The difference in Rolex finishes and what to expect. My thoughts on each finish.

[Mystro]

I want to chime on some observations that grabbed my attention the last week over wearing a polished center link, jubilee, and brushed satin bracelet as my daily Rolex. We have discussed this before but I think it’s worth noting how these three bracelets stand up to daily use. All of them are tough as nails but there is a noticeable difference in showing superficial hairline scratches that will occur with daily use activity. Over 30 years and I feel I know all the tips and tricks on avoiding hairline scratches as much as possible but perhaps some of our newest members might want to pick a bracelet that meets their expectations.


Satin brushed finish:



Satin Brushed finish is by far the easiest Rolex finish to hide daily scuffs and hairline scratches. So much so that I have worn a Hulk to Walt Disney World on a 2 week vacation and came home with zero marks on the clasp or bracelet. I have done the same vacation with a oyster pcl and jubilee with pcl clasp that always brought home a few battle scratches. It’s almost amazing how well the Rolex brushed satin finish holds up under some pretty tough conditions. A big contributor to this is the clasp is also fully brushed on the top surface. this is where most of your first scratches will occur. If you can’t stomach hairline scratches, this will be your best option. Another advantage is it can be easily touched up with a scotchbrite pad when the satin finish does need freshening up.
The down side to this is it’s not as “flashy” as a pcl or jubilee. This may not be a down side if “bling aint your thing”.






2nd most durable would be the Jubilee
The Jubilee will give you the bling but in a far easier to live with bracelet hiding hair line scratches. There is a down side as it has a polished center clasp which will accumulate every day scratches rather easy because it’s at a vulnerable place to pick up scratches. Your jubilee bracelet will easily look better than the pcl clasp over a few months.






The Oyster bracelet with polished center links and clasp is the most visible finish to show any hairline scratches. The pcl is everywhere on this combo so anywhere you touch the watch will show a mark. This combo may also be the most bling on a sporty kind of way. You have to be very comfortable living with marks on the clasp and bracelet or you will go out of your mind trying to keep this combo pristine. You can buff out some of the hairline scratches with a yellow “Shinshine polishing cloth” but this is a slippery slope if you have ocd.


So three different Rolex bracelet finishes that are all brilliant in their own way. You need to know how you intend on using your Rolex and how tolerable you are with looking at daily wear and tear. Even now, I find my self surprised how easy or fickle these finishes can be. 904L can seem very durable when it is brushed but made of soft butter if it’s polished. Know the difference going in so you can wear it with enjoyment rather than the watch wearing you with constant worrying over daily wear.