PM   #3
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Although I've never seen one really badly worn, I prefer a bracelet with some stretch and flex in it. Shows character!
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Old 27 June 2007, 04:11 PM   #4
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I've got a 1989 DD and the links and bracelet (president) are almost like new without any stretch. But it has had little wear and I'm pretty careful with it. There are some places where you can get the bracelets restored at a fraction of the cost of a new bracelet.
If I ever got another DD I would get one with an YG or WG Oyster Bracelet as may be the case.
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Old 27 June 2007, 05:20 PM   #5
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My 18238 DD with presidential bracelet was purchased in 1991, so it's about 16 years old now. The condition of the bracelet is still as good as new eventhough I wear it almost daily. I clean it everyday using soap and water. And I wear it a bit loose in order to prevent it from stretching...



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Old 13 July 2007, 11:40 PM   #6
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Thanks guys. Beautiful watches!
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Old 17 July 2007, 12:45 AM   #7
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I have the same watch as Syahril, but mine dates back to the 80's, band fits fine, no stretch. I wear it daily. I haven’t had it a long time, but I know the previous owner and he wore it daily as well since he bought it.
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Old 17 July 2007, 01:43 AM   #8
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As long as you keep it clean cannot see any reason not to last 20 plus years without Major stretch.Wife has a bracelet worn daily for well over 20 years that shows very little wear.
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Old 17 July 2007, 01:52 AM   #9
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Mine is from 1987 and it does have a little stretch, but not near as much as I have seen on Jubilee's worn hard from the same year. I do believe it is how you wear it. I wear mine just a little loose but not wear it will turn over my wrist. I also clean it regularly.
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Old 17 July 2007, 01:54 AM   #10
frostie
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I love the solid gold day date but i prefer it with a full gold oyster bracelet like this one http://www.aandewatches.com/rolex-men-president15.htm
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Old 17 July 2007, 02:29 AM   #11
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In the world of the Day-Dates,a YG/President bracelet/white dial/Romans would be my choice Not for my own money,though,its too bloody expensive .... If I had one would not wear it daily.

Bracelet stretch should be more than with ss.Just logical.Keep it clean,was it daily,if worn daily.Not too loose.Should keep stretch to the minimum.
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Old 17 July 2007, 02:51 AM   #12
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I've been told that new bracelets for fine watches generally run about 1/3 the cost of the watch. So i'm guessing that an 18K gold DD runs somewhere in the range of $18-20K...????? That's around $6.5K.
That's a new SS GMT II!!!!! And then some...LOL
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