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GregWormald · 14 June 2010, 12:01 PM

Hi all, new member here.

My Submariner Date (1680) band has died after only 39 years of continuous wear and the replacement that Rolex recommends is more than **10 times** as expensive as the Italian versions from some of the bigger watch shops that advertise on the net.

Now I know that the quality is unlikely to be identical, but has anyone compared them directly? Are there major differences?

I have to say that overall the money is not really an issue, but I do hate getting ripped off, and if the difference is the branding, then the aftermarket could be a goer. The other issue is that the Rolex bracelet can only be obtained by exchange, and the watch as is has sentimental value as it saved my life several times on diving missions.

All comments and opinions welcomed. Thanks.

Greg

Tools · 14 June 2010, 01:18 PM

You don't need to exchange your Rolex bracelet......... simply take the head only in, or put it on a leather or NATO when you have the new one fitted......

Aftermarket bracelets are OK, and likely will last for many years.. They do not seem to use the same size attaching studs in the links (smaller diameter), but many of them have had solid center links long before Rolex began using them...

I imaging that a good aftermarket bracelet can be an inexpensive option. However, I see restoration of an early Rolex similar to restoration of an early vintage automobile.......... It may cost a bit more for the original service parts, but the inner feeling of satisfaction and value of the piece are kicked up just a bit more.........

JimSnyder · 14 June 2010, 01:20 PM

Send Steve Mulholland a pm. He can help you with a nice used one

Lion · 14 June 2010, 01:21 PM

Larry, makes a good point!!!

greekbum · 14 June 2010, 01:26 PM

Greg,
If I am doing my math right your 1680 is a 1971 red sub and quite valuable. If it was mine I would try and keep it as original as possible.
The clasp has a date stamped in it also. Have you thought of repairing your original bracelet? I have seen and had repaired some that were in bad shape (fallen apart) and was happy with the results as opposed to a *replacement* I think you will also find that the Italian bands are in fact made in China. Thats a Holy Grail watch to many Vintage Rolex collectors and you dont want to put a knockoff bracelet on it. As Larry said you can walk into a RSC without a bracelet on it and they should sell you a new 1. BTW the new one is not the same as the 1 that came on your watch when you bought it.The 93150 bracelet is the 1 the will sell you yours should have been a 9315.
Please post some pictures of your band so we can maybe offer some insight.

Stipey · 14 June 2010, 01:35 PM

I would try to get a used one for your 1680 rather than getting an aftermarket bracelet.
IMHO, if the watch has saved your life several times, buying it a new OEM bracelet would be a nice way to say "thank you rolex"...

GregWormald · 14 June 2010, 01:54 PM

I'd love to post the pics of the band--but the whole watch went to Rolex when a link failed. Rolex says it would not be wise to repair it as the remaining links are getting very stretched, and anyway parts are not available.

Greekbum, it WAS a red Submariner, but the Rolex agent who serviced it a goodly number of years ago scratched the face badly and when it came back from Rolex they had replaced it with a white one.

(That shop is no longer a Rolex agent.

, but that doesn't help me.)

I've been having it serviced locally, and I decided it was time that Rolex themselves had a go, so when the link went I shipped it off.

I paid $270 (Canadian) for the watch in 1971, and the replacement band retails at $1250 (Australian).

Thanks Jim, I'm sending Steve a PM right now.

Keep the help coming guys, I love this watch, and the more of it I get to keep the better.

Greg

greekbum · 14 June 2010, 01:58 PM

There is a guy in Hong Kong Micheal Young who can make your band as close to perfect as can be. Totally rebuilt. I think he charged me around $75.00 the last 1 I did.
http://www.classicwatchparts.com/index.php?c=2&p=band

http://www.classicwatchparts.com/ind...?c=4&p=general

Speed · 14 June 2010, 02:38 PM

Wow Greg...That watch (and you) have been through a lot.

I would wait to see what sort of part magic Steve can work. There are some seriously knowledgeable / resourceful vintage guys here. Not me, I have still not taken the Vintage plunge.

You could also engage "Mike" the moderator. He has some phenomenal Vintage Subs / GMTs. He could help advise as well.

I hope you can get the watch as close to original as possible / keep it that way. What a wonderful watch.

Best of luck!!!

TurboWatch · 14 June 2010, 03:55 PM

As far as after market, some can be really good. I got one heavy SEL bracelet ($50) for my old 5513, and while it's not correct and up to WIS standard, it's great for every day use.

