Rolex bracelets without doubt enhance the artisanal aura of the brand. While they’re not the only bracelets that the company produces, the Oyster and the Jubilee are the most widely available ones. Since a bracelet is such an integral part of the watch, we offer a brief description of each to help you choose the one that’s right for you.
Oyster
Debuting in the late 1930s and patented in 1947, the Oyster comes in stainless steel and all other Rolex metals. Its fairly uncomplicated three-link construction makes it sturdy and functional. Its links are flat and wide and either polished in the centre or fully brushed. The stainless-steel brushed variant especially gives off a distinctly masculine vibe. Its no-nonsense utilitarian design makes it well suited to less forgiving environments and activities. It pairs rather well with Rolex’s sporty models, such as the Submariner and the Explorer. At the same time, though, its minimalist, unassuming design is timelessly elegant. The Oyster can be paired with dressy models and is more than able to hold its own in formal settings.
Jubilee
Appearing in 1945, the Jubilee is the more extravagant option of the two. It has a more complicated, five-link construction. Its rounded polished links do a better job of reflecting light — and capturing attention. The complexity certainly adds to its luxuriousness and comfort, but also comes with sturdiness and sportiness deficits. Despite its later debut, its intricate design gives off a vintage vibe, evocative of a decidedly pre-computer era. And while the Jubilee is certainly at home on dressier models, such as the Datejust, and in more formal settings, convention is meant to be defied — the Daytona and the GMT Master II have been known to pair well with a Jubilee.
As we have said before [link to BLOG 2, ‘Tips for New Watch Owners’] style advice of any sort, and from any source, should be taken with a pinch of salt. ‘Form follows function’ is sound advice most of the time but your lifestyle is your own — you set its rules, stylistic or otherwise.