The Story Behind the Rolex Pateted Bracelet
What is a Rolex Pateted strap? Apart from a few forum discussions, there is not much information on the internet about this famous typo. However, in the world of watch collecting, it is a fairly well-known secret. If you are not familiar with it, we are here to unveil this hidden treasure for you. Keep reading to learn more, because if your Rolex has this little typo, it could mean it’s more valuable than you think. 
Collecting vintage replica Rolex watches is quite exciting. Many of them have interesting variations, such as changes in the font and placement of the text on the dial, the size, and shape of the hands, and the movements used, just to name a few. This does not include the wear and tear that occurs during its lifetime. For many collectors, the way the dial luminesces or fades can be quite valuable. These tiny details can add tremendous value to a watch if it is rare, so paying close attention to the smallest details of any vintage watch is worthwhile.
If you’re lucky, you might even come across a rare hidden quirk on your watch. This brings us to the subject of our article, the typo “pateted”. For a short period of time in the 1970s, some 9315 bracelets with 380 or 280 end links were equipped with extension clasps that said “pateted” instead of “patented”. While they appear primarily on Submariner watches, Explorer was also offered with extension clasps during this period and can be found with misprints.
It is difficult to say how long this misprint remained in production, but from what we have gathered from other collectors, it appears to be found on watches produced from about 1971 to 1973. Another interesting fact about these watches is that the year of production does not appear to be stamped on the clasp. If you have a Rolex watch, please let us know in the comments section below if your watch is stamped with the date and what year it was made.
How did replica Rolex miss this typo? Well, for one thing, it’s hidden under the clasp and could easily have been missed during production if the watchmaker wasn’t already looking for errors. It’s also important to remember that consistency wasn’t as important then as it is now, so a small mistake like “pateted” isn’t completely out of the question.
Of course, Rolex eventually fixed the error. However, by that time the company had already produced several clasp extensions with the typo and continued to use them rather than discard them. The bracelet extension was a new feature in the 1970s, produced separately from the clasp and then added on. During the assembly process, watchmakers grabbed compatible extensions at random from a trash can. We can only assume that the misprinted extensions were added to the same bucket as the extensions without the typo. This means that it is entirely possible that we could find 9315 straps with “pateted” or “patented” stamps produced in the early 1970s.
Can you imagine if they made that mistake today? Not only are modern collectors more inclined to care about the details of their Rolex watches, but the Internet would quickly spread the word. Today, this would be a much bigger issue than it was in the 1970s when many customers might not even notice it at all. As with vintage luxury watches, tiny details, such as a patched typo, only add to the value and charm of the watch. Straps with typo clasps are considered quite rare and command a higher price in the marketplace than those without typos. Consider yourself lucky if you own a Rolex with such a clasp.
Counterfeiters are becoming more and more sophisticated. So much so that even the most experienced watchmakers have a hard time spotting them if they are doing a particularly good job. We must warn you that counterfeiters realize that watch clasps with patches not only exist but are also quite rare and add significant value. In fact, they have been spotted on the secondary market. It is more important than ever to shop with a reseller that you trust and has a good reputation with buyers. If you are unsure of the authenticity of your Rolex, please contact us. We will be happy to check them out and make you an offer if you choose to sell.
As we mentioned above, a few Rolex replica watches feature bezel extension straps, including several of the Submariner and Explorer lines. The price of a Rolex bezel varies depending on the actual reference number and condition of the watch. However, you can expect them to cost more than a watch without this typo. Now that you have an understanding of this rare and valuable feature, you can make an informed decision when purchasing any Rolex with an extension buckle produced during this time period. Happy hunting!
