Rolex Oysterflex: A Collector’s Guide
Rubber straps used to be rare on expensive watches. The Patek Philippe Aquanaut was a bit of an oddball when it first came out, but the luxury watch market has gradually shifted. Nowadays, a rubber strap on a fancy watch isn’t even particularly controversial–in fact it’s the standard for some six-figure brands like Richard Mille and Purnell. The ever-conservative Rolex isn’t always on the leading edge of trends, but they do often perfect them–their Oysterflex elastomer bracelet debuted in 2015 with a flexible alloy core, and it’s arguably the best strap in the luxury rubber watch game.
The Rolex Oysterflex strap is only offered on solid gold Daytona, Sky-Dweller, and Yacht-Master models. The Rolex Daytona Oysterflex references are the most popular of the three.
Rolex Daytona Oysterflex
Solid gold Daytonas were available on leather straps for many years until 2017, when the Oysterflex replaced the leather Daytona options. Oysterflex Daytona models all have ceramic bezel inserts. In 2023, a new generation of Rolex Daytona emerged (1265xx models replaced 1165xx) with an upgraded movement and some dial changes, but the Oysterflex bracelet options remained unchanged–they’re still available on each of the three colors of solid gold Daytonas. Four of the 2024 diamond-bezel Rolex Daytona releases come on Oysterflex as well.
What is a Rolex Oysterflex Strap?
A Rolex Oysterflex bracelet (Rolex is insistent that it’s a bracelet although collectors usually say “strap”) is an extremely comfortable rubber watch band with a nickel-titanium core. It’s available on certain solid gold Rolex Daytona, Yacht-Master, and Sky-Dweller models. All Oysterflex straps have deployant clasps with the Rolex Glidelock extension system.
Rolex Yacht-Master Oysterflex
The first Rolex to get an Oysterflex bracelet was the solid rose gold Yacht-Master in 2015, in both 37mm and 40mm sizes. The first-ever Yacht-Master 42 appeared in 2019, also on Oysterflex. It was initially only in white gold, although a yellow gold YM42 was added three years later.
Rolex has also released multiple off-catalog gem-set models on Oysterflex straps like the Haribo and Cotton Candy Yacht-Master.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Oysterflex
The most recent Rolex model to receive the Oysterflex treatment is the Sky-Dweller. In 2020, Oysterflex bracelet options for Everose gold and yellow gold Sky-Dwellers (ref. 326235 and 326238) replaced the leather straps (ref. 326135 and 326138). In 2023, the Sky-Dweller received a subtle movement upgrade, and the 336xxx generation was born as a white gold Oysterflex Sky-Dweller (ref. 336239) joined the lineup.
Rolex Oysterflex Timeline
- 2015: The first-ever Everose Gold Yacht-Master debuts with the first-ever Rolex Oysterflex bracelet, available in both 40mm (ref. 116655) and 37mm (ref. 268655).
- 2017: Oysterflex bracelets replace leather straps in the Rolex Daytona lineup.
- 2019: Yacht-Master 42 debuts in white gold (ref. 226659), exclusively on Oysterflex. New Yacht-Master 40 gets updated movement (ref. 126655) but is otherwise unchanged.
- 2020: Oysterflex bracelets replace leather straps in the Rolex Sky-Dweller lineup.
- 2022: Yellow gold Yacht-Master 42 (ref. 226658) added to the catalog.
- 2023: New generations of Daytona and Sky-Dweller. White gold Oysterflex Sky-Dweller debuts.
How to Adjust the Size of the Oysterflex Bracelet
Thanks to the beloved Glidelock system, quick on-the-fly size adjustments are fairly easy, but that only gives you a range of 15mm (in 2.5mm increments). The Oysterflex is a two-piece bracelet; the 6 o’clock section comes in six different sizes while the other section comes in five. Between all these options, an Oysterflex bracelet should be able to accommodate roughly anywhere between a five-inch and nine-inch wrist.
If you buy a Sky-Dweller at an authorized Rolex dealer, they should measure your wrist and size it on the spot; if they don’t have the needed length on hand they’ll order it for you. If you order from a trusted grey dealer like Luxury Bazaar, look at the wrist size listed in the listing and talk to your salesperson to make sure you get the appropriately-sized sections you want. Here’s a quick guide of Oysterflex bracelet sizes to help:
Yacht-Master Oysterflex Strap Size Guide
| Wrist Size (inches) | 6 o’clock Section | 12 o’clock Section |
|---|---|---|
| 4.80-5.19 | C | D |
| 5.20-5.50 | C | E |
| 5.51-5.99 | D | E |
| 6.00-6.37 | D | F |
| 6.38-6.80 | E | F |
| 6.81-7.19 | E | G |
| 7.20-7.59 | F | G |
| 7.60-7.99 | F | H |
| 8.00-8.43 | G | H |
| 8.44-8.82 | H | H |
Daytona Oysterflex Strap Size Guide
| Wrist Size Range (inches) | 6 o’clock Section | 12 o’clock Section |
|---|---|---|
| 5.04 – 5.43 | C | D |
| 5.43 – 5.91 | C | E |
| 5.91 – 6.26 | D | E |
| 6.26 – 6.69 | D | F |
| 6.69 – 7.09 | E | F |
| 7.09 – 7.52 | E | G |
| 7.52 – 7.91 | F | G |
| 7.95 – 8.39 | F | H |
| 8.39 – 8.86 | G | H |
| 8.86 – 9.25 | H | H |
Guide to Oysterflex References
| Model Name | Reference Number | Material | Year Debuted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht-Master 40 | 116655 | Everose Gold | 2015 |
| Yacht-Master 37 | 268655 | Everose Gold | 2015 |
| Yacht-Master 40 Candy Crush | 116695SATS | Everose Gold | 2017 |
| Daytona | 116515LN | Everose Gold | 2017 |
| Daytona | 116518LN | Yellow Gold | 2017 |
| Daytona | 116519LN | White Gold | 2017 |
| Yacht-Master 42 | 226659 | White Gold | 2019 |
| Yacht-Master 40 | 126655 | Everose Gold | 2019 |
| Daytona (Orange Sapphire Bezel) | 116588SACO | Yellow Gold | 2019 |
| Daytona Eye of the Tiger | 116588TBR | Yellow Gold | 2019 |
| Sky-Dweller | 326235 | Everose Gold | 2020 |
| Sky-Dweller | 326238 | Yellow Gold | 2020 |
| Daytona Eye of the Tiger | 116589TBR | White Gold | 2021 |
| Sky-Dweller Meteorite Bustdown | 326959TBR | White Gold | 2021 |
| Yacht-Master 42 | 226658 | Yellow Gold | 2022 |
| Yacht-Master 40 Cotton Candy | 126679SABR | White Gold | 2022 |
| Daytona | 126515LN | Everose Gold | 2023 |
| Daytona | 126518LN | Yellow Gold | 2023 |
| Daytona | 126519LN | White Gold | 2023 |
| Sky-Dweller | 336235 | Everose Gold | 2023 |
| Sky-Dweller | 336238 | Yellow Gold | 2023 |
| Sky-Dweller | 336239 | White Gold | 2023 |
| Daytona | 126538TBR | Yellow Gold | 2024 |
| Daytona | 126539TBR | White Gold | 2024 |
| Daytona | 126535TBR | Everose Gold | 2024 |
| Daytona Mother of Panda | 126589RBR | White Gold | 2024 |
