American Jubilee "Ovolini"- Question

[Pocosso]

Guys,
I am in love with the American Ovolini, I surfed teh marked and put together a couple for my 1675s.
I would like to send one to Rolli as in Europe I could not find who can overhaul this kind of Bracelet.

My question is, how tight was it when new?

I am familiar with the Swill Jubilee and as new the links are very tight and bracelet holder Horizontally stay very parallel to ground, was the same for a New Ovolini?

What should I expect once back from Rolli?

[dhknola]

I am following as my new to me datejust has an Ovolini jubilee bracelet...mine is VERY loose.

[Pocosso]

Originally Posted by dhknola

I am following as my new to me datejust has an Ovolini jubilee bracelet...mine is VERY loose.

I hope someone could brief us on what to expect.

We’re this models tight at origin?

[Richard Carver]

They're supposed to be worn loose, silky and draped but you new guys can't seem to understand that (high and tight is the Rolex equivalent of a pocket protector:)

I used to get upset every time a noob destroyed a fine old bracelet with cheap aftermarket parts then I realized it just made mine more valuable. Go ahead and "fix" that sweet, well broken in oval link vintage jubilee, all the cool kids do.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

They're supposed to be worn loose, silky and draped but you new guys can't seem to understand that (high and tight is the Rolex equivalent of a pocket protector:)

I used to get upset every time a noob destroyed a fine old bracelet with cheap aftermarket parts then I realized it just made mine more valuable. Go ahead and "fix" that sweet, well broken in oval link vintage jubilee, all the cool kids do.

Like Mr. Carver, I too am a big fan of the oval link jubilee. I’ve worn it on 16570, 5513, 7928, 1680, etc.

Most of mine are also pretty loose, and those are the most comfortable bracelets I have. I did get a 14k gold oval link jubilee tightened by MY in HK (granted, it was so loose it could be laid flat and bent into a perfect “S”). It came back too tight and not nearly as comfortable as my worn ones. But it looks very nice and has held up well over 8 years or so; it’s just not comfortable.


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[TimeLord2]

Do you men Rolliworks or to Rolex Service Center? Rolex will just replace it not repair it. Rolliworks (https://www.rolliworks.com/) did my oval link bracelet about 2 years ago. It was quite far gone but now quite tight. It was a little too tight initially, and some of the links would bind sometimes but has now worn in a little. Still very comfortable. I will warn you that once all the pins were replaced, it was almost an inch shorter so I hope you have a few extra links. I had to purchase one. Mike at Rolliworks also mentioned that the construction is a little different than the Swiss version and more of a pain to work on. I wear it somewhat lose too, not excessively lose, but a little bit.

[Richard Carver]

Or you can open the gold center links, remove a MM or so of each and accomplish the same thing,

[timnik]

I have a 1973 Jubilee Oval USA on my GMT 1675

I use Swiss endlinks 550 because they fit properly. The original endlinks stamped 50 fit crap and were begining to wear away the serial number in the watch

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Or you can open the gold center links, remove a MM or so of each and accomplish the same thing,

That was initially my thought too but as it turns out the stretch is not caused by the center links but the wear on the pins which connect to the end pieces on each side. They actually get deep grooves probably from a little grit where the center links ride against the metal. Stretch is not really the right word. It's actual wear on the pins.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

They're supposed to be worn loose, silky and draped but you new guys can't seem to understand that (high and tight is the Rolex equivalent of a pocket protector:)

I used to get upset every time a noob destroyed a fine old bracelet with cheap aftermarket parts then I realized it just made mine more valuable. Go ahead and "fix" that sweet, well broken in oval link vintage jubilee, all the cool kids do.

He’s just asking how tight it was when new. Why trash a guy whose only crime is being new to Rolexes and wanting to know more? If I was still a “noob” I’d being feeling pretty unwelcome.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

That was initially my thought too but as it turns out the stretch is not caused by the center links but the wear on the pins which connect to the end pieces on each side. They actually get deep grooves probably from a little grit where the center links ride against the metal. Stretch is not really the right word. It's actual wear on the pins.

I've seen the 50-60 years of wear on pins Under current gentle vintage use they will outlast us. :) The rebuilders want to rebuild, originality is not as much of a consideration as it should be. Trimming the center links is a viable path to remove some slack in the bracelet.

There's a goldsmith in Las Vegas who will cut new gold center-links if you wish. The point is to be as noninvasive as possible.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

I've seen the 50-60 years of wear on pins Under current gentle vintage use they will outlast us. :) The rebuilders want to rebuild, originality is not as much as a consideration as it should be. Trimming the center links is a viable path to remove some slack in the bracelet.

There's a goldsmith in Las Vegas who will cut new gold center-links if you wish. The point is to be as noninvasive as possible.

