Different Rolex Bracelet Types: Oyster, Jubilee, President, Masterpiece, and Leather
Rolex timepieces come in different styles, metals, and sizes. They also come with different types of bracelets and straps; sometimes even the same model can be equipped with two different types of bracelet. For example, the 116200 Datejust today comes on either an oyster bracelet or a jubilee bracelet.
There are currently two types of oyster bracelets, seen below. The first kind is an all brushed oyster bracelet, which features an also brushed clasp. The second is called the “PCL” oyster bracelet (PCL= Polished Center Links). The stainless PCL oyster bracelets first arrived on Daytonas and Yachtmasters in the late 90’s, and now they can be found on many sport models including the Milgauss and GMT Master II.
Furthermore we have the jubilee bracelet as seen below on a 116233 two tone Datejust. The Jubilee bracelet has been around for decades, and is one of the most copied Rolex designs by the entire watch industry. It is comfortable, classy, and now sturdier after Rolex replaced the hollow center links with solid links.
Next up we have the Rolex Day Date “President” bracelet, as seen below. The President actually comes on either the bracelet seen below or a “PCL” gold oyster bracelet. The latter is far less popular. While the President appears similar to the jubilee bracelet seen above, the two are very different. This model is called the President because it has appeared on the wrist of many US presidents from Dwight Eisenhower to Lyndon Johnson. It is one of the most recognizable bracelets in the world.
Here below we have the Rolex “Masterpiece” bracelet as seen on a Rolex ladies Pearlmaster with a factory diamond studded bezel and factory mother of pearl dial. The Masterpiece bracelet equips both men’s and women’s Masterpiece models, and often comes as “Tridor,” which is a combination of three precious metals to form one bracelet. The Masterpiece bracelet can also be set with diamonds at the Rolex factory, for a significant premium.
Finally, we have below two types of leather straps Rolex uses on certain models. Usually Rolex uses leather straps (either alligator or crocodile) on precious metal models. You can find leather bands on Cellini models, Daytonas, Sky Dwellers, and Presidents. We have two types of straps below, one is alligator leather and the other crocodile leather. The alligator strap belonged to a yellow gold Sky Dweller, and featured a 18K yellow gold hidden clasp. The crocodile strap was on a Cellini, and featured a simple 18k yellow gold buckle.
We have covered just about every type of Rolex bracelets and straps there is. Purchasing your next Rolex is a big decision, so make sure to find the bracelet or strap most comfortable for your wrist. Some bracelet styles and clasp types offer more adjustability than others. While style matters, fit is equally important.
The Rolex Mercedes Hour Hand: Real Reason Behind The Iconic Look
Ah the Rolex Mercedes hour hand, the iconic look that has become synonymous with Rolex for nearly a century. We find it on many of the most popular Rolex models in the world: Submariner, Explorer, GMT Master II to name a few. There are many hypotheses as to why Rolex uses this symbol on many of its timepieces.
First people speculated a connection between Rolex and the German carmaker Mercedes. Then many surmised it was because Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim across the English channel, wore a Rolex oyster around her neck on her second attempt to cross the channel. Another hypothesis is that the hand stands for the three stars: land, air, and sea. Land is the Explorer lineup, air is the GMT Master lineup, and sea is of course the Submariner and Sea Dweller lineup.
The true reason is much simpler than all the suggestions above. Collectors and enthusiasts generally agree, Rolex used the Mercedes hour hand for purely functional purposes, that the shape allowed maximum lume paint to be applied. True to Rolex company heritage, practicality and functionality always take precedence to all else.
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