Aftermarket 7205 Folded Link Bracelets Are Out There

[freddy333]

'Genuine'? They do not get any more aftermarket than this (note the incomplete relief stamping on the clasp blade, which I have never seen on any gen & the irregularly sized '7205' stamp near the end links - exactly the same irregularity as on my Yuki 7206s). It seems that there is a pattern developing on ebay with a number of Asian sellers (mostly HK) fitting gen end links onto these aftermarket bracelets (note the wrench marks/damage on the end link hinges (& only on the hinge) - there is no logical reason for this type of damage to occur to this area of a bracelet under normal usage, it only occurs when someone has swapped end links on a bracelet where these are permanently-attached)

[Mapman57]

Great investigative work Freddy. I have been tracking vintage folded and rivet bracelets from a number of HK sellers for the past weeks and concur with your findings. Or, maybe there is jus an endless supply of 'as is, the same' vintage gen bracelets in the Asian market?

In the same way, there is also an endless supply of 20mm Jubilee bracelet '55' endlinks........can this really be so? Maybe there is?

Now, who are we to complain about replicated items But if passed off as gen, then maybe we can

For me, I plan to monitor somewhat longer...........

[lhooq]

Great eye, Freddy. I would've thought this genuine due to the signs of wear along the mid-links--this is not pristine like a Yuki 7206. Is it possible that these bracelets are indeed reps, but genuinely old?

They're definitely 'reconstituted', though I can't understand why the factories couldn't churn out their own endlinks. (Note to China: 71s, please!) But you're right: Lots of odd listings out there.

[freddy333]

Is it possible that these bracelets are indeed reps, but genuinely old?

I think it is more likely that they are receiving some enhanced patination to replicate age for the purpose you cited.