newbie

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by martinP

from an earlier post."There are earlier 19mm Gay Fréres and USA C and I bracelets too that would fit too."

so I thought that one on ebay might fit and it seemed a cool approach since Rolex later bought the company

so I will try to look at rolexs I don't see if subtle differences that your mention so it's a real learning curve. And as suggested I will post any possibilities to the forum before purchasing

That is not the type of Gay Freres bracelet he was referring to. GF (and other companies) made some Rolex-branded bracelets. They will have a Rolex clasp, and if you look inside the blade you will see Gay Freres markings. GF made a ton of other bracelets, both branded (for many different watch brands) and not branded (like the one you linked). C&I also made bracelets for Rolex. Holzer also, I believe. These bracelets could be ok for you, but they all have a Rolex logo on the clasp.

Based on your posts, I assume that you want a legit Rolex bracelet. Not only is the eBay bracelet not for a Rolex, the endlinks are convex instead of concave. If you look closely, you'll see that the bracelet can't possibly fit your watch. Convex vs concave endlinks is not a subtle difference, IMO. Sometime there are subtle differences in curvature, but these are actually convex.

The 7205 is a rivet bracelet, 7835 is folded oyster, 78350 is solid link oyster.

If you want to keep it simple, just search for a good condition 7205 bracelet with standard 19mm endlinks ... and buy it.

[Edwardfry3]

Welcome to TRF.

[martinP]

thanks
it looks like they run $600-$700 on ebay but I am not sure what end links I need or how many links I need I measure my wrist as 20mm

[Dan S]

I doubt the specific endlinks matter too much, but I'd suggest doing a google image search for Rolex 6266 and find some sales listings of watches with good fitting rivet bracelets. You can often find a photo of the back and read the endlink number.

For a large wrist, you'll probably need all 12 links.

I just saw a good one, fully linked, go for about $350 in an auction, but a BIN on eBay will probably be twice that much. Just be careful to buy one that isn't stretched out because it won't be worth the cost to restore it.

[martinP]

stretched out?? how do I tell by a photo on ebay?
thanks again

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by martinP

stretched out?? how do I tell by a photo on ebay?
thanks again

It comes from experience in looking at bracelets. Usually a good seller will provide photos that allow you to evaluate it, e.g. showing how much it bends sideways or gaps between links.

[martinP]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22649369409...&ul_noapp=true

seller offered to me for $340.00

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by martinP

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22649369409...&ul_noapp=true

seller offered to me for $340.00

The condition isn't fantastic, but it might be wearable. I'm feeling that it's a bit marginal. I'm not seeing any actual cracks in the blade, but some of the links are looking pretty stretched. Obviously it has been polished more than one would like to see, but that's mainly cosmetic.

See if you can get a photo like this, where the bracelet is flexed as much as possible. These are 7206 bracelets. The one on the bottom was restored and is very tight. The one on the top is unrestored, but in totally acceptable condition, IMO. If it flexes a lot more than that, it might need restoration.

[martinP]

Dan I see on Instagram that you occasionally sell items. Do you have a 7205 bracelet for sale. Martin

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by martinP

Dan I see on Instagram that you occasionally sell items. Do you have a 7205 bracelet for sale. Martin

Sorry, no. I don't generally buy 34mm Rolex models, so I don't have any 7205s either.

[martinP]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13486900183...mis&media=COPY

[martinP]

I measure 7 3/4 inches or 20 cm

the watch is just about 1 1/4 and it seems like all the bracelets I look at are 6 inches or shorter. Am I measuring something wrong or do I need to look at something other than the 7205?

thanks for your help in my quest to restore my 1950s oyster date

[Dan S]

With 12 links, you might be ok. But just barely. You might need to hunt down an extra link.

[martinP]

Can I add a link myself or do I need a watch maker and which link? I assume the largest next to the watch? are the first couple the same size?
cheers

[Dan S]

The first few links are the same size. In principle, you can do it yourself, but it takes experience to avoid creasing the front side of the links. It's easy to add a link, you unfold the link, remove it, add a link, and refold everything. But the first few times you do it, you'll inevitably cause some minor cosmetic damage to the front of the link.

[martinP]

thanks
now I just need to figure out how to count links
seriously im not sure what I am counting

[martinP]

[martinP]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14342954012...mis&media=COPY

[martinP]

is that an 11 link bracelet?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by martinP

is that an 11 link bracelet?

Yes, one is missing on the 6 o'clock side.

The previous one you posted has 12 links, 5 and 7. Also, showed a photo "suggesting" a 6.5" full length.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by martinP

is that an 11 link bracelet?

I'm pretty sure 12 won't be enough (unless it's pretty stretched example - another story in itself), and you'll need extra one added on to make it 13..... and it's a bit of faff sourcing rivet links and getting them added.

While it's admirable to try and find a period 7205 or later 7835 folded link...... tbh nothing wrong with a solid link 78350 (from 1976 onwards) with say 357/557 or any similar end links - c £400 btw.

It is a perfectly good and easier to source accompaniment, I have a few fitted to my 34mm 50/60s pieces, and you can buy /add links really easily (c £30) to a 78350, employing a small screwdriver, in 10 secs.

Just a thought, that's all .... But of course if a period 7205 favoured, it's very doable but as Dan says you probably gonna need a bit of bracelet weilding expertise to make it fit your wrist.

[martinP]

thanks for the helpful advise

[martinP]

thanks Paul
looking on ebay the bracelets under $500 are pretty beat up and stretched. I have made a couple of offers in the $600 range with no success. I will try auction sites this next week. again thanks for the help

[martinP]

How do the 557 pins work on my watch?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17640587362...mis&media=COPY

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by martinP

How do the 557 pins work on my watch?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17640587362...mis&media=COPY

They are just normal endlinks, used with springbars.

[Dan S]

PM sent about an extra-long 7205 in good condition being auctioned.