President bracelet - pragmatism

[sorenu]

I bought a beautiful WG 1803 that I absolutely love, but it did not come with a president bracelet. I keep feeling like the watch not being at its full potential without the bracelet, so I’ve started searching for a WG president bracelet for the watch.

I’ve found it really difficult to find a president bracelet although I’m not really a snob about the bracelet having to be same generation as the watch.

Does any of you experts out there have some advice for what a good solution could be? I’m even considering buying a brand new president bracelet.

Any advice is highly appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[schaumburgla]

Good luck with your quest to find a wg pres band. They are quite rare & ive only seen a couple sell alone over the years.
A possible solution would be too find a complete white gold day date w a nice bracelet for a reasonable price & than just sell the head of the watch. I’m quite impatient & this is the route I may take :)
I think you can come out pretty even financially as if you were lucky enough to source a nice bracelet only sale.

[miamiclay]

WG will be considerably more difficult, but they do come around - It will probably take some time and patience to find a good one. The Italian copies have a good reputation, if that’s something you’d consider. It might also be worth contacting the folks who are known for bracelet repairs (like Michael Young or LA Watchworks) to see if they have or could source one.

IIRC from a recent post, Rolex wants over $16K for a new one, which would easily buy you another whole WG 1803 with bracelet (and leave thousands in change).

[tie219]

I've only been a day-date owner for only a few weeks but couldn't imagine the watch without the bracelet. It's a must have. Good luck on sourcing the bracelet - you won't regret it when you find one

[sorenu]

Originally Posted by schaumburgla

Good luck with your quest to find a wg pres band. They are quite rare & ive only seen a couple sell alone over the years.

A possible solution would be too find a complete white gold day date w a nice bracelet for a reasonable price & than just sell the head of the watch. I’m quite impatient & this is the route I may take :)

I think you can come out pretty even financially as if you were lucky enough to source a nice bracelet only sale.

Thanks! That might be the route I’ll end up taking. WG is just difficult, but I like it so much :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[othertbone]

Originally Posted by sorenu

I bought a beautiful WG 1803 that I absolutely love, but it did not come with a president bracelet. I keep feeling like the watch not being at its full potential without the bracelet, so I’ve started searching for a WG president bracelet for the watch.

I’ve found it really difficult to find a president bracelet although I’m not really a snob about the bracelet having to be same generation as the watch.

Does any of you experts out there have some advice for what a good solution could be? I’m even considering buying a brand new president bracelet.

Any advice is highly appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The best advice is to buy exactly what you love. I'd live with this mistake and buy better next time. Just sayin

[Robtayham]

I just bought a new OEM Rolex bracelet for my 1979 18038 YG DD. It was designed for my model. I bought it from an AD, who ordered it from Rolex. It took a few weeks.

[zapokee]

You can buy a whole new 1803 with bracelet for close to the price of a bracelet only. Buy another one with bracelet and switch it between the two.

[sorenu]

Thanks for all the advice, it is really valuable to get input from the experts.

I will probably end up searching for a complete set and let this 1803 be my first toe dip into the day-date sea.

Any opinions on putting a jubilee bracelet on it? I have a 1603 dj with a bracelet that I could use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by sorenu

Any opinions on putting a jubilee bracelet on it? I have a 1603 dj with a bracelet that I could use.

That wouldn't work for me - a steel bracelet on a gold watch. Apart from it just being wrong, the steel could damage the gold because it's much harder.

[miamiclay]

Wear one on leather, rubber, NATO, whatever until you move it on (if ever).

if your next one is the same color dial and you keep both, be aware that replacing a WG dial is not as difficult as finding a WG bracelet, but a lot tougher than YG.

BTW ... We deserve pics already!

[Verdi]

I have a wg DD and although it came with the bracelet, I still bought a couple of nice leather straps.
Buy some nice ones and wait ‘till one comes for sale.

The advise to contact MY and Rolliworks is very good. I would do it.

[sorenu]

Thank you all so much for the great advice. It really helps to get some highly qualified input.

For now I’ll try to find a strap that feels right. The olive green suede strap I’m currently using feels pretty good and I think the color fits the watch really well.

Maybe I’ll stick to this configuration and go all in with a full YG set as my next venture.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sorenu]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

BTW ... We deserve pics already!

I’d love to post pictures, but unfortunately the site does not allow me to do so since my post count is not high enough



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mineral]

Originally Posted by sorenu

I bought a beautiful WG 1803 that I absolutely love, but it did not come with a president bracelet. I keep feeling like the watch not being at its full potential without the bracelet, so I’ve started searching for a WG president bracelet for the watch.

I’ve found it really difficult to find a president bracelet although I’m not really a snob about the bracelet having to be same generation as the watch.

Does any of you experts out there have some advice for what a good solution could be? I’m even considering buying a brand new president bracelet.

Any advice is highly appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The original 1803 WG president bracelet is another level and it really make the day date so special if you have the original bracelet.

The original clasp is big buckle (not hidden type) compare to modern day date, good luck in finding one if you can. You will love it.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sorenu]

Wow! What a beauty! Thanks for sharing those pics.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Racer X]

Will be quite difficult to find and, if you do find a decent one, it will be expensive. Sorry to say it, but I think the bracelet is a huge part of the appeal of an 1803. The bracelet is just such a beautiful design...

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Racer X

...I think the bracelet is a huge part of the appeal of an 1803. The bracelet is just such a beautiful design...

Yes, the bracelet makes it a different experience altogether. Get one with the clasp if you can, as it has the holes for micro-adjustment.

The one with the hidden clasp is a bit of a pain because there's zero capacity for adjustment, so it's often either too tight or too loose as your wrist size varies with temperature/season.

Here's mine:

[gunhose]

For me the president band has to have the hidden clasp !

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by gunhose

For me the president band has to have the hidden clasp !

Mine is a hidden clasp. Appearance outstanding, practicality not very good. You need to be able to make adjustments, and you can't with the hidden-clasp version. You have to add/take out an extra link, which cost USD 600 each from Rolex for the white gold (ask me how I know... ).

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by gunhose

For me the president band has to have the hidden clasp !

I agree. Personally, I think it's part of what makes the bracelet so pretty. Just seamless. Yes, a perfect fit may not be possible for all, but sometimes it's better to look good than to feel good. haha

[tie219]

Originally Posted by Racer X

I agree. Personally, I think it's part of what makes the bracelet so pretty. Just seamless. Yes, a perfect fit may not be possible for all, but sometimes it's better to look good than to feel good. haha

Great way to put it




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by tie219

Great way to put it

Awesome pic!

The hidden clasp certainly looks nice. Here's mine next to an OQ bracelet for comparison. The way the light reflects off the polished center links is incredible - they have a subtle linear curve that makes the light zip along the bracelet when you angle it slightly. Largely indescribable, but an amazing visual effect when you see it.

[STEELINOX]

You can buy an Italian President bracelet for far less than a ROLEX band. Usually about $5 Large vs what you would pay for the OEM...