As you no doubt have figured out by now if you are a regular reader of these pieces, geeking out about watches is well, simply what we do here at Rubber B. We love our work and find the world of horology and luxury timepieces to be endlessly fascinating, and we hope you continue to learn at least a little something when you’ve finished reading each of these pieces.
The reason that we’re opening this article this way is that, even by our standards, we’re about to get pretty nerdy today. Our brilliant team at Rubber B has decided to do another piece on one of our favorite watches of all time, the Rolex Submariner. However, we’re going to be a bit more niche than we have been previously, as this piece is going to be devoted exclusively to the history of the Rolex Submariner’s bracelet.
Are you ready? We sure are, so let’s learn a little more about the history of this bracelet, and why the Rolex Submariner bracelet is an integral part of the watch’s overall quality and aesthetic.
What Type of Watch Bracelet Does the Rolex Submariner Have?
The Rolex Submariner, along with several other watches in the Rolex product catalog, uses an Oyster bracelet, which is the most common type of bracelet that Rolex offers with its watches. It was patented in 1947 and released shortly afterward, and despite its age, it is not the first bracelet that Rolex developed. That distinction would go to the Jubilee, which was the bracelet for the original Datejust, which dates all the way back to 1945.
What Are Some of the Defining Features of the Oyster Bracelet?
Of all of its defining characteristics, the most immediately recognizable trait of the Rolex Submariner bracelet is the fact that it has solid end links instead of hollow ones. However, this was not always the case, and it is important to understand what the bracelet was like before and why, from a design standpoint, this change was so vitally important.
While Rolex is known for the ultra-high quality manufacturing of their products, it is very reasonable to say that no one is perfect, and that even includes the Crown themselves from time to time. In this instance, the problem with the hollow links is that, over time, they were very much susceptible to being stretched out after being worn for a long period of time. No one wants to see their watch become warped and stretched over time just by wearing it, especially not at Rolex prices. After the problem was identified, the Rolex team did what they do best, and set out to solve it.
Their solution to the problem was to implement solid center and end links, which would prevent the Rolex Submariner bracelet from unnecessarily stretching. This is especially important because, at its core, the Rolex Submariner is a dive watch. This means that it must have a bracelet that ensures that the watch will never fall off, as divers rely on it for safety purposes while they are in the water.
To further continue that train of thought, another important feature of note about the Rolex Submariner bracelet is its specially designed clasp, which Rolex affectionately calls the “Glide Lock.” This proprietary design not only provides extra security in terms of keeping the watch affixed to the user, but also allows for micro-adjustments to be easily made with little to no difficulty.
It goes without saying that, aesthetically speaking, the Rolex Submariner bracelet is a work of art. However, we thought it was important to focus on the technical aspects of it for this article, because its design has practical, real-world implications for those who use it, especially if they maintain an active lifestyle of any kind.
Need a Custom Rubber Watch Strap For Your Rolex? Contact Rubber B Today
One of the best parts about owning a beautiful luxury timepiece, such as a Rolex, is that it allows you to fully express your personal sense of style. But did you know there’s a way to further improve upon that? By purchasing a custom rubber watch strap for your Rolex Submariner, or other luxury timepiece, you will feel like you’re wearing a new watch every time you swap the straps out.
Rubber B is proud to only supply custom rubber watch straps that are made in Switzerland from 100% vulcanized rubber. These straps have been tested to ensure both their quality and durability. Additionally, all of our products are FDA and BGVV certified, which means they are both dustproof and waterproof.
For more information on all of our Rolex products, you can visit our website and see them here. We update our inventory regularly, so be sure to check in with us from time to time to see what new products we have available!
