7206 Rivet Bracelet - Sources and Cautions

[DavidSB]

I’m looking for a rivet link 7206 bracelet with 58 (?) end links for my Explorer 1016 I bought new in May, 1967. I still have one original link removed when sized. Over the years it’s been on a USA Jubilee B-219 (undated) with 50 end links and a Swiss Made 9315 Oyster with 380 end links, both I bought new and still have.

Of interest, the 9315 has the watch serial number hand engraved inside the adjustable side of the clasp. Maybe that was done when serviced back in the day?

I look here on TRF and WatchRecon without luck so advice on other sources and cautions to avoid fakes and fraken-bracelets would be much appreciated.

[Cobar65]

I have one, but sadly it’s not for sale. I picked it up when I bought my 5504 dated 1-64. They can be found, but you need to know what you’re looking for when buying these. Way too many Vietnam fakes out there.

[Dan S]

I suspect that we are all looking for them. Personally, I buy every one I can get at a decent price. They are fantastic bracelets.

[Kingface66]

Looking at the removed link, the holes in the rivets suggest it’s from a Rolex C&I bracelet. The 7206 rivets have no holes, like this

[IMG][/IMG]

[Cobar65]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Looking at the removed link, the holes in the rivets suggest it’s from a Rolex C&I bracelet. The 7206 rivets have no holes, like this

[IMG][/IMG]

Concur


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[DavidSB]

Andy & Everett - so maybe I'm looking for the wrong bracelet. I'm pretty sure the link is from my original bracelet as it's been in under the box cushion all these years. I just found the RolexHaven website with various descriptions, including C&Is used from 1958-1978. It's a good thing I saved the link (along with everything else: hang tag, purchase receipt, etc.) and it, together with with your observation, may have saved me from buying and expensive - and wrong - 7206. Further thoughts and source suggestions most welcome. David

[Dan S]

There is no comparison between the C&I and the Swiss rivet bracelets. IMO the 7206 is worth the extra cost. Do you really want to buy a crappy bracelet that doesn't fit the watch well just because it was the style that was originally on your watch? It still won't be the same (original) bracelet.

(Apologies to fans of C&I bracelets. I have had some, but I don't prefer them.)

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Cobar65

I have one, but sadly it’s not for sale. I picked it up when I bought my 5504 dated 1-64. They can be found, but you need to know what you’re looking for when buying these. Way too many Vietnam fakes out there.

Originally Posted by Cobar65

Honestly, you can do much better elsewhere. This is one of the cheapest manual wind Rolex around. I just picked up a beautiful 5504 36mm with a 6636 bracelet for a song. Deals can be had, you just have to be patient, and hunt.

Which is it? 7206 or 6636?

[Cobar65]

Sorry brother, my fault, it’s a 7206. I was thinking of the expandable ref.


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[Cobar65]

Originally Posted by Dan S

There is no comparison between the C&I and the Swiss rivet bracelets. IMO the 7206 is worth the extra cost. Do you really want to buy a crappy bracelet that doesn't fit the watch well just because it was the style that was originally on your watch? It still won't be the same (original) bracelet.

(Apologies to fans of C&I bracelets. I have had some, but I don't prefer them.)

Absolutely. C&Is are crap. No apologies here, it’s a fact. ;)


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[Kingface66]

C&I Bracelets: One Size, Fits Nothing

[offrdmania]

A 7206 (58), 6636 (58) and even a 7836 (280) are all correct for a 1967 1016. You just have to decide how much you want to spend with the 7206 being the most expensive of the 3.

[Cobar65]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

A 7206 (58), 6636 (58) and even a 7836 (280) are all correct for a 1967 1016. You just have to decide how much you want to spend with the 7206 being the most expensive of the 3.

It’s really ironic that I bought the 5504 just for the 7206 (58). I plan on putting it on my 66 7928 Sub. I’ll throw the 5504 on a Hodinkee Horween; it should look great.


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[zapokee]

I'd much rather put the rivet bracelet in the safe and wear a modern equivalent.

The watches these rivet versions came on are now far too expensive to wear with such a flimsy bracelet that could fall apart at any time.

The rivet bracelet on my 1964 gilt 5513 did break last year while I was wearing it. The watch fell off my wrist and I didn't notice. The only reason I didn't lose it was that I was at home in lockdown. If I'd been outside...

