Are authentic rolex bracelets worth the $?

[Titan1979]

I have a '69 airking with its original folded oyster bracelet. I am considering buying a genuine rolex solid link oyster bracelet from an AD. They want $590.00 for it. I can get an after market bracelet for much cheaper. Is the genuine bracelet worth the money?

[Brentomatic]

You bet it is! Don't cheapen your watch with an after market addition. Keep it real. Keep it authentic.

[Wolfgang427]

Originally Posted by Titan1979

I have a '69 airking with its original folded oyster bracelet. I am considering buying a genuine rolex solid link oyster bracelet from an AD. They want $590.00 for it. I can get an after market bracelet for much cheaper. Is the genuine bracelet worth the money?

In one word...YES. The new bracelet will make your watch feel and look better then it was when it was brand new.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by Titan1979

I have a '69 airking with its original folded oyster bracelet. I am considering buying a genuine rolex solid link oyster bracelet from an AD. They want $590.00 for it. I can get an after market bracelet for much cheaper. Is the genuine bracelet worth the money?

Aftermarket

Aftermarket = FAKE!

[BarkMaster]

My wife's DJ has a very good aftermarket Jubilee. It looks and functions as good as the orginal.

That said, I made sure mine was 100% original!

[smallcandle]

While I don't know if you can make the arguement that genuine Rolex bracelets are worth the money, you certainly CAN make the arguement that an aftermarket bracelet will cheapen and reduce the value of your timepiece.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by smallcandle

While I don't know if you can make the arguement that genuine Rolex bracelets are worth the money, you certainly CAN make the arguement that an aftermarket bracelet will cheapen and reduce the value of your timepiece.

x2

[Pep04]

I have an aftermarket clasp for my Panerai because I wanted to preserve the beauty of the original one. The aftermarket doesn't look as nice, but ironically it scratches much less. And, I'm not careful with it. When I go somewhere nice in a suit, I put on the original. But to hang at a bar watching a game, screw it, I use the aftermarket crap.

In terms of bracelet, I imagine that it won't FEEL as smooth, but for the purpose of beating it up....who cares?
So, aftermarket is OK in my book.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Nicko

Aftermarket

Aftermarket = FAKE!

Rolex's are like a orgasm, sometimes they are fake.

[esm]

I disagree that aftermarket = fake.
Imo it is just another option to the original.

However, I would agree that replica = fake.

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by Nicko

Aftermarket

Aftermarket = FAKE!

Um not really. Aftermarket is just another choice, way cheaper too.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by kyle L

Um not really. Aftermarket is just another choice, way cheaper too.

Aftermarket isn't always cheaper.

[pz93c]

That's entirely your decision.

This thread has some great comments in it.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=105378

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Aftermarket isn't always cheaper.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by esm

I disagree that aftermarket = fake.
Imo it is just another option to the original.

However, I would agree that replica = fake.

I have to disagree, aftermarket in my book is fake when you are talking about a piece of the watch as important as a bracelet. To me, the watch should be 100% original. Would you install an aftermarket dial? Crystal? Then why would you put an aftermarket bracelet on the watch? We're not talking about a change, a NATO to rough around in, we're talking about not spending the money to put something original back on the watch. Anyway, we're talking a vintage watch and truthfully it should have a vintage bracelet as well. Only my opinion.

[TattooedGQ]

I actually bought a newer style aftermarket jubilee for my DJ since i wanted to update the look from the original folded band......wore it for like a week, hated the cheap feel of it, and now i'm back on folded jubilee.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by smallcandle

While I don't know if you can make the arguement that genuine Rolex bracelets are worth the money, you certainly CAN make the arguement that an aftermarket bracelet will cheapen and reduce the value of your timepiece.

X3

I will also agree with the comment that vintage watches should have matching vintage bracelets too.

[esm]

hang on a tick, i was only talking about aftermarket vs genuine and that aftermarket is not considered as fake. It is simply another option.

So why would someone even thought about replacing a genuine bracelet with an aftermarket version? Who knows? Obviously this is not an important issue, at least for the OP anyway.

