How many 18ct links?

[Richard.]

Back in the day, if I bought an 18ct piece, I always had to budget for the cost of an additional link to accommodate my 8” wrist. More recently Rolex have seemed more generous and this has not been a problem. Today I tried a new 18ct GMT Master and was surprised to find that it was too tight. Have Rolex really reverted to their former meanness or is the dealer trying to take advantage?

[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by Richard.

Back in the day, if I bought an 18ct piece, I always had to budget for the cost of an additional link to accommodate my 8” wrist. More recently Rolex have seemed more generous and this has not been a problem. Today I tried a new 18ct GMT Master and was surprised to find that it was too tight. Have Rolex really reverted to their former meanness or is the dealer trying to take advantage?

I needed to remove 2 links from my WG GMT. Now i’m not the biggest person in the world but still.

[Richard.]

Hmm. Does anyone know how many links there should be?

[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by Richard.

Back in the day, if I bought an 18ct piece, I always had to budget for the cost of an additional link to accommodate my 8” wrist. More recently Rolex have seemed more generous and this has not been a problem. Today I tried a new 18ct GMT Master and was surprised to find that it was too tight. Have Rolex really reverted to their former meanness or is the dealer trying to take advantage?

I’ve noticed the same on my 126713. You’d need at least 2 add links for a 8” wrist.


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[Richard.]

I really thought they’d got beyond this.

[Zach69SS]

Yes, Gold links are big $$$ nowadays, if you sell an extra 100K gold links per year? Big $$$ so why include extras.

Not $200 or $300 anymore.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

12 Links on Oyster; 20 on Jubilee I believe.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

12 Links on Oyster; 20 on Jubilee I believe.

12 oyster links is correct.

[yankeeromeo]

Not directly related. But I have 7" wrists and find SS models a perfect fit. With the added safety of the micro adjustment if needed especially in hot weather

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

12 Links on Oyster; 20 on Jubilee I believe.

22


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Richard.

Back in the day, if I bought an 18ct piece, I always had to budget for the cost of an additional link to accommodate my 8” wrist. More recently Rolex have seemed more generous and this has not been a problem. Today I tried a new 18ct GMT Master and was surprised to find that it was too tight. Have Rolex really reverted to their former meanness or is the dealer trying to take advantage?

When I buy a Seiko, I normally have to remove 4 full links from an oyster style bracelet. When I buy a Rolex, only 2. By my calculation, Rolex allows for a maximum wrist size of 7 1/2 inches. They are stingy with their bracelets.

Kat


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[CarlOver]

Rolex for sure is not consistent with links. Submariner might need 2 links removed, Exp II 1 link removed and OP no links removed. Interesting for sure.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

22


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hehe thanks Kat!

[Mimar2910]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

Rolex for sure is not consistent with links. Submariner might need 2 links removed, Exp II 1 link removed and OP no links removed. Interesting for sure.

Very true! Not sure of there consistency with link, it varies from model to model.

[Michael T]

I noticed on my son’s 126718 GMT which has a jubilee that it is shorter than my 116718 GMT on oyster.

[Richard.]

Turns out it's just 18 links. Fits a 7.5" wrist.

[kwingy]

Hmm that's really strange - grey dealers remove the links in an effort to make you buy more but I would have thought an proper AD would supply all the factor links for their clients. 18 links sound really short indeed.

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by kwingy

Hmm that's really strange - grey dealers remove the links in an effort to make you buy more but I would have thought an proper AD would supply all the factor links for their clients. 18 links sound really short indeed.

maybe Rolex recently changed the official quantity of links that comes with certain pieces? I highly doubt that authorized dealers are pocketing links in the back room, and trying to force customers to buy them after the watch purchase. . .

To the OP, check with your AD and ask them, they should know exactly what the correct current quantity of links should be for ANY Rolex reference. . .

[Richard.]

I've been dealing with this AD for nearly 40 years. They've not removed any links. To be fair, it would make sense for Rolex to be more generous with S/S models where the cost would be negligible and it's perhaps no surprise that I haven't had the same problem with 18ct Submariner because I'm not actually trying to fit the bracelet over a dive suit.

I measured my wrist and it's actually 7.75". I can wear the watch with the bracelet extended all the way out including the Easi-link. I've ordered one extra link to allow some flexibility.