15 Best Jubilee Bracelet Watches (Including Rolex, Seiko & More)

The word jubilee means a special anniversary—a celebration. It is also related to the word jubilation, which means intense happiness or excitement. In the world of horology, catchy names are an important piece of the puzzle aimed at capturing the hearts and minds of both enthusiasts and casual buyers. 

Enter Rolex’s Jubilee bracelet, released in 1945 on the Datejust model, just in time for Rolex’s 40th anniversary. I tip my hat to Rolex for genius marketing and creative nomenclature.

Heritage and Wearability

Made up of a five-piece structure with semi-circular links, the jubilee bracelet offers a more comfortable, form-fitting wear, as well as a dressier overall look. The larger outer links are usually brushed, and the narrow inner links are polished, giving the jubilee bracelet an elegant appearance with eye-catching light play. 

However, we live in an age where nobody balks at somebody wearing a dive watch with a suit or somebody wearing a moonphase with jeans and a t-shirt. This is appropriate for what watch-wearing should be in the year 2023: an expression of self, free from the restraints and rules of society. 

In a world with looser requirements for corporate wear, we are seeing this transfer into other fashion areas: coats, shoes, hats, and accessories. It’s normal to see someone in a suit with a nice pair of sneakers on, and the same can be said for the wearing of watches. 

The jubilee is the most appropriate bracelet for a dress watch, period. It also wears nicely on the weekend with a pair of jeans. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more versatile bracelet, and we are seeing more and more watch manufacturers—Rolex included with their GMT Master II—release sports pieces on a jubilee bracelet. 

What are the downsides, then? 

For one, the jubilee bracelet is not as robust or durable as the traditional Oyster bracelets—created, again, by Rolex—that are associated with dive and sports watches everywhere. 

If I were going on a dive or an outdoor excursion, and I preferred a watch on a metal bracelet, I would opt for an Oyster bracelet every time. The jubilee bracelet also has a tendency to stretch over time, though this was more the case with older models using hollow links. 

Newer models shouldn’t stretch, as they are built with modern materials and manufacturing processes, but because there are more “parts” to these bracelets, it is possible that they will show more wear over decades of use. 

15 Watches on Jubilee Bracelets Worth Your Attention

1. Rolex Datejust 41 Mint Green (ref. 126334)

If ever a jubilee bracelet was to appropriately match a timepiece, I can think of none better than the Rolex Datejust 41 in Mint Green. Its 41mm size can be dressed up or down, with its svelte case easily being able to slip under a cuff. 

The fluted bezel is a delicious accompaniment to the polished inner links of the jubilee bracelet. Somehow, the lines and light play offer perfect harmony between case and bracelet—something often missing in watch design today. 

We all know that Rolex’s color is green, and the maison is on trend with the subdued greenish hue of its dial, ultimately creating a watch that evokes success and luxury, offering good value at its MSRP of $10,250.

2. Tudor Black Bay 39 (ref. M79660-0002)

Tudor has been one of the hottest watch brands of the last decade, with brand ambassadors such as David Beckham and Lady Gaga. The new Tudor Black Bay 39 is a GADA watch (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) that checks many enthusiast boxes. It is the perfect size for the majority of wrists, at 39mm. 

It has a new in-house COSC-certified movement (MT5602). It also has one of the best jubilee bracelets I’ve ever felt, with the new “T-fit” clasp that gives a superior level of micro-adjustment. The reference here is the blue dial version, but Tudor offers a variety of dial options.

I’ve tried these on in-store, and it was tempting not to throw my plastic on the counter for the champagne-dialed version. At $3950, this timepiece punches well above its weight!

3. Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 (ref. ZO9287)

Zodiac is a brand with tons of heritage. Acquired by the mighty Fossil Group in 2001, they’ve since gone on to offer outstanding designs that pay homage to their rich lineage. Zodiac is best known for their dive watches, releasing their first dive watch in 1953—the same year that Rolex released their Submariner and Blancpain released their Fifty Fathoms. 

They are also well known for their beautiful and funky colors. I can attest to the quality of the Super Sea Wolf 53 as an owner of one. The jubilee bracelet exudes quality, with a unique clasp that expands and contracts with your wrist. With an MSRP of $1595, this watch can be considered a bargain when compared to other offerings in its price bracket. 

