Bracelet found in scrap bin

[foil_guy]

Hi folks, posting some pics of a Rolex Bracelet, my watch repairer fished out of an old scrap bin. 17.3mm flat ends, rolled gold stamped, Rolex made in England. Clasp looks a bit worse for wear, though the expandable links are all functioning and looks it quite good shape. So i guess 2 questions, firstly anyone know much about these UK made Rolex straps?, I'm guessing for Bubble backs and the like, and import implications, during the day? Secondly, any insight on how to value, as I've not a clue on what to tell him.

[Dan S]

As you noted, Rolex dealers installed bracelets made in various countries to save on import duties.

I agree it's hard to put a value on it. The condition is rough and it would be used for a small low-value Rolex. Still, the parts aren't useful for a valuable bracelet, so it's best used as-is. Unfortunately, gold-filled Rolex bracelets don't sell for so much in general. I had a pristine Swiss-made Rolex gold-filled bracelet with curved 19mm endlinks, and I was happy to get $600 for it.

Just spit-balling, in your watchmaker's place I'd happily take $200-$300 for it, but it won't be easy to find the right buyer.

[foil_guy]

Hi Dan, thats good tbh. He thought it was £50 at best. I figured it wasn't too valuable, but had it at around the £100-150 range purely as a means to pimp a gold rolex up. Thanks for thr reply. P

[TuRo]

The main manufacturing base for Jubillee and Oyster in 30s and 40s was England in fact, not Switzerland.

When they were both patented in 1945 and 1947, manufacturing was moved primarily to Switzerland with other outreach manufacturing.

Clasp etc is legit. For a specific buyer whose looking for one it might be worth quite a few bob, but otherwise a few hundred dollars.

[foil_guy]

Well, that's good to hear. TuRo. It only came about as I'd mentioned to him, to be sure that what he'd considered scrap 30 odd years ago, maybe now worth something.

[crowncollection]

worth something not alot, WAB manufactured ?

[springer]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

worth something not alot, WAB manufactured ?

WAB...how about this. What is WAB?

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

worth something not alot, WAB manufactured ?

Perhaps but I suspect not. Thanks to Mike Wood for following:

Mike tells us that WAB (Watch Accessories Birmingham) was owned by Oscar Winter, a friend of Hans Wilsdorf.
The Clewco bracelets that bare also sometimes seen on early Rolex watches also originated from Birmingham.
"Edward Davies t/a E J Clewley & Co Jewellers", Vyse Street Birmingham.


As I understand it, Rolex sourced bracelets from outside Switzerland to get around tariffs that were levied on fully complete watches.
This is where C&I, WAB, Clewco, Gay frères, the Mexican Rolex bracelets (and other non-Swiss made items) fit in.
Heads only were shipped to distributors outside Switzerland - perhaps with hang tags and chronometer certificates where applicable I guess.
AD's added bracelets and boxes and even papers - back in the handwritten days anyway - at the point of sale .