I got lucky. Go modern.

[KY..]

Originally Posted by DavidSB

I’m looking for a rivet link 7206 bracelet with 58 (?) end links for my Explorer 1016 I bought new in May, 1967.

I look here on TRF and WatchRecon without luck so advice on other sources and cautions to avoid fakes and fraken-bracelets would be much appreciated.

Your explorer is very nice.
Here’s one on C24 that may interest you.
No affiliation to me just sharing what you asked for.

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/brace...id21904544.htm

[offrdmania]

$2900 and they dont even give you all of the links

[KY..]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

$2900 and they dont even give you all of the links

Yep agreed, but I’m not buying for the OP.
He asked for options out there and I provided one that doesn’t look like it was made in someones garage yesterday.
Missing parts can definitely provide more negotiation room for the right buyer.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

$2900 and they dont even give you all of the links

Yes, that's the problem with these rivet bracelets. All the links are different widths, so if one is missing there's a big inter-link width difference and it doesn't look good. It's a huge step up/down.

I was a fan of these bracelets until I actually got one. I think it's in a sock somewhere now.

[harry in montreal]

Back in 2014 I bought a Tudor 7020 with a 7206 attached. I bought It for like 250. Thé seller had no idea. Too bad I sold that 7206 for a grand a year later. Now I have a couple of watches I’d love to mate to that band. Easy come easy go

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

Back in 2014 I bought a Tudor 7020 with a 7206 attached. I bought It for like 250.

The Tudor Jumbo 7020 with a 7206 bracelet for $250??

[Cobar65]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I'd much rather put the rivet bracelet in the safe and wear a modern equivalent.

The watches these rivet versions came on are now far too expensive to wear with such a flimsy bracelet that could fall apart at any time.

The rivet bracelet on my 1964 gilt 5513 did break last year while I was wearing it. The watch fell off my wrist and I didn't notice. The only reason I didn't lose it was that I was at home in lockdown. If I'd been outside...

I got lucky. Go modern.

You make a lot of sense in your statement. I ordered a couple of really cool vintage A.F. 0210 straps to wear my with my vintage Sub every day. However, I have had several 7206s , 6636s, a 9315, and even C&Is and wore them with gusto and never broke one. Now that the only 7206 I have is almost three grand, my thought process has changed.


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[Cobar65]

I forgot to add. The OP wants this for his Explorer, which I believe is considerably lighter than, say, a 1680 or even a 5513. I have mine on my 5504, and the watch is so light that I hardly know that I’m wearing it. I guess you need to look at how and where you’re going to wear the watch and then decide. I do agree that Explorer would look über cool on a 7206!


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[DavidSB]

Thanks for all the replies. The depth of experience and advice here on TRF is as welcome as it is impressive.

This was my daily watch for 10 years and reading about the poor quality of its likely original C&I bracelet might explain why I replaced it with the USA Jubilee B-219, 8-70 after a few years - the C&I probably just wore out. Over the years it’s been mostly on the 9315 Oyster/diver link on it now and for safety and size I think I’ll keep it this way.

However, it’s a family heirloom (with an adventure behind it) that my watch-collector sons and I enjoy wearing on special occasions. For those I would like to find a C&I to keep with it so we can appreciate first hand what it looked like on that 1967 day when I bought it.

Are there markings, date stamps, etc. to help authenticate C&Is?

PS: Of remotely related interest here’s a photo of the installation instructions inside the Jubilee case.

[watchlovr]

Originally Posted by DavidSB

Thanks for all the replies. The depth of experience and advice here on TRF is as welcome as it is impressive.

This was my daily watch for 10 years and reading about the poor quality of its likely original C&I bracelet might explain why I replaced it with the USA Jubilee B-219, 8-70 after a few years - the C&I probably just wore out. Over the years it’s been mostly on the 9315 Oyster/diver link on it now and for safety and size I think I’ll keep it this way.

However, it’s a family heirloom (with an adventure behind it) that my watch-collector sons and I enjoy wearing on special occasions. For those I would like to find a C&I to keep with it so we can appreciate first hand what it looked like on that 1967 day when I bought it.

Are there markings, date stamps, etc. to help authenticate C&Is?

PS: Of remotely related interest here’s a photo of the installation instructions inside the Jubilee case.

The C&I bracelets I have are dated. Month and year I think.