Hello all....

[REXMTL]

New member and I must say I do enjoy reading everyones opinions here!

My big day was May 21st, 2000 when I was finally able to go purchase my 1st ss submariner date (A-series). I had saved up for some time (being a recent graduate) and I will never forget that day for the rest of my life!
I've always had a passion for watches... an expensive "hobby" I inherited from my father and the sub is for me the quintessential gentleman’s sport watch.

Anyway, I look forward to corresponding with all of you!

[mailman]

Hi REX. Welcome to TRF Glad you found us and hope you stick around. We have alot of fun here and our members are quite knowledgeable.

I have the same watch. A series also. Bought on Sept 5 2000. Mine has solid end links(SELs). Does yours? Wait till JJ reads your post. He will love you right from the get go.

[REXMTL]

Hello Mailman and thanx for the kind welcome.
It's so strange that you should ask that question "Mine has solid end links(SELs). Does yours?"
To first answer your query, no it doesn't and it's been bugging me since I purchased the watch. Before buying it, I had been educating myself about the sub and it's history. There was a "buzz" going around about the SEL's finally being applied to the Stainless sub model. When I asked the authorized dealers around here they had no idea what I was talking about (which is sad, frankly). Sure enough, the subs began to roll out with this beautiful bracelet.
Anyways, I purchased the watch and I've been smiling ever since.
I do have a two-part question however;
Can I purchase the SEL bracelet separately and can it be attached to my A-series sub? I'm unsure if the lugs are somehow different (??)
Also, is it worth doing....? I've been agonizing over that question for some time.
Again, thanks for the welcome

[Uncle-AJ]

Welcome to TRF REX stay around and join in the fun.

I wouldn't worry about changing the bracelet on your watch 99% of people would not notice the end links and it wouldn't be original any more.

[JJ Irani]

Hi Rex,

A BIG welcome to TRF and congrats on the Quintessential and ULTIMATE Rolex. You just can't beat a Sub!!

Here's mine....

[mailman]

Originally Posted by REXMTL

Can I purchase the SEL bracelet separately and can it be attached to my A-series sub? I'm unsure if the lugs are somehow different (??)
Also, is it worth doing....? I've been agonizing over that question for some time.
Again, thanks for the welcome

I don't know if you can put a SEL braclet on something that didn't come with one? Hopefully someone else can chime in and answer your question. But like AJ said, 99% of people won't notice it anyway. The braclet itself is rather expensive. I believe it's smoewhere in the neighborhood of $650 US.

[padi56]

Big welcome to TRF Rex dont worry about the sels its not a big deal.

[Rockrolex]

Let me add my welcome to TRF, REX. Glad you found your way over to our merry madhouse. You've got the quintessential Rolex there (although whether it is the "Ultimate" Rolex has been a matter of hot debate around here since time immemorial - or at least since JJ got his SS Sub).

Stick around and join in the fun. Once in a while we even get serious, but that doesn't last too long, fortunately.

[colemanitis]

Welcome to the forum!

[dman]

Welcome to TRF.

[C.J.]

Welcome aboard, Rex We look forward to hearing more from you

[REXMTL]

Thanx all for the warm welcome....
Nice pic JJ... such a nice watch.. classic and timeless!
I realize that the SEL issue shouldn't be an issue for me but it's just bothered me for some time now. I will investigate further just out of curiousity to see if replacing the bracelet would be do-able ... I'll keep everyone posted with any findings.

Thanks again

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by REXMTL

Thanx all for the warm welcome....
Nice pic JJ... such a nice watch.. classic and timeless!
I realize that the SEL issue shouldn't be an issue for me but it's just bothered me for some time now. I will investigate further just out of curiousity to see if replacing the bracelet would be do-able ... I'll keep everyone posted with any findings.

Thanks again

Good luck on the bracelet issue, Rex!!

But be happy in your mind that your piece still runs the immortal 3135 movement which is still current in so many of Rolex's new models!! The BEST there is - go 3135!!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Good luck on the bracelet issue, Rex!!

But be happy in your mind that your piece still runs the immortal 3135 movement which is still current in so many of Rolex's new models!! The BEST there is - go 3135!!

Ooohhhh JJ. Ed will have something to say about this.

I'm guessing that it should be possible to fit SEL endlinks on an A series 16610. Since I doubt they'd redesign the case mid-way through a production run, it makes sense it should fit. Talk to a good AD and see if it can be done. Rolex USA can be anal about changing something on a watch that it wasn't spec'ed with, but a good watchmaker should be able to answer the question for sure. But I'd guess because the endlinks are integrated into the upper part of the bracelet, I'm guessing you'd have to get a completely new bracelet, unless you can find either new old stock or something used (unlikely, given SEL has only been around for six years on the sub).

Good luck.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Atomic

I'm guessing that it should be possible to fit SEL endlinks on an A series 16610. Since I doubt they'd redesign the case mid-way through a production run, it makes sense it should fit. Talk to a good AD and see if it can be done. Rolex USA can be anal about changing something on a watch that it wasn't spec'ed with, but a good watchmaker should be able to answer the question for sure. But I'd guess because the endlinks are integrated into the upper part of the bracelet, I'm guessing you'd have to get a completely new bracelet, unless you can find either new old stock or something used (unlikely, given SEL has only been around for six years on the sub).

Good luck.

Good advice, Johnny. I think it should fit....but he will have to buy a new bracelet, unless he gets very lucky with a slightly used one. But where will he find one?

[REXMTL]

Originally Posted by Atomic

I'm guessing that it should be possible to fit SEL endlinks on an A series 16610. Since I doubt they'd redesign the case mid-way through a production run, it makes sense it should fit. Talk to a good AD and see if it can be done. Rolex USA can be anal about changing something on a watch that it wasn't spec'ed with, but a good watchmaker should be able to answer the question for sure. But I'd guess because the endlinks are integrated into the upper part of the bracelet, I'm guessing you'd have to get a completely new bracelet, unless you can find either new old stock or something used (unlikely, given SEL has only been around for six years on the sub).

Good luck.

Now that you mention it, I wonder if the end links only could be replaced.. As you've said it's an integrated part of the bracelet... hmmm.
The more I think about it, the more I begin to wonder if it wouldn't be best to just leave it alone. Is it bad to change it seeing as how it's not the way it was made ?
In any case, I appreciate the advice. I'll go to an AD asap to look into it.

Originally Posted by REXMTL

Now that you mention it, I wonder if the end links only could be replaced.. As you've said it's an integrated part of the bracelet... hmmm.
The more I think about it, the more I begin to wonder if it wouldn't be best to just leave it alone. Is it bad to change it seeing as how it's not the way it was made ?
In any case, I appreciate the advice. I'll go to an AD asap to look into it.

I don't think the endlinks can be replaced alone because of the way the links are fastened.

I think you have three choices

(1) leave it alone

(2) buy a replacement bracelet (and you could sell the old one to offset the cost)

(3) trade up the watch for a newer one that has SEL