The deal with SEL bracelets.

[HPoirot]

I'm relatively new to Rolex, so bear with me here.

When i read reviews or comments about pictures posted here, i inevitably see comments about the SEL fit and shape.

Personally, i cannot see the difference! Is this part really a big deal when buying a Rolex rep? Is this a dead giveaway? Or is this something that's only apparent when side by side with a gen?

 

[tillybop]

SEL or "Solid End Link" is exactly what it says on the tin, a solid end link, as opposed to the older hollow end links. As far as I know, if a gen has SEL's then the rep will too. (someone correct me if I'm wrong) The fit is just how tightly it sits between the lugs, and to be honest I've seen poor fitting end links on £5000 gens, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

 

[giobo]

The sels are a dead giveaway..At first it is the fitment..Then the shape and quality..Last but not least the size...The sels must enter the case in the same area like the gen because it must have correct lugs length.That is my honest opinion.
For example the sel fit in the gmt-c is an easy tell from miles away..

 

[correctime]

I agree. The SEL fit is one of the most "noticable at a glance tells"...especially the mid section fit to the case. If you've seen "ill fiiting" SEL's on a gen they were most likely on some of the older models that used the HEL (hollow end link...ie 93150/580). It's highly unlikely you',ll ever see a gen SEL oyster with a less than perfect fit to the case...unless perhaps it's the wrong bracelet for that particular case. But to answer the original question....yes...poor SEL fit is VERY noticable from across the room....and screams "fake".

 

[DarthAlex]

But it only screams "fake" to the six guys on here who can tell! ROFL



Fit is a tell, so are a lot of other factors. On Rolex oyster bracelets the center part of the bracelet is raised to match the lug height and the outer sides are inset somewhat. The Deep Sea reps look like they have a bad fit but the actual gen is shaped the same way. Must be designed that way due to the extra-large nature of the watch head.

 

[giobo]

But it only screams "fake" to the six guys on here who can tell! ROFL

This is for most 'tells' lol

p.s.
what is ROFL ??

 

[DarthAlex]

This is for most 'tells' lol

p.s.
what is ROFL ??

E-X-A-C-T-L-Y ! Someone gets it! Desk surfing is one thing, spotting it in the wild is a whole nother ball game.

It is easy to tell if you have the rep and gen in your hand side by side, well easy to tell there is a difference... maybe... I use to think I was one of the six but recently came to the conclusion that I am not as a clever as I thought I was!

ROFL (Rolling On Floor Laughing) or my fav ROFLMAO (Rolling On Floor Laughing My A** Off)

 

[HPoirot]

ooo... i still have much to learn.

would it be too much to ask for photos of ill fitting SELs next to proper/gen ones?

 

[correctime]

Well, I'm sure we've all felt like we knew quite a bit on a certain subject just to have someone who knows more come along and put us in check. But where SEL fit is concerned a gap is a gap is a tell and is screaming fake....and I gotta believe more than 6 people would spot the gap easily. Would they know that gap isn't supposed to exist........?? Maybe, maybe not....but "we" know...and I know...and that's enough for me to be concerned about SEL fit. LMMFFAO.....

 

[DarthAlex]

Example of good fit on a Gen:

Timesshop noob:

Note the right side is better than the left on the rep (3rd picture). In this case the SEL should fit up against the case flush under the bezel, and evenly with out wiggle room left to right between the lugs. The curve of the outer links in the bracelet should match the lugs. In the case of the rep above there may be some play on the left SEL that would likely be fixed with a larger 2mm spring bar. The right size spring bar will help keep end link in the proper position. Rolex reps often come with spring bars that allow a little too much play. Other factors can cause fit to be inaccurate.

Note that this one has some gaps between the SEL and the lugs:

 

[HPoirot]

oh wow!

thank you, for that.

 

[giobo]

What do you think guys about the tw fit??Is it ok, or i should put a noob bracelet??

 

[DarthAlex]

TW fit (above).

Personally I love the TW fit not too mention the whole watch. The bracelet has solid centers so it wears better IMO. The finish of the metal is closer to gen and brighter than the noob. The one above I wear as my daily beater.

 

[KBH]

I've been into Rolexes for years and I still don't really get it. People are always bitching about the sel fit and I just don't get it. The last picture shown of the TW fit looks the farthest off of the group of pictures shown. The SEL sits way low in the lugs even though maybe it's tight from lug to lug. So which is the big problem. Is it the width or the depth of fit.

My guess is that any gen Rolex that has been worn for 5 to 10 years would have just as much of a gap as most of the reps.

And people who say you can see it across the room..........I don't think so.

It would be like looking at this from two or three times as far away. :

 

[giobo]

I just have some concerns if the end link of the tw should be smaller or something, so as to get more in the lugs,then the lugs should look bigger..But the colour,finish,clasp and all around feeling are awesome and the substancial feel of the solid links are great..!!

 

[DarthAlex]

My guess is that any gen Rolex that has been worn for 5 to 10 years would have just as much of a gap as most of the reps.

+1

You see evidence of this on cases where endlink play has rubbed off part of the serial or model number between the lugs.

Spring bar wear and other factors change the fit too...including differences in endlink type.


The TW is a tad more recessed than some

Gen:

I just have some concerns if the end link of the tw should be smaller or something, so as to get more in the lugs,then the lugs should look bigger..But the colour,finish,clasp and all around feeling are awesome and the substancial feel of the solid links are great..!!

Desk surfing is one thing...but in the wild, on the wrist, who will know? I work on these things all the time and even I have trouble spotting differences unless under a loupe or side by side.

IMO The TW is the best bang for the buck for a 16610. Some would argue a WM9 V2 is better but you can't hardly come by one and if you do usually the seller wants a grand for it.

 

[giobo]

What is your opinion about mine, anyway guys??To go for noob bracelet or not??I am in the middle of it..Althought this feels really nice and tight...

 

[DarthAlex]

Looks good to me!

 

[giobo]

Looks good to me!

I think i will keep it like this...
Thanks Darthalex..
See my crystal also combined with the wm9 insert..Looks good!!!

 

[rsh]

Here is poor SEL