Polished Center Links - Why Rolex, Why?

[ral]

Originally Posted by nylawbiz

At the risk of being accused of deceased animal cruelty by beating this dead horse, why do you think Rolex designed the new GMTIIc with center links that can be so easilly be scratched? We all have to believe that Rolex invests heavily into design R&D. They must have known that the center links, even of a SS band, would start getting scratched very quickly. So, I cannot believe that this a design flaw on Rolex's part.

Okay... the polished center links on Oyster bracelets have been used for a long time on the Datejust's, Day-Dates and Daytona. Rolex did not design the GMT II with a new bracelet that can be easily scratch, they just used the same design they have used with their more "dressy" watches.

I am not exactly sure when this started... I have an old Rolex Oysterdate and it has a circa late 1980's replacement bracelet, which does not have polished center links.

The polished center links look really nice, but having a large flat shiny surface does make it more prone to more noticeable scratches. The jubillee bracelet scratches too, but they are not as apparent.

I am kind of conflicted in this issue. I love the Oyster bracelet with the shiny center links. Simple but beautiful. When I had a choice, I took the jubillee since I felt this would "wear" better in the long run. For a daily wear watch that is important.