1803 President links

[Slimpee]

Hey all, I just inherited my grandfather’s 1803 with President bracelet. It will be joining my DJ41. Guess I’m more of a dress watch guy.

In the last year of his life he had some links removed. I know they were saved but they’ve disappeared.

Do any of you have a good source for additional links? I’m not sure how many I will need...maybe 2 or 3. I can barely even get it over my hand so maybe more than 3.

Any help is appreciated!

Edit: Pic attached. This has huge sentimental value!

[zapokee]

Sorry for the loss of Grandpa.

Rolex will still sell you links for an 1803, but they won't be cheap (I'm guessing around 400 USD each...) - contact your AD. Otherwise, you might be able to pick up some second-hand ones from the sales board on this forum, or make a "want to buy" post. Yellow gold links aren't so uncommon.

Note: If you buy, for example, three links together, you have to make sure the extent of their stretch matches that of your bracelet. It's tricky to put together links from different bracelets without some sort of mismatch, but it can be done. Anyway, there are people who can tighten up the bracelet if you end up with stretched links.

I'd avoid Ebay because of all the fakes.

A nice leather strap is an option in the meantime. That beauty needs to be worn!

Good luck with it!

[Slimpee]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Sorry for the loss of Grandpa.

Rolex will still sell you links for an 1803, but they won't be cheap (I'm guessing around 400 USD each...) - contact your AD. Otherwise, you might be able to pick up some second-hand ones from the sales board on this forum, or make a "want to buy" post. Yellow gold links aren't so uncommon.

Note: If you buy, for example, three links together, you have to make sure the extent of their stretch matches that of your bracelet. It's tricky to put together links from different bracelets without some sort of mismatch, but it can be done. Anyway, there are people who can tighten up the bracelet if you end up with stretched links.

I'd avoid Ebay because of all the fakes.

A nice leather strap is an option in the meantime. That beauty needs to be worn!

Good luck with it!

Thank you! I’ll post a longer story about he and the watch once I sit down to a computer. He was a great man and this watch served as a marker of success for him. I hope to continue the legacy!

I will take it to a local reputable watch repairer to get his thoughts. I may put it on a strap until I figure out the bracelet. Hopefully the links will turn up but I won’t hold my breath.

[Slimpee]

I threw it on a leather strap so I can use it and ran the serial number...produced in 1972. I had thought it was 1970 but now that I look back, I do think grandpa said ‘72.

He literally bought it off the wrist of a local jeweler whom I believe was an AD at the time. He told my grandpa that Rolex wanted him to wear another watch so he’d make a deal on the DD. Grandpa said he was lucky my grandma didn’t kill him.

[zapokee]

Post a photo of that baby on the strap!

[Slimpee]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Post a photo of that baby on the strap!

I love it! I’m headed to the shop today to ask about the bracelet but I dig it on a strap! While the bracelet is figured out, I may buy a few quick-change straps just to vary things up.

Also, is the tall dome standard for an 1803 circa 1972?

[Richard Carver]

Does it have screw links?

[Slimpee]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Does it have screw links?

I’m not 100% sure what that means but there are no screws on the outside of the links except at the clasp.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Sorry for the loss of Grandpa.

Rolex will still sell you links for an 1803, but they won't be cheap (I'm guessing around 400 USD each...) - contact your AD. Otherwise, you might be able to pick up some second-hand ones from the sales board on this forum, or make a "want to buy" post. Yellow gold links aren't so uncommon.

Won't it look completely out of place since the other links are worn/beat up? It's a 50 year old link vs a new one.

Like you advised, I think the best solution is a leather strap (or suede) and not use the bracelet.

[Slimpee]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Won't it look completely out of place since the other links are worn/beat up? It's a 50 year old link vs a new one.

Like you advised, I think the best solution is a leather strap (or suede) and not use the bracelet.

I have seen people post about “tightening” bracelets and perused the Rolliworks website. Perhaps i can get used replacement links and then tighten it all up. I don’t know if that’s an option for my bracelet, though, or how it would look.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Slimpee

I have seen people post about “tightening” bracelets and perused the Rolliworks website. Perhaps i can get used replacement links and then tighten it all up. I don’t know if that’s an option for my bracelet, though, or how it would look.

Certainly an option to get extra links and then have it all tightened up. Have a word with Rolliworks.

Looks awesome on the strap, though. No rush to get those bracelet links!

Try a brown Horween Cordovan strap too. Looks great on a DD! If I may, the 1802...