The new generation with folded links appears in the late 1960s and bears the references 7834/7835/7836 (and 9315 for the Rolex Submariner, but more on that variant later), the end links themselves evolving to fit the new bracelet and the new cases better. Again, this specific part bears its own reference number, which allows someone to make sure the combination of bracelet and end links works properly with a given watch. The surgical folding proved stronger than the original rivet construction but was eventually replaced with the full, solid links. The new bracelets simply took the same reference numbers as their folded-link predecessors, but with the addition of an additional zero at the end of each (78360 for the 20mm Oyster bracelet, and so on). The solid link construction is the form factor we know today, either offered with a complete brushed look or with polished center links in the case of the Daytona and the GMT-Master II.

Obviously, the Oyster bracelet has been copied many times, and to be fair its design could not be entirely attributed to Rolex. But for the past 70 years it has remained the benchmark against which every other sport watch bracelet is judged. It can be argued that some designs proved more refined – the fascinating bracelet of the Royal Oak comes to mind – yet it would be hard to find a better function-driven tool watch bracelet anywhere. I mean, if it's good enough for 007...