Hello! I have just bought a very nice Rolex Explorer 14270 from 1997. The condition is overall great, but there is one thing that bothers me. It's fitted on an Oyster bracelet 78390 with endlinks 558b. As far as I can tell form various charts, the endlinks 558b is correct for the 14270 Explorer, but the 78390 bracelet originally came on a Daytona. The correct bracelet should have been a 78790. There is a T2 marking on the clasp, which should been that the bracelet is from 1995. Honestly, it doesn't matters much to me if the bracelet is a replacement (which it might seem), but it would bother me if the bracelet is not a fit for the 14270 Explorer and the 558b endlinks. What are your thoughts? It is a problem or nothing to worry about? Thanks in advance for your help!
I’m on my phone and can’t search easily. But if it was originally on a Daytona does that mean the center links were originally polished? And then someone brushed them? Not saying it’s a big deal, just wondering. Bracelets are easily swapped and if you really care I’m sure the bracelet you have is worth the same as the other one.
You are correct that if yours is a 1997 (assuming "U" serial), it should have the 78790 with the flip lock clasp. I think they changed to the 78790 around the same time they went with no holes cases too, circa 1996 IIRC. Before that time, I believe the 78360 was used with standard folding clasp.
Bless any person who can put a Rolex bracelet back on without a single mark on the lugs. I've wrestled with some demons, but some of these freakin bracelets
So true... I can do Omegas myself but Rolex endlinks are just fit so tight between the lugs... always took them to my watchmaker to do that for me...
A smart move. I mean it shouldn't bother me because it's under the watch and who the hell ever sees that, but d@mned if it doesn't grind my gears. Guess it comes from seeing how everyone else takes meticulous care of their gear when swapping out bracelets. Do I have this issue with my Seiko's? Nope. My 16570 Explorer II.....yeeeahhhhh
@Hnansen Make it right... First purchase the 78790 and if 558B ends are included then you can sell/include your extras when you post your 78390 FS.
The Explorer 14270 was sold with a 78360 bracelet and 558B endlinks. A 78390 bracelet belongs to a Daytona 16520 with 503 endlinks.
