Daily All Purpose Use: Jubilee or Oyster Bracelet?
Well....
Well let's talk about which is best! Before we do that, I must address a few "Elephants in the room".
1.) I know I know I've been MIA for a while, but I've been around, but I've not been posting or commenting. I have A LOT of hobbies and sometimes I need to step back and let them rest for a bit.
2.) Yawl know I have opinions and I'm going to be chatting about Rolex today because I've made a mental shift.
3.) I'm definitely going to talk about the collection and future acquisitions, because...why not. That's for another post though.
So let's talk about the Jubilee and Oyster bracelet debate!
So as you know, I have a Rolex GMT Master II the "Batgirl" I guess is what they call it. Whatever, but I love it. I didn't think I'd like the jubilee bracelet as I'm really an "oyster" style guy. My AD convinced me and I'm glad she did!
So what am I yammering on about with differences. Well I've read, discussed, and generally found that many only wear the jubilee for "dressy" affairs. I too was thinking the same thing, until I remembered the mission, purpose, and use of Rolex. It is first and foremost a tool watch. I know, I know, I'm going to catch some heat on this piece because of my take on the jubilee, (I'm getting there...chill haha), but my almost year of ownership and the things I've done with this thing make me feel extremely confident in the bracelet and Rolex as a brand. So what's my opinion on a Jubilee bracelet as "dressy" only and an "oyster" as all purpose?
I think each bracelet can do both with some minor caveats. Now hear me out...
Jubilee Bracelet:
Pros:
Wears comfortably
Looks great
Durable
Provides a different "look"
Can dress up and dress down
Same steal quality as the oyster bracelet
Cons:
Multiple points of breakage
Stretching over time
Acquired taste for some
My Take:
I wear my Rolex virtually daily, in fact, I swap between two watches most days, but the Rolex is always one of them. I've worn it to fix and replace my garbage disposal, paint, do some building projects and more. No issues. I've bumped it on things (not on purpose), and generally treated it like a watch. If I had to let all of my watches go and have a one watch collection, this would be the watch. I could sleep with it on, and have once or twice.
The point is, don't be afraid of the jubilee. It's as capable as the Oyster and it looks sharp, and you may not see many of them on wrists.
Oyster Bracelet:
Pros:
Wears comfortably
Looks great
Durable
Can dress up and dress down
Same steal quality as the oyster bracelet
Cons:
Commonly seen on wrists
My Take:
I think the oyster bracelet is still a winner. Will I be adding another Rolex with one, yes (I'm eyeing the Sea Dweller), and it's great! Most will feel more comfortable with the oyster bracelet for it's look, less parts that could fail, and it's commonality. That's all good and you should get what you want.
So to conclude, I believe that any Rolex you buy will stand up to the rigors of daily life, and should be worn in the way you choose. My recent revelation...wear the dang watches!
Don't stare at them like fish in a tank, unless you want to.
Wear your pieces, but remember in the end it's your collection, and your decision.
What are your thoughts on the debate of the Jubilee vs. the Oyster Bracelet?
Watch enthusiast/collector. Watches are an art form, a muse of sorts, an inspiration from the past for the future. A watch does more than tell us the time of day....They should inspire us. Reddit: htt...
One con for the oyster is the polished centerlinks which will show scratches easier than the jubilee. But you don’t have to choose. Order an oyster bracelet and switch between them depending on mood.
My take is a nice leather strap is better than either. 😁
Do what I did. Get both.
seriously though, I love the jubilee more but I know that I’ll want the other sometimes too. I can switch between them every few months and the watch will look and feel completely different.
If I absolutely HAD to choose between them, I’d stick with Jubilee for me it looks sexier.
Jubilee… hands down. It dresses up, it dresses down and always looks great.
I prefer the jubilee, I feel it dresses up the watch...JMO enjoy the hobby
Jubilee… hands down. It dresses up, it dresses down and always looks great.
Heck yeah!
Do what I did. Get both.
seriously though, I love the jubilee more but I know that I’ll want the other sometimes too. I can switch between them every few months and the watch will look and feel completely different.
If I absolutely HAD to choose between them, I’d stick with Jubilee for me it looks sexier.
Exactly! Beautiful pieces and that's what I plan to do as well. Currently I only have a plan for 3 more Rolexes, then I'll be done and on to ALS and other brands. I have a master plan hahaha!
