The Oyster bracelet is the Rolex’s oldest bracelet style, and certainly the most perfect and highest quality bracelet. Here is about the copy Jubilee bracelet, this article will introduce you to the most classic Rolex Oyster bracelets. It is known for its three-piece link structure, which can be either fully satin-polished or with a polished center. In addition, the bracelet is available in two-tone polished gold center links as well as in full precious metal. Next, let’s start with the history of the quality replica Rolex Oyster bracelet.
Bonklip – In The Early 1930s
The first bracelets were actually neither made by Rolex, nor were they a standard option in the Rolex catalog. The original Rolex bracelets were supplied by the most renowned bracelet supplier around, Gay Frères. This supplier also supplied bracelets for other watch brands, such as Audemars Piguet, Zenith. At the time, the bracelets most commonly used by Rolex were called “Bamboo” or “Bonklip”. These bracelets consisted of hollow and narrow parallel links.
The Precursors Of the Oyster Bracelet – 1947
Following on from the Bamboo, there was an unusual bracelet with double center links. And it had much the same appearance as an Oyster. But those bracelet were just the precursors of the Oyster bracelet, which was patented in 1947 and first appeared in a Rolex catalog in 1948. At this time, most high quality fake Rolex watches were still worn with leather straps, the metal bracelet was mostly intended for so-called “bubble backs” and chronographs.
Rolex Oyster Rivet Bracelet – Early 1950s
From the early 1950s on, the Oyster Bracelet has continuously undergone significant changes. The first version is typically called the “rivet bracelet”. All the links are hollow, and they were fixed by rivets, and the entire weight was light and dirt was easy to hidden between links. The first Oyster bracelet is naturally the least robust. And these bracelets are not very durable because of hollow and folded links.
Rolex Oyster Folded Links – Late 1960s
Next comes the “folded link bracelet”. In this improvement, folded links replaced the hollow links. Observe the sides of this bracelet, every link was made of multiple-folded metal blocks, more heavier and firmer. The folded hollow links are replaced with solid links, so this version is much stronger than the rivet bracelet. But the links are still hollow, leading to stretch over time. Obviously, this improvement is not perfect.
Rolex Oyster Solid Links
This time, solid links took place of the folded links. Of course, the oyster bracelet with solid links is the most qualitative and reliable. This quality replica Rolex Oyster bracelet don’t stretch much, certainly not more than the old Rolex Oyster bracelets. Although the differences between these three bracelets are minor, the structure is the same as today’s Oyster bracelets. Today, the Oyster bracelets with solid links are standard.
Which Rolex Watches Use The Oyster Bracelet?
With the constant updating of new watches, the Oyster bracelet appeared on many of Rolex collections, chronographs, sport watches and tool watches. It can be said that 80 percent of Rolex fake watches use this metal bracelet. It seemed that a sport or professional Rolex watch wasn’t worthy of the category without a classic Oyster bracelet. Although the Oyster bracelet is the bracelet of choice for Rolex tool watches, it is also paired with the more fashionable collections. And the Oyster bracelet can be made in Everose gold, yellow gold, steel, white gold, or two-tone. All in all, the Oyster bracelet is used on all or some of the watches in these watch collections below:
- Submariner
- GMT-Master
- Oyster Perpetual
- Sky-Dweller
- Yacht-Master
- Daytona
- Sea-Dweller
- Milgauss
- Explorer
- Datejust
- Air-King
Read our complete bracelet reference number guide here!
Oyster Clasps
The clasp for the Oyster bracelet is called oyster clasp. Rolex will add different extension systems to the Oyster clasp depending on the watch, and its purpose. Rolex paired the Glidelock clasp for sports watches(like Submariner) and the Easylink extension system for elegant and classy watches(like Datejust). They are easy to use and increase the security of the wrist, and allow for micro-adjustment of bracelet size without having to use any kind of tools.
How Many Links Are In An Oyster Bracelet?
In its initial state, each Oyster bracelet has 12 links. So most people will need to readjust the length of the bracelet to fit their wrist. We can drastically adjust the size of the Oyster bracelet by removing or adding links, or we can fine-tune the bracelet using the Easylink or Glidelock systems. A high quality replica Rolex Oyster bracelet will already be indistinguishable from the original. They also have the same clasp and extension system, so buying a super clone bracelet is a smart move.
Are Bracelets Sold Separately?
Yes. You can buy the bracelet separately. Although Rolex bracelets are quite sturdy, there’s always a “but”. And many buyers will order a separate bracelet for their watch, because the same watch with a different bracelet will bring different freshness.
Why did I write this post about the Oyster bracelet? Because I’m convinced that the Oyster bracelet has played an important role in the history of Rolex, just as the Oyster case has. The simple design of the Rolex Oyster bracelet blends perfectly with the most watch lines. On the wrist, it’s comfortable to wear, and the deceptively simple clasp works flawlessly.
