Oysterflex Band Article

[Chewbacca]

courtesy Bloomberg (mr. big gulp)


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...e-rubber-strap

[Rogdogg]

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing. I was trying to read up more about this yesterday but couldn't find much on it.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Thanks for sharing, very interesting . I didn't know the spine of the Oysterflex was titanium.

[JapRs]

Would it be available soon? For other models as sub?

[crowncollection]

Thanks for sharing

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JapRs

Would it be available soon? For other models as sub?

Who knows but you can bet it will cost two arms and half a leg,most probably make even the Rubber B look a cheap buy.No matter how complicated and the made up fancy names its still a rubber strap.So do we need one of these rubber straps in today's mainly pampered watch most probably not.One of the toughest and long lasting rubber straps well tested underwater was on a Citizen Aqualand 11 dive watch.I bought one around 2000 after losing a SD in the Red sea that watch spend quite a few hours underwater. And now 15 years later with quite a bit of wear and tear still on the original strap.Plus that total watch cost then far less than what the Rubber B costs today.

[watchwatcher]

Can't wait to try one on.

[osamu]

I love the idea of those cushions. The watches I have with a rubber strap do get awfully warm after a while sometimes. I don't like the idea of a non-adjustable bracelet where you have to order by size at the time of purchase? At least that's what I thought I heard. Just seems like would make it hard to find the right size on the secondary market, or limit the sale of the watch should you ever want to flip it. Not to mention ever trying to share the watch with someone.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by osamu

...I don't like the idea of a non-adjustable bracelet where you have to order by size at the time of purchase? At least that's what I thought I heard. Just seems like would make it hard to find the right size on the secondary market, or limit the sale of the watch should you ever want to flip it. Not to mention ever trying to share the watch with someone.

I believe the dealers have a special sizing kit and will size the bracelet to your wrist when you purchase. That does bring up some interesting questions that you've addressed, however...especially the secondary market and flipping. I certainly don't have an answer, but I would love to hear some thoughts from some of our trusted sellers on how they plan to deal with the secondary market with this watch.

[Alpino]

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Here's how it works ...

[theprocess]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Thanks for sharing, very interesting . I didn't know the spine of the Oysterflex was titanium.

Ditto. Translation big bucks.

[GerardoG]

Thank you for sharing!

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Alpino

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Here's how it works ...

Great info! Looks like I'm an "E". Any chance of scanning it so we can print it out ourselves and use it?

[superdog]

I'm excited to check this out.

[Garethmjones1]

Interesting article.

These are the first pictures I have seen of the Oysterflex fitting between the lugs on the reverse of the watch. It's not the perfect angle, but it's difficult to see how you access the spring bars for removal.

[LuminousMaximus]

Well, I was hoping to buy on when it comes to the secondary market like David SW, but now seeing how it is sized, it will be difficult to find not only the Yachtmaster you like at the right price, but also that it fits your individual wrist.

I think Rolex knew that this watch bracelet would force many to buy New, due to the sizing restrictions... And therefore pay full price?

[moisesgaules]

I wanna try it on.. i like how this thing works..

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by LuminousMaximus

Well, I was hoping to buy on when it comes to the secondary market like David SW, but now seeing how it is sized, it will be difficult to find not only the Yachtmaster you like at the right price, but also that it fits your individual wrist.

I think Rolex knew that this watch bracelet would force many to buy New, due to the sizing restrictions... And therefore pay full price?

How so? You'd buy a used one and then simply buy a new strap for it if the one that was fitted didn't fit. It appears that each of the sizes fits a wide range so odds are pretty good (1/6 at least) that it may even work.

If the higher volume sellers have sufficient inventory of this model, they may even end up collecting enough sizes to exchange for you.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by kilyung

How so? You'd buy a used one and then simply buy a new strap for it if the one that was fitted didn't fit. It appears that each of the sizes fits a wide range so odds are pretty good (1/6 at least) that it may even work.

You make buying strap from Rolex independently appear easy!

I doubt that you can buy that strap without the watch at least for starting few years!

[Dittox]

I'm curious on the availability of the Oysterflex. I'm sure it will be incredibly expensive, but if its readily available (and can fit other Rolex models) then that would take away a little bit of the uniqueness of the new YM.

[sampelligrino]

If we can get the Oysterflex as a stand-alone strap Lord have mercy I'm pulling the trigger on my grail a year early, getting the RG Ceramic Daytona and throwing that Oysterflex strap on it

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I doubt that you can buy that strap without the watch at least for starting few years!

That was my point. I'd assume that if the AD is selling the RG YM, they should have them in stock. So it should be a simple matter of walking in and getting it if you bought a used RG YM from one of the sellers here.

Now if you're trying to buy one for another Rolex, well that I would imagine to be difficult (else they'd run out for the RG YM).

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by kilyung

That was my point. I'd assume that if the AD is selling the RG YM, they should have them in stock. So it should be a simple matter of walking in and getting it if you bought a used RG YM from one of the sellers here.

Now if you're trying to buy one for another Rolex, well that I would imagine to be difficult (else they'd run out for the RG YM).

Well, its not a stand alone item as of now. It is just like any other bracelet and comes with the watch. AD are just supposed just to resize the same strap to the person buying it. Its not like they will have extra straps lying around (without the watch case) nor they do have extra bracelets lying around now.

Let me add: I think you are thinking rubber strap like the additional straps comes with Tudor or Omega Natos. Those are 'additional' besides the original bracelet and can be bought stand alone but if it comes with the watch only with that option, you can't buy those (unless its RSC with the repair)

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Alpino

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Here's how it works ...

great informative post. thank you.

[tkerrmd]

Thanks!

[SC11]

It's an interesting one about supply! As you would imagine an AD will have a stock of various sizes so they can sell the watch with the correct strap, so moving on if someone purchased a watch s/hand or even if they gained a bit of weight and wanted to change the strap size the AD would be able to sell them one!

However this to me is the interesting point as we know Rolex likes to control the sale of certain parts, how can they do this anyone with a RG YM could go in purchase a strap and put on another watch or sell on etc so it may not be the case but the only way round this for Rolex would be exchange only!

[Brandon(phila)]

I like metal bracelets

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Brandon(phila)

I like metal bracelets

oysterflex is a bracelet!

[Oyster99]

Originally Posted by Maxy

oysterflex is a bracelet!

Thats why he said metal bracelets

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Oyster99

Thats why he said metal bracelets

Lol, I'm sure the post was "I like bracelets" I think it was edited while I'm replying and even updated in my quote. I didn't realize it.