4. Seiko SKX007

The discontinued SKX007 makes this list because when it was originally released in 1996, it quickly became the benchmark for all dive watches under $1000—this with an original MSRP of under $200. A no-nonsense, do-anything dive watch, it wears smaller than its 42mm case suggests. 

Something about the design just feels right; it doesn’t feel like it is copying any other brand but rather establishing its own unique footprint in the annals of watch design. The SKX007s are getting harder and harder to find, with unworn models approaching the $1000 mark. These timepieces have become collector’s items in the horological community, so if you have an opportunity to acquire one at a reasonable price, I’d say pull the trigger! 

5. Raymond Weil Freelancer Diver Geneva (ref. 2760-ST1-GVA01)

Another watch on this list that I own, though admittedly an older model on a rubber strap, there is a whole lot to like about the Raymond Weil Freelancer Diver Geneva. I absolutely love Raymond Weil as a company, one of the only independently owned major market Swiss Watch brands that still exist. 

This brand, for me, is a gateway into luxury watchmaking. For most people, spending several hundred dollars on a watch can feel like a luxury, but you don’t really comprehend the next “tier” until you hold a higher-quality timepiece in your hand.

The first time I held a Raymond Weil, I realized that it was something special, built to last and be passed down to the next generation. At 42mm, the 300m dive watch is purpose-built and ready to tackle anything from the boardroom to the depths of the Atlantic. At $2150, this robust dive watch will not seriously dent your wallet. 

6. Rolex GMT Master II “Pepsi” (ref. 126710BLRO)

There are four Rolex watches on this list for a reason: not only did they create the Jubilee bracelet, but they epitomize luxury watches for the vast majority of consumers. What can I say about the Pepsi? It’s highly coveted, it’s a damn good watch, and the Jubilee bracelet looks magnificent on it.

At 40mm, the GMT Master II is the perfect compromise of wrist presence and comfort. Moreover, the GMT function makes it ideal for traveling, especially if going to a different time zone. Rolex is synonymous with luxury and quality, and it is evident that the $10,900 GMT Master II cuts no corners.

7. Steinhart Ocean 39 GMT Chocolate (ref. 103-1218)

You may be thinking to yourself, a brown watch? No thank you! But then you see it—the decedent brown dial, the two-tone jubilee bracelet, gold plated at the center with accents on the bezel and crown. 

For around $700, the Steinhart Ocean 39 GMT Chocolate is all-class. Putting one on reminded me, coincidentally, of unwrapping the fine gold foil of an expensive Swiss chocolate. Beyond looks, the functionality of the 39mm watch offers 300m of water resistance and a GMT function. 

Like all Steinharts, the Ocean 39 GMT offers enormous value and style. Whether you are a seasoned collector, or dipping your toes into the waters of Swiss watches for the first time, Steinhart is a brand always worth considering. 

8. Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001

The evolution of the aforementioned SKX, the new Seiko 5 Sports GMT is an ode to the design language that millions of loyal customers have purchased over the years. It’s a handsome watch, and one with high functionality with Seiko’s new 4R34 movement that will, no doubt, grace hundreds of new microbrand releases over the next decade. 

That’s what Seiko does: they set trends and offer the benchmark for everyone else to follow. They’ve hit a homerun with SSK001, and at $475, this Seiko is a purchase that will give you countless smiles without placing a huge burden on your wallet. 

9. Rolex Sky-Dweller Bright Blue (ref. 336934)

The Sky-Dweller is the most mechanically complicated Rolex. It also offers a fresh deviation from the standard-fare Mercedes hands that are so typical to the brand. It has a fluted bezel that is complementary to its high quality jubilee bracelet. Pictures don’t do the richness of the blue dial justice. 

If you can see one in the flesh, do it, because you will quickly come to realize why these are so highly sought-after. It also has great wrist presence at 42mm, which helps offer more real estate for the complications: dual time zone and annual calendar.

This is a watch that you can set and forget, and it will keep the proper date, even in a different timezone, all year long. It won’t come cheap, however, with an MSRP of $15,650, but if you are in the market for a high end watch, the Rolex Sky Dweller Bright Blue is certainly worth your consideration.

