How many Links should your watch come with?
If you’ve seen listings for watches that are “complete minus 1 link,” “watch only with 10 screws,” labeled as “full links,” “20 plus end links,” etc. What does all that mean? How many links is the bracelet on your watch supposed to come with?
Unfortunately, it is common practice among SOME dealers and wholesalers to keep links, then sell them separately for extra profits. Every once in awhile, even an AD might short you a link! This is far less common though.
This has led to conflicting information across sites, dealers, etc, on how many links are supposed to come with a watch, and even how to count the number of links.
Below is a guide to how many links a watch is supposed to come with. I’ve started with what I know, and will add anything I’m missing as the information comes my way!
Some terminology to know:
End links: The part of the bracelet that attaches to the watch, in between the lugs (Pic 1). Integrated bracelets (Pic 2) do not have end links.
Pic 1. The End Link of an Oyster Bracelet
Pic 2. The integrated bracelet of an AP Offshore
Clasp Links: The links of the bracelet that are part of the clasp (pic 3). These are not removable links for sizing; if they are removed, so is the clasp! Pic 4 shows a vintage Rolex Submariner clasp with an attached (non-removeable) link. Generally, these are not included in the link count, but some confusion arises when some people count them, and others do not.
Screws: How many screw heads do you see on the side of the bracelet? This is a bit easier to determine bracelet length, since you don’t need to know if people are or are not counting end links or clasp links.