It’s no secret that Rolex is one of the most famous, if not the most famous and well-known luxury watch brand in the world. Arguably no other watch brand has achieved a status as high as that of Rolex. The mighty crown is associated with perfection and has become a true symbol of success.
Rolex is a brand that has also been able to create some of the most iconic and recognized timepieces in the world, which, as a result, have been the inspiration for many other watch brands to follow.
But something that is perhaps often neglected is the bracelet of a watch. Yet at the same time, the bracelet plays a crucial role in a watch’s appearance and overall functionality. Or, in Rolex’s own terms:
”Bracelets and clasps play a full part in the unique pleasure of wearing a Rolex watch. Their ergonomics are carefully studied, while their robustness and reliability, their aesthetics and lustre are all inherent to the personality of the timepiece. They are the product of a complex alchemy of form and function. Their design, development and production, as well as the stringent tests they face, involve advanced technology, know-how and craftsmanship.”
Rolex.com
And it just happens so that Rolex is also responsible for some of the most iconic watch bracelets in the world. Two of those are the Rolex President bracelet and the Rolex Jubilee bracelet.
And with the above-said, Rolex’s bracelet offers the perfect combination of form, function, and design. This is also why they are considered to be amongst the best watch bracelets in the world.
Here is an overview at what sets these bracelets apart, what they are about, and, of course, a commonly asked question, which is best.
Rolex president bracelet VS Jubilee bracelet
Just like with Rolex’s watches, the brand is about evolution, not revolution when it comes to its bracelets, specifically, in this case, the Jubilee and President bracelet. This is also one of the most important reasons why Rolex has probably achieved more iconic and recognized designs in the world than any other watch brand.
And just like with its watches, timeless designs truly never go out of style.
Rolex Jubilee bracelet
The Rolex Jubilee bracelet was first presented in 1945 specifically for the launch of the first Oyster Perpetual Datejust. A lot has happened since then, and today, the Datejust is one of the most iconic timepieces in the world. The name ”Jubilee” comes from the fact that the launch of the Datejust and its dedicated new bracelet was released to celebrate Rolex’s 40th anniversary -hence a Jubilee bracelet.
The watches on which the Jubilee bracelet is used has changed a lot over the years.
Over the course of Rolex’s history, the Jubilee bracelet has been used for models such as the GMT-Master. In addition, it has also been made in full gold, for example in the 16758SARU, which we discussed in this article. From the discontinuation of the GMT-Masters on Jubilee bracelets, up until 2018, the Jubilee bracelet was only used on the Datejust models (with some exceptions), but in 2018, Rolex once again presented the GMT-Master on the Jubilee bracelet as part of its standard collection, which was launched under the reference 126710BLRO.
Today, it is only available in either full stainless steel or a combination of gold and steel. Either rose gold and steel or yellow gold and steel. An interesting anecdote is that the Jubilee bracelet was seen as Rolex’s premier bracelet at the point of its launch, and was therefore only made in full gold. However, in the 1950s, the President bracelet was launched and took its place as the premier bracelet of Rolex.
The Jubilee bracelet is, in Rolex’s terms a ”supple and comfortable five-piece link metal bracelet”. With the use of five links and three polished middle-links, the Jubilee bracelet catches the light beautifully and appears almost like a piece of jewelry on its own. This goes to show just how great importance Rolex puts in its bracelets - beautiful enough to stand on their own legs. In terms of design, you could say that it is a combination between the Oyster and President bracelet, and therefore sits perfectly in the brand’s lineup, filling a gap that none of the other bracelets do. It is less sporty and more elegant than the Oyster bracelet, but it is also less dressy than the President bracelet.
Over the years, the Jubilee bracelet has undergone a number of different changes and upgrades, but its design has remained mostly the same.
The Jubilee bracelet is today almost exclusively available with an Oyster Clasp, although some ladies' models have the hidden Crownclasp. However, one extremely popular Jubilee version is the so-called Superjubilee bracelet, reference 63600 which was used for the previous Datejust generation, reference 116234, amongst others. The popularity of the Superjubilee has been contributed by the fact that it can be fitted to a large number of professional watches, thus giving them a new appearance, including models such as the Explorer 16570, Submariner 16610, Submariner 114060, GMT-Master 116710LN, and many more.
