What's the fascination with Gay Freres bracelets?

Tony C. · Apr 22, 2025

Davidt
Still I’ve provided a sold listing for $1500 or best offer which let’s assume was $1000-1200

Dubious assumptions. Here's a nice one that sold in a Swiss auction, where prices would be expected to be on the high side, 18 months ago:

Here's a branded Eterna for €90 being sold in France, and the buyer will get a KonTiki bracelet as well:

As a related aside, anyone who is willing to forego the cache value of owning a true vintage GF, and would be happy with a high-quality, contemporary version, I'd recommend those that are available from the Japanese dealer Private Eyes. I am friendly with the owner, and have done business with him over ~20 years. They have a quite a variety, and currently (given the JPY/USD exchange rate) around $150.

https://www.watchnet.co.jp/en/item/view/5371

Davidt · Apr 22, 2025

Tony C.
Dubious assumptions. Here's a nice one that sold in a Swiss auction, where prices would be expected to be on the high side, 18 months ago:

Here's a branded Eterna for €90 being sold in France, and the buyer will get a KonTiki bracelet as well:

As a related aside, anyone who is willing to forego the cache value of owning a true vintage GF, and would be happy with a high-quality, contemporary version, I'd recommend those that are available from the Japanese dealer Private Eyes. I am friendly with the owner, and have done business with him over ~20 years. They have a quite a variety, and currently (given the JPY/USD exchange rate) around $150.

https://www.watchnet.co.jp/en/item/view/5371

Well if you’re saying it sold for less, I’d say it’s more likely a seller sold a bracelet they had listed at $1500 for $1000-1200 than less than $1000.

If your general point is that overall the average price isn’t approaching $1000 and is in fact lower, I’d agree. My gut tells me they aren’t worth that much but I altered my opinion slightly based on the only evidence I could find.

WoundupLA · Apr 22, 2025

Bigdaddy814
I just bought a vintage zenith sub-sea and it came on its original gay freres bracelet. That adds to the watch's value and the bracelet has an independent value of its own in the neighborhood of $1000. I guess the value is just because it is a legendary maker now owned by Rolex. I do not even like the bracelet and there is no way to resize it without destroying the removed links (you apparently have to literally bend them open with a screwdriver, which renders the metal too soft to reuse.) so I removed it and put on a tropic strap and am very happy. I am keeping the GF bracelet for if or when I ever decide to sell the watch as it will make for a more valuable package.

If you want to part with the GF bracelet LMK….