hi all,

I have a 105.012 that I bought on a 1506 bracelet with #16 end links, which according to a nice chart that people have put up here and MWO, are a verified iteration of model-year-bracelet-end link. Oddly though, though the case doesn't seem polished and other 20mm straps fit well, there's a good 1mm gap I've noticed between the lugs and bracelet when wearing it. Any thoughts?

It appears that all the parts are stamped correctly and the bracelet is dated as 3/66 and it was bought from a well respected dealer. Thanks!

 

It's possible the bracelet and end links were shaved to fit a 19mm lug width - such as that of the straight-lug predecessors to the Moonwatch. Take a very close look at the last links of the bracelet (not the end links, but those that attach to them) and see if you can detect a slight variation. This isn't uncommon I think as these later bracelets resemble the earlier ones, so people at some point just modified these more readily-available bracelets for older watches.

 

I agree with abrod520. To much of a gap for it to be from normal wear rubbing against the lug. I do however have a problem with one aspect of his analysis:

"such as that of the straight-lug predecessors to the Moonwatch"

Are we saying that the 2998 is only a suborbital watch and the 105.003 is only an EVA watch?

 

I'd like to add that if this is bothering you I'd love to buy them from you.

 

Actually, this is the simple truth.

 

If someone did shave them down, they did a good job of it, it's not easy filling down end links, they are a real chore to hold and file or grind.

 

If only - then I'd be able to purchase all the "predecessors" and shaved-end bracelets I wanted!

 

I don't remember if there are any markings on the sides of the links closer to the head but I'll check when I get home.

Sorry @watchtinker , it doesn't bother me much so I'll be hanging on to it for now .

I'd be happy to have someone lend me their pre-moon speedy for an extended period of time so I can test out the running theory .

 

Here are a few "side boob" shots of the bracelet... To my eye they all seem to have a nice crisp edge and don't have any machining marks just normal day to day sratches. Still could be the case but if so it was a nice job!

Any further thoughts on the mysterious mm ?

 

Not sure what it is other than normal wear and tear that happen over a span of decades. I had the same issue with 18mm end pieces and the sharpest unpilished Lugs. Go figure. Just change them out with other #16s or #516s

 

Hey there, I have had the same issue with a 1506 and 16 end links. one of the end links was about .5mm smaller than the other. Wasn't sure why, until I tried it on a Seamaster 300 from the same time period and the smaller link looked to be more snug. They are supposedy both 20mm, but not sure why.

 

Sorry to hijack this thread but I'm in search for a period matching bracelet for my 105.012.


Should I be getting a 1506 with 16 end links ? Or a 1506 with 516 end links?

Also did the 516 end links normally go with a 1506 ? I had the impression they came with the 1039.

 

Later 105012 came with 1039-516, what is your serial / ref?

 

Indeed, the 105.012-63 To 105.012-65 usually came with 1506/16 endlinks (but as mentioned above be careful of shaved 19mm endlinks, should be 20mm).
The later 105.012-66 HF & CB often came on early 1039/516, knowing that those started in late 66.
There are of course exceptions based on production dates, so serial or, even better, Archives extract could shed some light on what you are searching for.
My last note is be careful of link counts (short) and date stamps when buying online

 

Thanks again my friend! Super informative. My archive says December 1966. Movement number 24.531.xxx



I'm guessing 1039/516?

 

Replied above. Thanks again buddy!

 

December 66 would mean both would be correct, it overlaps. Good luck SWB!

 

Hello mate. My 105.012-65 has had this incorrect 1171/633 replacement bracelet since the early 1970's. My old Dad wore it everyday until 2003 and I've been wearing it now and again in the years since. That's a lot of wear and it still seems a pretty tight fit between the lugs.

 

i have the same 1506 bracelet and 16 endlinks on my faceted cb66.

 

That dial though