Dave R

Been to my local watch repairer to try thinner spring bars with those end links, and the alligator strap didn’t even come close to fitting, he then removed those end links and tried just the thinner spring bars and the strap was still catching on the watch leaving a mark, so I had him put the bracelet back on. Like Sam said the Rolex bracelet is comfortable so it won’t be coming off anymore. As I’ve previously mentioned, I am eventually getting a Cellini Rhodium dial, and when the time comes I’ll have that alligator strap fitted.

Went to the place today for that alligator strap and had it fitted there. I like the strap a lot and it’s very well made, although I’m not so keen on the deployant buckle so think I’ll have a buckle I’ve spare fitted locally. While there I asked the guy to use the Rolex spring bars, which meant those end link had to be removed, I’m happy with that though because it looks better without, problem is those Rolex spring bars must be too thick because the strap is catching on the watch and leaving a mark, so tomorrow I’ll see about using thinner spring bars. Here are some photos with one showing the mark.

The alligator strap is done and ready for me to collect, unfortunately I’m unable to do so atm because of circumstances, but hopefully will be collecting it in the next 2 to 3 weeks. Once I have it and if I’m happy, ( which I can’t see any reason why I wouldn’t ) I may end up asking for an alligator strap from the same place for my Saxonia, but obviously in black. I may also ask Charlie if he could do me one with curved ends like in the photo, while still using straight spring bars. If Charlie can do me an alligator strap with curved ends, then I’ll be having the Lange buckle used, rather than a deployant buckle that’s going on the storm grey alligator strap. ?

Thanks Sam.

Since getting the Oyster Perpetual, I’ve been manual winding it every other day, and while I enjoy doing it, I do wonder if the unscrewing and screwing is doing any harm. Now I’ve read some feel a watch winder is a great thing to have, whereas others think one is bad for a watch and a waste of money. Whether that’s true I don’t know, but I like the idea of putting my Rolex in one when going to bed, and it being ready to wear when I get up, it would also be a place to store my Rolex. I’ve been looking at different watch winders, and the one I like the most is that in the photos. It’s an Orbita Siena 1 burl Rotorwind, which imo not only looks very nice, but’s supposed to be well built. Thoughts here would be much appreciated.

It’s true they do look different, but I was referring to them both having a silver dial and black strap, however in the last message the Rolex dealer sent me, he said that because the Cellini is becoming more popular, and a dark grey dial is well liked, there’s a possibility Rolex might be doing a Cellini with a dark grey dial. The same dealer also told me he’d like to see my Oyster Perpetual with the storm grey alligator strap, and my Saxonia, so I said I’ll pop through to Leeds when the strap’s fitted. @HemiSam, I used that Grand Seiko as part exchange for that Oyster Perpetual Sam, and with the OP’s movement being shock resistant and quite durable, I was told it would be ok to wear it while playing snooker and pool, which I am doing. The good thing about the Cellini is the same 3132 movement is used as that in the OP, so I can wear a Cellini while playing those two games, which I will be doing. The Rolex dealer did tell me that it could take up to 6 months before they have that Cellini 50509 with the Rhodium dial, so by that time Rolex might’ve come out with the same Cellini with a dark grey dial, fingers crossed ??.

They look to be well made straps from where I’m getting it Reks, so looking forward to having the one ordered fitted, change of plan though. I’ve been told thin spring bars will be needed to keep those end links I got on, and I’ve decided I’d like the Rolex OP spring bars used, which means those end link may have to come off. The reason I’m wanting the OP spring bars used, is because they look to be the same size as those on a Cellini, and after seeing photos of a Rolex Cellini 50509 with Rhodium dial and loving its looks, I’ll be selling my OP for a Cellini with Rhodium dial. I’ll be getting one from a Rolex dealer in Leeds ( a city 11 miles from where I live ) but they won’t have one in for several months, which gives me time to save. One of the good things about a Cellini is its lug width is the same as the OP, 20mm, so that custom alligator strap can be used. Anyway to be honest, like said by others here which I agree, the Oyster Perpetual looks best with a bracelet, and the only reason I’m using a strap is I find them much more comfortable. Some photos of that Cellini with Rhodium dial. The photo above is the Cellini with a back strap and the dark grey one I’m getting, I’ve put them together for comparison, and to me the dark grey strap should look nice but more importantly is a different colour to that on my Saxonia, so I won’t have two watches looking similar. ?

Haven’t got that custom alligator strap I ordered just over two months ago to use on my Oyster Perpetual yet, but was told it would take 8 to 10 weeks, so should have it soon. Now with what happening to the strap I ordered from Russia, where it was thieved on its way to me, I’ve decided I’ll be travelling to the place that’s doing the alligator strap with it being around an hour 20 min from where I live, so there’ll be no worries about this one being thieved. Since getting that Rolex OP and it being automatic, I’m wearing it much more than my Saxonia, and because of that I’ve had the ALS alligator strap fitted back on my Saxonia. I was using another strap to prolong the wear of that ALS strap, but with me now wearing that saxonia occasionally, I thought it only right to have the original back on.

Placed an order for the alligator strap, so when I receive it in 8 to 10 weeks and it’s fitted to my OP, I’ll post some photos.

That’s good to know Reks. ?

