Permanent Links on Daytona - Have you guys noticed?

[WWC]

I’ve been paying close attention to different serial Daytona’s as found that the number of permanent links on the V serial on the 6 o’clock position are 4 links and on the G serial onwards to the random are 3 permanent links. Has this happened across all sports models?

My Green ceramic Sub also sports 3 permanent links on the 6 o’clock position.

Is there a particular reason for this minuscule change? Just curious to know... The only reason I can think of is so that the people with smaller wrist and ladies are able to sport the Daytona without a problem?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by WWC

I’ve been paying close attention to different serial Daytona’s as found that the number of permanent links on the V serial on the 6 o’clock position are 4 links and on the G serial onwards to the random are 3 permanent links. Has this happened across all sports models?

My Green ceramic Sub also sports 3 permanent links on the 6 o’clock position.

Is there a particular reason for this minuscule change? Just curious to know... The only reason I can think of is so that the people with smaller wrist and ladies are able to sport the Daytona without a problem?

That's your answer. Probably mainly for the China/HK market. Asian ladies love Daytonas and LVCs.

[jagwap]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

That's your answer. Probably mainly for the China/HK market. Asian ladies love Daytonas and LVCs.

I think you're spot on. My colleagues wife had to have a permanent link cut off to get it to fit on her SUBC Date.

Does that mean the tapering stops earlier, or can the tapered links be removed now?

[watchwatcher]

Rolex made the move several years ago to fewer permanent links in the bracelet...I would hazard a guess it was before the V serial, more like Z or M, depending on the model.

[Alpino]

.

Rolex started this move in 2009 , when DJ Oyster 72200 and Jubile 63200 were replaced by 72600 and 63600 respectively. Same modification this same year for TT 72203 and 63203 then replaced by 72603 and 63603.

Then progressively all bracelets have been updated. 72201/63201 became 72601/63601 during 2010, and so on. For Gmt2 and Daytona that was not accompanied by a bracelet ref# change, and probably occured end of 2010 or 2011.

New bracelet ref# available from 2010, like the Sub-C 97200, came directly with 3 hard links instead of 4.

[ck1109]

Originally Posted by WWC

The only reason I can think of is so that the people with smaller wrist and ladies are able to sport the Daytona without a problem?

Yep, quite likely and a great change by Rolex. For small wristed people (like me), its a huge difference in bracelet fit and comfort and I don't have to worry about removing a permanent link.

[mkmk]

does that mean the taper stops after the 3 fixed links. if not do you have to take the removable links off in order to keep the taper?

[cosmoliu]

My Air King 114200, random serial, originally sold in 2011, has 4/4 permanent links. When I got the blue dialed 2015 114200, now simply Oyster Perpetual at 31mm, earlier this month, I also noticed the extra removable links. (Sorry, I don't have it with me, so I don't know the count) I applaud the change as well. However, I noticed that the SEL on both bracelets is stamped with the same reference number, 70190 IIRC.

[Solo118]

My V serial 116509 has 4 permalinks on the 6 oclock side....

[WWC]

Originally Posted by Solo118

My V serial 116509 has 4 permalinks on the 6 oclock side....

Mine too! 4 Perm links on both sides.

Originally Posted by mkmk

does that mean the taper stops after the 3 fixed links. if not do you have to take the removable links off in order to keep the taper?

Originally Posted by jagwap

I think you're spot on. My colleagues wife had to have a permanent link cut off to get it to fit on her SUBC Date.


Does that mean the tapering stops earlier, or can the tapered links be removed now?

I'm looking at the 12 o'clock side and love how the 4 perm links taper down to the 5th link (removable). I would assume the taper stops at 3 for the newer models.

Originally Posted by ck1109

Yep, quite likely and a great change by Rolex. For small wristed people (like me), its a huge difference in bracelet fit and comfort and I don't have to worry about removing a permanent link.

yeah, I agree. it would be a hassle to remove a permanent link. Glad the 4th permanent link fits me spot on and don't have to remove any. I've got 4 on the 6 o'clock and 5 on the 12 o'clock without including the easy link.

Originally Posted by Alpino

.

Rolex started this move in 2009 , when DJ Oyster 72200 and Jubile 63200 were replaced by 72600 and 63600 respectively. Same modification this same year for TT 72203 and 63203 then replaced by 72603 and 63603.

Then progressively all bracelets have been updated. 72201/63201 became 72601/63601 during 2010, and so on. For Gmt2 and Daytona that was not accompanied by a bracelet ref# change, and probably occured end of 2010 or 2011.

New bracelet ref# available from 2010, like the Sub-C 97200, came directly with 3 hard links instead of 4.

Great Piece of info. Thanks!