Vintage 14k/SS Jubilee Bracelet

[eelpie]

I just picked up a very nice two-tone 1601 with gold linen dial, but the Jubilee bracelet is not so hot. It's 14k and steel, with a lot of slack.

Is there anything that can be done with these older bracelets other than dismantling them for the center links?

I'd hate to spend the value of the watch restoring the bracelet, and right now the plan is to go to a Rolex strap & buckle . . .

[Kokyuryoku]

Originally Posted by eelpie

I just picked up a very nice two-tone 1601 with gold linen dial, but the Jubilee bracelet is not so hot. It's 14k and steel, with a lot of slack.

Is there anything that can be done with these older bracelets other than dismantling them for the center links?

I'd hate to spend the value of the watch restoring the bracelet, and right now the plan is to go to a Rolex strap & buckle . . .

It really depends on what your intentions are for the watch. If you intend to keep it and wear it regularly, then putting it on a strap is a great idea. Also, if you want to wear it with the bracelet, then spending some money refurbishing the bracelet would be money well spent. However, if you think you may end up selling it in the future, put the bracelet away and just enjoy it on a strap. Btw, post some pics so we can see just how bad the stretch is.

[eelpie]

. . . for internal inspection. I bought the watch over the phone, based on this photo.

The photo doesn't depict the dire condition of the bracelet.

Once the health of the watch's movement is determined I'll be able to make a decision on the strap / bracelet question.

[Newportkrieger]

When buying a vintage Rolex, especially on a jubilee bracelet you must always "ask" about bracelet stretch and for a bracelet stretch photograph.

Bracelet stretch on TT Rolexes is IMHO the reason they are so heavily discounted in the vintage market... to account for the cost of replacement or the reality thatyou need to buy a strap if you dont want to spend the $$ for a replacement bracelet.

Your seller was clearly less than honorable in his disclosure. That photo was very carefuly staged to not show the stretch to anyone not familiar with the problem.

There is a company in Hong Kong that restores bracelets at a cost of about $200.00. I am nto sure how good a job they do but I am about to send off a vintage 14K/SS jubilee to them myself.

[harry in montreal]

i would just go on ebay and drop 240$ on a used 62510H stainless steel (no gold) band and call it a day. they are pretty cheap and very solid.

[harry in montreal]

i just wanted to add, i dont think these bands were very tight from the start... i kinda like my wonky jubi band. i dont think its worth spending big bux to restore it.

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by eelpie

. . . for internal inspection. I bought the watch over the phone, based on this photo.

The photo doesn't depict the dire condition of the bracelet.

Once the health of the watch's movement is determined I'll be able to make a decision on the strap / bracelet question.

Why are the gold links all faded? They should be solid gold which doesn't fade.

[greekbum]

The bracelets can be fixed it takes a couple of months of patience and around $200.00
I handle vintage watches often and I would say less than 5% of Jubilee bracelets are not stretched if over 10 years old. IMHO a tight Jubilee adds around $400 on SS and $600 on TT when compared to the ones with very stretched bands.

[eelpie]

Originally Posted by Submarino

Why are the gold links all faded? They should be solid gold which doesn't fade.

That would be glare . . .

[eelpie]

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

When buying a vintage Rolex, especially on a jubilee bracelet you must always "ask" about bracelet stretch and for a bracelet stretch photograph.

Bracelet stretch on TT Rolexes is IMHO the reason they are so heavily discounted in the vintage market... to account for the cost of replacement or the reality thatyou need to buy a strap if you dont want to spend the $$ for a replacement bracelet.

Your seller was clearly less than honorable in his disclosure. That photo was very carefuly staged to not show the stretch to anyone not familiar with the problem.

There is a company in Hong Kong that restores bracelets at a cost of about $200.00. I am nto sure how good a job they do but I am about to send off a vintage 14K/SS Jubilee to them myself.

I am familiar with the problem, but there were extenuating circimstances (read: possibly more Rolexes and a Patek) for not making an issue of the bracelet.

Having said that, I would be interested in getting the contact information and any opinions of the work of the people in HK who restore these bracelets.

$200 is about what I'd pay for a new Rolex lizard strap and a GF buckle . . .

[adam78]

For Michael Young's contact information, see: http://www.newturfers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6497

[Rolex2]

The two Oysters perpetual dates in my avatar are 1501/1570s from the 1970s. Both have loose jubilee bands. I prefer them loose, and have never seen a used Jubilee that wasn't loose. I like the bracelet feel of the band.

If you want a tighter feel, the Oyster band (on Subs, GMTs etc) is a better band. looks good on sports watches. The Jubilee, in my view, is more of a dress watch band. Better for the Oyster dates and datejusts.