10. Tudor Black Bay (ref. M7941A1A0RU-0003)

I remember when I became obsessed with Tudor, as a brand. I was 22 years old, fresh out of college and unemployed, and about a million miles away from having the means to purchase a luxury watch. 

In 2012, Tudor released its Black Bay collection, a collection that would go on to define the brand as we know it today. The collection was originally headlined by the Black Bay 41, Burgundy. It had a gilt dial and rich burgundy bezel. It was originally powered by an ETA movement, which was good for 38 hours of power reserve. 

In the decade since its release, Tudor has maintained much of what made the original watch aesthetically beautiful, enhancing it now with a jubilee bracelet and new, in-house movement with a 70-hour power reserve, COSC certification, and powerful antimagnetic properties. With an MSRP of $4450, the Tudor Black Bay remains within reach for seasoned and first time buyers alike.

11. Davosa Ternos Professional GMT Automatic (ref. 161.571.05)

With a history of watchmaking that spans over 150 years, the “official” brand did not establish itself as Davosa until 1993. The Ternos Professional GMT is a serious watch with a solid reputation. Yes, many of their watches appear to be homages of offerings by Rolex, but that doesn’t take away from their quality. 

Rolex built a blueprint that many follow today—Davosa included. It looks especially handsome on the jubilee bracelet, though they can also be purchased on an oyster style bracelet. At 42mm, with 200m of water resistance, this watch offers startlingly good quality for its price of $1299.

12. Rolex GMT Master II “Batgirl” (ref. 126710BLNR)

Yes, yes—you’re probably as bored of reading about Rolex as I am with writing about them. But they do deserve repeated mention in an article that highlights the Jubilee bracelet. The GMT Master II “Batgirl” is identical to the “Pepsi” but for two distinct differences. 

The Batgirl’s hand is blue instead of red, and its bezel is black and blue, as opposed to blue and red. I think this makes a more subdued and professional looking watch that blends better with a variety of clothes, but that’s just me. It too is offered at an MSRP of $10,900—that is if you can get one without waiting a few years! 

13. Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Aperture Green Dial (ref. 2780-ST-52001)

With a visible balance wheel, a ‘Clous de Paris’ inner dial pattern, and dark green hue, the Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Aperture Green Dial is eye-catching and objectively beautiful. There is just so much dial presence here, and Raymond Weil was right on the money with making this a 42.5mm watch. 

This is not a dial to hide, to slip under the sleeve, to keep away from the admiring eyes of bystanders. Rather, this is a dial that shouts confidence, construction, and creativity. At $2375, the Freelancer Open Aperture offers enormously dynamic horology at a very reasonable price. Did I mention how great the quality of its jubilee bracelet is? Go try one on and see for yourself.

14. SMITHS PRS25 Everest Jubilee

Winning the honor of purchasing a SMITHS watch at MSRP (around $430 here) is akin to winning the lottery. No–really. One must do the following if they hope to acquire a SMITHS watch at retail price. Sign up for the newsletter. Pray that the sliver of time they open the Smiths online shop coincides with your schedule.

Be really quick with your mouse or smartphone. A little bit of fairy dust and a magic lamp might help as well. If you can get a SMITHS watch—any SMITHS watch really—do it.

For the price, they offer absurd value. The PRS25 Everest Jubilee comes with a breathtaking aventurine dial that is reminiscent of the night’s sky. With a Miyota 9 series movement, and a compact 36mm size, this watch both honors its heritage while offering modern mechanical timekeeping.

15. Lorier Astra 

Both a dress and sports watch, the Lorier Astra, arguably, offers the one of the best bangs for the buck on this entire list. Since entering the market in 2018, Lorier has established a reputation for superior bracelets, construction, and design. The Astra has a jubilee bracelet that is completely brushed, giving it a very durable finish. 

At 36mm and with a lug-to-lug of 44mm, the Astra will fit even the smallest of wrists. The bracelet also has screwed links, as opposed to the pin and collar system that is pretty typical in this price range. With a Miyota 9 series movement and an MSRP of $499, you can do a lot worse with watches, even double this price point.

Conclusion

All in all, the jubilee is a unique type of bracelet that’s appropriate for both casual and formal attire. While it was introduced and made popular by Rolex, you can still find a few brands that utilize it in some of their watches. Or, you can just go with the original from the Crown. Either way, if you choose to go with one, you’ll definitely like its comfort and style!