If Rolex bracelets didn’t taper would it matter?

[UnicoJG]

Would non-tapering Rolex bracelets stop you from purchasing a Rolex timepiece or would it not matter?

I personally prefer a bracelet that tapers and have mixed feelings about purchasing a watch with a non-tapering bracelet.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by UnicoJG

I personally prefer a bracelet that tapers and have mixed feelings about purchasing a watch with a non-tapering bracelet.

I prefer the way they are as well.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I prefer the way they are as well.

me too. Imagine how chunky the clasp would be otherwise. Its already a pretty big hunk of metal.

[sechsgang]

I like a little taper but id prefer a little less taper than what the bands currently do...

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by sechsgang

I like a little taper but id prefer a little less taper than what the bands currently do...

Having gotten used to my Tudor GMT, I agree.

[ras47]

The taper is a very “Rolex” design detail. I love the way Rolex designed their bracelets. I think the taper adds an element of elegance, especially with their tool watches.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by ras47

The taper is a very “Rolex” design detail. I love the way Rolex designed their bracelets. I think the taper adds an element of elegance, especially with their tool watches.

Agreed.

I won't buy a watch that doesn't have a Bracelet taper like Rolex.
Also the feel of the narrower clasp is something i greatly appreciate.
So it's a tapered strap or a Rolex for me.

[dnslater]

Originally Posted by ras47

The taper is a very “Rolex” design detail. I love the way Rolex designed their bracelets. I think the taper adds an element of elegance, especially with their tool watches.

It has been common for many brands to taper or step their sport watch bracelets going back many decades, look at vintage Oris, Omega, Seiko, Rolex, Doxa, etc... It looks more refined and generally enhances comfort. It seems like a 4mm taper used to be pretty standard.

Generally when you see non tapering bracelets it is either on cheap boutique/micro brand divers who can’t afford the tooling to make a true taper, or those flexible elastic metal bracelets that some older folks wear. There are watches like the Omega Bond SMP that don’t taper.

Originally Posted by Reinhard in SA

I love the taper. Once you are used to it you start missing it on other brands.
I think this is why I don't like my Speedmaster Pro on its bracelet, as the lack of taper does not look elegant at all. My ex black bay had the same "issue".

Modern Speedmaster Pro bracelet does taper, but it is only 2mm as with many modern Omega divers. I agree that the Speedmaster looks better on the older bracelets they used on earlier references which had a 4mm taper. I have thought about sourcing one for mine.

It does appear that Rolex is one of the only brands that keeps the historical 4mm taper while many brands have gone to a less tapered look for more modern case designs.

Most modern Black Bays have a 2mm taper while the BB58 has a 4mm taper. FYI.

[Reinhard in SA]

Originally Posted by dnslater

Modern Speedmaster Pro bracelet does taper, but it is only 2mm as with many modern Omega divers. I agree that the Speedmaster looks better on the older bracelets they used on earlier references which had a 4mm taper. I have thought about sourcing one for mine.

It does appear that Rolex is one of the only brands that keeps the historical 4mm taper while many brands have gone to a less tapered look for more modern case designs.

Most modern Black Bays have a 2mm taper while the BB58 has a 4mm taper. FYI.

I have also considered a older style bracelet for my Speedmaster.

It is good to hear the BB58 has a 4mm taper, I have been dying to see one in the flesh. I think I will prefer the proportions to the BBN I had.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ras47

The taper is a very “Rolex” design detail. I love the way Rolex designed their bracelets. I think the taper adds an element of elegance, especially with their tool watches.

Well said Robert

[stockjock1975]

I think tapering adds a nice touch to the watch. It requires more precision in machining and speaks to the refinement of the piece.

Honestly, yes....I would be disappointed if the bracelet didn't taper.


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[Navarino]

I prefer tapered bracelets over non-tapered bracelets. I think it looks much better aesthetically than a solid band-looking bracelet that doesn't taper at all.

[Uncle00Jesse]

Tapering on the sub is way too extreme if you have larger wrists. It looks dainty and not masculine at all. That’s why I went with a SD43, still tapers but looks much better. The original deepsea looked even more ridiculous, glad it was fixed. Just my biased opinions

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by Uncle00Jesse

Tapering on the sub is way too extreme if you have larger wrists. It looks dainty and not masculine at all. That’s why I went with a SD43, still tapers but looks much better. The original deepsea looked even more ridiculous, glad it was fixed. Just my biased opinions

I agree, if you wear it fully linked it tapers a lot. I however, have a small wrist so the tape looks good.


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[JohnLT]

Originally Posted by Uncle00Jesse

Tapering on the sub is way too extreme if you have larger wrists. It looks dainty and not masculine at all. That’s why I went with a SD43, still tapers but looks much better. The original deepsea looked even more ridiculous, glad it was fixed. Just my biased opinions

Having an 8" wrist I feel the Sub is perfect in every way. Including taper.Taper is what I judge most watches by these days. Not a fan of Omegas lack of taper.

