Comparing Rolex Bracelet Options
Rolex is one watchmaker that requires no further introduction. Regardless of where in the world you go, people will know about the Rolex brand. This brand is prolific and well-regarded for its high precision, celebrated, and timeless outputs. Rolex is yet another Swiss watchmaker that successfully passed the test of time in different areas like design, reliability, and precision. But, have you ever noticed the array of Rolex bracelet options available out there?
In the last few years, the designs of Rolex have developed, but Rolex is known as a brand that effects subtle but significant inventions and refinements. All of these changes made over time are critical and calculated. Yet, they improve the acceptance of Rolex watches considerably. These improvements over the years come in the area of quality, design, and reliability.
Truly, Rolex’s watches and movements are the most essential components of Rolex’s timepieces. Yet, a component that may not be discussed as much as it should is Rolex bracelets.
Vast Array of Rolex Bracelet Options
More so, Rolex boasts a number of bracelet designs that have now become as legendary as Rolex’s watch designs. The majority of Rolex’s bracelet designs now serve as the precept for bracelets for watches.
Additionally, it’s crucial not to undervalue how much the bracelet of a Rolex watch matters in its general style, appearance, and wearability. You can easily discover these areas when switching from a Rolex bracelet to a NATO-strap, or leather strap. Doing so will most likely affect the watch’s aesthetic totally.
In the last few years, Rolex has come up with a number of distinct bracelet designs. These bracelet options experienced subtle improvements and changes at different points. All these changes are in a bid to make them perform better, improve their quality, and allow them to fit more comfortably on the wrist.
Furthermore, Rolex pays just as much attention to their bracelet options as they do with their watches. Rolex didn’t design their bracelets merely to keep the watch fixed on your wrist. Instead, these Rolex bracelet options are crucial design elements that finish off the look of the wristwatch.
Overall, all elements in a Rolex’s design are products made for a purpose firsthand. Aside from their first-hand functions, they also help better the looks second-hand. So, this is why you can bank on the various Rolex bracelet options to be exceptionally solid and reliable, comfortable, and of high quality.
Finally, according to many watch collectors, the Rolex bracelet options present the most comfortable watch bracelet options available out there. Hence, in this text, we’ll go through the history of Rolex bracelets and consider the different bracelet options that the brand paraded over the years. Also, we will observe their subtle changes over time.
At The Beginning with Gay Frères
In Rolex’s early days, Rolex watches didn’t come outfitted with metal bracelets like most of Rolex’s watches are present. Rather, they were, just like all watches at the time, equipped with leather straps. These straps were very comfortable on the wrist and they completed the look of the design of the watch designs of that period.
It all changed from the 1920s when Rolex began to equip their timepieces with metal bracelets. However, they didn’t produce these bracelets themselves like it is today.
Rather, they ordered the bracelets from the Swiss company Gay Frères. This was a company working solely on the production of watch bracelets. Also, this company produced bracelets for a number of other leading Swiss watchmaking brands aside from Rolex. So, when looking at watches from this time that come equipped with Gay Freres bracelets, you can see that several of them feature bracelets that are similar in style.
The perhaps most notable fact about Gay Frères is that they designed the initial Audemars Piguet Royal Oak bracelet. However, Rolex is a watchmaker that needs no comparison with any watch brand. This Swiss watchmaking brand simply wants to be a company that people see as an industry leader. Rolex always makes an effort to lead the way, or more correctly, create the path.
In all, it is not unusual that the time finally came for Rolex to develop its own bracelet designs to complement its time tools. Due to this, in the late 1930s, Rolex developed its own bracelet design, which was the first iteration of the today so celebrated Oyster bracelet.
At The End With Rolex and Gay Frères
Gay Frères created Rolex’s first oyster bracelets. Nevertheless, the bracelets were originally not offered as standard Rolex bracelet options in Rolex’s catalogs. In some way, this is because they were, at the time, an expensive part of the watch that most Rolex lovers didn’t fancy. At the time, the bracelet cost about half the amount of several Rolex timepieces.
Later on, to further deliver expertise with Rolex bracelet options Rolex acquired Gay Frères. This comes after several decades of being the sole supplier of Role bracelet options for its watches. Rolex acquired the company in 1998 to bolster Rolex’s goal of making the production process of its watches more hitch-free.
With this acquisition, Rolex got more control over the entire manufacturing process. More so, this helped to reduce the cost of production. Now, with the increased creation of Rolex timepieces, and thus the orders of bracelets from Gay Frères, the acquisition of the company was a beneficial move for Rolex.
Present-Day Rolex Bracelet Options
Presently, Rolex delivers several different types of bracelets. They include the following:
- Oyster bracelet
- President bracelet
- Jubilee bracelet
- Pearlmaster bracelet
- Leather strap
- Oysterflex rubber strap
Each one of these bracelets comes with a unique design. However, what is most important is that they serve diverse purposes. With some of the bracelets, you have dressier options. And the other bracelets are sportier and more robust in style and appearance.
