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The Collector · 22 September 2010, 03:10 AM

I have a vintage Day/Date "Pres." with an old style bracelet that has no pins and no screws. Can anyone help me learn the particulars of that band? How long Rolex produced it, etc. Help! Help!

rmfnla · 22 September 2010, 05:59 AM

Can you post a few photos? We love photos...

The Collector · 29 September 2010, 04:49 AM

My digital camera doesn't take good close-ups....sorry.

BarkMaster · 29 September 2010, 05:21 AM

I've never seen a bracelet without screws, so I'd be very interested in seeing it (I am new to the game).

Check to see if your camera has a "macro" mode.

The Collector · 30 September 2010, 12:21 PM

Yep, it does, but the picture stays blurred. I'll try to have someone else picture it.

buke45 · 22 October 2010, 05:44 AM

I have never seen that.

The Collector · 23 October 2010, 12:06 PM

I got a camera with a good macro, so I'll try to include shots of my "no screws/no pins' bracelet.

The Collector · 29 October 2010, 01:42 AM

Rolex President 002.jpg

rmfnla · 29 October 2010, 03:16 AM

Wow, no pins or screws!

XCan we get a shot of what's stamped on the inner parts of the clasp? (It's like pulling teeth!

)

DoubleRedRolex · 3 November 2010, 11:01 PM

So... then you have to perminantly pull off the links to size it? Strange. My 1680/8 has pins and thats annoying enough! lol

The Collector · 18 November 2010, 04:26 AM

If it works, here's the best picture of the inside of the bracelet. It's stamped: Patented & registered Swiss Made; 18K. "Rolex" insigia, and 4 proper small insignias. The other 1/2 joint of the bracelet old style clasp also has the "rolex" stamped insignia. the bracelet, itself, has been authenticated.

Rikki · 19 November 2010, 12:30 PM

Someone sized the band and had all the pins soldered in or screws. When the bands get old a loose they tend to fall apart more easily so looks like someone permanently fixed the problem I have seen this before on vintage bands. Rik

DoubleRedRolex · 25 November 2010, 11:46 AM

Thats probably a good idea. My pins on my old gold oyster bracelet kept working their way out. One morning i was putting on a t-shirt and my 18kt 1680 fell off my wrist onto the hardwood floor. One of the gold pins must have fallen out. I never did find it. My watchmaker made some new pins from 14k gold and pressed them in nice and tight. Havent had any problems since. Since i plan on keeping this watch, I might look into getting the pins soldered in just to be safe.

The Collector · 4 January 2011, 04:04 AM

My research shows this bracelet to be a factory "permanent link", so many call it. I also came across a vintage gold bracelet which had been worn very little and stored away for 25 to 30 years, which had the same style bracelet from the factory with no pins/screws. Rolex makes at least 2 watch models now with "permanent" links, that I have found (the Sub TT and GMT-II). There is discussion on this forum under the thread "permanent Rolex".
Thanks for your comments.

MonBK · 4 January 2011, 04:21 AM

First time I've seen a crest similar to the fake ones.

I didn't know Rolex made them that way?

Dannyy · 5 January 2011, 06:23 AM

I Have a Pink Gold 1803 from 1973..the bracelet is exactly the same as your pics..I know the history of the watch and thats how it came from new.

The Collector · 5 January 2011, 02:51 PM

Thanks Dannyy for your comment. Most of the vintage bracelets have worn enough that the owners have replaced them by now. A few vintages have been stored or not worn much, cared for, and in very good shape. Mine looks new (except for a few almost invisible scuffs. I hope yours is good, too. The owner of Melrose Jewelers emailed me that he believes Rolex offered the "no pins/no screws" gold bracelet for about 15 or so years, during that period. Dannyy, if you know more history and information concerning the bracelet, I would appreciate your insight.

Dannyy · 5 January 2011, 05:37 PM

Hi Sorry I dont have any specific info regarding the bracelet...all I know is that it is the original bracelet that came with the watch, and that is how it was supplied from the AD with no pins/screws.

The Collector · 8 January 2011, 11:13 AM

If anyone has the Dowling & Hess Book "The Best of Time, Rolex History....", and can find any information they may have about vintage gold "permanent link" bracelets (how long they offered them or any other facts), I would appreciate your input. If it includes such info, I'll gladly fork over the $100 to $180 to buy the book...or any other book you guys may show me which has info about the bracelets.

22 September 2010, 03:10 AM	#1
The Collector Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 20	Day/Date no pins & no screws I have a vintage Day/Date "Pres." with an old style bracelet that has no pins and no screws. Can anyone help me learn the particulars of that band? How long Rolex produced it, etc. Help! Help!

