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AT purchasing advise

K
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Just a few questions for the knowledgeable on this site. I’m looking at purchasing an AT on eBay from Japan, it’s about 10 years old, and has an 8500 movement. It has circumference of 18.5cm, I have measured my wrist at 21.5cm. So I have to buy some end links. But how many links do I need to purchase to make up that 3cm difference? And where is a good place to buy them? Do the aftermarket links work well and appear as near factory quality? I have heard that generally Japanese sellers are good, this one has a 99.6 rating, and the watch will have to go through eBay inspection, for whatever that’s worth. If I like it like I hope, I might sell my Great White here on this site.

Thanks to all in advance!
 
Dan S
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Have you asked an Omega AD about purchasing links? They could give you exact price and availability.
 
KeithS
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Have you asked the seller if they can source extra links? Often they can at a reasonable price.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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K Kcomega
If I like it like I hope, I might sell my Great White here on this site.
Well, you don’t have the minimum requirements to do that, but eBay is a good option for you.
 
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K Kcomega
Just a few questions for the knowledgeable on this site. I’m looking at purchasing an AT on eBay from Japan, it’s about 10 years old, and has an 8500 movement. It has circumference of 18.5cm, I have measured my wrist at 21.5cm. So I have to buy some end links. But how many links do I need to purchase to make up that 3cm difference? And where is a good place to buy them? Do the aftermarket links work well and appear as near factory quality? I have heard that generally Japanese sellers are good, this one has a 99.6 rating, and the watch will have to go through eBay inspection, for whatever that’s worth. If I like it like I hope, I might sell my Great White here on this site.

Thanks to all in advance!

I assume you are buying the 41.5mm version of the AT? Please note that the 38.5mm and 41.5mm AT's have different bracelets and the removable links have different widths.

Are you sure your wrist is 21.5 cm? That's nearly 8.5 inches (for the U.S. crowd). That's a really, really large wrist.

Each link will add about 8mm of length*. You can order them through your local Omega authorized dealer or Omega boutique. In U.S. dollars they cost about $55 per link. You cannot order them online from Omega. I have heard of people contacting Swatch Group USA to order them by telephone, but I've never done it and don't know if it's possible in the country you're in.

As noted above, you can also ask the seller if they have extra links. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. If they do, I would not pay more than what Omega would charge you for new ones. I'm not aware of any after market links (i.e., non-Omega) that fit the Aqua Terra bracelet.

Make sure the watch you are buying includes at least one and hopefully two half-links. They are frequently needed to get a good fit.

*I have a 38.5mm AT and each link adds 8mm. The 41.5mm might be slightly different but I have a first gen AT bracelet for the larger AT and the links are also 8mm in length.
 
Vinz Clortho
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Here's my Aqua Terra Bumblebee with the 8508 movement, 41.5 mm, circa 2013. Measured out the extra links and a full link is 3 cm in length, two half links together are 4 cm in length.

Not sure about after market links but any OB or AD will be able to find the exact links to match and will be able to advise you on the size which will work best.

The AT bracelet looks great with the butterfly design and is very comfortable. You'll definitely need an extra half or two for the summer, depending on your wrist. Works great on a sail cloth or rubber strap during the summer for a more casual look.

The Aqua Terra is underrated as it's extremely versatile from casual to dressy. You'll definitely love it once you get it on the wrist. It is a one and done type of watch as it works in almost every situation. Which dial did you decide on?

20250209_025115.webp
 
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Vinz Clortho Vinz Clortho
The Aqua Terra is underrated as it's extremely versatile from casual to dressy. You'll definitely love it once you get it on the wrist. It is a one and done type of watch as it works in almost every situation.

I agree. I own the 38.5mm Skyfall and it gets a ton of wrist time despite my having many other choices. I find it interesting that Omega Ambassador, George Clooney, who can wear just about any Omega he wants, is most often seen wearing his 41.5mm blue dial AT (the Master Co-Axial version). He wears it with clothing ranging from black tie to jeans and a polo. So versatile.

When I travel I don't like to take more than one expensive watch, and the AT is my choice because it fits in with everything I might wear.



George Dinner Jacket 1.webp George Polo 2.webp
Edited:
 
K
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Thanks for everyone’s help on this matter. The said watch is a 41.5 AT with a medium blue tapestry diaI. I have remeasured my wrist, 20cm is more accurate. On Amazon, there are a few aftermarket sellers, i.e., ewatchparts, that sell end links for Seamasters. I am also checking with the seller on possible extra links. In any case, with the 41.5 size, what is the correct size for additional links? Should I get a full link and a 1/2 link?

