Bracelet options for a 1950s oyster perpetual

Hello,

I recently unearthed this little one:



It is a 6332 from 1954. I had a buckle sloshing around in my "nice" parts bin so I can always put a 19mm leather on it, but I am definitely more of a bracelet guy. Also, the case shows bracelet marks inside the lugs but not under them, it was worn with a straight end bracelet.

I think I have read somewhere that around 1954 Rolex transitioned to the now classic fitted enlinks look, from the straight end look seen on earlier bubblebacks. So naturally I'd like to find a straight end rivet bracelet to keep a 1950s vibe. (forget about getting an original one, price will be probably be nuts for a stretched survivor)

I did not see many offerings besides the Forstner rivet. I'm not so sure it will be well proportioned with my watch, though. The Forstner bracelet does not taper and if I understand well, is 18mm wide (only the end parts can be 18, 19 or 20mm wide, the rest is always 18mm). It looks very nice on bigger watches, but the 6332 case is 34mm wide, and I fear that the constant 18mm wide bracelet will overpower it a little.

I also tried it with a bonklip (felt strange) and natos. Not a nato guy either, and it is feels out of place, and too thick. A bubbleback is not a thin flat watch to begin with.



Does anyone has the Forstner river on a small 34mm case? Any other option with a tapering bracelet?

Beautiful watch! For me, a watch like this with a nato is a faux pas. I’d get a 76350 and call it a day. It may not be correct for the vintage, but it is such a great bracelet. They can usually be found without a lot of stretch and they aren’t too expensive. The rivet 19mm bracelets are pretty janky, even when super tight and the clasp is only like 12mm on those, so quite dainty. Also the end links do not fit well at all. Another option is a jubilee (USA oval link), which will have nicely fitting end links, but they are quite difficult to come by.

I actually like the heavy taper so the small clasp does not bother me. But I'll have a look at the 76350.

Also, the straight end bor may be another cool option. I think I'll have to try a few different things, and see what sticks...

That should be 78350,

Lovely! But deep down I know that if I want to wear this watch, I'd better find a steel bracelet. I usually find 34mm watches on leather a bit strange, like I am missing something.

A Forstner stretchy rivet is incoming, even if it doesn't go well with this one it will be useful.


As for the Everest, wasn't it a Smiths deluxe, which is in an English museum ?

I think a 7905 repro is next in the line of things to try, indeed.

Rebuild is more like $500, I had two done earlier in the year. Here is what a oval link looks like on a 34mm Rolex case, and the clasp width vs a rivet. Oval link jubilees work for 34 and 36mm cases but it is too fat for a 34mm case IMHO, I prefer the 76350. This bracelet now lives on my 1018.

Rebuilding a bracelet would probably imply sending it overseas, and problems with customs (I'm not in the US). I'd rather not go that far.

The Forstner would be nice... if it were longer. As it is, it would probably suit me with a bigger chrono or diver but paired with a 34mm case it is too short. So it is leather for now, I'll think about a bracelet next year. Meanwhile, I played around with light, at last I have a little sun when I am in vacation (last 5 days were quite humid and dark):



Interesting how the minute track is slightly off, and it is not a redial. So much for the "fanatical attention to detail" BS I see sometimes in Rolex blog posts. Should have got myself an old Omega 😁 😝

I have one of these new rivet bracelets on my GMT.
Unlike vintage rivets, they don’t have the flat sided stepped links but rather tapered like a more modern bracelet. But the removable links are screw pins (thank the lord) and they are beautifully made- far better than any of my original rivet bracelets.
The strait endlink Forstner would also be a good alternative. It mimicks the looks of the early Gay Freres rivet including a flex links at the bracelet. I have a friend who has on a sub and loves it (although I prefer fitted endlinks, I think it’s a nice vintage look).