[frankfrazetta]

The taper makes Rolex MUCH more comfortable to wear.

[Xenon]

No tapering reminds me of a 1960's Speidel twist-o-flex bracelet aka an old man's watch. I think the entire NASA crew in Apollo 13 wore one of these with a short sleeve white button down shirt and thick horn rimmed glasses:

[slus]

Originally Posted by Uncle00Jesse

Tapering on the sub is way too extreme if you have larger wrists. It looks dainty and not masculine at all. That’s why I went with a SD43, still tapers but looks much better. The original deepsea looked even more ridiculous, glad it was fixed. Just my biased opinions

I very much agree on both counts. I didn't love how the SubC looked from the bottom on my wrist with that skinny bracelet, and it would uncomfortably dig in when the heat set in. If it wasn't for adjusting the Glidelock multiple times a day it would have been impossible for me to wear fitted snugly. The SD43 and redesigned DSSD bracelet (I believe they are the same, just different clasps) is much improved. Amazing what a difference 2mm over the SubC and 1mm over the a 116660 DSSD made to the appearance and fit on the watches but I'd still prefer a little less taper, such as the Pelagos bracelet, but I don't love the stepped/rivited bracelet on a lot of the new Tudors.

[007_Omega]

I really like the heavy taper. Other companies do not do it which adds a bit of uniqueness as well. I’ve noticed larger twisted people don’t like it as much but people with small wrists like me do. I feel it makes the watch wear more comfortably. I certainly prefer it to the barely tapering Omega bracelets.

[GreatScott]

I have had both, both are nice

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[rushca01]

One of my favorite characteristics of the watch. I think it’s one of the reasons I sold my pelagos.

[Rolexavidfan]

I didn’t notice that characteristic and thought that all bracelets are created “equal.”

Glad that you raised this subject matter and after seeing a watch with a non-tapered bracelet in another forum, My view now is that I tend to like the tapered bracelet more than the non-tapered one.

Always like Rolex oyster bracelets. No other brand comes close.


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[shedlock2000]

The Tudor bracelet fitted to my GMT does taper -- in that it starts at 22mm at the endlinks and drops to 20mm at the clasp. Most Men's Rolex bracelets have the same level of taper (either 21-19mm or 20-18mm). The difference is the scolloped edges of the links.

Having tried both, I find the narrower bracelet more comfortable (20-18mm) but I am not sure why. I don't know if my preference is driven by a narrower clasp or because the wider links are more inhibitive. I think that the difference in endlink geometry between Tudor and Rolex also has much to do with fit too.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

The Tudor bracelet fitted to my GMT does taper -- in that it starts at 22mm at the endlinks and drops to 20mm at the clasp. Most Men's Rolex bracelets have the same level of taper (either 21-19mm or 20-18mm). The difference is the scolloped edges of the links.

Rolex tapers more than that. On the ceramic Sub, it's 20/16.

[Galaga167]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

The Tudor bracelet fitted to my GMT does taper -- in that it starts at 22mm at the endlinks and drops to 20mm at the clasp. Most Men's Rolex bracelets have the same level of taper (either 21-19mm or 20-18mm). The difference is the scolloped edges of the links.

Having tried both, I find the narrower bracelet more comfortable (20-18mm) but I am not sure why. I don't know if my preference is driven by a narrower clasp or because the wider links are more inhibitive. I think that the difference in endlink geometry between Tudor and Rolex also has much to do with fit too.

Are you sure it’s only 22 to 20? I thought it was to 18. Isn’t it the same for the earlier Tudor Black Bays with the ETA movement and no rivets?

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by Galaga167

Are you sure it’s only 22 to 20? I thought it was to 18. Isn’t it the same for the earlier Tudor Black Bays with the ETA movement and no rivets?

It’s definitely 22mm — I threw it on one of my NATOs to try it out. I think the case is much chunkier than a BB. Would that they were able to squeeze in the gmt movement into a 58 case — I’d still own it!


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[nikesupremedunk]

I wouldn’t want it any thicker than the way it is now so my answer is no. It’s literally the perfect size. (Ceramic models)

[frankfrazetta]

Tapered bracelets feel MUCH more comfortable than single width types. After I bought my subc I got an Omega something or other diver. The Omega was uncomfortable on my wrist. The Omega is gone . . .

[jnkay]

The tapered bracelet is one of my favorite design aspects of Rolex watches. It’s a brand hallmark. The watches would be less desirable to me, and definitely less iconic IMHO without it.

[_speedmaster_]

The way they are now is perfect.

Maybe I’m crazy, but a non-tapering braclet seems to be of lower quality to me. Not only does it look worse, but it’s easier to achieve and tells me there was less attention to detail put into the braclet design.