Replica Rolex is one of those brands that changed the world of watchmaking. Iconic house known throughout the world, the brand with the crown no longer needs to be presented. Known for its high precision, its iconic and timeless watch models, Rolex is an institution that has stood the test of time in terms of design, reliability and precision.
Rolex Submariner, GMT Master and even Rolex Explorer are watches that have left their mark on the watchmaking landscape forever. New and even second-hand, Rolex watches are popular and are seeing their prices soar on the second-hand market. In 2022, believe me, you have to get up early if you want to get your hands on a Rolex presented in store.
If the cases, dials and movements constitute the most important part of Rolex watches (and of all watches in general you might say), the element that we don’t talk about as much is obviously the famous bracelet.
For me the strap of a watch is a fundamental element, it is a bit like the tie, the bow tie or the pocket square that completes a beautiful outfit. This brings a real style to the watch and if it is easily changed it will also completely transform your watch depending on the bracelet on which it is mounted: leather, steel, nato and so on.
Rolex offers a number of bracelet designs, almost all of which have become as iconic as the watches they adorn. Often imitated but never equaled, it is not uncommon to find bracelets similar to those from Rolex from other brands or houses.
In total, since its beginnings, Rolex has offered no less than 7 different bracelets. Each of them have become iconic, easily recognizable and they all have their own story. I will present to you in detail these 7 iconic bracelets that you will be able to recognize at a glance.
The Rolex Oyster bracelet
The Rolex Oyster bracelet is none other than the flagship of the house. It is in itself the oldest and most emblematic bracelet of the crown brand. Patented in 1947, it was only a year later in 1948 that the Oyster bracelet was officially launched and presented to the public by Rolex. Originally, this now iconic bracelet was produced by Gay Frères, the Rolex bracelet manufacturer. The Gay Frères company manufactured bracelets for Rolex (including the Oyster) until 1998 before being bought by the Swiss Watch Manufacture. This completely logical acquisition allowed Rolex to have better control of manufacturing costs as well as better control of the production of its bracelets internally.
The Rolex Oyster bracelet is easily recognizable by its construction and its flat 3-link shape. There is a wider row of central links as well as two rows of thinner links on each side of the bracelet. Most often, the Rolex Oyster bracelet is made of brushed steel, which makes it one of the most robust bracelets in the range and it is also considered one of the sportiest bracelets of the brand.
This bracelet was originally designed for the famous Rolex “bubble-backs”, the manufacture’s first waterproof watches and not for the Rolex Submariner as one might think.
The Rolex Oyster bracelet is now present on a large number of Rolex watch references, starting with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, but not only that. It is available on most of the brand’s sports watches: Rolex Explorer, Rolex Submariner, GMT Master II, Rolex Sea Dweller etc…
Concerning clasps, important things on a watch strap and especially on a luxury watch, all Rolex clasps fit on this Oyster bracelet. Oysterlock, Oysterclasp etc. and of course the extension with easy sizing thanks to Easylink make it a very popular bracelet.
Available in steel, yellow gold, rose gold as well as in two-tone steel and gold combinations and even in platinum, it will blend in and complement any Rolex case.
The Rolex Jubilee bracelet
The Jubilee bracelet, which is one of my favorite Rolex bracelets, is easily recognizable. A watch enthusiast with a keen eye will have no difficulty recognizing the design of a Jubilee from 50 meters away. In addition to being one of the most popular and iconic bracelets from the Swiss brand, the Jubilee bracelet is one of the bracelets most imitated by other watch brands (I think of Seiko for example).
The Rolex Jubilee bracelet first appeared in 1945 with the release of the famous Rolex Datejust. The arrival of the Rolex Datejust with this new bracelet marks the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the crown brand.
The Rolex Jubilee bracelet comes in the form of a steel bracelet with 5 rows of links: 3 rows of small central links as well as 2 rows of larger links on each end. If you take the time to look at the design and shape of a Jubilee bracelet now compared to those of the 60s/70s/80s, very little change will be visible. Among the notable modifications and improvements that Rolex has made, we can note the shape of the links. The latter existed in folded, oval, D-shaped or even solid link shapes. Before finding the right recipe and bringing the manufacturing of Jubilee bracelets in-house, Rolex entrusted the manufacturing of certain parts to factories based in the United States or Mexico.
The Rolex Jubilee bracelet remains the most classy, elegant and dressiest bracelet from the Swiss watchmaking company. Although presented on the Rolex Datejust, it was not only intended for it and is now used on other watches such as the Rolex GMT Master II.
This bracelet is also available in steel, yellow gold, rose gold, two-tone gold and silver or even white gold.
The Rolex President bracelet
The Rolex President bracelet is also a very popular bracelet but still a little less known to the general public. This easily recognizable bracelet is none other than the happy medium between the Oyster bracelet and the Jubilee bracelet. The President combines the robustness and solidity of the Rolex Oyster bracelet while combining the elegance and finesse of the Jubilee bracelet.
This bracelet comes in the form of a bracelet with 3 links of the same width and semi-circular shape (D-shaped). This design appeared for the very first time in 1956 on the Rolex Day-Date. Only available in precious metals, this bracelet continues to mainly adorn the Rolex Day-Date even if it is also available for certain versions of the Rolex Datejust.
Over the years, this Rolex President bracelet has had numerous variations in gold, rose gold, white gold, but one of my favorite variations is none other than the gold version with a “bark” design on the central links.
As for the clasp, the president bracelet is equipped with a well-known clasp, the crown clasp also called “crown clasp” in English. This type of clasp is almost invisible unlike a classic Rolex clasp.
All you have to do is pull up the little crown and the bracelet opens like magic. Once closed, no element of the clasp is visible except the famous crown.
This very particular hidden clasp design gives the President bracelet and gives the watch a more elegant, minimalist and refined appearance.
The Rolex Pearlmaster bracelet
The Rolex Pearlmaster bracelet was first introduced in 1992 with the arrival of the Datejust Pearlmaster range, a collection of watches dedicated entirely to women. This watch collection is THE most prestigious, luxurious and exclusive range from the Rolex brand.
The beauty of this bracelet (although not my favorite at all) is the gemstones and diamonds that are set directly onto a gold or platinum bracelet. In terms of design, the Pearlmaster bracelet is a very slightly rounded five-link bracelet. Two relatively thin links surround the wider central links.
The Rolex Pearlmaster bracelet therefore most often adorns the Rolex Datejust Pearlmaster but it is not uncommon to observe it on certain Rolex Day-Date Masterpieces. It is obviously the most elegant clasp of the brand, the “crown clasp” which finishes off the Pearlmaster bracelet in beauty and makes it relatively fluid and discreet.