My take is a nice leather strap is better than either. 😁
Nothing wrong with leather either!
One con for the oyster is the polished centerlinks which will show scratches easier than the jubilee. But you don’t have to choose. Order an oyster bracelet and switch between them depending on mood.
I agree on this point. This also depends upon the model. The GMT Master II's don't allow for the bracelet change as the lug widths are now different (I purchased mine in Dec. 2022). I also have the polished center links, but surprisingly they didn't scratch as easily as I thought.
All great points and my GMT Master II looks like this...
I agree on this point. This also depends upon the model. The GMT Master II's don't allow for the bracelet change as the lug widths are now different (I purchased mine in Dec. 2022). I also have the polished center links, but surprisingly they didn't scratch as easily as I thought.
All great points and my GMT Master II looks like this...
Aah, I missed that. When did they change? ”My” AD keeps telling me that I don’t have to choose.
Jubilee has many more points of articulation which makes it way more comfy in my experience.
Jubilee
Always
Jubilee…
I'd consider a custom strap, I don't like the way the watch lugs protrude so much from both of those, it is almost like they were not designed for the watch, just used from another model.
My only Rolex is a date just 41 and I chose the jubilee as I think it just looks classier. The only other Rolex I would buy would be the explorer which must I think go on the oyster.
Like both but prefer Jubilee. Even betterer is a beads of rice.
I own a sub so I’ve always felt the tool watches should have the Oyster and the Jubilee looks best on the Datejust with the fluted bezel. To me the bezel dictates the bracelet and that’s just my preference. A plain bezel makes it a toss up for me whether it’s steel or gold.
Oyster-style bracelets are the standard; when in doubt, oyster it out. Its straightforward simplicity is one that resonates with the tool-fetishists.
Jubilee-style bracelets are equally capable with a little pizazz that can breathe new life in a watch tired of oysters.
I like how easily jubilee-style bracelets conform to whichever occasion rises. Sports, exercise, office, or dinner, I find that it blends in easily.
I like to have both styles on hand simply because a watch that works with one works well with the other
Oyster
Jubilee for me
I don’t get why the presidential bracelet is always left out of these conversations. In my experience it is a nice middle ground between the two, especially fully brushed ones
I think it’s because you can’t get that with most models. Only the day-date to my knowledge.
I think it’s because you can’t get that with most models. Only the day-date to my knowledge.
I know people bring up this point, but i meant in general, since there are aftermarket ones available
I’ve never worn a jubilee but I think they are very sharp looking. I love my oyster bracelet which doesn’t have polished center links (5 digit reference) and I like the look a tad better. Agree with all of your pros and cons. Like other earlier comments, I think you should get both ☺️. Though they have similar attributes they have decidedly two different looks.
Oyster FTW! or a Leather strap cos why not? 😜
Personally I prefer the oyster look but another issue to consider is the oyster that comes with a submariner has great microadjust feature…..not sure about the oyster that comes with the gmt though….. certainly the jubilee has extra space from the clip but it’s not as good as the other system.
Sure, it “dresses up” the watch but it’s still a tool watch and no matter what you do it’ll still be a nice everyday wear. Do what you like and what feels comfortable. There are kind of no rules in the modern age unless you are at a black tie event . . . And even then no one really cares . . . That said I’m mostly a strap guy, so I don’t have a pony in the race.
Just my personal opinion but both look great, oyster is more versatile, whilst jubilee looks very dressy (in a good way) so its up to you if you want to dress it up/down
Awesome watch! Don't forget about rubber straps tho
That is a tough one , depends on the watch. I really started getting into the Jubilee bracelets so much I bought 3 inexpensive watches with a Jubilee and love them . Wearing them more but, I feel there will be a time I go back to Oyster. Who knows, good discussion.
Aah, I missed that. When did they change? ”My” AD keeps telling me that I don’t have to choose.
I believe it was 2020 or 2021. I'd have to do a bit of research. That was a huge deal for me as I like the clasp I have. What I DON'T like is the adjustment of said bracelet via the clasp. The submariner has the best imho.
I'd consider a custom strap, I don't like the way the watch lugs protrude so much from both of those, it is almost like they were not designed for the watch, just used from another model.
I'm intrigued. Which strap maker would you choose?
It's the narrow centre link of the first part of the metal straps I don't like the look of, going for a Rubber or Leather strap does away with that, I think something like this...... (from vanguardstraps)