126710 BLRO - Strap/bracelet project

[LarsFS]

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all staying safe and in good health. I received a wonderful pepsi in a gift about a month ago, and I see no need to change anything permanent about it - it is really great as-is. However, I do want to have the option to mix it up from time to time, and have decided, thanks to threads/messages from forum members, that I want to get an Oysterflex and/or an Oyster bracelet.

Oysterflex: I have found measuring guides here on the forum, so I will just use those to determine my size. My questions are:
- Is there a difference between the Oysterflex from a Daytona vs. one from the YM?
- I don't know whether I actually want/need end-links, but if I do, which ones can be recommended the highest?
- I will have to buy a clasp for this, I presume, so is there a particular clasp to get? This leads into the second set of questions, on the Oyster...

Oyster: I have seen posts about the strap from 116710 being a good fit with my watch. I'm not looking for a 126719 BLRO look-alike, I just like the Oyster bracelet too - so my question is:
- Do I also have the option of buying an oyster bracelet from an 116040 or 116610LN?
- Can anyone provide the Rolex reference numbers / SKUs for the respective bracelets so I can be certain I get what I need?

Finally, I am aware the above represents a non-trivial amount of cash outflow, and respect this. I figure, if I really don't like it, I can sell the parts and maybe be out some money in a useful lesson. I do wish to buy the proper tool for this, and have read about the Bergeon 7825, and was originally set on that, until I read this thread Anyone with a particularly strong opinion on this, whether the horofix is sufficient in quality? If I get these straps/bracelets lined up, I may want to switch from time to time, so I envision going back/forth and want to make sure I have the best tools to avoid any damage.


Thank you all for your help. I know some people won't think much of this, but it's my watch and I'm just looking for (an option for) some variety (if I want to)...

[LarsFS]

I read here that I'll need a 1.4mm screwdriver, so I will pick this up too, unless someone can tell me this is incorrect.

[watchmework]

Hey Lars-
First, congrats on your BLRO and good for you on doing your research ahead of time! I'll try and address your questions based on first hand knowledge. I'll let someone else give you a response on the OF as I'm the least familiar with that, having only tried one on at an AD...it's really comfortable. For the oyster bracelet you can use either the one that comes on the Sub (114060/116610) or the old Batman with PCLs, both you will need to use the springbars that came with your BLRO. It might be difficult to get these from your AD but I know some have picked them up from the classified on here or through one of the trusted sellers. The Ref numbers for the bracelets are: Oyster with PCLs (78200) and Oyster brushed (97200).

On the springbar tool, I ended up purchasing the Bergeon 7825 and think it works flawlessly for swapping out bracelets....it's a quality true in every sense. I can't speak to the Horofix but when it was time for me to buy a tool the Bergeon was a no brainer compared to the competition I was seeing. It's expensive but you get what you pay for imo. Best of luck and if you decide to grab one of the other bracelets be sure to post some photos!

Stay safe and healthy with everyone going on in NY right now.

[iTreelex]

From my understanding, the springs bars on the BLRO are thinner due to the new jubilee bracelet and the tips are shaped differently. So yes, the oyster from a sub/ gmt will fit but there will be space when the spring bar is inserted in the oyster endlink. That might be the same for the oysterflex as the spring bars from my Seadweller/ sub fits an oysterflex exactly. I would stay away from fake endlinks with the oysterflex as the oysterflex hugs the case very close with just enough space for it to move. Check out these links.

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f23/sp...s-4926677.html

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=8963284


I've found that endeavors like these in my personal experience just leads to headache, lug scratches, and ultimately just going back to the original configuration of the watch. Goodluck, and stay safe

[LarsFS]

Originally Posted by watchmework

For the oyster bracelet you can use either the one that comes on the Sub (114060/116610) or the old Batman with PCLs, both you will need to use the springbars that came with your BLRO. It might be difficult to get these from your AD but I know some have picked them up from the classified on here or through one of the trusted sellers. The Ref numbers for the bracelets are: Oyster with PCLs (78200) and Oyster brushed (97200).

Thank you, watchmework - very good to know either one works. I put a question up on the threads posted below, to see whether there's an optimal set of (after market) spring bars to use in this context. Is your suggestion the spring bars that came with my watch will work well with either of those bracelets? I am contemplating a Daytona bracelet too, since that clasp would be a natural fit with the Oysterflex and I'd be able to avoid buying an extra clasp, but perhaps either of those clasps (on the 78200 or the 97200) work too?

Originally Posted by watchmework

On the springbar tool, I ended up purchasing the Bergeon 7825 and think it works flawlessly for swapping out bracelets....it's a quality true in every sense. I can't speak to the Horofix but when it was time for me to buy a tool the Bergeon was a no brainer compared to the competition I was seeing. It's expensive but you get what you pay for imo. Best of luck and if you decide to grab one of the other bracelets be sure to post some photos!

Stay safe and healthy with everyone going on in NY right now.

Excellent, I will get the Bergeon 7825 then. Makes sense to pay up for quality instruments.

Originally Posted by iTreelex

From my understanding, the springs bars on the BLRO are thinner due to the new jubilee bracelet and the tips are shaped differently. So yes, the oyster from a sub/ gmt will fit but there will be space when the spring bar is inserted in the oyster endlink. That might be the same for the oysterflex as the spring bars from my Seadweller/ sub fits an oysterflex exactly. I would stay away from fake endlinks with the oysterflex as the oysterflex hugs the case very close with just enough space for it to move. Check out these links.

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f23/sp...s-4926677.html

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=8963284


I've found that endeavors like these in my personal experience just leads to headache, lug scratches, and ultimately just going back to the original configuration of the watch. Goodluck, and stay safe

More excellent information - thank you. I hear you on your last point, and I may well end up there, too - but that'll be part of it all, and the experience itself has some value for me. Those links were great, and I've posted a question in the second one to see if I'm just way off. I think the ideal situation is one where you have, as an owner of a 126710BLRO, spring bars that have ends with the same diameter as the original set of spring bars for that watch, but with the bars themselves (the 'middle part') having the diameter of the original spring bars for the respective bracelets. Does that make sense?

As far as the oysterflex, I gather then that its original spring bars have same diameter (middle) as the sub?

Thanks again guys, really appreciate your help.

[RJRJRJ]

Oysterflex rubber pieces are the same on the YM and the Daytona, but they come standard with slightly different lengths. EE-EF on the Daytona, and EE-EG on the YM. So if you can figure out your sizing, you are good to go. Now sure about the spring bars.

[LarsFS]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

Oysterflex rubber pieces are the same on the YM and the Daytona, but they come standard with slightly different lengths. EE-EF on the Daytona, and EE-EG on the YM. So if you can figure out your sizing, you are good to go. Now sure about the spring bars.

Thank you very much!

[SeattlePNWguy]

Originally Posted by LarsFS

I think the ideal situation is one where you have, as an owner of a 126710BLRO, spring bars that have ends with the same diameter as the original set of spring bars for that watch, but with the bars themselves (the 'middle part') having the diameter of the original spring bars for the respective bracelets. Does that make sense?

LarsFS, did you ever have any luck finding a set of spring bars that you described?