16610 bracelet

[JoeSSSUB]

I have the 16610 SS Sub w/ date, it’s sloppy and stretched, my question is this, can I purchase a new one, the same one that’s on it? I want the original type that came with the watch when purchased new in 2002. I’m never going to sell it, it’s going to my son one day so I want it the way it came, just don’t want to give it to him stretched out. Also I like the look of the black rubber band, I was told Rolex doesn’t make one for my vintage, any truth to this, any help would be appreciated

[0nly5iv3Digits]

If you’re close to an RSC location I’d go in and inquire. They still make the old bracelets for 5 digit Rolex and will still sell them as far as I’m aware.

Barring that, it can be “re-pinned” to get rid of the slop you’re describing.

[THC]

Rolliworks in Florida is a great restorer

[skipstar]

The classified section has some 5 digit Sub brackets for sale.

[Glidelock]

The options are endless really, as it can be replaced w/ OEM by Rolex, or you can buy a new old stock OEM either here, or one of the other watch forums and even EBay if you vet the seller appropriately! Or you can buy a slightly used one w/ little to no stretch, or you can simply have it restored! In that model & timeframe, you can even choose wether or not you want a 901B End Link.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by JoeSSSUB

I have the 16610 SS Sub w/ date, it’s sloppy and stretched, my question is this, can I purchase a new one, the same one that’s on it? I want the original type that came with the watch when purchased new in 2002. I’m never going to sell it, it’s going to my son one day so I want it the way it came, just don’t want to give it to him stretched out. Also I like the look of the black rubber band, I was told Rolex doesn’t make one for my vintage, any truth to this, any help would be appreciated

Of course any Rolex AD or RSC should be able to get you the 93250 Oyster bracelet (the same you have on your watch)

[Tools]

Originally Posted by JoeSSSUB

I have the 16610 SS Sub w/ date, it’s sloppy and stretched, my question is this, can I purchase a new one, the same one that’s on it? I want the original type that came with the watch when purchased new in 2002. I’m never going to sell it, it’s going to my son one day so I want it the way it came, just don’t want to give it to him stretched out. Also I like the look of the black rubber band, I was told Rolex doesn’t make one for my vintage, any truth to this, any help would be appreciated

Your watch is far from "vintage" and it is very likely that they do, indeed, have plenty of the early 93250 Sub Date bracelets available.

Rolex would not sell you the newer Oysterflex rubber straps since it was not available for your year/model. If you can find one, it would very likely fit.

[ltmgeller]

Give an RSC a call

[JoeSSSUB]

Originally Posted by Tools

Your watch is far from "vintage" and it is very likely that they do, indeed, have plenty of the early 93250 Sub Date bracelets available.

Rolex would not sell you the newer Oysterflex rubber straps since it was not available for your year/model. If you can find one, it would very likely fit.

By vintage I was referring to when it was new, not that it was a vintage watch, thanks for the info on the Oysterflex.

[csaltphoto]

Cheapest would be a rebuild from Rolliworks followed by an exchange from RSC. On the after market these bracelets go for at least 2x what they do from RSC.

[dakotap]

I just recently (within 6 months) purchased a replacement 93150 bracelet for my 1994 stainless 16610 sub from my AD. It ran me $1250 plus Rolex required they keep and send back my old bracelet.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by THC

Rolliworks in Florida is a great restorer

+1


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[joli160]

Keep it all original with the same bracelet you always used.
Have it restored, cheaper and much nicer

[East of Eden]

If you like rubber straps check out Everest

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by JoeSSSUB

By vintage I was referring to when it was new, not that it was a vintage watch, thanks for the info on the Oysterflex.

Oysterflex would fit your case, but unlikely that it would work with your clasp.

Rubber B do lots of high quality straps which will not leave gaps at the case the way an Oysterflex will.

https://rubberb.com/series/rolex-wat...models-classic

As do others.

[Flypanam]

There are a few options, as mentioned. I have a 16610 from 2004, no holes case with the 93250 bracelet, which has some stretch. I've been looking into getting it restored a bit (it was previously polished by RSC but the stretch was not fixed), and have run into a few alternatives.

A rubber strap looks great on a sub. I have a black oysterflex lookalike strap from Crafter Blue. Rubber B, Everest, Horus, and others make great alternatives as well.

You can obviously purchase another OEM bracelet. Those have gotten more expensive as time goes on.

You can have the bracelet stretch fixed by Rolliworks or a similar service. Though honestly I think Rolliworks is the best. It should be about $350-400 just to fix the stretch I think. They will do a great job.

The final option that I went with (for now) was to buy a Ginault Ocean Rover bracelet. This is likely a controversial thing for some people, as the Ginault OR is famously a sub clone, but that's also why the bracelet fits on the 16610 so well. I know for a fact it fits without any gap or jiggle on my no-holes case, but I think it should fit on your 2002 case as well. It feels a more solid than the 93150 / 93250 bracelets with their 90's jangle and hollow links, and comes with a bootleg glidelock clasp that actually feels quite solid and allows for precise and easy microadjustment. It's about $280 I think.

Good luck!