Polished center links

[jackminny15]

Hello TRF! I am new to the Rolex world and looking to add one to my collection, something a little understated but that still looks good as a dress watch. I really like the oyster bracelet with the polished center links, which can be found on some models such as the DJ41 and the GMT, but it's not on all models, especially the less-expensive ones such as the Oyster Perpetual, Air King, and Explorer. I love the look of the Explorer I and think it would really look great as a dress watch -- but only IF the center links were polished. I find the fully brushed oyster bracelet on the Explorer I to be dull and pretty boring.

So, my question is: is it possible to buy a bracelet with polished center links to fit the Explorer I? Is such a thing even made? As an alternative, can the brushed center links on the Explorer I be polished to make it look like the bracelet on a Datejust?

Thanks for your thoughts!!

[garyk]

I don’t think there are options available other than possibly having a jeweler polish the center links for you. However, wouldn’t it be nice if you would have some options like a dressier bracelet. I understand why these things are not possible so as to not detract from certain design elements but a few options might be cool.

[mgsooner]

Is there a reason you are against just purchasing a Datejust with a smooth bezel and a polished center link oyster bracelet?

[REFZ]

The Explorer is NOT a dress watch at all.

My advice would be buy a DJ with black dial and oyster bracelet and you have what you want.

[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by REFZ

The Explorer is NOT a dress watch at all.



My advice would be buy a DJ with black dial and oyster bracelet and you have what you want.

That's a great alternative. This would also be a perfect one watch GADA piece.
not mine...

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Tangier11]

Most on hear loose their lunch when the topic of polishing comes up, but Id simply have the watch of your choice polished to your liking.

[mgsooner]

Originally Posted by Tangier11

Most on hear loose their lunch when the topic of polishing comes up, but Id simply have the watch of your choice polished to your liking.

That is certainly a route available to the OP, and there are several trusted shops posters here could recommend to do the work, but it just seems like a lot of trouble to go to when you could just buy a DateJust and have almost the exact watch you’re looking for from factory.

[Tangier11]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

That is certainly a route available to the OP, and there are several trusted shops posters here could recommend to do the work, but it just seems like a lot of trouble to go to when you could just buy a DateJust and have almost the exact watch you’re looking for from factory.

I agree, I would always choose a factory Rolex that meets my criteria if available vs modifications

[jackminny15]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

Is there a reason you are against just purchasing a Datejust with a smooth bezel and a polished center link oyster bracelet?

That's a fair question. I just happen to prefer the look of the dial on the Explorer. Of course, buying a DJ 41 opens up a whole bunch of different color options for the dial.

[mgsooner]

Originally Posted by jackminny15

That's a fair question. I just happen to prefer the look of the dial on the Explorer. Of course, buying a DJ 41 opens up a whole bunch of different color options for the dial.

To get back to your original question, it would be at a minimum incredibly difficult (not to mention extremely expensive) for you to purchase a factory Rolex oyster bracelet with PCLs to put on an Explorer. The first roadblock is Rolex would not sell it to you. Rolex does not sell bracelets/straps/parts like a brand like Omega does. You'd only be able to get a new oyster bracelet with PCLs from Rolex if you owned a watch that came with it from new and the existing bracelet was damaged. It is possible you might be able to find and purchase one from a private seller, but 1)it would be very expensive and 2)it might not fit your Explorer in the first place.

Your next option would be to remove the non-PCL bracelet from your Explorer and either take it to a shop local to you or ship it to a trusted shop to have the polishing done. There are some shops that are frequently mentioned on this board that do exceptional work, the question becomes how much effort would you be willing to put into the endeavor. This would be much less expensive than sourcing a factory Rolex PCL bracelet from a private seller. I would caution that while there are definitely some shops that could make the polishing look good, it might not be Rolex factory good.

If it were me and I was dead set on having PCLs I would just go the DJ41 route. The DJ41 with the smooth bezel option is an incredible watch and just as versatile as the Explorer is.

[Doc Savage]

Why not look for a more classically designed dress watch?

I may be in the minority here, but I don't think any stainless steel Rolex looks very formal. They all have a strong tool vibe to them (which I like), even with polished center links.

A simple 3-hander with a gold case and a black leather strap is all you need to look formal. If it has to have the Crown on it, there are plenty in the Cellini line that work. Here's a great one:

[therealcbar]

One thing I'd recommend is to look at the black DJ in person. It is not the same black as the Explorer. The Explorer is a "black black"; the DJ has a sunburst effect which makes it more dynamic and interesting. I was very surprised when I saw it at the AD because it does NOT come across like that in person, IMHO.

For me, I went with the dark rhodium, smooth bezel, Oyster bracelet. But I was very tempted by the black.

[jackminny15]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

To get back to your original question, it would be at a minimum incredibly difficult (not to mention extremely expensive) for you to purchase a factory Rolex oyster bracelet with PCLs to put on an Explorer. The first roadblock is Rolex would not sell it to you. Rolex does not sell bracelets/straps/parts like a brand like Omega does. You'd only be able to get a new oyster bracelet with PCLs from Rolex if you owned a watch that came with it from new and the existing bracelet was damaged. It is possible you might be able to find and purchase one from a private seller, but 1)it would be very expensive and 2)it might not fit your Explorer in the first place.

Your next option would be to remove the non-PCL bracelet from your Explorer and either take it to a shop local to you or ship it to a trusted shop to have the polishing done. There are some shops that are frequently mentioned on this board that do exceptional work, the question becomes how much effort would you be willing to put into the endeavor. This would be much less expensive than sourcing a factory Rolex PCL bracelet from a private seller. I would caution that while there are definitely some shops that could make the polishing look good, it might not be Rolex factory good.

If it were me and I was dead set on having PCLs I would just go the DJ41 route. The DJ41 with the smooth bezel option is an incredible watch and just as versatile as the Explorer is.

You’re hitting on all the things I’ve been thinking of too. Good to know like minds think alike. :) You are probably right that I should just go with a Datejust .....

[Phooi]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

to get back to your original question, it would be at a minimum incredibly difficult (not to mention extremely expensive) for you to purchase a factory rolex oyster bracelet with pcls to put on an explorer. The first roadblock is rolex would not sell it to you. Rolex does not sell bracelets/straps/parts like a brand like omega does. You'd only be able to get a new oyster bracelet with pcls from rolex if you owned a watch that came with it from new and the existing bracelet was damaged. It is possible you might be able to find and purchase one from a private seller, but 1)it would be very expensive and 2)it might not fit your explorer in the first place.

Your next option would be to remove the non-pcl bracelet from your explorer and either take it to a shop local to you or ship it to a trusted shop to have the polishing done. There are some shops that are frequently mentioned on this board that do exceptional work, the question becomes how much effort would you be willing to put into the endeavor. This would be much less expensive than sourcing a factory rolex pcl bracelet from a private seller. I would caution that while there are definitely some shops that could make the polishing look good, it might not be rolex factory good.

If it were me and i was dead set on having pcls i would just go the dj41 route. The dj41 with the smooth bezel option is an incredible watch and just as versatile as the explorer is.

+1

[BamaHammer]

Don't mod a Rolex