1995 Rolex Datejust 16233 gold plated endlinks?

[red98a4ss]

I was looking at my watch carefully today and noticed the endlinks seem plated. This scares me I thought Rolex didn't plate anything?



Notice the endlink gold looks darker.

[crowncollection]

the endlinks have a layer of gold fused over steel, this is normal, its quite thick, rolex have gold plated some vintage models an example is the 1550 it has a gold plated case and band, rolex buckles for leather straps also come gold plated, its a myth rolex never plated anything.

[saaduk]

As crown collection said, on this specific area the solid gold and steel are glued together and then filed, it gives an illusion of plating whereas the steel and gold are two separate metals here and can be detached. How do I know? The gold piece on mine once got detached.

[saaduk]

About the dark gold , that's normal due to oxidation and less cleaning of that area. Polishijg cloth does the job.

[77T]

The links you asked about are not the end links. Those two are the bracelet loops that nest into the end link piece.

David is right about the TT end links having an applied gold overlay. But the links you pictured are just discolored on the underside - it appears they match the other bracelet center links nicely on the upper part. Cleaning/polishing can make a difference but IMHO not worth the effort since not seen when worn.