Gold Daytona model 116518 strap to bracelet?

[HRS911]

Hello, I have a Daytona model 116518 (new in 2006) that originally came with a leather strap / gold deployment buckle. My question is can it be upgraded to an 18K Bracelet? solid link bracelet? if yes do I need to replace the end links as well? thanks in advance for any help.

[Eacast]

From what i had read, if the daytona comes with leather or oysterflex, it cant be exchange for a bracelet, and the same happens if it came with a bracelet, cant go with leather or oysterflex. Best solution is to get a daytona with the bracelet and get a rubber b band so yiu could use both.

[eanzenberg]

Check out rolliworks in San Jose CA. They’ve done this conversion on daytona’s before. It requires removing the bezel to remove the solid endlinks. It means putting the leather or oysterflex back will leave a gap that will need to be filled, so do it if you feel like keeping it on the bracelet forever.

[HRS911]

Thanks for the collaboration folks... I have to say that the Rolex community is very responsive and helpful. In today’s day and age of snarky conversations I'm pleasantly surprised and grateful.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by HRS911

Hello, I have a Daytona model 116518 (new in 2006) that originally came with a leather strap / gold deployment buckle. My question is can it be upgraded to an 18K Bracelet? solid link bracelet? if yes do I need to replace the end links as well? thanks in advance for any help.

Not 100% sure but the gold bracelets are a SEL fitting thats machined into the case ring of the original all gold watches.The strap fitting watches are different to the all gold ones, and to change would be extremely expensive. As the GOLD bracelet cost and mod if it could be done,best option sell yours and buy the all gold version Daytona.

[jamescarter2a]

The YG Daytona Bracelet might have a slightly different endlink compared to the fixed endlink on the OF YG version.

SS 116500 and "full YG" 116508 Daytonas seem to have the same asymetrical case shape, whereas the other references (including full RG 116505 / full WG 116509 / and all the OF Daytonas including the YG 116518) seem to have the same symetrical case.