When I bought a new Rolex Datejust a number of years ago, I had to purchase 2 additional links from the AD to fit right.

Thanks again!
 
Meme-Dweller
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K Kcomega
Thanks for everyone’s help on this matter. The said watch is a 41.5 AT with a medium blue tapestry diaI. I have remeasured my wrist, 20cm is more accurate. On Amazon, there are a few aftermarket sellers, i.e., ewatchparts, that sell end links for Seamasters. I am also checking with the seller on possible extra links. In any case, with the 41.5 size, what is the correct size for additional links? Should I get a full link and a 1/2 link?

When I bought a new Rolex Datejust a number of years ago, I had to purchase 2 additional links from the AD to fit right.

Thanks again!
"ewatchparts" should be considered as junk, and proper fitment is unlikely as there are so many different variants of the AT bracelet, each slightly different.
 
502 to right
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K Kcomega
Thanks for everyone’s help on this matter. The said watch is a 41.5 AT with a medium blue tapestry diaI. I have remeasured my wrist, 20cm is more accurate. On Amazon, there are a few aftermarket sellers, i.e., ewatchparts, that sell end links for Seamasters. I am also checking with the seller on possible extra links. In any case, with the 41.5 size, what is the correct size for additional links? Should I get a full link and a 1/2 link?

When I bought a new Rolex Datejust a number of years ago, I had to purchase 2 additional links from the AD to fit right.

Thanks again!

If it currently measures 18.5cm and your wrist is 20cm, you need at least 2 full links. You might want two full and one half link. It's always preferable to have extra links vs. not enough links.

How many half links does it currently have?
 
Vinz Clortho
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If it currently measures 18.5cm and your wrist is 20cm, you need at least 2 full links. You might want two full and one half link. It's always preferable to have extra links vs. not enough links.

How many half links does it currently have?
Doing it by the numbers only, a full and a half link should cover your needs. But bracelet is form fitting with the butterfly clasp as takes a little to get it dialed in. Having extra links gives you the options.

Would take you current watches and measure them to get a size measurement on what you usually wear. Have the seller measure the links, then you can get a pretty decent idea on what you will need.
 
K
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Another question: Do the Omega AT bracelets have a bracelet model number on the inside of the bracelet? In theory it would be possible to order links based upon that that model number? There are various links for sale on eBay based upon model number. Any thoughts?
 
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K Kcomega
Another question: Do the Omega AT bracelets have a bracelet model number on the inside of the bracelet? In theory it would be possible to order links based upon that that model number? There are various links for sale on eBay based upon model number. Any thoughts?
Yes. It's on the clasp. It will be 4 digits a slash and 3 digits. Do you have the version with brushed center links or polished center links? They each have different bracelet numbers.

The polished center link bracelet is 1517/698.

The brushed center link bracelet is 1586/985.

For the record, these bracelets are interchangeable. The only difference is polished vs. brushed center links.

You can find links on ebay from Watchband Expert. They are more expensive than ordering from Omega, but delivery is probably much faster.
Edited:
 
K
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I did buy the said watch via eBay today. I decided to wait until I received the watch before I ordered links. I checked the watchband expert website and saw it has the link for the 1586/985 for $75.00. The description uses the terms ‘link’ and ‘half-link’ interchangeably, what is the difference? So links from an AD costs about $55? It appears I can add the link to the band myself, it’s not that hard. Thoughts?
 
502 to right
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K Kcomega
I did buy the said watch via eBay today. I decided to wait until I received the watch before I ordered links. I checked the watchband expert website and saw it has the link for the 1586/985 for $75.00. The description uses the terms ‘link’ and ‘half-link’ interchangeably, what is the difference? So links from an AD costs about $55? It appears I can add the link to the band myself, it’s not that hard. Thoughts?

Half links and regular links (or "full links") are not the same thing. Half links are shorter. Because the AT bracelet does not have micro-adjustments you sometimes need a half link to dial in the right sizing. You generally need at least one and preferably two half links for a bracelet. The bracelet would originally have been sold by Omega with two half links (the ones closest to the clasp) but they often go missing with pre-owned watches.

You can change the links yourself. You need a 1.6mm screwdriver. Preferably a good one. There are several videos on YouTube that explain how to change links. Be advised that the Omega bracelet from this watch has two small screws on each side and a pin in the middle. If you change links you need to do it where you are not going to lose the screws (i.e., have them roll away and drop on the floor). I use a folded handkerchief on my desk to keep the screws from flying away.


Edit -

I found a video. FWIW, I don't use Loc-Tite and I've never had an issue with a screw working its way out.

Edited:
 
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