Oyster vs Jubilee: Which Rolex Bracelet Should You Choose?

You’ve decided to take the plunge and get yourself a Rolex. Or, maybe you just put your name on a waiting list for your dream watch. Even if you’ve already got the model and exact variant in mind, though, you still might be faced with an important #richpeopleproblems choice: Oyster or Jubilee bracelet?

Not every Rolex watch comes with this decision, and these aren’t the only bracelet/strap styles the brand makes. But they’re the two bracelets most people are most likely to be choosing between. Getting a GMT Master II? A Datejust? A Sky-Dweller? You’ll have to take your pick.

Another reason it’s good to understand the differences between these two iconic bracelet styles is that other brands offer similar bracelets, as well — particularly the Oyster, which is the de facto tool watch bracelet style for many a brand.

Rolex

So what are the differences between Oyster and Jubilee bracelets? Is one better than the other? A lot comes down to style, purpose and preference, but here’s what you’ll want to know in making any decision.

Jubilee is the swankier option

The Jubilee bracelet is so named because it was introduced on the Datejust at a jubilee event for Rolex’s 40th anniversary in 1945. The Jubilee is a five-link bracelet with its outer links brushed on top, and its three inner links mirror-polished.

With shorter links, and more of them, however, a complicated look makes it stand out, and it’s the classic choice for a model like the Datejust — that’s made for genteel activities more than rough-and-tumble ones. It’ll make a watch feel more dressy and a bit more flashy compared to the no-nonsense vibes of the Oyster, and that includes sporty models. Rolex sports watches are today fully prestige items, so why not wear them as such?

The Jubilee is currently offered as an option on the Datejust, the GMT-Master II and the Sky-Dweller, with the latter being your only choice if you want a full-gold Jubilee, as those were introduced by Rolex at Watches and Wonders 2024. The Datejust and GMT-Master II both offer steel and two-jone Jubilees, depending on the reference.

All three watches — Datejust, GMT-Master II and Sky-Dweller — are also available on an Oyster, making them the only watches where you’ll actually need to decide between the two bracelet styles.

Rolex

Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR

A more demure GMT-Master II, the GRNR swaps out the bright colors of its brethren for a subdued black and gray Cerachrom bezel, while its green dial text and GMT hand recall Rolex’s original all-black ceramic GMT from two decades ago.

Specs

Case Size	40mm
Movement	Rolex Cal. 3285 automatic GMT
Water Resistance	100m

• $10,900 at Rolex

Oyster is the sportier, simpler, everyday option

The Oyster bracelet was introduced in the 1930s (and later patented by Rolex) and its sturdy three-link construction embodies the old-school tool-watch side of Rolex’s personality. On some models, like the Submariner, all three links are totally brushed for a more utilitarian feel. On others, like the GMT-Master II and Daytona, only the bracelet’s outer links are brushed while the center links are polished to add some luxury sparkle.

The Oyster is the more understated option and is most associated with the brand’s sporty “Professional” models. It’s perfect for watches like the Submariner — and is, in fact, the only option for the Sub along with the Explorer, Explorer II, Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, Sea-Dweller and Deepsea.

It can can also imbue something like a dressy Datejust or Sky-Dweller with a pragmatic vibe that’ll make it more versatile and easy to wear for years and in many situations. The Oyster is by far Rolex’s most common bracelet option, and the only models that don’t offer an Oyster are the Day-Date and the 1908 dress watch, which only comes on a leather strap.

Rolex

Rolex Deepsea Yellow Gold

Rolex kicked off the debut of the Deepsea as its own standalone line with this beast of watch. It features a bracelet and case made from 18-karat gold, with the caseback and helium escape valve in titanium to withstand the pressures associated with its 3,900m depth rating.

Specs

Case Size	44mm
Movement	Rolex Cal. 3235 automatic
Water Resistance	3,900m

• $52,100 at Rolex

The Jubilee is slightly more expensive

More complicated to produce, the Jubilee tends to command a price premium over the Oyster of a couple hundred bucks. (On a steel GMT-Master II, the difference is exactly $200.) A Jubilee bracelet arguably makes a watch look more expensive, too. As long as your spending Rolex money in the first place, though, you should get exactly what you want, and this probably won’t be a deal breaker — but it’s one element of which you should be aware.

Many consider the Jubilee to be especially comfortable

The Oyster is very comfortable, but the Jubilee’s smaller links help it curve more precisely to the wrist, allowing it to better “hug” the wrist. It might be merely anecdotal, but Rolex owners often cite the Jubilee’s exceptional comfort as a primary reason to prefer it over the Oyster.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Don’t forget about the clasp

Different Rolex models come with different bracelets, and they can be fitted with specific clasps. Since there’s no option to pair the bracelet you want with a certain clasp, this is simply an element of Rolex bracelets to be aware of when weighing their pros and cons.

The Jubilee bracelets on the Datejust and Sky-Dweller are only available with an Oysterclasp, the most basic of Rolex’s folding clasps, while the Jubilees on the GMT-Master II comes with an Oysterlock clasp, which is more secure against accidental opening.

Oyster bracelets in Rolex’s “Classic” line — Datejust, Oyster Perpetual and Sky-Dweller — again come with Oysterclasp, while the “Professional” models — Air-King, Explorer, Daytona and GMT-Master II — get an Oysterlock. The aquatic Professional watches — Submariner, Sea-Dweller, Deepsea and Yacht-Master — boast Glidelock clasps on their Oyster bracelets, which incorporate an on-the-fly micro-adjustment feature.

Rolex

Other Rolex bracelet styles

In addition to the Oyster and Jubilee, Rolex makes two other bracelet styles: the President, which is a rounded three-link bracelet only available with the Day-Date (and hence only available in precious metal).

Then there’s the Oysterflex, a black rubber strap with a titanium-nickel core that’s available on certain precious-metal references of the Daytona, Yacht-Master and Sky-Dweller. The Sky-Dweller offers the most bracelet options of any Rolex model and is the brand’s only watch to offer the choice of an Oyster, Jubilee or Oysterflex.

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