Rolex DD 18038 Replacement Bracelet

[Robtayham]

I’m new to the forum, so thanks for your insight!

I’m thinking about buying, from Rolex, a new replacement DD President’s bracelet for my YG DD 18038.

I know that around 2000 pr so, the gold links were made more ‘solid’, except for the hole to accommodate the pins.

Question: will the new Rolex replacement bracelet have the new ‘solid’ gold links? Or will Rolex sell me a bracelet with the older ‘hollow’ gold links?

Thanks.

[timepieceluvr]

Not sure about the mechanics of the bracelet but 100% sure a new replacement will cost more than the watch is worth.

If it’s an heirloom it might be worth it otherwise it might be a better plan to grab a different watch


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[ronricks]

No it will be a hollow link 55b solid end link bracelet. I would look at having your current bracelet refurbished rather than purchasing a new one. Much cheaper and original.

[HogwldFLTR]

Check out Michael Young; he does wonders with heavily worn bracelets!!!

http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/

[77T]

You may need to sit down before you see the RSC price tag for a new bracelet.

Refurbishing yours is the better option IMHO. Rolliworks or Michael Young are two options.

You could also consider buying a pre-owned post-2000 bracelet if yours can’t be refurbished.


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[Robtayham]

Thanks to all! It is a heirloom 1979 DD watch. I’m the third generation, hoping to pass it on to the fourth generation, better than I received it. Otherwise, I would never, ever, consider buying a new bracelet.

But.....Rolex is awfully proud of their parts. So, that might slow me down, especially if it is another hollow link 55 bracelet.

It’s currently getting serviced at RSC in NY. I’m calling them on Monday when they open back up for business and verify the bracelet.

Thanks.

[joli160]

Rolex will supply you with a hollow link.

I had mine modified and restored to a full solid gold.
Not cheap but still a lot better than buying a new old one and the heft of the added +/-26 grams of gold makes a different.
Amazing workmanship.

(Goldschmiede Beste in Winterberg Germany)

[Robtayham]

I’m hoping that it’s the newer ‘solid’ link version. For what they’ve quoted ($$$), it needs to be ‘solid’ not ‘hollow’.

I’ll find out on Monday.

Thanks.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

I’m hoping that it’s the newer ‘solid’ link version. For what they’ve quoted ($$$), it needs to be ‘solid’ not ‘hollow’.

I’ll find out on Monday.

Thanks.

the end links on the 18038 bracelet are different than the ones on the 6 digit day dates, so it shouldn't be the new solid bracelet

[Robtayham]

Quick Update:

I found a Rolex AD that has a better trade-in price for a new President’s bracelet. So, I won’t be buying it from NY RSC.

However, I am letting NY RSC service the watch. It turned out to be a Frankenwatch. The bezel, dial, crystal, and spring-bars were aftermarket. So, they are going to bring it back to Rolex specs by doing the following:

1. Complete Service
2. Replace 18k Crown
3. Replace Sapphire crystal
4. Replace 18k Fluted bezel
5. Replace 18k Case back
6. Replace 18k Spring-bars
7. Replace 18k Hour, Minute and Second hands.
8. Replace Dial 18038 White (I did decide on White. The replacement Champagne dial was called Metallic Champagne, a lighter shade of champagne color than the original OEM Champagne dial. My DJ also has a White dial, and it’s easy to read.)
9. Replace Day and Date Wheel Indicators - White, to match the White dial.

Once I get the watch back from NY RSC, I will then buy the bracelet from the AD.

Thanks.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Quick Update:

I found a Rolex AD that has a better trade-in price for a new President’s bracelet. So, I won’t be buying it from NY RSC.

However, I am letting NY RSC service the watch. It turned out to be a Frankenwatch. The bezel, dial, crystal, and spring-bars were aftermarket. So, they are going to bring it back to Rolex specs by doing the following:

1. Complete Service
2. Replace 18k Crown
3. Replace Sapphire crystal
4. Replace 18k Fluted bezel
5. Replace 18k Case back
6. Replace 18k Spring-bars
7. Replace 18k Hour, Minute and Second hands.
8. Replace Dial 18038 White (I did decide on White. The replacement Champagne dial was called Metallic Champagne, a lighter shade of champagne color than the original OEM Champagne dial. My DJ also has a White dial, and it’s easy to read.)
9. Replace Day and Date Wheel Indicators - White, to match the White dial.

Once I get the watch back from NY RSC, I will then buy the bracelet from the AD.

Thanks.

that's a lot. have they given a quote for how much that will cost?

[Likestheshiny]

Damn, that's gonna be expensive, but at least you'll basically end up with a new watch.

[blada4life]

So the only thing original is the case and movement? What’s the cost just curious. And where did you get it


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[Robtayham]

I did receive a quote from NY RSC; agreed to it; and left the watch with them to fix.

From a pure financial standpoint, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. But from a heirloom standpoint, I value getting the work done. I want it to be in good shape when I pass it on to the next generation.

First, at NY RSC, the bracelet costs $16,800 without a trade in; and $14,300 with a trade in. I found an AD who will sell me a new President bracelet for less than that. So, when I receive it back from NY RSC, I will mail it to that AD.

