Advice regarding 36mm day-dates

[Roll the Lex]

So I'm looking for my next watch (who isn't on here- it's a sickness!) and am considering the 36mm DD. I can't do the DD2 as it's too big.

I'd be interested in picking one up with a president bracelet as I already have two Rolex models with the Oyster bracelet, just to mix things up.

How easy is it to get a good fit? I've got small wrists, just under 6" and have been spoiled by the glidelock on my sub-c.

Are the president bracelets more prone to stretching vs. the Oyster bracelets?

How easy is it to buy/swap out the OEM Rolex straps that come with the DD like this one and how much are they?

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by Roll the Lex

So I'm looking for my next watch (who isn't on here- it's a sickness!) and am considering the 36mm DD. I can't do the DD2 as it's too big.

I'd be interested in picking one up with a president bracelet as I already have two Rolex models with the Oyster bracelet, just to mix things up.

How easy is it to get a good fit? I've got small wrists, just under 6" and have been spoiled by the glidelock on my sub-c.

Are the president bracelets more prone to stretching vs. the Oyster bracelets?

How easy is it to buy/swap out the OEM Rolex straps that come with the DD like this one and how much are they?

My 2 cents on your questions:

I also have small wrists and love the fit/feel of my DD.
Newer bracelets (118238) are solid link, so I would say that pretty much the same as the newer Osyter bracelets.
Straps come in a variety of colors, usually in the $350-400us range. That look is not possible completely as you would need end links.

[Rameez-Q]

I have the watch in the picture and the end links are non removable and I don't think they can be purchased online them ones anyway. You can get aftermarket online no problem.
On the strap point, the strap is specific to the watch and I don't think you can order one directly from rolex. Your best bet is to look at a second hand daytona strap online which I have on my day date see pic below:

[707soldier]

You can't swap it out with a Rolex metal bracelet.
Unless you go aftermarket.
Rolex RSC or AD will not do it.
You can get different color leather strap from Rolex, this they will do.

[busytimmy]

I think that OEM strap combined with the dial is a perfect combination on this piece, but I can understand the desire for a bracelet. Tough decision.

[DJ TT 2002]

My suggestion is to pursue the 18238 or 118238 on a President Bracelet and to skip the potential hassle of a strap/bracelet swap. JMHO
Best of luck!!!

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by DJ TT 2002

My suggestion is to pursue the 18238 or 118238 on a President Bracelet and to skip the potential hassle of a strap/bracelet swap. JMHO
Best of luck!!!

I concur...and let me throw another thought out there. The president bracelet does not have any micro adjustment, so although I see your point in varying your collection up a bit, you are going to lose somewhat in the area of adjustability.

[dpa94114]

I've seen more than a few vintage gold Day-dates with links removed from the watch. There is a great reference thread that shows how many links are in the original bracelet - so you can just have them removed by a good watch service person to make the fit comfortably....

Just don't LOSE the spare links in case you decide to trade in the future!

[HogwldFLTR]

Yes Presidents are more prone to stretch. Stretch is caused by wear at the link connections and the President has twice as many of these and hence more stretch. Cleaning it regularly should help reduce the wear.

[joli160]

Go for the President bracelet all the way. It's beautiful. The newer ones are solid but the 5 digit centre links are hollow and more prone to stretch. This however must not be exaggerated. You can wear even an older President for many years with a regular thorough cleaning and not getting troubles with stretch is my own experience.
Happy hunting

18238

[AK797]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I concur...and let me throw another thought out there. The president bracelet does not have any micro adjustment, so although I see your point in varying your collection up a bit, you are going to lose somewhat in the area of adjustability.

Me too get the President bracelet, not sure if you can attach a strap afterwards, and Larry is right about the full links on the DD, really should have a half on there, so you must try on the one you want and have it sized to be sure it fits right.

[THC]

Shop well, is the key... great advice above here, but you will love it once it is on the wrist
.. Post pics when acquired please

[The moose]

I think I can contribute here. The watch posted is the 118135 which has the half link attached to the case (it's a part of the case construction) to make the strap fit better and avoid the hole between the case and strap. As some member already stated is it impossible to mount a OEM bracelet to that exact model.
The model was released for Basel last year or the year before.
Anyway, I have the 118235 model which doesn't have the half link. I know that you can buy aftermarket half links that can be used with a strap for the DD:s. I have heard that the fit is pretty good actually and leaves just a very small gap between the case and the link.
When I bought my watch I decided to go with the oyster bracelet since I thought the oyster looked better in Everose gold.

Here is a pic:



To mix it up a bit, I bought a Hirsch Duke strap that looks a bit similar to OEM Rolex. The strap fits is very good and, in my opinion, doesn't need that extra half link since it doesn't leave a big gap between the case and strap.

I don't have the watch here at the moment since I keep in the safe so I can just post some older pics:









Hope this helped you a bit. Just PM me if you need more info!

[HogwldFLTR]

One of the reasons I like the older style clasps is the ease of adjustment.

[REDiesel]

Get one on a bracelet.
The president bracelet is very comfortable. In terms of propensity to stretch it falls between the oyster and jubilee.

[Roll the Lex]

Originally Posted by THC

Shop well, is the key... great advice above here, but you will love it once it is on the wrist
.. Post pics when acquired please

I tried one on at the AD previously but it wasn't fitted and I couldn't get a good feel for it. But I think you're jumping the gun here...

I'm thinking either a Day Date on president or Patek aquanaut- I know, I know 2 totally different watches. But I'm interested in both. I'll be going to NYC in the spring and I'm gonna do my best to hit up the Rolex shop and to see the Pateks before making a decision.

I'm in a bit of a difficult spot- I have two watches tt sub-c and explorer I that I absolutely love and don't want to give either one up. But I can't have 3 watches- too many for me to think about.

Even now when one is on my wrist, I think about the other one. One crazy idea I have is to flip both for a DD and aquanaut but that obviously would be spread out over time...

[Eric Chan]

Having owned my Day-Date for only 4 days, I can tell you it is on par with the Jubilee bracelet in terms of comfort. Between those two, they are the most comfortable bracelets I own.

It is too bad there is no half link as I can see the benefits for this. I was fortunate enough to have a very good fit with the removal of only one link from the President Bracelet.