Bracelet lifespan

[kam1]

I was wondering what a general consensus is on the lifespan of an oyster bracelet...IE 93150 or 78790? I'm talking about a watch that gets worn daily. What experiences do some of you have?

[Old Expat Beast]

Can be several decades if properly taken care of, cleaned etc.

[HL65]

I've had 40 plus year old bracelets super tight with little bend. It all depends on how it is worn and how well cared for over the years. I plan on all of mine lasting a lifetime!

[jay1988]

At the risk of sounding pedantic. There's not much to say how long some of the newer bracelets will last. I mean the SEL bracelets have only been around for 15 or so years.

If you have an older bracelet then history suggests it will outlast you. The SEL bracelets feel excellent and considering Rolex's history, you'd be willing to bet on them lasting just as long, if not longer. There's no way to tell for sure right now though.

[Tools]

I have a few that I have had for 20 years + and they still fit in the same adjustment holes as the newer ones do.

[AbsolutelyROLEX!]

I also wonder, does the bracelet stretch more if worn tight or loose!

[kilyung]

If cleaned regularly and worn "snug", I predict it'll last much longer than you.

[C.A.P]

Mine is 16 years old and has rounded shoulders on some links.
I do not think a loose band wears them out. I think quite contrary. A tight fit with strenuous activity will start to cause them to grind. GOLFING is a real band stretcher. As is any sport or activity that you are pendulum action at fast speeds. I did a few of them ..
All of it depends on your wearing activities and such..
I Rarely took mine of and worked in it. I didnt buy it to stare at it. Like all my tools I buy ones that will last . Thats all these are is time tools that are better built than most. They do have a bling appeal but in the end of the day its a time piece. USE it for what it is, not a status symbol.. JMHO

[hehedavid]

does it even matter?

[subtona]

A TT 93150 on a sub 16613 Bluesy, 20 year life span, worn 24 hours a day / 7 days a week 1991-2011, was my personal experience...at which point it was worn pretty bad & i began to question its serviceability, so i replaced it.

I liked to wear it a bit loose & cleaning it consisted of using my fingers to soap the watch up in the shower, with an occasional soft toothbrush scrub.


Some activities were:
Battle
Motorcycling: including some crashing 200,000 miles
Cycling: also including some crashing
Dancing
Hiking
Skiing
Rock climbing
Sky diving
Showering & swimming
Traveling
Marathon & training
& even a bit of diving

It can take it, for the rest of my life i am confident, i will never wear out another bracelet as i have a few watches now & a few less years to do it in

[padi56]

Originally Posted by kam1

I was wondering what a general consensus is on the lifespan of an oyster bracelet...IE 93150 or 78790? I'm talking about a watch that gets worn daily. What experiences do some of you have?

Well I have a few 20 plus years old that were used as working tools often used and abused with well over 600 hours underwater.And bracelets still good today with very little wear scratched yes but still good for many years to come.The secret to long live is regular washing,wearing a snug fit just above wrist bone, and only have polishing/brushing at normal routine service.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by hehedavid

does it even matter?

Clearly it does to him which is why he posted it. Keep it up and you are going to be gone from here.

[robisan]

It will get stretched over time but still usable and will outlast you.

[77T]

I agree they are the most resilient part of a Rolex. The Oyster version seems to stay tight longer than the Jubilee version. Each owner's lifestyle can impact its lifespan - especially around the clasp where those thinner pins and adjustable parts can fail long before the link screws and pins.

Bracelets outlast crystals, crowns, tubes and gaskets. They needn't an overhaul every 5 or so years. So I'd say they stand up to the brand's expectations.

[crowncollection]

I have a 24 year old each and band on now, still looks good IMHO

[Sublover2166]

I have a TT 16613 Bluesy with the old style non SEL oyster bracelet. I have worn the watch almost every day for the last 17 years. I wear it snug above the wrist bone and clean the watch and bracelet weekly and there is LOTS of life left in it. At least another 17 years worth. Now I have spoken to Rikki about the new style SEL bracelets and he has told me that some were in need of replacement after 10 years because of where the SEL is the pin holes being worn out. Not quite sure what he meant, maybe somebody with a worn out SEL bracelet can chime in about this.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

I have a TT 16613 Bluesy with the old style non SEL oyster bracelet. I have worn the watch almost every day for the last 17 years. I wear it snug above the wrist bone and clean the watch and bracelet weekly and there is LOTS of life left in it. At least another 17 years worth. Now I have spoken to Rikki about the new style SEL bracelets and he has told me that some were in need of replacement after 10 years because of where the SEL is the pin holes being worn out. Not quite sure what he meant, maybe somebody with a worn out SEL bracelet can chime in about this.

i have heard that the SEL are held on with springbars on the bracelet side?

[roadie1]

Originally Posted by subtona

A TT 93150 on a sub 16613 Bluesy, 20 year life span, worn 24 hours a day / 7 days a week 1991-2011, was my personal experience...at which point it was worn pretty bad & i began to question its serviceability, so i replaced it.

I liked to wear it a bit loose & cleaning it consisted of using my fingers to soap the watch up in the shower, with an occasional soft toothbrush scrub.


Some activities were:
Battle
Motorcycling: including some crashing 200,000 miles
Cycling: also including some crashing
Dancing
Hiking
Skiing
Rock climbing
Sky diving
Showering & swimming
Traveling
Marathon & training
& even a bit of diving

It can take it, for the rest of my life i am confident, i will never wear out another bracelet as i have a few watches now & a few less years to do it in

That's cool! To have that kind of history with your watch. I would imagine it'd be tough to part with it.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

I have a 24 year old each and band on now, still looks good IMHO

My 28 year old jubilee looks that good. I was going to post a photo but yours will do the job just fine!

I recently picked up a NOS oyster band so the jubilee is getting a rest, but I expect both to last a long, long time.

Why? I clean them regularly, of course...

[subtona]

Originally Posted by roadie1

That's cool! To have that kind of history with your watch. I would imagine it'd be tough to part with it.

Agree, however to my surprise, i sold it and never looked back

[brianrx74]

I never realized how important regular cleaning was before joining this forum. I clean my bracelet regularly and hope to make it last longer than I do. If not, there is always Michael Young.