For Daily use: PCL vs BCL

[Sporting Lisbon]

Hello everyone!

I would like to know your opinion about what is the most recommended type of bracelet, for DAILY USE!!

I know that some of you recommend, for daily use, totally brushed bracelets as the PCL´s scrath very easily. Anyway i would like to hear somemore thoughts about it.

For those more experienced, what do you recommend?

Cheers!

[jekuo]

Brushed links are better for daily wear IMO. Love the BCLs on my old 16710s and 16610. PCLs are nicer looking (for a while at least) but they get scratched easily and start to look a little beat up after a while.

[Speed]

I think the question is...what watch is for daily use. Then, it depends on your activity / line of work.

Then...its wear whatever bracelet goes with the watch.

BCL - brush out the scratches

PCL - Cape Cod cloth!

[Renoir]

Another vote for brushed center links.

[nauticajoe]

I prefer the BCL.

[mtrunner]

I have both and the Brushed links are much more durable for everyday use. I love the look ofthe PCL links but they are going to scratch no matter how careful you are. Go with the BCL links.

[Sporting Lisbon]

Ok!

Till now,

5-0 to BCL

[wrxsti]

I wear my gmt IIC daily with pcl and love the look, yes it will mark easier but that can be buffed out. I had my coke gmt for a few years and I still prefer pcls. They are watches they are meant to be worn and scratched, it adds character!

[springbar]

I find that of all the shiny surfaces on a Milgauss, it's not the polished center links that collect the most obtrusive and annoying hairline scratches - it's the polished bezel and the polished tops of the lugs. The center links are not really an issue.

[acce1999]

Brushed, no doubt.

But the Jubilee is pretty good too. In many ways it can take daily use even better when it comes to scratches, especially the new Superjubilee.

Best,

A

[Gerardus]

Both, no problem.

[Sporting Lisbon]

yep..

I also decided that BrushedCL will be a better option.

[rfknauss]

Brushed more sporty ...... polished more dressy .... both fine for every day wear ...... Rolex watches are meant to be worn every day.

[mborkow]

It's just preference. There is no "better" option.

[Deyn Man]

rubber strap! hehehehe!
the PCLs scratches more easily...
the BCLs still do get scratches...
between the two, BCLs win... but if you really don't like scratches, then use NATOs...

[riz day]

BCL for me - tried to live with PCLs in mt GMT IIc but they never felt right.

[Sporting Lisbon]

Originally Posted by riz day

BCL for me - tried to live with PCLs in mt GMT IIc but they never felt right.

Thats what i was afraid of.

No GMT for me becouse of the PCL

[sheldonsmith]

After 19 months of owning the GMT-C, I decided to have the bracelet brushed. After seeing the DeepSeas and AirKings with a fully brushed oyster bracelet, I knew that the bracelet on my GMT-C should be brushed. Since taking ownership of the GMT-C, as well as when I owned a Turn-O-Graph, I was always somewhat schizophrenic on the polished center link. The Rolex mirror finish is par-excellence and there is a certain robustness that indicates that the reflection is there to last.

Polished center links certainly work on the Yachtmaster and Milgauss as the lugs are also polished, but the lugs of the 116710 are already brushed and a brushed bracelet seems to match the watch head much better. In this economy as well as in the government job that I hold, the flashiness did not fit on a number of levels.

I could have brushed the bracelet myself using Bergeon satin bars, but my AD offered to do it for me. The watchmaker did an excellent job. Although many have reported brushing the bracelet themselves using a 3M Scotchbrite pad, the bracelet and the overall effect comes out much better when professionally done. The watchmaker explained that the bracelet is first removed, then prepped which includes an ultrasonic cleaning. Once prepped, the watchmaker uses a high speed (over 1000 rpm) wheel using a series of Bergeon satin wheels. The trick to an even brush job is the amount of pressure applied on the bracelet while on the wheel as well as the direction that the links are pulled across the wheel. The watchmaker explained that it takes practice to get it right.

The bracelet came out fantastic. Fortunately, the re-designed Submariners (116610) have fully brushed bracelets. A brushed bracelet matches the satin finish on the watch head, fits Rolex's pedigree and history, and frankly, I think Rolex got it wrong when they included polished center links in the specifications. Brushed links understates the appearance of the watch, but improves the stout sport appearance that is part of Rolex's provenance.

