Rolex Bracelet Link Count Guide
A Rolex bracelet is described as having full links when every link it left the factory with is still present. This guide lists the full link count for current Rolex models and for popular earlier references, so you can check a bracelet before you buy or sell.
Rolex link count: current models on Oyster bracelets
Full links counts the links on both sides of the clasp. Split shows how those links are divided: the larger number is always the 12 o'clock side and the smaller number is the 6 o'clock side. A 7 + 5 bracelet has seven links at 12 o'clock and five at 6 o'clock.
| Model | Full links | Split (12 + 6 o'clock) | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air-King | 12 | 7 + 5 | 116900, 126900 |
| Cosmograph Daytona | 12 | 7 + 5 | 116500LN, 116503, 116505, 116506, 116508, 116509, 126500LN, 126503, 126505, 126506, 126508, 126509 |
| Datejust 36 and 41 (Oyster bracelet) | 12 | 7 + 5 | 126200, 126201, 126203, 126231, 126233, 126234, 126300, 126301, 126303, 126331, 126333, 126334 |
| Explorer | 12 | 7 + 5 | 124270, 124273, 214270, 224270 |
| Explorer II | 12 | 7 + 5 | 226570 |
| GMT-Master II (Oyster bracelet) | 12 | 7 + 5 | 126710BLNR, 126710BLRO, 126710GRNR, 126711CHNR, 126715CHNR, 126720VTNR |
| Oyster Perpetual 31, 34, 36 and 41 | 12 | Not listed | 277200, 124200, 126000, 124300 |
| Oyster Perpetual 28 | 11 | Not listed | 276200 |
| Sea-Dweller | 10.5 plus diver extension (before 2023); 11 (2023 onward) | 5.5 + 5; 6 + 5 | 126600 |
| Sea-Dweller, steel and gold | 11 | 6 + 5 | 126603 |
| Deepsea | 10.5 plus diver extension | 5.5 + 5 | 126660 |
| Deepsea | 11 | 6 + 5 | 136660 |
| Deepsea Challenge | 10.5 plus diver extension | 5.5 + 5 | 126067 |
| Sky-Dweller (Oyster bracelet) | 12 | 7 + 5 | 326933, 326934, 326935, 326938, 336933, 336934, 336935, 336938 |
| Submariner and Submariner Date, 41 mm | 11 | 6 + 5 | 124060, 126610LN, 126610LV, 126613LN, 126613LB, 126618LN, 126618LB, 126619LB |
| Yacht-Master 37 | 11 | 6 + 5 | 268621, 268622 |
| Yacht-Master 40 and 42 | 12 | 7 + 5 | 126621, 126622, 226627 |
| Yacht-Master II | 11 | 6 + 5 | 116680, 116681, 116688 |
Jubilee and President bracelets: removable links
Five-piece Jubilee and three-piece President bracelets have many more, much smaller links, and totals quoted for them vary with how the fixed links are counted. Dealers usually count the removable links, the ones held by a screw, which is the number that matters for sizing.
| Model | Removable links | References |
|---|---|---|
| Datejust 36 and 41 (Jubilee) | 9 | 126200 to 126334 series |
| Datejust 31 | 7 | 278271, 278273, 278274 |
| Day-Date 36 and 40 (President) | 9 | 128235, 128236, 128238, 128239, 228235, 228236, 228238, 228239 |
| GMT-Master II (Jubilee) | 7 | 126710 and 126720 series |
| Sky-Dweller (Jubilee) | 7 | 3269xx and 3369xx series |
Rolex link count: earlier references
Five-digit references on earlier Oyster bracelets often left the factory with 11 links, while most six-digit references have 12.
| Model | Full links | References |
|---|---|---|
| Submariner and Submariner Date, 40 mm | 12 | 114060, 116610LN, 116610LV, 116613LN, 116613LB, 116618LN, 116618LB, 116619LB |
| Submariner and Submariner Date | 12 | 14060, 16610 |
| GMT-Master II | 12 | 116710LN, 116710BLNR, 116713LN, 116719BLRO |
| GMT-Master II | 12 | 16710 (bracelet 78790) |
| GMT-Master II | 11 | 16710 (bracelet 78360) |
| Explorer | 11 | 114270 |
| Explorer | 11 or 12, depending on the bracelet fitted | 14270 |
| Explorer II | 12 | 216570 |
| Explorer II | 11 | 16570 |
| Cosmograph Daytona | 12 | 116520, 116523, 116528 |
| Cosmograph Daytona | 11 | 16520, 16523, 16528 |
| Datejust 36 (Oyster bracelet) | 12 | 116234 |
| Datejust II (Oyster bracelet) | 12 | 116300, 116333, 116334 |
| Datejust 36 (Oyster bracelet 78360) | 11 | 16234 |
| Sea-Dweller 4000 | 11 plus diver extension | 116600 |
| Sea-Dweller | 12 plus diver extension | 16600, 16660 |
| Yacht-Master 40 | 12 | 16622, 16623, 16628, 116622 |
| Milgauss | 12 | 116400, 116400GV |
| Oyster Perpetual 39 | 12 | 114300 |
How to count the links on a Rolex bracelet
- Lay the watch flat with the clasp closed and count the links on each side, from the case to the clasp. The 12 o'clock side is the longer one.
- Leave out the end links, which join the bracelet to the case, and the clasp itself.
- Count a half link as 0.5. Some current dive models include one.
- Check for screws on the side of the links. Links with a screw are removable; the others are fixed.
Clasp extensions are not links
| System | Found on | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Easylink | Datejust, Explorer, GMT-Master II and other models | A folding half link inside the clasp that adds about 5 mm. |
| Glidelock | Submariner, Sea-Dweller and Deepsea | A sliding rack in the clasp for fine adjustment in small steps, without tools. |
| Fliplock or diver extension | Sea-Dweller and Deepsea | A fold-out extension that lengthens the bracelet to fit over a wetsuit. |
Why a full set of links matters
- Fit. A bracelet that is short of links may not fit a larger wrist, and it limits who the watch can be sold to later.
- Value. Genuine Rolex links are expensive to replace, particularly in gold, so missing links lower what a watch is worth.
- Originality. Replacement links should match the bracelet reference, metal and finish. Aftermarket links are a point to raise before you buy.
Counts are for the standard bracelet supplied with each reference and are compiled from dealer records, not from Rolex. They can vary with production year and market, so always count the links on the watch in front of you.
Buying or selling? Every watch in our pre-owned Rolex collection is inspected and guaranteed authentic, and our sell and trade team can tell you how missing links affect an offer. To date a bracelet, see the Rolex clasp code chart.