168.005 BoR Bracelet question...

Posts

419

Likes

1,169

jshaw083

·Apr 29, 2019

Hi all,

I'm hunting for a BoR bracelet for my 168.005. I'm new to looking into BoR bracelets, so please forgive my ignorance. I will appreciate any help!

From what I can gather so far from other threads, the "correct" BoR for a 168.005 would be a 1037 bracelet with No. 12 clasp and No. 70 endlinks. Is this right? (I know there is no "correct" BoR, given Omega would often sell them as accessories to mix and match, not with the original watch head, but more so the appropriate one so that it fits and looks OK).

My question relates more so to figuring out whether a bracelet is truly original or not. I've read that it can be tricky to distinguish fakes from original bracelets. Are there any hints on the clasp that help out? I've found two examples so far:

1. Has No 12 on clasp as well as printed 1037. This one is the more expensive one.

The next only has No. 12 printed, no 1037 as far as I can see. This one is also missing some end links (3 I believe, although seller assures me it holds well). The second one is cheaper.

Thank you for any help!!
J.

 

Posts

1,115

Likes

2,203

No Mercy

·Apr 29, 2019

IMO best fit for dog-leg connie is a combination between 9-row BOR & 128 end-links:


Second is 9-row & early 70 end-links:

 

Posts

12,150

Likes

21,083

Davidt

·Apr 29, 2019

I'm quite sure the bracelet that came on my 168.005 is original - Omega 7 link BoR (without any stamped reference number) and with 70 endlinks.

 

Posts

419

Likes

1,169

jshaw083

·Apr 29, 2019

No Mercy

IMO best fit for dog-leg connie is a combination between 9-row BOR & 128 end-links:


Second is 9-row & early 70 end-links:

That 9 row bracelet looks like a 1037 no? Isn't that the same one that I'm referring to? The two I'm referring to have 9-row BoR.

I'm more so looking for any hints that a bracelet is original...Like why is 1037 stamped on some of these and not on others? Is that any indication of originality?

 

Posts

419

Likes

1,169

jshaw083

·Apr 29, 2019

Davidt

I'm quite sure the bracelet that came on my 168.005 is original - Omega 7 link BoR (without any stamped reference number) and with 70 endlinks.

@Davidt Does it show anything on the clasp by chance? No 12? 1037?

 

Posts

622

Likes

996

Lucasssssss

·Apr 29, 2019

From my research these bracelets were references 1503, 1037, 1068 and 8270. I believe that the #70 endlinks were on the 1503 and 1037 (the two earliest bracelets) and then also on the later 1068. I also think that the 1068 and 8270 came later on #570 endlinks. All the endlinks/bracelets are interchangeable.

If you are not truly set on the 1037 then you can look for the other bracelet 3 references, all look the same.

With regard to end links, I have listed the most common ones above, but many would fit your constellation such as 523, 526, 527, 556, 570, 586 and 654

Edited: Apr 29, 2019

 

Posts

12,150

Likes

21,083

Davidt

·Apr 29, 2019

jshaw083

@Davidt Does it show anything on the clasp by chance? No 12? 1037?

No, that's what I mean by "without any stamped reference no".

In my opinion plain "Omega", "No.12" and "1037" are all correct for this ref.

 

Posts

13,444

Likes

31,623

X350 XJR

·Apr 29, 2019·Vintage Omega Aficionado

https://omegaforums.net/threads/beware-new-counterfeit-omega-bor-bracelets-from-asia.12087/

 

Posts

419

Likes

1,169

jshaw083

·Apr 29, 2019

X350 XJR

https://omegaforums.net/threads/beware-new-counterfeit-omega-bor-bracelets-from-asia.12087/

Thanks @X350 XJR !

Turns out first one doesn't come with endlinks...Wondering how difficult it would be to separately find some no 70 endlinks...

-J.

 

Posts

622

Likes

996

Lucasssssss

·Apr 29, 2019

jshaw083

Thanks @X350 XJR !

Turns out first one doesn't come with endlinks...Wondering how difficult it would be to separately find some no 70 endlinks...

-J.

More trouble than it is worth

 

Posts

12,150

Likes

21,083

Davidt

·Apr 29, 2019

70's and 570's are like the Beads of Rice version of the Speedmaster 6, 516 and 506 endlinks. They aren't hugely rare, but they are correct for the most desireable references so they don't come up for sale as often and when they do, they usually have a few bidders.

I think it's much easier to source a bracelet that comes with 70/570's.

 

Posts

419

Likes

1,169

jshaw083

·Apr 29, 2019

Anyone know if No. 128 endlinks would fit a 168.005?

 

Posts

12,150

Likes

21,083

Davidt

·Apr 29, 2019

jshaw083

Anyone know if No. 128 endlinks would fit a 168.005?

Isn't that what @No Mercy was saying?

 

Posts

419

Likes

1,169

jshaw083

·Apr 29, 2019

Davidt

Isn't that what @No Mercy was saying?

Ah forgive me, missed that he mentioned the 128 endlinks! Perfect thank you all for your help! Hopefully will be able to secure something 👍

 

Posts

5,737

Likes

8,921

Peemacgee

·Apr 29, 2019

1037 and 70s on my BOR
I agree that it would be much easier to buy the whole package at once if you can.
If you’re paying top dollar, watch for two things:
1. These bracelets are often stretched ( mine is) so make sure it’s not too bad
2. The bracelet hasn’t had removable links taken out (but to be honest I’m not sure how many it should have originally)
Pics

 

Posts

325

Likes

165

RoadRunner73

·Jan 10, 2024

digging out this thread, it seems it answers my queries ! IMO, the combo 1037 - #128 seems perfect ! the #70 seems OK as well, but I can't see if there any differences between the 2 endlink refs 👎
thxs for all these valuable infos !

Edited: Jan 10, 2024

 

Posts

5,737

Likes

8,921

Peemacgee

·Jan 10, 2024

RoadRunner73

the #128 endlink shows 7 grooves corresponding to the 7 center rows, which to me look far better than a #70 which has only 4 rows.
thxs for all these valuable infos !

Not entirely sure what you are seeing as different between the front of the end links.

The original 70 end links have the correct long and short indentations to correspond to the links on the bracelet ( 7 of them in total)

The shaping of the rear of the 128s is different to the 70s.

 

Posts

325

Likes

165

RoadRunner73

·Jan 10, 2024

@Peemacgee : sorry I hadn't seen your comments and prior to this I had reviewed the comparison between the 128s and the 70s, and fact is that they are very alike on the face side.
Then the question is whether they have the same curve on the surface to follow the bend of the dog legs...

 

Posts

325

Likes

165

RoadRunner73

·Jan 10, 2024

It also seems that the 128s are more difficult to source, so should there be no face difference, I would tend to go for the 1037/70 ; however I have found several offers proposing #609 or 614 and I wonder why there are so many different endlink refs as they seem so alike ??

Edited: Jan 10, 2024