I do appreciate your desire for originality Richard but it sounds like six of this or a half dozen of the other. Sure the links are still original but are they still the same if you are reducing the length? This is beginning to sound like a philosophical question… Ship of Theseus anyone? That said, most of these rare watches are not used as intended anymore, as you stated. As Padi likes to say, just $$$. Certainly it is an option though. Here is a close up of my bracelet prior to rebuild. In my case I think I made the right choice as wearing it was my goal. It may have some affect on value in the long run but I would like to keep wearing it until I kick the bucket anyways. Hahahaha! It's not an investment but was a gift from my Father. It will go to one of my kids hopefully.

[Richard Carver]

LOL, indeed, there's more than one way to Tulsa.

[zapokee]

I once bought an oval-link Jubilee that had been hugely overtightened by the Hong Kong outfit. You literally had to physically bend it to make it curve around your wrist. Absolutely ruined.

Loose and silky is the way, as per Carver.

#CarverForPresident

[77T]

Originally Posted by Pocosso

My question is, how tight was it when new?

I think this question hasn’t been answered - the originals were no more or less “tight” than the Swiss version. But the USA version did gain favor over the years as they wore down the pins. But it doesn’t really matter since we are not going to see a NOS USA Jubilee to compare. What matters is the result of a full restoration.

The challenge for you and Mike @rolliworks is finding a happy middle ground.

The other posters bring up great points: it will be tighter, it will be shorter with new pins (since the worn pins have added some mm to the length) and it won’t be a “slinky”.

Good luck on your project and let us see the results.


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[Pocosso]

Originally Posted by 77T

I think this question hasn’t been answered - the originals were no more or less “tight” than the Swiss version. But the USA version did gain favor over the years as they wore down the pins. But it doesn’t really matter since we are not going to see a NOS USA Jubilee to compare. What matters is the result of a full restoration.

The challenge for you and Mike @rolliworks is finding a happy middle ground.

The other posters bring up great points: it will be tighter, it will be shorter with new pins (since the worn pins have added some mm to the length) and it won’t be a “slinky”.

Good luck on your project and let us see the results.


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Thank you for your suggestion, I actually have two of them, I will sent to Rolliworks only one of them.

[Nick9]

After getting some great advice here, I recently had a severely stretched USA oval link bracelet refurbished by Rolliworks. I was very very happy with the result. No binding at all, that’s for sure. The communication with and from Rolliworks was excellent.

The alternative was to remove at least three links, maybe four.

Mine has unmarked Rolex USA endlinks.

Side note: I think this is the bracelet we are talking about, but no one called mine an Ovalini. Maybe I don’t get out much….

[Richard Carver]

Ovalini is a low budget pasta used in a pork offal street food dish in the mountainous region of Peru.

[Pocosso]

Originally Posted by Nick9

After getting some great advice here, I recently had a severely stretched USA oval link bracelet refurbished by Rolliworks. I was very very happy with the result. No binding at all, that’s for sure. The communication with and from Rolliworks was excellent.

The alternative was to remove at least three links, maybe four.

Mine has unmarked Rolex USA endlinks.

Side note: I think this is the bracelet we are talking about, but no one called mine an Ovalini. Maybe I don’t get out much….

In Europe we call it American Ovolini, I will ship to Rolliworks tomorrow from Savannah.
How long did it take to refurbish yours?

[brandrea]

This is an interesting thread. Didn't know this specific jubilee variant existed.

About all I have to add is that "tighter" does not always equate to better IMHO.

I know this is the vintage Rolex forum but I'll just add that jubilee bracelets with "some slack" are tremendously comfortable.

This is my SKX and it came this way out of the box. I bought this brand new in 2019.



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[Nick9]

Originally Posted by Pocosso

In Europe we call it American Ovolini, I will ship to Rolliworks tomorrow from Savannah.
How long did it take to refurbish yours?

Hi, it was around nine weeks. But one of those weeks was the shipping to and from Canada, including a few days clearing customs.

I believe it could vary a bit depending on their volume.

I’m confident you’ll be happy. Here’s a quick shot of the result. I chose the “no polish” option.

[Pocosso]

Guys,
anyone, by chance, knows how many links had per side a new one?

[Pocosso]

Originally Posted by Nick9

Hi, it was around nine weeks. But one of those weeks was the shipping to and from Canada, including a few days clearing customs.

I believe it could vary a bit depending on their volume.

I’m confident you’ll be happy. Here’s a quick shot of the result. I chose the “no polish” option.

It looks very nicely done!

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by Pocosso

Guys,
anyone, by chance, knows how many links had per side a new one?

22, 13 on the adjustable side, 9 on the other. Links can be switched around.

[Pocosso]

Thank You!