Long-Term Thoughts on Oysterflex

[Chadridv]

I’ve owned several OF models and never had an issue. Yes we’re only talking a couple years here and there, but more importantly many of you recall I bought just the oysterflex strap from an AD the first year of the Daytona oysterflex release and as soon as the dealer could possibly get the first ones from Rolex.

So that’s what? 4-5 years now? I wear that strap on various watches all the time!!! It might be my most worn strap/bracelet of all my watches. It still looks brand new. there are no issues with it whatsoever.

[MRBolton]

Thank you all for the feedback. Sounds like the look of it won’t age very poorly. And if it did, I guess one could always get a custom strap made for it.

I don’t think that there will ever be a bracelet option since it has the built-in endlink? Or is that actually removable by removing the bezel like I read somewhere?

Also, if anyone has any pictures of an Oysterflex that they’ve had 5+ years, I’d definitely love to see!

[macrowatch]

I'm 3 years in, and the rubber still looks new. (But mind you only worn about maybe 10% of the time).

I think with regulations learning against animal straps, it is likely in 10-15 years Rolex will still have a rubber strap of some kind. And if you're super paranoid, you can buy 2-3 extra set today and be set for the next decade of strap replacements. They are not hard to get from RSC if you own the model.

[Chadridv]

Not the best shot to show off the strap but this is from a couple weeks ago. I’ll try to post some photos of just the strap pieces later. These are 4-5 years old and used all the time.

[bwdellorf76]

My rule is to always get the bracelet version. You can always slap a rubber on it! You can’t easily put a bracelet on the Oysterflex model.

[fsprow]

I have rubber Patek Aquanaut rubber straps over 10 years old. Look a bit worn but not needing replacement.

[pierson]

Yeah, rubber wear and tear concerns have really crushed the Aquanaut market. You can buy those things at a wild discount now.


(Clearly joking)


Bought a yellow gold daytona panda oysterflex and had the same concern. The Patek lead into the rubber market gave me comfort. I'd bet you can still source rubber in 10-20 years direct from Rolex. They wont want these things showing up beaten. Doubt they will issue an official bracelet, but cant imagine they would ever stop producing rubber.

[szabo_martin]

Funny that people keep wanting a bracelet. I bought the YM42 specifically for the rubber strap. Plus after a year and a half the rubber looks the same.. the gold clasp is scratched to sh!t and I can imagine a PM bracelet would be too.