14 June 2010, 12:01 PM	#1
GregWormald Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide Posts: 67	Aftermarket band quality? Hi all, new member here. My Submariner Date (1680) band has died after only 39 years of continuous wear and the replacement that Rolex recommends is more than 10 times as expensive as the Italian versions from some of the bigger watch shops that advertise on the net. Now I know that the quality is unlikely to be identical, but has anyone compared them directly? Are there major differences? I have to say that overall the money is not really an issue, but I do hate getting ripped off, and if the difference is the branding, then the aftermarket could be a goer. The other issue is that the Rolex bracelet can only be obtained by exchange, and the watch as is has sentimental value as it saved my life several times on diving missions. All comments and opinions welcomed. Thanks. Greg

14 June 2010, 01:18 PM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	You don't need to exchange your Rolex bracelet......... simply take the head only in, or put it on a leather or NATO when you have the new one fitted...... Aftermarket bracelets are OK, and likely will last for many years.. They do not seem to use the same size attaching studs in the links (smaller diameter), but many of them have had solid center links long before Rolex began using them... I imaging that a good aftermarket bracelet can be an inexpensive option. However, I see restoration of an early Rolex similar to restoration of an early vintage automobile.......... It may cost a bit more for the original service parts, but the inner feeling of satisfaction and value of the piece are kicked up just a bit more......... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

14 June 2010, 01:20 PM	#3
JimSnyder "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Jim Snyder Location: Ohio Watch: Ask me later..... Posts: 7,722	Send Steve Mulholland a pm. He can help you with a nice used one __________________ "You ain't lived, 'til you've had your tires rotated by a red-headed women."

14 June 2010, 01:21 PM	#4
Lion "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Leo Location: Midwest Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI Posts: 21,461	Larry, makes a good point!!! __________________ SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#) THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!! MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!

14 June 2010, 01:26 PM	#5
greekbum "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Nikos Location: Florida Watch: Rolex GMT 16750 Posts: 8,418	Greg, If I am doing my math right your 1680 is a 1971 red sub and quite valuable. If it was mine I would try and keep it as original as possible. The clasp has a date stamped in it also. Have you thought of repairing your original bracelet? I have seen and had repaired some that were in bad shape (fallen apart) and was happy with the results as opposed to a replacement I think you will also find that the Italian bands are in fact made in China. Thats a Holy Grail watch to many Vintage Rolex collectors and you dont want to put a knockoff bracelet on it. As Larry said you can walk into a RSC without a bracelet on it and they should sell you a new 1. BTW the new one is not the same as the 1 that came on your watch when you bought it.The 93150 bracelet is the 1 the will sell you yours should have been a 9315. Please post some pictures of your band so we can maybe offer some insight. __________________ Follow Me On Instagram @nickgogas Original Owner ROLEX 16750 GMT Daily Wearer For Over 13,000 Days And Counting

14 June 2010, 01:35 PM	#6
Stipey "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Norway Posts: 187	I would try to get a used one for your 1680 rather than getting an aftermarket bracelet. IMHO, if the watch has saved your life several times, buying it a new OEM bracelet would be a nice way to say "thank you rolex"...

14 June 2010, 01:54 PM	#7
GregWormald Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide Posts: 67	I'd love to post the pics of the band--but the whole watch went to Rolex when a link failed. Rolex says it would not be wise to repair it as the remaining links are getting very stretched, and anyway parts are not available. Greekbum, it WAS a red Submariner, but the Rolex agent who serviced it a goodly number of years ago scratched the face badly and when it came back from Rolex they had replaced it with a white one. (That shop is no longer a Rolex agent., but that doesn't help me.) I've been having it serviced locally, and I decided it was time that Rolex themselves had a go, so when the link went I shipped it off. I paid $270 (Canadian) for the watch in 1971, and the replacement band retails at $1250 (Australian). Thanks Jim, I'm sending Steve a PM right now. Keep the help coming guys, I love this watch, and the more of it I get to keep the better. Greg

14 June 2010, 01:58 PM	#8
greekbum "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Nikos Location: Florida Watch: Rolex GMT 16750 Posts: 8,418	There is a guy in Hong Kong Micheal Young who can make your band as close to perfect as can be. Totally rebuilt. I think he charged me around $75.00 the last 1 I did. http://www.classicwatchparts.com/index.php?c=2&p=band http://www.classicwatchparts.com/ind...?c=4&p=general __________________ Follow Me On Instagram @nickgogas Original Owner ROLEX 16750 GMT Daily Wearer For Over 13,000 Days And Counting

14 June 2010, 02:38 PM	#9
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	Wow Greg...That watch (and you) have been through a lot. I would wait to see what sort of part magic Steve can work. There are some seriously knowledgeable / resourceful vintage guys here. Not me, I have still not taken the Vintage plunge. You could also engage "Mike" the moderator. He has some phenomenal Vintage Subs / GMTs. He could help advise as well. I hope you can get the watch as close to original as possible / keep it that way. What a wonderful watch. Best of luck!!!

14 June 2010, 03:55 PM	#10
TurboWatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,641	I'd have Michael Young of Hong Kong restore your bracelet As far as after market, some can be really good. I got one heavy SEL bracelet ($50) for my old 5513, and while it's not correct and up to WIS standard, it's great for every day use.

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