Confused...Old model president or newer?

[rockerchic]

So I decided that I'd like a preowned 18k yg president watch (midsize) and had zeroed in on a late 80s model that was within my price range. After reading here, I realize the 2000 models have updated bracelet with solid middle link and the older model will likely stretch and may need to be replaced. The newer model is thousands of dollar more (preowned as well). Is is best to just continue saving and buy the solid gold link bracelet? Even though it may look the same is it worth $4k more?
Would appreciate your advice.

[G.D.BeanCounter]

You may end up spending the extra few grand on an older model anyway, so may make since to get the newer model and not have to worry about that as much... IMO.

[dddrees]

Its worth doing the math. How much does it cost to replace a bracelet on the Day Date older model? Whats the chance a replacement is needed on a newer Day Date Bracelet?

Maybe worth saving for the newer one. Bracelets for these watches are pretty expensive.

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Its worth doing the math. How much does it cost to replace a bracelet on the Day Date older model? Whats the chance a replacement is needed on a newer Day Date Bracelet?

Maybe worth saving for the newer one. Bracelets for these watches are pretty expensive.

I agree, bracelets are about $5000 or more!

[InVision]

Buy a "K" or newer for better clasp and bracelet links. I think some late "P" have both also. I started a thread some time ago and all the great folks helped me decide.

Mike

[GradyPhilpott]

You do understand that the President is a bracelet and that the watch you are looking at is a DateJust with a President bracelet. The President is most often associated with the Day-Date watch.

I'm kind of new to this, too, but I'm not sure that the DateJust comes in a 33mm or if it ever did. The models I see on the Rolex site are 29mm, 31mm, and 36mm.

Of course there have been limited editions and there have been changed through the years.

I just want to give you a heads up on all that, so you can ask informed questions.

[Shade]

If you're wearing your day-date snugly on your wrist, then you shouldn't worry about stretching it. Find a great condition one from the early 90 and you'd b great. I found a mid 90s for a great price in terrific condition, and I'm loving it.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Shade

If you're wearing your day-date snugly on your wrist, then you shouldn't worry about stretching it.

The watch that the OP is speaking of is not a DD. It is a DJ on a President bracelet.

I think that needs to be clarified.

[rockerchic]

I am talking about a 31cm dayjust with president bracelet. (The president bracelet does come on this model in 18kyg)

Thank you so much for all the input.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by Shade

If you're wearing your day-date snugly on your wrist, then you shouldn't worry about stretching it. Find a great condition one from the early 90 and you'd b great. I found a mid 90s for a great price in terrific condition, and I'm loving it.

If you keep the bracelet clean and wear it snugly, the older bracelet will last just fine.

New bracelets are indeed expensive, but the beauty of precious metal is that even if the old one is "stretched", crushed or melted... it is still worth some $$$.

[rockerchic]

there are a couple of the older models on resell sites. What are the best questions to ask and the best way to judge how stretched the band is?
thank you!

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by rockerchic

there are a couple of the older models on resell sites. What are the best questions to ask and the best way to judge how stretched the band is?
thank you!

The classic way is to see a picture of the watch held sideways and see how much the band sags.

Also, look for uneven gaps in the links.

ALSO - You might want to check with some of the "trusted" sellers on this site... the ones with a lot of good reports from various folks.

[Yazo]

Originally Posted by rockerchic

there are a couple of the older models on resell sites. What are the best questions to ask and the best way to judge how stretched the band is?
thank you!

Ask them to take a picture like this:

(not my pic btw)

[rockerchic]

Thank you all so very much. I am so grateful for the help. I'm going to ask for pix like the ones above and will post.
Once I have the appropriate time and posts under my belt, I'll definitely reach out to the trusted sellers here. Is there a link that would direct me to those sellers.

[rockerchic]

Yazo, would the above be considered minimal stretch or alot of stretch?

[Yazo]

I'd say that's minimal. Good luck!

[GradyPhilpott]

There are some comparative photos here to judge the extent of "stretch."

http://watchmakingblog.com/2010/02/0...t-watch-clean/

[slcbbrown]

If the watch you are looking at isn't severely "stretched" now, I wouldn't worry about it. The nice thing about the bracelet condition is that you don't have to be a watch expert to judge the condition. If the bracelet looks good now, you could have a couple decades of wear before it deteriorates much.

[rockerchic]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

There are some comparative photos here to judge the extent of "stretch."

http://watchmakingblog.com/2010/02/0...t-watch-clean/

Wow!! That picture says 1000 words for sure. Thanks for the link.

[rockerchic]

SLCB, thanks so much for the input. I'm going to get pix of the side views and will know how to judge now.