Thanks for your ABPconcept.paris. recommendation Sam, I’ll have a look, however this place in the UK ( Equus Leather ) is only about an hour from where I live, and with it being in England I’ll have no 20% import VAT to pay, so I think I’ll get one from there. I haven’t got a reply to the message I sent, but according to their website, from placing an order for a watch strap to delivery is 8 to 10 weeks depending on how busy they are. That length of time does seem a bit long, but on their website it says quality takes time, which is reassuring to know. ?

Although the OP does look better with its bracelet, I’ve decided not to have it put back on, instead I’ve enquired about an alligator strap from that place in the UK, however my query isn’t about it in black, it’s what this place calls storm grey which looks a similar colour to the OP Rhodium dial. Getting this strap makes it so the AK end links won’t become obsolete, which I’m happy about. On that strap is a deployment buckle, which is what I’m going for, but in satin finish.

After trying my OP with a leather strap, and being undecided if I preferred it to the bracelet, I feel that Rolex model is best suited with the bracelet, yes I find a strap is more comfortable, but its bracelet isn’t uncomfortable, so I’ll have the bracelet put back on.

Yeah but with a high quality strap, it should look and feel much better than that cheap one used, and if I don’t hear anything from that Russian guy, then I might see about getting an alligator ( black ) strap from a UK place that’s done that in the photo. To be honest, I do prefer dress watches, and although an OP looks kind of dress like, a Rolex Cellini ( 50509 ) is, plus it’s supposed to be just as durable, so sometime in the future I think I’ll get one.

Because I couldn’t wait to see how the AK end links look on my OP39, I ended up buying a cheap strap, and I’m undecided whether I prefer the end links/strap look or Rolex bracelet. Comfort wise I find the strap is better than the bracelet, so think I’ll keep the strap on and wait a better quality one.

Today I received the package that strap I ordered for use on my Rolex OP39 was supposed to be in, but with no strap, there was an outer plastic bag from Royal Mail with their apologies, so obviously on its way to me some thieving bastard has taken it. I’ve been in contact with the person that did me that strap and he’s starting an investigation, in the meantime he’s refunded the cost of that strap to my PayPal account, unfortunately he’s not ready to do me a new one with this happening, but hopefully will eventually.

The two AK end links I ordered were delivered today for use with my Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm, so just waiting for the strap which should take a week or two.

20/18mm

Was able to order 904L AK end links after contacting Officialtime via eBay, I asked if they could do a pair for Oyster Perpetual 39mm 20mm lugs, to which they said yes. All I needed to do was order their Rolex Yacht Master end links then add a message saying for OP 114300, should be receiving them in a couple days. I’ve also ordered that Horween Shell Cordovan leather strap, but this one’s from a guy in Russia. I’ve already had him make me two different straps, one for the GSQ and the other for my Saxonia, after selling that GSQ though I’m keeping one as spare for the Saxonia with them both being 19mm wide. Both the straps from the Russian guy are very nice, and so much better than that strap I got from someone in the UK, which is why I’ve ordered a third from Russia, this Russian guy also does straps to any wrist size. I’ve asked for a brushed silver buckle, and with the Rolex OP’s dial being dark rhodium, I went for dark grey stitching, this new strap though may take around two weeks to be done.

I found that a company called Officialtime do 904 stainless steel end links for some Rolex watches Reks, but didn’t see any for Oyster Perpetual, so I got in contact with them via eBay and their reply was that they can provide the right end links for an OP39, to which I asked how I go about ordering, but I’ve yet to receive a reply, that was only last night so there’s plenty of time for them to do that. Here are two of the same or similar photo but at a different focus of their AK end link, which I believe is for a Daytona.

Thanks Sam, and I’m pleased to say I have that Rolex, which happy with, however even though its bracelet is quite comfortable, I still prefer leather straps, not only do I find straps feel better than bracelets, they look better too. Another thing I’m not so keen about bracelets is when the wrist is warm the fit is perfect, but when cold it becomes loose, therefore I think I’ll get that strap in the photo which is Horween Cordovan leather. I’ll be finding about end links to use with that strap, but even if none are available for an OP 39, I I’ll still order that strap.

Although I really like the GSQ, at the time getting it ( January ) the watch I much preferred for the same purpose ( wearing while playing snooker and pool ) was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm, but while I did have the money to get that Rolex, there were/are other things that need doing, however because a ROP is my second dream watch I thought you only live once so frig it. What this means is I’ve used that GSQ as part exchange for a ROP39 Rhodium dial, and those other things will just have to wait. About the dial colour, there are only two I like on the OP, blue and that rhodium, but what made me decide on rhodium is it has blue accents, whereas the blue dial has green which to me doesn’t look as good. Been told I should be receiving that Rolex tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to that. ?

I’ve seen these end links for most Rolex models Sam, but not for a ROP, but hopefully one will become available for that very nice ( IMO ) Rolex.

Because my guess is any 20mm strap could be used with this end link for Rolex I’ve recently seen Sam, I assume a strap with a Rolex Deployant Clasp could also be used. As for ALS, imo all the watches they do look amazing, but even if I were rich, I’d still get the saxonia thin 37mm I have because I just love the way it looks, although if I was nitpicking I’d prefer one in platinum.

Found a different end link for most Rolex, and what’s great about this one is it looks like any strap can be used with it, providing it’s 20mm. What I can’t understand is why this end link isn’t available for ROP 39mm. I’m at it again with photos, this time quite a few. ?