Second, for the work NY RSC is doing, these are the costs:

1. The White dial is $600; and the three new hands are $100.
2. The bezel is $1,300.
3. The case back is $1,400. The old one had ‘bent threads / no seal’ problems.
4. Complete full service is $800. All the mechanicals, lubricants, timing and pressure setting, gaskets and day and date wheel indicators are included in this.
5. The two spring bars are $120.
6. The crown is $170. It also had the ‘bent threads / no seal’ problems.
7. The sapphire crystal was included in the service.

There is always the ‘Grandfather’s Ax’ issue: ‘if my father replaced the handle, and then I replaced the ax head, is it still the same ax that my Grandfather bequeathed to my father?’.

But, as mentioned above, my reason is based on this watch being an heirloom piece. It will always carry the history of prior generations.

Thanks.

[Robtayham]

Quick Update: RSC NY finished the full service, including replacing the sapphire crystal, bezel, hands, dial, day and date wheels, crown, case back and spring bars. It was then Fedex’d to another AD for a new OEM Rolex president bracelet. The AD’s cost was about 40% cheaper than RSC NY’s cost for the bracelet. So I had RSC NY Fedex it and hopefully within the next few weeks, I’ll have a ‘newly refreshed’ incoming from RSC NY / AD.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Quick Update: RSC NY finished the full service, including replacing the sapphire crystal, bezel, hands, dial, day and date wheels, crown, case back and spring bars. It was then Fedex’d to another AD for a new OEM Rolex president bracelet. The AD’s cost was about 40% cheaper than RSC NY’s cost for the bracelet. So I had RSC NY Fedex it and hopefully within the next few weeks, I’ll have a ‘newly refreshed’ incoming from RSC NY / AD.

Good to hear about the progress. It'll be interesting to see photos of the final watch!!! When will you get it back do you think?

[Bigsoftee]

Goodluck with all, be great to see the before/after pics :)

[Robtayham]

The AD (out of state) said 10-14 business days. They had to order it from Rolex. And there’s shipping involved to get it back to me.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Quick Update: RSC NY finished the full service, including replacing the sapphire crystal, bezel, hands, dial, day and date wheels, crown, case back and spring bars. It was then Fedex’d to another AD for a new OEM Rolex president bracelet. The AD’s cost was about 40% cheaper than RSC NY’s cost for the bracelet. So I had RSC NY Fedex it and hopefully within the next few weeks, I’ll have a ‘newly refreshed’ incoming from RSC NY / AD.

that's good...the quote you have posted above from rsc is insane and you can pretty much almost get a 6 digit for it lol

[Scapegoat]

Wow, would love to see how the completed project!

[Robtayham]

Don’t get me started on the cost.....it’s a matter of the heart, not the brian. My hope is that I’ve given it at least another 40 years of life for the next generation to enjoy.

[Robtayham]

Update: I finally got the answer to my original post: ‘Will the new OEM Rolex president bracelet for my YG DD 18038 have the modern day solid links or the older hollow links that it originally came with in 1979?’

The AD (I had RSC NY mail it to an AD in Tennessee for a new bracelet) confirmed that it is the new solid link version. They ordered it from Rolex, put it on the watch yesterday and have mailed it to me in Texas.

I haven’t seen it since I dropped it off at RSC NY 3 months ago. I’ll be glad to get it back.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Update: I finally got the answer to my original post: ‘Will the new OEM Rolex president bracelet for my YG DD 18038 have the modern day solid links or the older hollow links that it originally came with in 1979?’

The AD (I had RSC NY mail it to an AD in Tennessee for a new bracelet) confirmed that it is the new solid link version. They ordered it from Rolex, put it on the watch yesterday and have mailed it to me in Texas.

I haven’t seen it since I dropped it off at RSC NY 3 months ago. I’ll be glad to get it back.

New solid link won’t fit the 18038 case. Endlinks and case contour are totally different. This is going to be interesting.

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by ronricks

New solid link won’t fit the 18038 case. Endlinks and case contour are totally different. This is going to be interesting.

Rolex manufactures the bracelet to fit the 18038 case, so the case fitment is not a problem. I was assuming it was still made with ‘hollow’ links, like the original.

As an analogy, it’s like a service dial that fits the 18038. It’s new production to fit a vintage watch. Their not using old stock from the inventory bin.

They still make some common parts for some, not all, references. Dials are the most common example.

[Andad]

I’m looking forward to the pix.

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I’m looking forward to the pix.

Me too!

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I’m looking forward to the pix.

X2!

[usyd]

×3

Originally Posted by directioneng

I’m looking forward to the pix.

[DD18238]

Ever get the watch back? How’s it looking? Was the bracelet the new solid version?

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by DD18238

Ever get the watch back? How’s it looking? Was the bracelet the new solid version?

I got it back! I need to post pictures. And yes, Rolex built the OEM bracelet to fit the 18038 case, and it has the newer solid links. Even the AD was surprised that it was the new solid links. It is actually noticeably heavier than before.