Authentic or Aftermarket Band Link

[solocus]

I suspect this is an aftermarket link but I don't know for sure. It did not match my SUB (16803) since the ends are polished and not brushed and one of the ends has no hole. Could someone please tell me about this link? I would ask the jeweler I received it from, but we are not exactly on speaking terms <grin>.




Thanks

Mike

[77T]

Not looking good to me, but...

You be the judge...

Solid TT Oyster link




Hollow TT Oyster link

[solocus]

Originally Posted by 77T

Not looking good to me, but...

You be the judge...

Solid TT Oyster link


Hollow TT Oyster link

The hollow part is fine, as that is what my Sub has, but I wonder if this is an aftermarket hollow link, and with the polished ends what Rolex it may go on. I thought I read where the GMT has polished sides on the stainless ends of the TT link. Maybe some Subs have the SS top brushed and the sides polished, and no pin holes at each end.

[handsfull]

Looks legit but the question is whether or not hollow links have that bushing installed in them. Maybe someone with a hollow link TT bracelet can chime in/confirm....?

[solocus]

Originally Posted by handsfull

Looks legit but the question is whether or not hollow links have that bushing installed in them. Maybe someone with a hollow link TT bracelet can chime in/confirm....?

OK, I just checked my "before" servicing pictures with the "after" and it looks like my jeweler brushed my sides to the band....Errrrr! I hope that can be reversed. Also, see how my band has the link pin holes visible on the side.

[solocus]

Originally Posted by handsfull

Looks legit but the question is whether or not hollow links have that bushing installed in them. Maybe someone with a hollow link TT bracelet can chime in/confirm....?

OK, I just checked my "before" servicing pictures with the "after" and it looks like my jeweler brushed my sides to the band....Errrrr! I hope that can be reversed. Also, see how my band has the link pin holes visible on the side.

[crowncollection]

if it's is suppose to be hollow likely gmt or daytona not sub,

As you can see in position A an extra reinforced tube installed to stop wear where female screw thread is
Position B extra bushing to stop wear on the link, quality lasts longer, they sometimes fall out, some older bands don't have them, aftermarket don't bother 90% of the time but some do, cost more money to add these extra features as extra manufacturing processs

two more checks

Position C , i would like to see the screw head properly

position D the side of the link is always a polished finish, please confirm surface D is polished, aftermarket links do not bother polishing this surface. This allows the band to glide and feel smooth like a rolex band, it does and not kink and catch

[solocus]

More pics.

[crowncollection]

please take the photo of the screw head side on i am looking for a taper in the screw head just before the thread. I also cannot see if the surface is polished to much glare, remember the edge will rub it will not be a see your face in it polished unless never worn, with wear this edge rubs on the side of the link, look to see there are no small dimples under a loupe, to see it had the once over polish to remove the small lumps you get with a cast metal finish never polished. It may have wear grooves that is normal after use.

[tudorman8276]

...see these pics:

[solocus]

Thanks for your help. This is the best pic I can get.

[gwozhog]

TRF rocks. Thanks for the lesson. It's amazing how much I have learned on here.

[solocus]

So to my best guess, it looks like the link is real and the pin might be fake. Thanks again for all your help.

[tudorman8276]

Originally Posted by solocus

So to my best guess, it looks like the link is real and the pin might be fake. Thanks again for all your help.

...you find that USUALLY the screws are NOT interchangeable from a fake to genuine or vice-versa.

[crowncollection]

hi, based on your new photo of the screw head it does not look good, it looks like a higher quality aftermarket link, the screw head is no good, it that is very important, the sides of your link are not finished properly either now i open it on a full size screen and not an iphone, Now on a big screen i can see the flaws in postion A and B, rolex would never allow this quality to pass, you can see the caster metal finish i was talking about unfininshed in position A, Position B is all rough and unfinished. unfortunetely i believe it is aftermarket.

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

if it's is suppose to be hollow likely gmt or daytona not sub,

As you can see in position A an extra reinforced tube installed to stop wear where female screw thread is
Position B extra bushing to stop wear on the link, quality lasts longer, they sometimes fall out, some older bands don't have them, aftermarket don't bother 90% of the time but some do, cost more money to add these extra features as extra manufacturing processs
two more checks

Position C , i would like to see the screw head properly

position D the side of the link is always a polished finish, please confirm surface D is polished, aftermarket links do not bother polishing this surface. This allows the band to glide and feel smooth like a rolex band, it does and not kink and catch

oops, i must not have had my morning coffee and had a brain freeze this morning i stand corrected, the information in red above ONLY applies to solid gold bands, sorry for any confusion, my mistake. I thought i should correct it for those learning.

to add some more detail you see this surface marked A, you will see it is also polished, once again not a mirror, finish and you have to account for wear marks, but it gets a cursery polish you couyld really call it a sand to allow the links to glide it does not have a cast finish like the part of the surface circled marked B in the second photo all bubbly (surface marked B) this is so you get that feel you get from a real rolex band of flexibility and comfort, no kinking. aftermarket bands often, NOT ALWAYS leave this surface cast metal like the photo part i have circled. Why bother you do not see it, but it has another function, and that is to create a very smooth flexible band we all enjoy that is confortable.

[solocus]

I just want to thank you for educating me and taking the time out to thoroughly answer my concerns. I do appreciate it.