53 vs 55 end links

[ctdmoses]

I have a 18038 on a strap and I want to put it on a gold bracelet. Are the 53 and 55 endlinks interchangable? The band I’m looking at is from an 1803 with 53 end links.
Thanks in advance,
Chris

[Tools]

Aren't 55's early SS Jubilee ends.

[springer]

55mm end links are normally stainless steel and found on Datejusts and similar watches with 20mm lug width.

I say normally since I have never seen them in solid gold. 55s also pre-date the 18038 Day Date which was released around 1980. By 1980, the 55 end links were replaced with the stainless steel 555 end links.

[ctdmoses]

Not sure. I thought they were on the 18038 day date gold jubilee. I could be wrong.

[ctdmoses]

I stand corrected. Thank you.

[Throttle]

Hi there ctdmoses,

You are not wrong.

53 solid endlinks for president bracelets are for 1803
You will need 55 solid endlinks to fit 18038

They are not quite interchangeable although you may be able to force fit them.
I highly do not recommend you do that.

1803 case is slimmer than 18038 case and therefore do not share exact profiles.
For a good fit get a president bracelet with 55 ends. That would be the correct fit for your 18038.

Cheers

[ctdmoses]

Thank you Throttle for clarifying that. I was hoping they were interchangeable. Don’t want to force it. That leads to nothing good.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Throttle

Hi there ctdmoses,

You are not wrong.

53 solid endlinks for president bracelets are for 1803
You will need 55 solid endlinks to fit 18038

They are not quite interchangeable although you may be able to force fit them.
I highly do not recommend you do that.

1803 case is slimmer than 18038 case and therefore do not share exact profiles.
For a good fit get a president bracelet with 55 ends. That would be the correct fit for your 18038.

Cheers

Thanks for clarifying that Throttle. So, am I to surmise that Rolex made more than one version of end link with the 55 designation? Never knew that before.

[JustinK]

I have tried and they will not fit properly.

[Throttle]

Originally Posted by springer

Thanks for clarifying that Throttle. So, am I to surmise that Rolex made more than one version of end link with the 55 designation? Never knew that before.

Yes Mate, however they are completely different endlinks for completely different watches.

The 55 ends on a president bracelet is an SEL attached permanently on the bracelet. It cannot be removed without breakage and therefore cannot be acquired seperately as far as i understand

The SS endlink coded 55 is a standalone endlink as you so rightfully pointed out for use with a datejust (jubilees) 1.8mm springbar. Its not too difficult to source for a pair of these, seperately.

Additional info:
For a daydate 18238, the president bracelet would have an SEL coded 55b.

Cheers

[crowncollection]

You need 55's


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[ctdmoses]

Would a 55b also work since its a 55?

[crowncollection]

It works


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[ctdmoses]

Thanks David. I appreciate your knowledge and help.

[Throttle]

Originally Posted by ctdmoses

Would a 55b also work since its a 55?

Sorry i did not see your question till today.

No. They do not work. There is a so very slight difference in the springbar position. Therefore 55 ends and 55b ends are different.
This is becos 18038s have a slightly fatter case than a 18238 case.

Again you might be able to force fit them by using a slimmer springbar or by sheer strength and luck.

I highly do not recommend it as before.

Good Luck.

Cheers

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Throttle

Sorry i did not see your question till today.

No. They do not work. There is a so very slight difference in the springbar position. Therefore 55 ends and 55b ends are different.
This is becos 18038s have a slightly fatter case than a 18238 case.

Again you might be able to force fit them by using a slimmer springbar or by sheer strength and luck.

I highly do not recommend it as before.

Good Luck.

Cheers

4.5 years between question and answer. Must be a record...

[TimeToGo]

.
LOL

I think he went "walkabout"..

[Throttle]

Originally Posted by zapokee

4.5 years between question and answer. Must be a record...

Haha, i really havent been in here for quite a while……

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by Throttle

Haha, i really havent been in here for quite a while……

Welcome back, and I certainly hope you’ll come by more often!


Day-Date info is sometimes scarce here (I’ve probably got a half-dozen questions dangling out there unanswered)