From SwissWatchExpo…
Spotlight on: The Rolex Oysterflex bracelet. Not your ordinary rubber strap.
The Rolex Oysterflex had the watch world abuzz when it launched in 2015.
It's not every day that Rolex creates a new bracelet, alongside greats such as the Oyster,
Jubilee, and President. Moreover,
it was the first time that Rolex unveiled a bracelet made of rubber.
The Oysterflex is not just any rubber strap, however. Through thoughtful craft and engineering
typical of Rolex, it was able to elevate the basic rubber strap, to a whole new level.
Here are three things to know about the Rolex Oysterflex bracelet.
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The Oyster-flex bracelet combines the best of two worlds.
Before the Oysterflex came along, it was very hard to imagine a rubber
strap alongside the robust steel, and elegant gold cases of Rolex watches.
However, with the advent of smartwatches in the early 2010s,
customer preferences have slowly evolved to include the "sport luxe" aesthetic,
or a combination of luxury materials with a functional and athletic look.
Typical of Rolex, it adapted to the growing trend,
but only with a revolutionary and compelling take on it.
When the Rolex Oysterflex was launched in 2015, Rolex was careful not to call it a
rubber strap - instead, it was introduced as a sporty alternative to metal bracelets.
Developed and patented by Rolex, the outer construction of the Oysterflex is made of
high-density elastomer, a material commonly used for high-performance bushings of cars.
At its core is a flexible titanium-nickel alloy,
giving it shape and structural integrity. With the two materials combined, the Oysterflex
boasts of the same durabiity of a metal bracelet, with the comfort of a rubber strap.
Another strength of the Oysterflex is comfort:
it features a tiered design that lifts the watch up and away from the wrist,
providing airflow and comfort, which are commonly lacking from other sport bands.
What's more, it also features the Rolex Glidelock extension.
The Glidelock is a system developed by Rolex, which
allows fine adjustment of the bracelet length by 15 millimeters, without the use of tools.
It first appeared on the Rolex Yacht-Master, followed by the Rolex Daytona range.
The Oysterflex made its debut on the then new Rolex Yacht-Master Everose,
in 40 and 37 millimeters sizes.
It was a fitting companion to the new iteration of the sporty yet luxurious Yacht-Master,
which featured a complementing matte black Cerachrom ceramic bezel.
Following the Everose Yacht-Master, the Oysterflex was made available on 18k yellow gold,
Everose gold, and white gold models of the Rolex Daytona, replacing the leather strap.
In 2019, Rolex introduced the new 42 millimeter Rolex Yacht-Master in white gold,
the largest size of the Yacht-Master to date.
Like the 2015 Everose version, it comes with a black Oysterflex bracelet,
and a matte black Cerachrom ceramic bezel.
The Oysterflex made its debut on the Rolex Sky-Dweller in 2020.
The latest collection to feature the Oysterflex bracelet is the Rolex Sky-Dweller,
Rolex's annual calendar and dual time watch, created for global travelers.
In 2020, Rolex announced an updated line-up of Sky-Dwellers in yellow and Everose gold,
equipped with Oysterflex bracelets.
The Rolex Sky-Dweller was previously available with steel and leather bracelets.
Now, with the comfort and durability of the Oysterflex, the Rolex Sky-Dweller
is even more positioned to be a go-to for frequent travelers.
The Rolex Oysterflex is by far, the best example of a rubber bracelet there is today.
While a rubber strap is as simple as a watch strap can be,
Rolex was able to re-imagine it, into a must-have accessory.
Check out our collection of Rolex Oysterflex watches at SwissWatchExpo.com.
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