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What's the fascination with Gay Freres bracelets?

Tony C.
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Davidt Davidt
Still I’ve provided a sold listing for $1500 or best offer which let’s assume was $1000-1200
Dubious assumptions. Here's a nice one that sold in a Swiss auction, where prices would be expected to be on the high side, 18 months ago:

GayF5.webp


Here's a branded Eterna for €90 being sold in France, and the buyer will get a KonTiki bracelet as well:

wnfknw.webp


As a related aside, anyone who is willing to forego the cache value of owning a true vintage GF, and would be happy with a high-quality, contemporary version, I'd recommend those that are available from the Japanese dealer Private Eyes. I am friendly with the owner, and have done business with him over ~20 years. They have a quite a variety, and currently (given the JPY/USD exchange rate) around $150.

https://www.watchnet.co.jp/en/item/view/5371
 
Davidt
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Tony C. Tony C.
Dubious assumptions. Here's a nice one that sold in a Swiss auction, where prices would be expected to be on the high side, 18 months ago:

GayF5.webp


Here's a branded Eterna for €90 being sold in France, and the buyer will get a KonTiki bracelet as well:

wnfknw.webp


As a related aside, anyone who is willing to forego the cache value of owning a true vintage GF, and would be happy with a high-quality, contemporary version, I'd recommend those that are available from the Japanese dealer Private Eyes. I am friendly with the owner, and have done business with him over ~20 years. They have a quite a variety, and currently (given the JPY/USD exchange rate) around $150.

https://www.watchnet.co.jp/en/item/view/5371

Well if you’re saying it sold for less, I’d say it’s more likely a seller sold a bracelet they had listed at $1500 for $1000-1200 than less than $1000.

If your general point is that overall the average price isn’t approaching $1000 and is in fact lower, I’d agree. My gut tells me they aren’t worth that much but I altered my opinion slightly based on the only evidence I could find.
 
WoundupLA
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Bigdaddy814 Bigdaddy814
I just bought a vintage zenith sub-sea and it came on its original gay freres bracelet. That adds to the watch's value and the bracelet has an independent value of its own in the neighborhood of $1000. I guess the value is just because it is a legendary maker now owned by Rolex. I do not even like the bracelet and there is no way to resize it without destroying the removed links (you apparently have to literally bend them open with a screwdriver, which renders the metal too soft to reuse.) so I removed it and put on a tropic strap and am very happy. I am keeping the GF bracelet for if or when I ever decide to sell the watch as it will make for a more valuable package.
If you want to part with the GF bracelet LMK….
 
HarryLime
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Straight-end GF bracelets, UNBRANDED, without any gadroons in the buckle are indeed desirable. I will buy any you fellows can find. I find the branding, unless Patek Philippe or Rolex, actually brings DOWN the value.
 
pdxleaf
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Did Rolex kill GF? What new innovations came from the GF team after they were absorbed by Rolex?
 
Hal10000
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HarryLime HarryLime
Straight-end GF bracelets, UNBRANDED, without any gadroons in the buckle are indeed desirable. I will buy any you fellows can find. I find the branding, unless Patek Philippe or Rolex, actually brings DOWN the value.

Agreed. If anyone has an unbranded 19mm one, preferably oyster style I'd love to buy it! 😀
 
lsj
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already struggling few month to find bracelet for my vintage A384🫩
 
WoundupLA
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lsj lsj
already struggling few month to find bracelet for my vintage A384🫩

lsj lsj
already struggling few month to find bracelet for my vintage A384🫩
…And the correct ZK or ZKM end links are even more costly for those Zenith El Primeros…but the Gay Freres ladder bracelet and end links look great IMO.
 
Hal10000
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WoundupLA WoundupLA
…And the correct ZK or ZKM end links are even more costly for those Zenith El Primeros…but the Gay Freres ladder bracelet and end links look great IMO.


I have a pair of ZG endlinks if anyone needs them.
 
AustinA
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Checking in here - if anyone is trying to get rid of a GF bracelet, 17-20mm, ideally with straight end links, please let me know! Any and all brand stamps on the clasp are welcome.
 
Dan S
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It's funny how this thread turned into a WTB free-for-all.

FWIW, while not as prestigious, I've had some JB Champion bracelets of equal quality as GF. They are also a good option.
 
AustinA
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I've also been keeping an eye out for those too, particularly meshes! I see them pop up regularly but they always seem to be going for more than I'd like.

I do find the GF fascinating due to their distinct role during such an interesting time in watchmaking, particularly in the late stages of the etablissage period in the decade or two pre-quartz crisis.
 
S
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Im desperate for a gold GF vintage bracelet, any style….will pay top dollar.
 
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