Alextor Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 (edited) Hello guys, As I was shopping for a gen Rolex, a salesperson from an AD in LA (on the phone) advised me to get the "new 2006 - came in two weeks ago" Datejust for $4000 (the previous model sales for around $3500)...he said that the main difference is that the links on the oyster bracelet are now solid...not hollow, and that the watch weights considerably more. So I decided to open the Rolex Gospel according to Tor (read it every week) and he reviews the oyster bracelet: The hollow link Oyster bracelet is one of the best parts of this watch. After polishing, oiling and giving it a new brushed finish it's virtually indistinguishable from the genuine. In some reps you have to file the edges smoother, too. The "treated" bracelet feels silky, light, flimsy and cheap. i.e exactly like the real one. GMT band is even lighter than Submariner's because it has short clasp (ala Explorer) - and because GMT is designed to be a pilot watch it lacks the diver's extension clasp. So don't be surprised when you receive your first replica Rolex. Just remember that the genuine Oyster band is just as pathetic and light. A side note: Genuine Master II (with all links intact) weighs 127 grams. The rep weight is exact +/- 2 grams. I called a couple of AD's and they could not confirm the story...Or was it a really really stupid sales pitch? Thought you might like to know... Cheers to all of you! Alex Edited July 20, 2006 by Alextor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Well, Rolex has been moving towards this direction for some time now. Historically, all solid 18k models have had solid mid links, while the two tone (Rolesium and Rolesor) and most recently, the Daytona have switched to solid mid links. So, if you were to visit an AD that had a 16622 (Rolesium), 116520 (SS), and 116264 (Rolesor), you'd notice that these models all have solid mids on the bracelets. Now... The question is... How long before Rolex starts implementing this design change across all of their SS lines? Or will they? TT has been for the most part converted... But it will be interesting to see if the SS Sports models like the Sub see the change. Remember... The 14060 no date Sub still has the old style non-SEL bracelet and holes in the lugs while the 16610 and 16600 have seen updates with regards to both. With this in mind, it's difficult to say if this would be an across the board change or not, especially since no one except for the folks behind closed doors in Rolex Geneve knows why they do the often time strange things that they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Glad you have enjoyed my review Alex. That quote is only accurate when we're talking stainless steel bands. Yes, the new DateJusts (starting from last year) have solid gold middle links (on the Jubilee versions) which, of course, increase the weight. Gold is much heavier material... and obviously solid gold / two-tone bracelets can't be compared to their stainless/gold plated counterparts. However, genuine 18K TT Oyster bands still use hollow links. They're surprisingly light (just like the old TT Jubilees), but of course they have slightly better feel than the plated rep incarnations. I suspect Daytona is the only TT model that uses solid gold middle links on the Oyster band but I'm not 100% sure. I know TT YachtMaster middle links are still hollow. Here's the good old TimeZone Rolex weight chart (for SS versions). I wish there were similar chart for the gold models: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 (edited) Historically, all solid 18k models have had solid mid links, while the two tone (Rolesium and Rolesor) and most recently, the Daytona have switched to solid mid links. Ubi... you've been drinking, eh? You mean "historically 18k models have had HOLLOW mid links. Edit: Uhh...ah..you mean FULL gold (not TT) models. My bad. Edited July 20, 2006 by By-Tor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 No... 18k's have solid mids... And even the vintage models had SELs... The only ones that have had hollow were SS and 18k/SS two tones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 New TwoTone 18k WG and SS combo with Oyster bracelet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Yep, yep... I edited my post already. Didn't realize you were talking FULL GOLD models. Those vintage gold/TT Subs are quite nice. I like the hour markers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alextor Posted July 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Glad you have enjoyed my review Alex. That quote is only accurate when we're talking stainless steel bands. Yes, the new DateJusts (starting from last year) have solid gold middle links (on the Jubilee versions) which, of course, increase the weight. Gold is much heavier material... and obviously solid gold / two-tone bracelets can't be compared to their stainless/gold plated counterparts. However, genuine 18K TT Oyster bands still use hollow links. They're surprisingly light (just like the old TT Jubilees), but of course they have slightly better feel than the plated rep incarnations. I suspect Daytona is the only TT model that uses solid gold middle links on the Oyster band but I'm not 100% sure. I know TT YachtMaster middle links are still hollow. Here's the good old TimeZone Rolex weight chart (for SS versions). I wish there were similar chart for the gold models: No problem Tor, to be honest some reviews and posts from knowledgeable guys are outstanding and is one of the main benefits of belonging to forums and communities like RWG...not only to find good dealers but great information also. And yes, I forgot to mention that the salesguy was talking about oyster's SS bracelets...I'll swing by an AD this weekend and check the watch...This info, as ubi was saying, is not readily available so I wanted to run it by the forum... Salud Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Some pics of a 116520 and 16622 (pics and watches are not mine ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalcranium Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 No problem Tor, to be honest some reviews and posts from knowledgeable guys are outstanding and is one of the main benefits of belonging to forums and communities like RWG...not only to find good dealers but great information also. And yes, I forgot to mention that the salesguy was talking about oyster's SS bracelets...I'll swing by an AD this weekend and check the watch...This info, as ubi was saying, is not readily available so I wanted to run it by the forum... Salud Alex God Ubi, you are killing me with all this "watch porn". My wrist is getting a hard on. Oh God, I love my reps but I'm begining to feel the genuine pull again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alextor Posted July 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 God Ubi, you are killing me with all this "watch porn". My wrist is getting a hard on. Oh God, I love my reps but I'm begining to feel the genuine pull again Me too!!! this is getting expensive for me and addictive as well...Nothing like a gen and the pull can be stronger than pussaaahhh (sometimes) That begs the question, gentlemen: any of you know of a Rolex AD with an internet site with pricing? I've found essentialwatches.com so far... Salud and thank you! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 any of you know of a Rolex AD with an internet site with pricing? I can tell you that ADs cannot sell online ... For pricing, I tend to look at Montres International Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alextor Posted July 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 I can tell you that ADs cannot sell online ... For pricing, I tend to look at Montres International Sorry, you are correct...AD's cannot advertise or discuss prices online. On the flip side, wallachswatches.com do have the best pricing...($4200 for a new 2006 submariner), is an internet business *they take amex and I've been reluctant to ship my Rolex for an appraisal as a trade in. Tough tough tough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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