Rolex - disappointing quality?
Discussion
I am looking for a quality, unfussy daily wear watch with an easy to read date. On Friday I saw that one of our local jewellers had a secondhand black Rolex Submariner with date, so I went in with a view to a possible purchase.
I have never been a Rolex fan, but the Submariner is an unfussy and well-proportioned watch. It looked good on my wrist, however the bracelet was horrible. It felt cheap, rattly and about the quality I'd exect on a watch bought from a petrol station.
Have I read it wrong, or are Rolex bracelets not as good quality as they should be for a watch of Rolex's price?
Suggestions appreciated for an alternative, quality, unfussy and bomb-proof watch with an easy to read date.
Dunno how old the Sub was but my Sub is 1984 the bracelet is 100% untouched and is still fantastic quality,yes it might have a little bit of stretch but its 28 years old. What do you expect. Show me another brand that looks that good after 28 years wear and tear. Plus in my eyes the Sub is got to be one of the most comfortable watches one can put on their wrist
Edited by hilly10 on Sunday 29th July 21:42
Manks said:
It felt cheap, rattly and about the quality I'd exect on a watch bought from a petrol station.
where's your local petrol station, Dubai or something? 
I've had my oyster for 15 year now, daily worn even back when I was on the tools. Strap still looks & feels as good as new. Mine's the cheaper strap as well as I thought the fancier one was too jazzy.
They do feel a bit tinny, especially around the clasp. Basic design but one that is very robust, light weight and from all the evidence lasts very well. The most off putting thing IMHO is on the older models without solid end links into the case, the spring bar can rattle around in the end link. The older more rattly designs are more comfortable though IMVHO. Jubilee in particular.
hilly10 said:
Dunno how old the Sub was but my Sub is 1984 the bracelet is 100% untouched and is still fantastic quality,yes it might have a little bit of stretch but its 28 years old. What do you expect. Show me another brand that looks that good after 28 years wear and tear. Plus in my eyes the Sub is got to be one of the most comfortable watches one can put on their wrist
If it's untouched, you might find that something's about to let go soon. Even with no stretch they need looking at.Edited by hilly10 on Sunday 29th July 21:42
XJSJohn said:
Haveto agree with the OP, my rolex strap does feel rattly and cheap when compaired to my Omega. Probably the main reason that i wear the omega as my daily instead of the rolex!
Judging by earlier comments it's not just me then. The other bracelet watches I wear (Tank Francaise, Aristo with mesh bracelet and my old Tag SEL) have no slop at all and are beautifully smooth. When the Rolex didn't feel as good and I was surprised.
I was behind a chap in a queue yesterday and he was wearing some sort of Rolex diver's watch (bi-metal). I noticed that as it slipped down his wrist there was a lot of splay in the links, which gave it the appearance of being a bit worn out. The case of the watch suggested that it was quite new, however.
I am quite prepared to accept I have missed the point and perhaps I have the wrong expectations of that type of bracelet.
Incidentally, I understand that the ceramic model has a better strap but I don't like the appearance of the wider lugs which makes the watch look like it's on too narrow a strap.
Up until very recently, Rolex bracelets have had hollow centre links, which give them that light, 'rattly' feel. They can stretch if worn loose over several decades, but they are otherwise very strong, just misleading in how they feel and sound. Newer bracelets feature more solid items in the bracelet and clasp to match the chunkier new-style cases.
AndrewWF said:
Up until very recently, Rolex bracelets have had hollow centre links, which give them that light, 'rattly' feel. They can stretch if worn loose over several decades, but they are otherwise very strong, just misleading in how they feel and sound. Newer bracelets feature more solid items in the bracelet and clasp to match the chunkier new-style cases.
I plan to try a ceramic one later this week. But I don't have big wrists and I think the new case might look overly large.Give it a try, Manks, it might work out. I had the same concern as well. However I'm very happy with how my new ceramic Sub' looks on my relatively small wrist. One week into ownership and very happy.
The bracelet and Glidelock clasp (which is a marvellous feature, by the way) feels solid and certainly has given me no concerns regarding quality or durability thus far.
The bracelet and Glidelock clasp (which is a marvellous feature, by the way) feels solid and certainly has given me no concerns regarding quality or durability thus far.
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