So - with all this banging on about flimsy bracelets

[GoldenBear]

Originally Posted by DavidHasselhoff

Ohh, that poor thing...

Yeah, exactly. Small issues hardly outweigh the bigger picture. I doubt there is a perfect watch (or car) for everyone. Someone isn't going to like something.

[Trainer]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

One day I posted all of the things I did over the past 18 years while wearing my Rolex. From Deep-sea fishing and deep powder skiing, climbing Half-dome and golfing at courses all over the world. No issues with the durability of my SS Sub. No worries.

I agree w. GB. I have worn my TT Blue dial 16613 and 16710 almost everywhere, for the better part of nine years. At this point I think I'll be able to at least double that without any concerns of bracelet failure.

That being said, last september I tried on the new 116170 (GMT IIc) and the new bracelet blew me away.
My next rolex acquisition will be a SD, but I am waiting to see what surpises Basel brings. I'm hoping the SD gets the Bracelet/clasp upgrade. If it does, I'll buy the SD with that new bracelt. Without the new bracelet, I'll buy it anyway, I'd just rather have the new style bracelet and clasp.

Tepus Fugit,

Trainer

[GoldenBear]

My AD told me the same thing when I swapped bracelets on my 18-year old SS Sub...They said my spring bars were "badly worn" and should be replaced. They replaced them (with Rolex ones) and charged me $5, and put on my new Croc. strap. Could the bracelet really be that badly worn? Maybe it is/was a totally different issue.

Originally Posted by topcat30093

I had to have a new bracelet fitted to a S/S Sub, when it went back for a service because Rolex told me that the lugs that secure the clasp were so badly worn that the clasp would keep coming undone.
Replacement cost of a bracelet back then was about £260.00 that was about 8 years ago.
Cheers

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

You could hang a 200 pound man from an Oyster bracelet. End of story!!

Or a bratwurst! Last bad joke of the day. Time to go home and read.

[docjohn]

let's face the music. A rolex bracelet works well and is strong, so is a hammer, a tin can, a lead weight, etc.... Lot's of junk works well. But, I won't pay 10 grand for a hammer. Sorry, just won't do it. Rolex kept the bracelet design the same because they wanted to milk more profit out of an old design. The center links are a joke, ask a process engineer how quickly rolex can make a hollow center link vs. a machined link. They use a SS tube (an extrusion, just like the copper pipe in your house) and crimp it and cut it. Half of them go into cracker jack boxes, the other half go on rolexes. The clasp is made in a press. 1000 and hour at about 11 cents. But it sure works real good!!! LOL. The new bracelet and clasp is a beauty and has no evidence of cost cutting. If more folks demanded improvements at rolex, this would have come sooner, don't you think???

[Bobareno]

Mine lasted 18 years and still worked, the RSC said it needs a new clasp. I thought it has worn well as I wear it 24/7 for all 18 years.

[GoldenBear]

I would love to see someone "pressure test" a Rolex bracelet. Kind of like that guy that used Superglue himself to an overhead girder (on their commercial). I bet they would hold up very well. We could all chip in for a bracelet and post it on You Tube. Sounds like a job for Mythbusters...The host, Adam Savage is a bit of a WIS. He has a different Rolex on every episode. I have seen him with (I think) a Sub, a YM. a GMT or two. And several other brands and models. They trashed a Corvette on one show and blow up stuff all of the time. A watch bracelet should be no biggie.

[nsolga]

Love my Sub - wish it had a GMTIIc bracelet but, still love my Sub!

With time comes changes and improvment!

[SSD]

The oyster bracelet has withstood hard use, misuse and abuse for decades. True it feels lighter, but it also feels exceptionally well made, as does the rest of the watch. Why? Because it IS exceptionally well made. As is the jubilee. I have NO worries, none at all! I wil simply keep it clean and free of abrasive gunk and enjoy it for decades, God willing.

Rolex bracelets may (or may not) be many things. But they will never be considered "flimsy" by a rational observer!