Need some help finding a bracelet:/

[christopherwilliam]

Ok so since I got the polar 16570 back in rotation, I am realizing that this time it's a keeper. I got as a head only from Wu, so now I am trying to source a reasonably priced bracelet. Is there such a thing? I have found a few at $1,000 and up, and that shit ain't happening! I have actually never had to source a bracelet before....I am going to post a WTB on TRF and see if I get any bites there as well.

Any words of wisdom, or know of any for sale?

Thanks in advance fellas!

[jtbenson]

wait for me or hoppy to buy a 16570?

seriously though, good luck with the hunt, and hopefully you get some good tips here
they can be tough to find at a reasonable price.

[christopherwilliam]

Thanks man! Yeah reasonable being the key word! I got excited and found one for $400, but then it was in disastrous shape:/

[JBZ]

As one who's been down this road, it can be tough to find these, and I'd be surprised if you could find one in good shape for less than $700. You also need to make sure you get the correct endlinks (either 501B's or solid, depending on the year of the watch - I'm not sure when Rolex switched the 16570 from hollow to solid end links - early 2000's maybe?). He's a link to a Timekeeper Forum page with a couple of endlink charts:

http://www.timekeeperforum.com/forum/th ... hart.4566/

Another option is an aftermarket unbranded oyster style bracelet - they're reasonably priced.

[JBZ]

Another option would be to flip your Explorer for one that has a bracelet - might actually be cheaper in the long run.

[christopherwilliam]

Thanks for the link to that chart! Mine's an E serial, so 501B for me.

Maybe this is a stupid question, but aside from the end links, is the bracelet the same as for a Sub?

[JBZ]

Thanks for the link to that chart! Mine's an E serial, so 501B for me.

Maybe this is a stupid question, but aside from the end links, is the bracelet the same as for a Sub?

It's slightly different. The older Exp II bracelets (which I think would include your E serial) were simple clasps like the older Datejusts and Daytonas. Even when Rolex switched over to flip locks, they were slightly different from the Sub, I assume because they didn't have the diver's extension - the clasp itself is shorter than the Sub's (this is the same for the GMT's).

All of that said, as long as being 100% correct won't keep you up at night, any oyster bracelet that will work with 501B endlinks should be fine, and that includes the Sub bracelets before they switched over to SEL's.

Also, it's always possible that a bracelet with SEL's will work on your Explorer - I'd just want to be able to get my money back if it didn't.

[christopherwilliam]

Greatly appreciate all the info Jeff!!

[jtbenson]

buy this, then the sell as watch only here, done.

[christopherwilliam]

Hmmmm.....you might be on to something Jason!

[streetracer101]

buy this, then the sell as watch only here, done.

That's one of the best prices I have seen in a long time. You'd be a fool to pass it up. I wouldn't sell my exp ii for less then $4k and wouldn't sell my SEL bracelet for less then $1k.

[matt.wu]

Lemme see what I got.

[cdnwatchguy]

Check out the market on VRF (Vintage Rolex Forum) often have lots of parts bracelets etc.

[hoppyjr]

I got head only from Wu too.

I'd do an aftermarket one if you're only going to wear it occasionally, then keep your eyes open for a genuine one if you decide to keep it long term.

[christopherwilliam]

Thanks guys!!! Actually had a member step up and offer me a great bracelet! Gotta get my rotor bearings replaced first, hopefully this won't be too expensive:/

[deepcdvr]

Congrats

I bought a 40 dollar aftermarket (unbranded) with a glide lock clasp for my 16800 and love it.

I priced several OEM and they were 700-1000 depending on condition so I bought another watch with the money I saved