29 September 2010, 05:21 AM	#4
BarkMaster "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Watch: 18078 YG DD Posts: 7,962	I've never seen a bracelet without screws, so I'd be very interested in seeing it (I am new to the game). Check to see if your camera has a "macro" mode. __________________ BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK

5 January 2011, 06:23 AM	#16
Dannyy "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Real Name: Danny Location: UK Posts: 119	I Have a Pink Gold 1803 from 1973..the bracelet is exactly the same as your pics..I know the history of the watch and thats how it came from new. __________________ www.montpellierjewellers.com

5 January 2011, 05:37 PM	#18
Dannyy "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Real Name: Danny Location: UK Posts: 119	Hi Sorry I dont have any specific info regarding the bracelet...all I know is that it is the original bracelet that came with the watch, and that is how it was supplied from the AD with no pins/screws. __________________ www.montpellierjewellers.com

22 September 2010, 05:59 AM	#2
rmfnla "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Richard Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: TT DJ Posts: 4,456	Can you post a few photos? We love photos...

29 September 2010, 04:49 AM	#3
The Collector Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 20	My digital camera doesn't take good close-ups....sorry.

30 September 2010, 12:21 PM	#5
The Collector Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 20	Yep, it does, but the picture stays blurred. I'll try to have someone else picture it.

22 October 2010, 05:44 AM	#6
buke45 Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Juan Location: Ponce, PR Watch: Your Butt Posts: 1,464	I have never seen that.

23 October 2010, 12:06 PM	#7
The Collector Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 20	I got a camera with a good macro, so I'll try to include shots of my "no screws/no pins' bracelet.

29 October 2010, 01:42 AM	#8
The Collector Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 20	Rolex President 002.jpg

29 October 2010, 03:16 AM	#9
rmfnla "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Richard Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: TT DJ Posts: 4,456	Wow, no pins or screws! XCan we get a shot of what's stamped on the inner parts of the clasp? (It's like pulling teeth! )

3 November 2010, 11:01 PM	#10
DoubleRedRolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Lonnie Location: Canada Watch: Rolex 1680-8 Posts: 80	So... then you have to perminantly pull off the links to size it? Strange. My 1680/8 has pins and thats annoying enough! lol

19 November 2010, 12:30 PM	#12
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	Someone sized the band and had all the pins soldered in or screws. When the bands get old a loose they tend to fall apart more easily so looks like someone permanently fixed the problem I have seen this before on vintage bands. Rik

25 November 2010, 11:46 AM	#13
DoubleRedRolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Lonnie Location: Canada Watch: Rolex 1680-8 Posts: 80	Thats probably a good idea. My pins on my old gold oyster bracelet kept working their way out. One morning i was putting on a t-shirt and my 18kt 1680 fell off my wrist onto the hardwood floor. One of the gold pins must have fallen out. I never did find it. My watchmaker made some new pins from 14k gold and pressed them in nice and tight. Havent had any problems since. Since i plan on keeping this watch, I might look into getting the pins soldered in just to be safe.

4 January 2011, 04:04 AM	#14
The Collector Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 20	My research shows this bracelet to be a factory "permanent link", so many call it. I also came across a vintage gold bracelet which had been worn very little and stored away for 25 to 30 years, which had the same style bracelet from the factory with no pins/screws. Rolex makes at least 2 watch models now with "permanent" links, that I have found (the Sub TT and GMT-II). There is discussion on this forum under the thread "permanent Rolex". Thanks for your comments.

4 January 2011, 04:21 AM	#15
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,279	First time I've seen a crest similar to the fake ones. I didn't know Rolex made them that way?

5 January 2011, 02:51 PM	#17
The Collector Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 20	Thanks Dannyy for your comment. Most of the vintage bracelets have worn enough that the owners have replaced them by now. A few vintages have been stored or not worn much, cared for, and in very good shape. Mine looks new (except for a few almost invisible scuffs. I hope yours is good, too. The owner of Melrose Jewelers emailed me that he believes Rolex offered the "no pins/no screws" gold bracelet for about 15 or so years, during that period. Dannyy, if you know more history and information concerning the bracelet, I would appreciate your insight.

8 January 2011, 11:13 AM	#19
The Collector Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 20	If anyone has the Dowling & Hess Book "The Best of Time, Rolex History....", and can find any information they may have about vintage gold "permanent link" bracelets (how long they offered them or any other facts), I would appreciate your input. If it includes such info, I'll gladly fork over the $100 to $180 to buy the book...or any other book you guys may show me which has info about the bracelets.

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