If you’re searching for information on how to make the best decision between the Rolex Oyster and Jubilee bracelets, you’ve come to the right spot. Choosing between these two renowned bracelets is a common situation to be in, it’s really going to depend on which Rolex model you’re after, your lifestyle, and your personal style preference.
Before we get started on some of the differences between these bracelets and which one is best suited for you, I will say that you really can’t go wrong with either choice. You’re choosing between the two most coveted, functional, and most comfortable bracelets in the watch industry. Both of these bracelets have deep heritage dating all the way back to the 1930’s and 1940’s and have gone through incremental improvements from then until now. That’s a span of around 90 years of production and design tweaks, making both of these essentially perfect choices.
Differences
While the Oyster and Jubilee are constructed with essentially an equal high quality manufacturing process, they differ in a couple areas such as style and ideal use.
The Oyster bracelet is constructed in a more utilitarian fashion with larger “H” style links, and the more common version having a fully brushed finish. The Oyster is undoubtedly the sportier option between the two, so if you’re looking for a sportier more function bracelet the Oyster is your quick and easy answer.
The Oyster goes beyond appearing sportier, it is indeed constructed a little more robustly than the Jubilee, and depending on the Rolex model is often times featuring a sportier clasp as well. One of the best clasps available on the Oyster is the GlideLock clasp that’s offered on their professional dive watch line, and I absolutely love it on my Submariner 114060.
The Jubilee on the other hand is going to be your classier and flashier option, having many small links that are brushed on the outside edge of the bracelet and high-polished in the center. This is a very iconic bracelet option, it’s unmistakable Rolex, and it commands more attention to your wrist in comparison to the Oyster.
The Jubilee might be the slightly more dressier option but it still retains an incredibly robust and slightly sporty appearance, allowing it to easily blend into your casual everyday wear style just like the Oyster. You won’t find any sophisticated diving clasps on this bracelet though, and it’s available only on the classier models like the Datejust and GMT Master II.
Comfort
I will touch very briefly on the comfort level of both watches, since they are both nearly identical in comfort. The Jubilee does take a slight advantage in the comfort level due to the larger quantity of smaller links. Because there’s more links, and they’re smaller in size, the bracelet has an easier time forming to your wrist – this provides exceptional comfort for prolonged use.
The Oyster on the other hand is also incredibly comfortable but it can feel slightly heavier on wrist, and it will not conform as well – but the difference is very minuscule and is almost not even worth considering. One little edge in the comfort department that goes to the Oyster is the use of the GlideLock clasp that allows for quick and easy adjustment as your wrist swells and contracts during the summer, this provides a more custom fit under these circumstances.
The Ideal Option for You
Now that we’ve gone through some of the differences and discussed some of the strong points of both the Jubilee and Oyster, you need to ask yourself what you’re looking for in a watch / bracelet.
If you want something that is going to be versatile for nearly every single occasion from formal, to casual and sporty, and you don’t mind some flash – the Jubilee is going to be the way to go. If you’re looking for something that will be strictly casual or if you want the ultimate robust sports watch look with additional tool like function than you’re better off going with the Oyster bracelet.
Once you’ve answered these questions for yourself your next step it to try both bracelets on at a local Authorized Dealer who should have a couple samples for testing.
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