Let's Talk About Bracelets / Straps

[Klink]

OK, newbie Klink here. See my intro in the new members section if you want to know more about me.

OYSTER AND JUBILEE

As I say in my intro, I've owned a few Rolexes in my time, and my friends have owned a few more. Almost always with the Oyster bracelet rather than the Jubilee. Only my wife's Rolex (bought as a present after the birth of our first child) has a Jubilee.

The great thing about both bracelet designs is that they are not "hair pullers". Both are easy to wash (I do mine while showering) and keep clean. Being bracelets, they don't absorb sweat and other fluids (!) and a quick tub will bring them up good as new.

The downside is that they eventually wear and are expensive to replace. I have a friend with a 2tone Submariner where the gold - excuse me: "yellow metal" - has worn aginst the steel to a significant extent, from a few years of daily wear. It is not possible to "freshen up" a watch with a bracelet as one can by putting a new strap on a normal watch.

Finally, I find the Oyster bracelet more "casual" than business. The Jubilee is a beautiful thing, but if my wife's is any guide it wears very quickly, enabling large amounts of "watch flop" (great term I picked up here at RWF!)

STRAPS

I've used straps a lot in the years between Rolexes. The great thing about them is how easy they are to change over when you want a new look, or when you've just spilt engine oil on the old one.

They can be really dressy (there are some bee-yootiful straps in the favourite watch thread) or completely utilitarian. I was using British military spec nylon straps which develop a nice patina as they age. They are also washable, although it's more time consuming and there is always the risk that the watch will drop off the strap while one's cleaning it. When my wife gets hom with the digicam I'll post some pix of my old miltary watch with the UK strap system.

MY THOUGHTS

One cannot account for taste. One man's fungus is another man's truffle. So let's keep this to tangible benefits:

BRACELETS: Classy and convenient, but expensive and unchangeable.

STRAPS: Highly changeable, cover all needs from dressy to camping, but much less convenient.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

...

[mdx77]

Hi again Klink!

Without getting too in depth, I think you should go with what makes you happy. I've always been a fan of bracelets but I just ordered a rubber strap for my Breitling b/c I really like the look of it opposed to the polished bracelet. Other than that, they are just watches IMHO......I can always get my bracelets polished at my AD whenever I like, but I like the fact that "scratches" build character.

[ezmoney46]

Originally Posted by Klink

OK, newbie Klink here. See my intro in the new members section if you want to know more about me.

OYSTER AND JUBILEE

As I say in my intro, I've owned a few Rolexes in my time, and my friends have owned a few more. Almost always with the Oyster bracelet rather than the Jubilee. Only my wife's Rolex (bought as a present after the birth of our first child) has a Jubilee.

The great thing about both bracelet designs is that they are not "hair pullers". Both are easy to wash (I do mine while showering) and keep clean. Being bracelets, they don't absorb sweat and other fluids (!) and a quick tub will bring them up good as new.

The downside is that they eventually wear and are expensive to replace. I have a friend with a 2tone Submariner where the gold - excuse me: "yellow metal" - has worn aginst the steel to a significant extent, from a few years of daily wear. It is not possible to "freshen up" a watch with a bracelet as one can by putting a new strap on a normal watch.

Finally, I find the Oyster bracelet more "casual" than business. The Jubilee is a beautiful thing, but if my wife's is any guide it wears very quickly, enabling large amounts of "watch flop" (great term I picked up here at RWF!)

STRAPS

I've used straps a lot in the years between Rolexes. The great thing about them is how easy they are to change over when you want a new look, or when you've just spilt engine oil on the old one.

They can be really dressy (there are some bee-yootiful straps in the favourite watch thread) or completely utilitarian. I was using British military spec nylon straps which develop a nice patina as they age. They are also washable, although it's more time consuming and there is always the risk that the watch will drop off the strap while one's cleaning it. When my wife gets hom with the digicam I'll post some pix of my old miltary watch with the UK strap system.

MY THOUGHTS

One cannot account for taste. One man's fungus is another man's truffle. So let's keep this to tangible benefits:

BRACELETS: Classy and convenient, but expensive and unchangeable.

STRAPS: Highly changeable, cover all needs from dressy to camping, but much less convenient.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

...

The "Yellow Metal" is 18KT GOLD.

[timetravel125]

As a matter of personal taste, Rolex watches to me look good on bracelets. There are other brands that look excellent on straps, like Breitlings. Omegas both look good on bracelets and straps.

In my experience, jubilee bracelets' 'stretch' diminish Rolex's distinct look. However, oyster bracelets don't stretch too much and maintain a degree of sturdiness and classic styling. My 2 cents.

[Gedanken]

I prefer bracelets. Despite being a smoker, I still have a pretty keen sense of smell and straps, waterproof or otherwise, tend to build up gunk over time and the smell bugs me.

[GMTJOHNNY]

BRACELETS ARE FOR WEARING.

[Klink]

Originally Posted by ezmoney46

The "Yellow Metal" is 18KT GOLD.

No argument. From recollection, Rolex always used to refer to it as "yellow metal" in the UK in the 1980s - 1990s. Anyone else seen this?

[blufish88]

I think jubilee looks more classy, the only problem is taking it off. I am just worried that it will break my nails. ;)

[golfball123]

i hv the rolex jubilee, oyster n president brac. N i think the oyster is the most lasting with no apparent wear. I had all the 3 for more than 10 years now. However the president is the flashiest n best looking. Leather straps is nice but tend to smell especially when in tropicals or summer time n get worn quite fast. Rubbers are good on the g-shocks.. Oyster is best fr daily weat..

[jasonbellevue]

I'm into bracelets, as I like to wash my watches.

[Widows Son]

I would have to say that excluding my Rolex OP Date, the vast majority of my watches have straps. My dress watches all have straps, and I recently took the braclet off my Omega Speedy Pro and put a rubber diver strap on her. My inexpensive quartz knock around watches all have braclets. It's amazing how changing a strap or braclet can give the same watch a whole different look. My bracloet on my Speedy was too small and had some engraving on the buckle. I found an authentic brand new on on the net and ordered it. In the meantime I installed a rubber strap. Yes you guessed it. The diver looks so nice, the braclet has been tucked away.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Klink

No argument. From recollection, Rolex always used to refer to it as "yellow metal" in the UK in the 1980s - 1990s. Anyone else seen this?

Yes, that's correct. There is some kind of legality involved. In the UK, the gold bit is reffered to as YELLOW METAL in the TT versions, but SOLID GOLD in the full gold models. Don't ask me why!!