Is it worth it? Solid 18k President.

[John8818]

Hello everyone, I wanted to get everyone's advice and opinions about a watch purchase. The watch I'm looking at getting is a 18k day date. Now from my understanding all day dates that were produced before 2000 had hollow center links, and are prone to seperation of the bracelet. My local dealer has an 18038 day date and it is a really great deal, but I want to know if its wiser to spring for a day date with the solid bracelet. I've never come in contact with a 2000+ day date so I can't compare the bracelets, if anyone who has handled both hollow and solid day dates give me advice on this situation.

[newrolexman]

If you can afford it get the solid links. My buddy has the hollow and after a few years of wear it sags and its not the same feel as the solid link.

Plus, the clasp is solid. Check the back of mine out below.

[crowncollection]

Older watches have semi solid links I have many I have never heard of the them separating or falling apart, and I have many up to 35 years old sure they stretch a bit more.


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[perpetualman88]

With the day date I would only buy solid links. They started producing the solid links in the mid Y serial production

[QueueCumber]

Find a solid one through a trusted seller here on the forums....

[SWISSAHOLICS]

Solid...big difference in the feel / weight of the bracelet.

[FNFZ4]

Tony Soprano thought it was worth it. I concur

[kilyung]

Solid... you WANT that bad boy to be as heavy as possible!

[77T]

The solid links and newer clasp are the most durable bracelet option.

But if the watch head on an older model still keeps good time, and the fit and feel of the bracelet meets your expectations, I'd save thousands and get the older one.

Just my 2¢

[luvsub]

Solid.

[Racerdj]

Very nice!

Originally Posted by newrolexman

If you can afford it get the solid links. My buddy has the hollow and after a few years of wear it sags and its not the same feel as the solid link.

Plus, the clasp is solid. Check the back of mine out below.

[hsfrank]

Luv my solid link Prexy. The hollow link felt too light for my taste.

[RMERMCPA]

Just got mine from Bobs Watches.

Good prices and service

[HL65]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Solid... you WANT that bad boy to be as heavy as possible!

Oh yeah!

[Raceoff]

Not sure if mine is solid or semi-solid.
Can someone post the weights of each?
Thanks!

[newrolexman]

When I attended a house party a buddy had what lked like my watch and he took it off to show me. It felt like a feather weight after handling my solid link DD. When I held the band straight out it sagged. My solid link after 5 years has ZERO sag. Rolex really improved the Presidential Band.

Raceoff. Look at my picture above of my band and if yours looks the same it ihas solid links. Place the band in the same position as in my picture. Easy to tell.

[nick c]

Solid all the way

[43builder]

actually, was in the same boat a few weeks ago. I have decided it is worth the extra money as well, except decided to step it up to a 18k Daytona

[John8818]

OP HERE! Thanks everyone for the input I think in going to get the solid link. I have another question though what would be a fair price on a solid link? I've seen mint 2000-2003 with full papers going for 15k and that's about right where my budget is. This is my first time buying a watch for over 7k so I just want to get a gauge for fair market value from people who might know the market better than me.

[QueueCumber]

Going by year or serial can be risky. Sometimes there is overlap when Rolex starts applying new features. Don't assume that if it is a certain year or serial that it is a newer bracelet. That is another reason why I would deal with a trusted seller here. They are honest about what is on their watches.

[luvsub]

I would suggest to get one with the new style clasp, just like the picture in the second post.

[timely]

All that being talked about. If the older bracelet has been taken care of it can last you for years. You can always sent it Michel Young in Hong Kong an can be made like new.

My 1958 T-O-G 18k Thunderbird

[eeh100773]

Originally Posted by newrolexman

If you can afford it get the solid links. My buddy has the hollow and after a few years of wear it sags and its not the same feel as the solid link.

Plus, the clasp is solid. Check the back of mine out below.

Wow. That's an awesome piece - I'm a huge fan of the Roman dial.

[SubTTKky]

Solid 18K Gold Center-link all the way and any day....

[Dr. Robert]

Why? We all have some stretch as we age.

[Submarinerman1971]

I would recommend my wife wears mine more then I do. They are nice but not an everyday wearer for me.
Regards. Joe

[newrolexman]

Originally Posted by eeh100773

Wow. That's an awesome piece - I'm a huge fan of the Roman dial.

Thanks!

Everytime I wear this beauty (for dressy occasions) I get compliments. This is a beautiful work of art IMO. It has no equal in its aesthetic beauty.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by John8818

Hello everyone, I wanted to get everyone's advice and opinions about a watch purchase. The watch I'm looking at getting is a 18k day date. Now from my understanding all day dates that were produced before 2000 had hollow center links, and are prone to seperation of the bracelet. My local dealer has an 18038 day date and it is a really great deal, but I want to know if its wiser to spring for a day date with the solid bracelet. I've never come in contact with a 2000+ day date so I can't compare the bracelets, if anyone who has handled both hollow and solid day dates give me advice on this situation.

This Internet term "hollow" is a complete and utter misnomer all it means in the real world,is simply this. The links are made from heavy solid gold or S.steel tubing and then formed to shape. This leaves a void in the centere, just like any other piece of tube.. However, the tubes are still made from solid 18Ct gold or solid SS.

The newer type or so called solid links are still machined but they are machined with holes drilled right through the metal. So in the real world they are as well technically hollow but not to the same extent.And in every day wearing would doubt if any real difference in strength or longevity of life as long as you keep them clean..Now that's the simple answer in the life of any Rolex oyster bracelet or any other keep it clean and they will last 20-30 years plus.Even the older type Oyster bracelets have been stress tested and will take 525 lbs pressure before breaking that's enough to seriously damage your wrist.

[77T]

Originally Posted by John8818

OP HERE! Thanks everyone for the input I think in going to get the solid link. I have another question though what would be a fair price on a solid link? I've seen mint 2000-2003 with full papers going for 15k and that's about right where my budget is. This is my first time buying a watch for over 7k so I just want to get a gauge for fair market value from people who might know the market better than me.

The price you pay will vary depending upon condition and other cost factors like sales commissions in stores, full complement of boxes, etc. We can't set a "market price" for a watch sight unseen.

If this will be a lifetime keeper you only need the watch - not the frills.

I think best deals are here on TRF, but you will find fine choices elsewhere. Your budget is fine - get the best condition and serviced watch available within that budget.

[77T]

Originally Posted by padi56

This Internet term "hollow" is a complete and utter misnomer all it means in the real world,is simply this. The links are made from heavy solid gold or S.steel tubing and then formed to shape. This leaves a void in the centere, just like any other piece of tube.. However, the tubes are still made from solid 18Ct gold or solid SS.

The newer type or so called solid links are still machined but they are machined with holes drilled right through the metal. So in the real world they are as well technically hollow but not to the same extent.And in every day wearing would doubt if any real difference in strength or longevity of life as long as you keep them clean..Now that's the simple answer in the life of any Rolex oyster bracelet or any other keep it clean and they will last 20-30 years plus.Even the older type Oyster bracelets have been stress tested and will take 525 lbs pressure before breaking that's enough to seriously damage your wrist.

All true but I would add the clasp that was replaced in models around 2005 could get loose and difficult quicker than the current wide bladed one.

Old one:




New (current one):




So the either bracelet links may be fine but the clasp can cause issues...