[From http://www.minus4plus6.com/116710.htm#brushed and more picts posted there]

-Sheldon

[zak98]

brushed for me.

[Sporting Lisbon]

Thanks for the post, sheldonsmith!

I am definitly for Brushed CL now

Just waiting for September to purchase the new Sub C

[swissautopro]

Originally Posted by Sporting Lisbon

Thanks for the post, sheldonsmith!

I am definitly for Brushed CL now

Just waiting for September to purchase the new Sub C

Well, you've already made up your mind, but I wanted to post anyway.
Brushed. You have chosen ... wisely.

[yankeeromeo]

I wear my GMT2 daily with a PCL and learn to accept it'll Mark. But all marks can be polished out. Wear it in health!

[penguin78]

Great thread revival 😊. I tend to wear my Polar w BCL (that I got over 5 years ago) whenever I travel around, for want of keeping the PCL w my GMTIIC (18 months old) in pristine condition for longer. Although as a daily in the office I rotate all my watches so they all get equal wear. Agree w the above comments that the PCL still looks great after getting scratches - they just give the GMT some character.

[Andad]

Brushed is the way.

Rolex PCL bracelets will scuff with a casual glance.

They look good though.

I understand having PLC's on my Daytona and GMT TTc etc. but can't understand why Rolex polished the sides of the links ON MY 'Z' SEA DWELLER.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Sporting Lisbon

I would like to know your opinion about what is the most recommended type of bracelet, for DAILY USE!!

I prefer how Rolex made the watch.

I have no issue with polished center links and wear my BLNR frequently.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I prefer how Rolex made the watch.

I have no issue with polished center links and wear my BLNR frequently.

X2

[Rags]

Both are fine for everyday wear I just hate PCL's because they attract so many scratches that in a couple of years the watch looks like crap. I vote for BCL's

[Chadridv]

All depends on what you do daily and how you like your watches to look. I don't mind some normal wear but generally I like to keep my watches looking new. My lifestyle is not ideal for PCL daily use. I would love to get a PCL watch and make it a weekend watch or something, but for me BCL for are the way to go.

Everyone is different though!

[joli160]

On my YM, GMTc, WG Sub and DD all PCL's. Love the extra bling.
Hairline scratches don't bother me

[Vinyasa]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

After 19 months of owning the GMT-C, I decided to have the bracelet brushed. After seeing the DeepSeas and AirKings with a fully brushed oyster bracelet, I knew that the bracelet on my GMT-C should be brushed. Since taking ownership of the GMT-C, as well as when I owned a Turn-O-Graph, I was always somewhat schizophrenic on the polished center link. The Rolex mirror finish is par-excellence and there is a certain robustness that indicates that the reflection is there to last.

Polished center links certainly work on the Yachtmaster and Milgauss as the lugs are also polished, but the lugs of the 116710 are already brushed and a brushed bracelet seems to match the watch head much better. In this economy as well as in the government job that I hold, the flashiness did not fit on a number of levels.

I could have brushed the bracelet myself using Bergeon satin bars, but my AD offered to do it for me. The watchmaker did an excellent job. Although many have reported brushing the bracelet themselves using a 3M Scotchbrite pad, the bracelet and the overall effect comes out much better when professionally done. The watchmaker explained that the bracelet is first removed, then prepped which includes an ultrasonic cleaning. Once prepped, the watchmaker uses a high speed (over 1000 rpm) wheel using a series of Bergeon satin wheels. The trick to an even brush job is the amount of pressure applied on the bracelet while on the wheel as well as the direction that the links are pulled across the wheel. The watchmaker explained that it takes practice to get it right.

The bracelet came out fantastic. Fortunately, the re-designed Submariners (116610) have fully brushed bracelets. A brushed bracelet matches the satin finish on the watch head, fits Rolex's pedigree and history, and frankly, I think Rolex got it wrong when they included polished center links in the specifications. Brushed links understates the appearance of the watch, but improves the stout sport appearance that is part of Rolex's provenance.

[From http://www.minus4plus6.com/116710.htm#brushed and more picts posted there]

-Sheldon

Me too, but after 24 hours, not 19 months