I respect your opinion that bracelet is an important part of a watch, especially in the case of a rolex vintage, and I agree with you.

IMO it is just an unfair statement that aftermarket = fake, which in fact it is not, otherwise it wouldn't have been called "aftermarket" but "replica" or "genuine fake" or something alone that line.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by esm

hang on a tick, i was only talking about aftermarket vs genuine and that aftermarket is not considered as fake. It is simply another option.

So why would someone even thought about replacing a genuine bracelet with an aftermarket version? Who knows? Obviously this is not an important issue, at least for the OP anyway.

I respect your opinion that bracelet is an important part of a watch, especially in the case of a rolex vintage, and I agree with you.

IMO it is just an unfair statement that aftermarket = fake, which in fact it is not, otherwise it wouldn't have been called "aftermarket" but "replica" or "genuine fake" or something alone that line.

I agree with you as well...I was thinking of the knock-offs with the crown more than true "aftermarket".

[esm]

oh yeahgood stuff Nicko!! an "aftermarket" with a knock off crown is a huge no-no. In that case, the sh!t would hit the fan even with JJ.... ;-)

[Zilworm]

Hi,

I have a 2 Tone Submariner with SEL bracelet, with the old style clasp. I want to upgrade to the new clasp.

Do I need a whole new bracelet or just the clasp ( I know the new style bracelet will fit as I tried it with another new style bracelet.)

Thanks

Mike

[HunterST]

I am in the same boat. I am looking for a 20mm oyster for my late '80's datejust. Definitely going with the authentic, but having trouble finding it. Local dealer keeps trying to sell me on the new model ($890), but I would rather find the appropriate model for my watch.

[pz93c]

Originally Posted by esm

oh yeahgood stuff Nicko!! an "aftermarket" with a knock off crown is a huge no-no. In that case, the sh!t would hit the fan even with JJ.... ;-)

Wrap it in wool and JJ'd never know the difference.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by HunterST

I am in the same boat. I am looking for a 20mm oyster for my late '80's datejust. Definitely going with the authentic, but having trouble finding it. Local dealer keeps trying to sell me on the new model ($890), but I would rather find the appropriate model for my watch.

I kind of compare this to Porsche and Ford service. You buy a new Porsche or any high end car expect to pay a premium for service or maintenance whereas a Ford is quite a bit less expensive.

[SLS]

So where do you draw the line with bracelets? A NATO strap is an aftermarket bracelet, so is a Bundt! IMO aftermarket is fine as long as it does not have any of the Rolex markings. Now a fake bracelet is an entirely different story.
Scott

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Aftermarket isn't always cheaper.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by SLS

So where do you draw the line with bracelets? A NATO strap is an aftermarket bracelet, so is a Bundt! IMO aftermarket is fine as long as it does not have any of the Rolex markings. Now a fake bracelet is an entirely different story.
Scott

Exactly.

[esm]

So does that mean JJ approved the aftermarket silicon option?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by SLS

So where do you draw the line with bracelets? A NATO strap is an aftermarket bracelet, so is a Bundt! IMO aftermarket is fine as long as it does not have any of the Rolex markings. Now a fake bracelet is an entirely different story.
Scott

Sorry Scott............but just cannot agree!!

Genuine Rolex, genuine bracelet, genuine every damn thing - end of story!!

Genuine Ferrari, genuine alloys, genuine every damn thing - end of story!!

End of story - and any damn bank would accept it, lock, stock and smokin' barrel!!

JJ

[SLS]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Sorry Scott............but just cannot agree!!

Genuine Rolex, genuine bracelet, genuine every damn thing - end of story!!

Genuine Ferrari, genuine alloys, genuine every damn thing - end of story!!

End of story - and any damn bank would accept it, lock, stock and smokin' barrel!!

JJ

I should have expected as much Everyone will have a differing opinion on this, but I guess we can agree to disagree on this matter!

FWIW, I think that Rolex bracelets are top notch, but in certain situations there are better options! We have all read those (albeit infrequent) horror stories of a bracelet failing when someone was diving and the watch sank into the abyss! In this case, the security of NATO strap would have saved the watch.
Scott