Moreover, the metal of the bracelet is well recognized in the reference number of the timepiece. When you look at the Rolex reference number of a particular model, you can instantly tell which metal the watch and bracelet feature. From the last digit of the reference, you can instantly tell what metal you have there.
However, what the last digit doesn’t tell you is if the watch has a leather strap and a rubber strap bracelet option.
Rolex Bracelet Options and Clasps
Bracelets and clasps are an integral part of the remarkable pleasure that comes from wearing a Rolex timepiece. The ergonomics of these two are carefully studied. They both have unique robustness, reliability, aesthetics, and luster all ingrained in the personality of the watch.
Similar to the Oyster case, they are the product of a sophisticated blend of form and function. Considering their design, growth, and production, as well as the stringent tests they pass through, they will always stand out. These parts of any Rolex watch comprise advanced technology, know-how, and craftsmanship as well.
Regardless of the vast variety of watches that Rolex delivers, only four different styles of bracelets are available out there. The Pearlmaster bracelet technically counts as one of the bracelet options. But, it has an extremely limited production output. Plus, this bracelet option comes exclusively fitted to Rolex’s gem-encrusted, precious metal, Pearlmaster line of wristwatches.
As for the rest of Rolex’s various watches, you either have an Oyster, Jubilee, or President bracelet. Nevertheless, not all bracelet styles are available for all lines of Rolex wristwatches. Also, some bracelets are only products of particular materials.
In all, there are four types of Rolex bracelets in addition to the leather strap. These four types of Rolex bracelet options include the Oyster, Jubilee, President, and Pearlmaster. For every bracelet, there is a variety of options such as metal type, color, and clasp type. As for the Oyster, Jubilee, and President bracelets, they are widely known as prominent and standard equipment on most Rolex lines of watches.
The Oyster Bracelet
Initially launched in the late 1930s, the Oyster bracelet is Rolex’s initial in-house bracelet design. Also, this bracelet is the only bracelet style that you can find as an option on every single line of Rolex watches.
In addition, it is the only bracelet style that comes in every single metal type and mixture. More so, particular lines of Rolex watches, like the Submariner and Explorer, are available with an Oyster bracelet option only.
The Oyster bracelet employs Rolex’s celebrated and distinctive three-link design. This design continues to remarkably feature as a visually constant figure since its initial introduction. With a large, flat structure, its links earn the praise of being the most robust style of bracelet that Rolex produces. Meanwhile, this bracelet is the default option for many of Rolex’s professional lines of wristwatches.
Truly, the Oyster bracelet (like all other Rolex bracelet styles) also experienced many subtle upgrades and improvements throughout the years. Still, its overall look is greatly untouched. Also, its aesthetic is now one of the defining traits of the Rolex brand.
The Jubilee Bracelet
First debuted in 1945, the Jubilee bracelet is a specific design made for the Datejust line of watches. This came in celebration of Rolex’s 40th anniversary. As this bracelet option first got introduced, the Jubilee bracelet became Rolex’s flagship offering. Then, it was solely available in solid gold.
But, since the President bracelet now serves as Rolex’s premier bracelet option, the Jubilee is now produced in every single metal variety except white gold and platinum.
Moreover, the Jubilee bracelet utilizes a five-piece, semi-circular link design that has a more advanced and gorgeous look. This appearance is better than that of the Oyster bracelet. Similar to other Rolex bracelet styles, the Jubilee bracelet also passed through many updates and refinements throughout the years.
In all, Rolex continuously toils to enhance the reliability and functionality of its products. Formerly, the Jubilee bracelet comes fitted to a number of different lines of watches in the Rolex lineup. But, it is now only available as an option on the Datejust and GMT-Master II lines of wristwatches.
The President Bracelet
Developed particularly for Rolex’s Day-Date line of watches, the President bracelet has only ever been a product of solid 18k gold or platinum. This has been the case since its initial launch in 1956. Being Rolex’s flagship bracelet offering, the President bracelet is only available as an option on the Day-Date line of watches. You can also find them on the precious metal versions of the lady Datejust watches
In addition, the general appearance of the President bracelet is relatively something of a blend between an Oyster bracelet and a Jubilee bracelet. Here is a three-piece, semi-circular link design that provides the bracelet with a more elegant look and feels compared to the Oyster bracelet.
But, the single, rounded center link bestows on it a less delicate appearance compared to the Jubilee bracelet style. The latter uses three smaller links in the center. Modern-day President bracelets employ ceramic inserts inside the links for increased durability. Also, they always come fitted with Rolex’s Crownclasp, a concealed clasp design that generates a seamless effect all over the band.
The Pearlmaster Bracelet
Introduced in 1992, the Pearlmaster bracelet features an innovative design that makes it stand out. Also, the Pearlmaster bracelet is only offered on the Rolex Pearlmaster. This Pearlmaster bracelet is available in an array of varied metal types including gold, white gold, rose gold, and Tridor. If you don’t know, Trudor is a combination of all three types of gold in one piece.
Lady Rolex Bracelets
These women’s Rolex bracelet options come noticeably lesser in size. Aside from that difference in size, they are the same as the men’s bracelets. They also feature the same style and construction as you can find in their male counterparts.