Observations made on my replaced SD bracelet

[Kris]

As you all know, I had my bracelet on my SD replaced over 2 weeks ago due to a problem with a pin. RSC replaced the whole bracelet with a new one.

It's been almost three weeks now since I got the watch back and I've noticed that there are NO scuff marks or scratches on the bracelet, most notably, on the clasp itself and this is the part of the bracelet most prone to wear and scratch marks.

I haven't been any more careful with the new bracelet than I was with the original bracelet.

When I first got the watch back I looked over the bracelet and it somehow seemed "different" to me. It is the correct bracelet for the SD (correct number of links, divers-extension, etc), but it just seemed it's of better quality. Almost as if the bracelet I exchanged seemed to be brushed finer and softer which made for easier scratching, etc, the new one doesn't seem to be the same.

There wouldn't be any reason to believe that the bracelet on a new SS model is slightly different than say, an SS bracelet made as a replacement would it?

A couple of time last week I thought I had scratched the clasp when my wrist was resting on my work-desk while typing on my keyboard. I'd look at the clasp after and there'd be no marks on the clasp.

I don't know if this bracelet was "brushed" slightly different so as to repel against easy scratching, or if replacements are "better" than original bracelets?

[pcarson]

Kris, the steel used in the bracelet is identical and the coarseness of the brush finish will not alter its tendency to be scratched; only your ability to detect such scratches. The machining is done by, well, machines at Rolex and inspected by humans at assemby.

What seems to be happening, and I mean this in the most constructive and respectful way, is that your relationship with the watch is changing. You will scratch it again and again, and it will add a life to the watch. As time passes it will bother you less, and the first time you send it for service and it comes back looking like you just bought it, you'll smile.

I reckon it's time for you to enjoy that baby after its troubled infancy.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by pcarson

Kris, the steel used in the bracelet is identical and the coarseness of the brush finish will not alter its tendency to be scratched; only your ability to detect such scratches. The machining is done by, well, machines at Rolex and inspected by humans at assemby.

What seems to be happening, and I mean this in the most constructive and respectful way, is that your relationship with the watch is changing. You will scratch it again and again, and it will add a life to the watch. As time passes it will bother you less, and the first time you send it for service and it comes back looking like you just bought it, you'll smile.

I reckon it's time for you to enjoy that baby after its troubled infancy.

Well said, Peter. Just enjoy that baby, Kris. I'm pretty sure the replacement new bracelet would be the same as any other new SD out there.

Cheers - JJ

[Solar]

Kris, I agree with PCarson, you may be experiencing a changing relationship. However, my SD bracelet seems heavier and beefier than my GMT bracelet. When I was trying to decide on the SD and another in the SS sport line, my AD held up the SD by the clasp beside the other sport model, and said that the SD links are slightly thicker. They seemed to be to my untrained eye at any rate.

Maybe you had a bum bracelet on the first try, and got a better one the second time 'round? I doubt its possible that the Oyster bracelet for another SS model made it on your SD in error. Human oversight and control at the factory in Geneva is too thorough.

As Pete says, I hope that you're on your way to a lifelong realtionship of conent ownership with your SD. So far so good with mine. Its a thing of beauty.

[mike]

Originally Posted by pcarson

Kris, the steel used in the bracelet is identical and the coarseness of the brush finish will not alter its tendency to be scratched; only your ability to detect such scratches. The machining is done by, well, machines at Rolex and inspected by humans at assemby.

What seems to be happening, and I mean this in the most constructive and respectful way, is that your relationship with the watch is changing. You will scratch it again and again, and it will add a life to the watch. As time passes it will bother you less, and the first time you send it for service and it comes back looking like you just bought it, you'll smile.

I reckon it's time for you to enjoy that baby after its troubled infancy.

Great answer!