Rolex President bracelet
The Rolex President bracelet was launched in 1956, specifically for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date.
Remember what we said earlier about the fact that the bracelet plays an important role in the overall design of a watch? Well, this is particularly true when it comes to the President bracelet.
The President bracelet is exclusively available on the Day-Date, with the exception of a few full precious metal lady Datejust models, and its bracelet has become synonymous with the name ”Presidential”. One thing that is true, however, is that the President bracelet has only been made in full precious metal - either yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum.
In Rolex’s terms, it is a ”refined, exclusive metal bracelet with semi-circular three-piece links”. Synonymous with the President bracelet is also its concealed ”Crownclasp”, which gives it a seamless and elegant design throughout.
The President bracelet is still to this day reserved today for the Day-Date and for certain versions of the Lady Datejusts, always in precious metals. It is always fitted with a Crownclasp, Rolex’s elegant concealed clasp.
Rolex President bracelet VS Jubilee bracelet - differences & similarities
With all of the above said, the President and Jubilee bracelets are both two distinct and iconic bracelet from Rolex. And whilst they do share a number of similarities, they also share a number of differences.
The thing is, the Oyster bracelet is Rolex’s most sporty bracelet, built robustly to last. But both the President and Jubilee are made to be more elegant and classy. These are not sports bracelets, but rather elegant and dressy bracelets. In that sense, they are similar, but since the President bracelet is reserved for the Day-Date and only made in full gold, it becomes one step more exclusive and luxurious than the Jubilee.
Naturally, the Rolex President bracelet, being made in full precious metal is more delicate than the Jubilee. Since gold is softer than steel, the President bracelet will scratch more easily and is therefore considered less suitable for everyday wear. However, with that said, the President bracelet is still a very well-made and robust bracelet that will last for many decades to come.
In addition, with Rolex being about evolution, not revolution, as discussed earlier, Rolex has consistently worked to improve and refine its bracelets. And the main focus here has been to increase their durability and robustness. Because if you have a look at vintage President or Jubilee bracelet lets, you’ll find that whilst the actual design is extremely similar, these bracelets tend to have a lot of stretch, meaning they have lost their original rigidness. Since Rolex’s goal is to create perpetual products that can last for generations, this has been a great focus for the brand, which has led to consistent improvements in the build quality and longevity of the bracelets.
Some of the key improvements are that Rolex now uses solid links for all its bracelets rather than folded or hollow. In addition, Rolex uses ceramic inlays between the screws and links in order to minimize friction and thus ultimately stretch.
All in all, the President and Jubilee bracelets are two great bracelets from Rolex in so many ways. Firstly, their elegant designs are recognized all around the world. They combine form and function in a great way, meaning they’ll last for decades of wear without being worn out or getting a lot of stretch. Both bracelets have an important place in Rolex’s collection and each serves a purpose, but since the President bracelet is only available for the Day-Date, and only in full gold, the decision tends to be rather simple for those who weigh between them.
If you want a full gold Day-Date, then the President bracelet is what you have to choose from. On the flip side, if you want a full steel watch or a two-tone watch, then the Jubilee bracelet is a great option. And whilst the Oyster bracelet is also available in either steel, gold, or gold and steel, the Jubilee bracelet is the natural choice for those who want something a bit less sporty and more elegant. This goes for both if you opt for a Datejust (which comes as standard on the Jubilee), or if you opt for something a bit sportier, the GMT-Master II.And because the President is only available in full gold, it comes at a price tag that reflects this. It is after all Rolex’s premier bracelet, and naturally, it is offered at one of Rolex’s top-tier collections in terms of pricing as well. One thing you can be sure about as a result is that you will see far fewer people wearing the President bracelet compared to the Jubilee. So if you have some extra cash to spend and want something a bit more unique and classy, the President is the given choice.
This simply isn’t a question about which is best, because they are both great and serve a purpose. But it is rather about your wants and needs.