Clasp for Rolex Ref 7205/60 Bracelet seems off, is this normal?

[jokgga]

Hey all,

I just received a Rolex Oyster Precision 6426 and looking at the bracelet, which is a 7205/60 bracelet, the clasp seems off. For one, it does not have a clasp code, which I believe is because this is watch is from the early 1970s.

However, the "registered swiss made" mark is overlapping the "Rolex" mark.

I have never seen this before..is this normal in vintage bracelets with no clasp codes?

Could it be that this bracelet is counterfeit?

Rolex Clasp-SM.png

IMG_9594.jpeg

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Dan S]

The missing clasp code is normal for a part of the early 70s IIRC. Not sure about the rest.

[CTech]

There are a lot of things about the bracelet that look suspect and you will need to compare it to as many known good examples as you can find to be sure what is genuine and what is counterfeit.

Apart from the misplaced stamping on the blade, the inscription is wrong as I believe it should say "PATENTED & REGISTERED" on the top left line.

You will need to look at a lot of detail when you do the comparison, so as well as looking at the stampings you'll need to look at the shape of the rivet heads, the position of the 7205 and 60 stamps, the method of folding the links, etc.

It probably won't be possible to do this work from the photos you supplied so you could also try posting some really high quality ones of the critical features and see if anybody can give you a definitive answer.

Until proven otherwise, I would treat this as a counterfeit bracelet and approach the vendor for clarification.

[alwayshere]

need better pics.

[jokgga]

Will have better pictures shortly with more details.

Thanks all!

[jokgga]

Some better pics (putting links to imgur since I can't attach high quality pics to this post).
Thanks all for giving some guidance.

Album of close up pictures of Blade/Endlinks/Rivets
https://imgur.com/a/6K1fVCX


Blade pics (Notice it says "Registered Swissmade" over the Rolex emblem)
















Endlinks with positioning of 7205 and 60 marks



Other endlink[/B]


Rivets closeup








Thanks all for the help!

[Dan S]

Please post BBCode Imgur links so the photos appear in the thread. Nobody wants to be required to click ... click ... click.

[jokgga]

understood.. edited my post...

[jokgga]

Looking online at 7205/60 links (i.e https://www.ebay.com/itm/305012499815, I feel the endlinks and rivets are genuine but the clasp looks counterfeit.

Most 7205/60 bracelets come with a different style clasp and the clasp itself has too many questions.
1.) The Registered Swiss Made being placed offcenter from the rolex mark.
2.) Steelinox marking is offcenter
3.) There is no marking on the other clasp (usually there is a number on that clasp)
4.) The of the clasp is also different as it looks like most from that era had this style below:



@Dan S - what do you think? I looked at your IG and see you have a significant experience in vintage Rolex bands. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Dan S]

IMO, it is not a 7205 clasp, and it may be counterfeit.

[alwayshere]

My opinion is this has been cobbled together. The clasp doesn't look right but also some of the rivet folded links also don't look right.

[jokgga]

Agreed. I feel like it is a 7205/60 bracelet but the clasp and smaller links to the clasps were retrofitted with the 7205/60 bracelet.

My bigger issue is whether the actual clasp is counterfeit, given I do not think Rolex would ever make a clasp with the "Registered Swiss Made" scribe literally on top of the "Rolex scribe. It seems messy for Rolex standards. That said, I know the 60s/70s were a different time. Is it remotely possible this is genuine?

The other glaring thing I also noticed is no marking on the other clasp which usually has a couple numbers.

[CTech]

The evidence about the clasp is pretty definitive; it is counterfeit, fake, aftermarket or whatever you want to call it.

The evidence about the rest of it is not so clear cut; detailed examination in person would be required to sort out which parts (if any) are genuine.

As I said before, treat it as a non-genuine bracelet and deal with the vendor appropriately, either getting a refund, getting a replacement bracelet or getting whatever you need to put this right to your satisfaction.

[alwayshere]

there was a good thread / link that someone did comparing 7206 genuine vs. fake which would loosely apply here. See if you can find it.

On the clasp: 7205 clasp should have 7 holes, yours has 8. As CTech also said, its definitively fake.