Question on Bracelets and Daytonas

[Wolfman064]

Good morning everyone!

I read this website hours a day and have for years. I learn so much from you all that I have very little to post. But I do have a question for you all now. As background, this year is a big year for me – I turn 40, I’m expecting a significant positive shift in my position at work, and I’ve been rebuilding our home that was largely destroyed by the government in the wake of Hurricane Harvey here in Houston (we expect to be moving back into the house in a matter of months, which is a near miracle for our family). For Christmas my wife gave me an envelope with a “buy yourself a nice watch, you deserve it” note inside. It was a fantastic gift from a wonderful woman, and I’ve started plotting for the Daytona I’ve always wanted (stainless white dial, it is the perfect complement to my 16610 and my pepsi GMT Master II). However, what has caught my eye on several recent watch hunting trips has been the white gold meteorite dial reference. It’s a beautiful watch and has a really unique look to it that catches my eye. Here’s my question – I really do like having a watch with a bracelet, but this watch on a bracelet is more than I really care to spend currently. The white gold/leather strap combo is more in my price range, but I’m wondering what my bracelet options would be if I wanted to pick one up in the future. I’ve scoured the internet and not seen many/any white gold oyster bracelets for sale, like you would see with the SS jubilee. Is it even possible for me to pick up a white gold oyster bracelet in the future? I am presuming a stainless steel oyster bracelet on the watch would look silly, but I’ve never seen a picture one way or the other. Has anyone ever seen someone put a stainless steel bracelet on a white gold case? Lastly, my other alternative would be to hunt for a SS white dial reference, and purchase a Meteorite dial later on to swap into the watch. Any thoughts on the best course for me?

Cheers, and thanks everyone!

[roger0770]

I don't think the strap option Rolex watches can be fitted with a bracelet later on given that the endlinks on the bracelet would not match the case. However, if you got the bracelet version, you can always change to the bracelet to a strap. Yes, there will be gaps, but there are custom made endlinks that can help covering the gaps.

[Jhowton23]

I would buy on a bracelet for all rolexes personally. models that come on straps have a little bridge that juts out from the case over the lugs to eliminate the gap you get from not having end links. while it looks nice, what that does is make you unable to fit a bracelet to the watch if you ever wanted it. If you buy on a bracelet you can always use a strap with the gap showing, or buy a strap fitted to end links. does that make sense?

[Wolfman064]

Interesting, I didn't realize the cases were different at the lugs to fit the strap versus the bracelet. That may answer my question. Thanks!

[roger0770]

Originally Posted by Wolfman064

Interesting, I didn't realize the cases were different at the lugs to fit the strap versus the bracelet. That may answer my question. Thanks!

Glad you asked before making a purchase.

[SamP]

If you do go down the route of fitting a meteorite dial to a SS case & bracelet, the watch would have much less mass.
If you don’t mind the less massive feel of SS, then go that route. You can always go the WG route should funds allow.
I have the WG meteorite dial on a WG bracelet. I love the mass, however I hate the super case. But then mass and size are different entities.
Regards

[MCO1]

You answered it with always wanting a stainless white dial Daytona. They are not getting any less expensive. Go that way first and complete your set. You are only 40 there is time for the white gold meteorite later when you do want to spend that kind of money to get it on a bracelet. I would be shocked if once you owned the SS Daytona you still desired the white gold one. If you do let that be the turning 50 watch.

[Wolfman064]

Sage advice. Thanks everyone!