This will be the first out of many series of guides/tutorials that I will be creating, because I like to share my horology passion to many people out there!
Today, I am comparing the common rep jubilee bracelet with a gen one. The rep jubilee bracelet is commonly seen on classic reps like Franken Datejust.
Sorry for the poor photo quality, the lighting in my home is not the best for taking photos.
What I will be comparing:
- Rep Jubilee bracelet (with generic rep '455' end links) = the design appears to be based on the model specific 62510h bracelet (i.e., not the 6251h). The rep Jubilee bracelet was sourced from Rafflesdial.
- Gen Jubilee bracelet (with gen 555b end links) = the design is based on the model specific Rolex 62510h bracelet. The serial of the clasp is "O" series (1990) and the condition is very new with tight links.
- Both bracelets have hollow middle links, but these middle links are not the folded type (e.g., 6251h)
For all of the pictures...
- G = genuine
- R = replica
At first glance, the gen bracelet looks shinier and whiter than the rep, which suggests that the gen bracelet was polished better from the factory. The coronet on the gen bracelet's clasp contains more detail and finesse: the coronet on the clasp of the gen bracelet is really 3D-looking. Comparatively, the coronet on the clasp of the rep bracelet is very flat and lacks detail.
The photos do not appear to show the extent of the gen bracelet being shinier and better-polished, because of the poor lighting in my home, but I can guarantee that the gen bracelet is better in the aforesaid aspects.
When the clasps are opened, there is much more stamping detail done on the gen bracelet's clasp coronet (the arrows)
When the clasp is closed, here are some visual differences:
1. The underside of the gen bracelet's jubilee links is completely flat and very smooth (i.e. no jagged feeling - very comfortable when worn). The replica bracelet on the other hand has uneven underside jubilee links and the edges are sharp.
2. The gen bracelet is stamped as '62510 H' whereas the replica bracelet reuses mass-manufactured clasp parts - so it uses a stamped '93250' part (which is incorrect). However, this can vary as I have seen replica jubilee bracelet that is correctly stamped as 62510H.
3. The replica bracelet's clasp is wider than the gen one by 1-2mm approximately. You can also see from the arrows that the gen bracelet is better polished (shinier and whiter looking) than the replica bracelet's duller finish.
However, the most obvious flaw of the replica bracelet is there are only 6 micro-adjustable holes on the clasp - a lot of replica 20mm Rolex clasp (of this design) have this problem. By comparison, the gen clasp has 7 micro-adjustable holes. It is also worth mentioning that the gen bracelet's jubilee link screws sits flush and it is well polished, whereas the replica bracelet's jubilee link screws can sit uneven in its slot - some are flush and some aren't.
End links:
- A lot of replica end links are stamped as '455b' regardless if it is for two-tone/stainless steel, oyster/jubilee, or case with lug holes/ non lug-holes: this can be wrong/inaccurate
- Gen end links are stamped appropriately to their configuration/model (e.g. 502T end links are for non-lug hole Rolex, etc.). My particular gen end link is 555B and it is designed for the early 16200 Datejust series with lug holes
- When the gen and replica end links are installed into a Rolex, they both look very similar.
The gen end link has longer tube for guiding the spring bar and it is well polished/finished on the inside. The replica end link has shorter tubes for guiding the spring bar and it is unfinished on the inside (very rough-looking)
The feeling of the bracelets when worn
- Gen bracelet feels very comfortable as the jubilee links are polished without jagged edges. Also, the links are tighter so the bracelet feels like it naturally wraps around the wearer's hand. But bear in mind that my gen jubilee bracelet's condition is extremely new - a lot of second jubilee bracelets out there are quite worn and stretched badly.
- Rep bracelet feels a bit rough when worn because of the jagged edges on the jubilee link (as the finishing isn't as good as the gen bracelet, but it is still comfortable). The replica bracelet makes a lot more rattling noise than the gen bracelet because the links are not as tight.
Today, I am comparing the common rep jubilee bracelet with a gen one. The rep jubilee bracelet is commonly seen on classic reps like Franken Datejust.
Sorry for the poor photo quality, the lighting in my home is not the best for taking photos.
What I will be comparing:
- Rep Jubilee bracelet (with generic rep '455' end links) = the design appears to be based on the model specific 62510h bracelet (i.e., not the 6251h). The rep Jubilee bracelet was sourced from Rafflesdial.
- Gen Jubilee bracelet (with gen 555b end links) = the design is based on the model specific Rolex 62510h bracelet. The serial of the clasp is "O" series (1990) and the condition is very new with tight links.
- Both bracelets have hollow middle links, but these middle links are not the folded type (e.g., 6251h)
For all of the pictures...
- G = genuine
- R = replica
At first glance, the gen bracelet looks shinier and whiter than the rep, which suggests that the gen bracelet was polished better from the factory. The coronet on the gen bracelet's clasp contains more detail and finesse: the coronet on the clasp of the gen bracelet is really 3D-looking. Comparatively, the coronet on the clasp of the rep bracelet is very flat and lacks detail.
The photos do not appear to show the extent of the gen bracelet being shinier and better-polished, because of the poor lighting in my home, but I can guarantee that the gen bracelet is better in the aforesaid aspects.
When the clasps are opened, there is much more stamping detail done on the gen bracelet's clasp coronet (the arrows)
When the clasp is closed, here are some visual differences:
1. The underside of the gen bracelet's jubilee links is completely flat and very smooth (i.e. no jagged feeling - very comfortable when worn). The replica bracelet on the other hand has uneven underside jubilee links and the edges are sharp.
2. The gen bracelet is stamped as '62510 H' whereas the replica bracelet reuses mass-manufactured clasp parts - so it uses a stamped '93250' part (which is incorrect). However, this can vary as I have seen replica jubilee bracelet that is correctly stamped as 62510H.
3. The replica bracelet's clasp is wider than the gen one by 1-2mm approximately. You can also see from the arrows that the gen bracelet is better polished (shinier and whiter looking) than the replica bracelet's duller finish.
However, the most obvious flaw of the replica bracelet is there are only 6 micro-adjustable holes on the clasp - a lot of replica 20mm Rolex clasp (of this design) have this problem. By comparison, the gen clasp has 7 micro-adjustable holes. It is also worth mentioning that the gen bracelet's jubilee link screws sits flush and it is well polished, whereas the replica bracelet's jubilee link screws can sit uneven in its slot - some are flush and some aren't.
End links:
- A lot of replica end links are stamped as '455b' regardless if it is for two-tone/stainless steel, oyster/jubilee, or case with lug holes/ non lug-holes: this can be wrong/inaccurate
- Gen end links are stamped appropriately to their configuration/model (e.g. 502T end links are for non-lug hole Rolex, etc.). My particular gen end link is 555B and it is designed for the early 16200 Datejust series with lug holes
- When the gen and replica end links are installed into a Rolex, they both look very similar.
The gen end link has longer tube for guiding the spring bar and it is well polished/finished on the inside. The replica end link has shorter tubes for guiding the spring bar and it is unfinished on the inside (very rough-looking)
The feeling of the bracelets when worn
- Gen bracelet feels very comfortable as the jubilee links are polished without jagged edges. Also, the links are tighter so the bracelet feels like it naturally wraps around the wearer's hand. But bear in mind that my gen jubilee bracelet's condition is extremely new - a lot of second jubilee bracelets out there are quite worn and stretched badly.
- Rep bracelet feels a bit rough when worn because of the jagged edges on the jubilee link (as the finishing isn't as good as the gen bracelet, but it is still comfortable). The replica bracelet makes a lot more rattling noise than the gen bracelet because the links are not as tight.
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