Rolex USA C&I bracelet Q's

[carman594]

Hey guys, just had a few questions about the Rolex USA C&I bracelets. I have one that came on my Tudor Date Day and the only stamping on the bracelet is on the back of the clasp. By looking at the clasp I have determined my bracelet is from 1978.

Anyways, are these bracelets rare/desirable?

Are Rolex 7206 links the same? I need an additional link for my C&I bracelet but am having trouble finding one.


Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[joe100]

C+I bracelets aren't rare and desire ability depends on condition but generally not desirable as such. Lets just say that no, it isn't a treasure of a find...

I've owned several and they hold the watch to your wrist and look cool.

[scottb2]

IMHO the swiss made bracelets are far superior

if you can find yourself a nice 7206 or even better a 6636 you will be in heaven

for me the C&I bracelets are just too flimsy

regards

SB

[linesiders]

Wear it, use it, and if it needs an overhaul ship it to MY (search rivet here). No real need to replace it with a swiss. And you can go with a leather strap far easier.

You say 7206? Is yours a 20mm? Probably not, likely a 19mm. Not only are they not compatible they vary by size so you need a specific 20mm link, or 19mm link, etc

I picked up a couple links on evil bay for mine

[springer]

The rivet links when compared between the Swiss and USA bracelets are different and are not interchangeable. Personally, I like the C&I bracelets and find them very light and comfortable.

[carman594]

Darn, I'm having a hard time finding C&I links. Any suggestions?

[swish77]

Originally Posted by springer

The rivet links when compared between the Swiss and USA bracelets are different and are not interchangeable. Personally, I like the C&I bracelets and find them very light and comfortable.

I LOVE the C&I rivet bracelets, even the USA versions. Are they flimsy? Yes. But for an old-school vintage look you can't beat it. The cool factor is very high. And they are super comfortable. I only wear my 5512 on a rivet (I '73).

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by swish77

I LOVE the C&I rivet bracelets, even the USA versions. Are they flimsy? Yes. But for an old-school vintage look you can't beat it. The cool factor is very high. And they are super comfortable. I only wear my 5512 on a rivet (I '73).

X2! Love USA C&I rivets

[springer]

Originally Posted by carman594

Darn, I'm having a hard time finding C&I links. Any suggestions?

Tudorman8276, a member here, repairs the old rivet bracelets. You'll usually find him in the watchout section.

[acf321]

just trawling for more information on US C&I bracelets and found this thread.

X3 ..... how could Steve McQueen been so wrong with his 5512 / C&I combo?

[J!m]

I have a '68 C&I that Mike Youg is freshening up for me now. Once tightened, it needed a link and I was advised those links are harder to get than the Swiss Rolex links.

C&I apparently have hollow rivets and the Rolex ones are solid rivets (Mike told me this, I did not notice until he pointed it out). A quick glance they look the same but side by side totally different.

I like the C&I. A rivet in the wild is rare enough but the US made C&I is never seen. Probably see a Paul Neuman daytona first.

[Gina Marie]

I prefer the candi personally. Super light and the vintage charm is hard to knock.

[2ar2c1]

what did the C&I stand for?

[Richard Carver]

I hadn't checked prices in a while and I'm stunned! Is that real? Maybe I should untangle that pile on my table and wrap them in tissue paper. :)

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

I hadn't checked prices in a while and I'm stunned! Is that real? Maybe I should untangle that pile on my table and wrap them in tissue paper. :)

Yep it's real.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Yep it's real.

*Everything* is disappearing into collections.