Beads of Rice Bracelet Endlinks Do Not Fit

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I have an Omega Seamaster ref 165.002 with a 1503 BoR bracelet. The endlinks, one a 70 and one a 570, do not fit that well with the case. I am wondering is this just a normal thing with this case?

Do I have the right endlinks? Am I using the wrong spring bars or something?
 
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Could you give us a back side photo as well?
 
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570 is the correct end link. Your spring bar must be 1.8mm diameter minimum and 2mm diameter is better.

It can be very difficult to fit end links, especially if they are used. This is better handled by your watchmaker.
 
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570 is the correct end link. Your spring bar must be 1.8mm diameter minimum and 2mm diameter is better.

It can be very difficult to fit end links, especially if they are used. This is better handled by your watchmaker.

Yeah, once you know how to adjust the tabs on the back to hold the end piece in place, it’s pretty simple. But I buggered up the lugs on my first vintage Omega pretty badly learning how — luckily this was 20 years ago when vintage watches were still relatively cheap and it had a redial anyway. So I wasn’t that upset.
 
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Yeah, those definitely need adjustment, and I personally would not do it. See if your watchmaker can.
 
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Ok, perhaps I should start a new thread, but I'm in Ann arbor Michigan and haven't found a watchmaker. I wonder if I should ship to a watchmaker. What say you all?
 
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Ok, perhaps I should start a new thread, but I'm in Ann arbor Michigan and haven't found a watchmaker. I wonder if I should ship to a watchmaker. What say you all?
Yes, wrong thread, and there are others. Many of us ship certain watches to certain people. But you'll find one with our help.
 
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I have an 002 technical dial (used to actually belong to @X350 XJR ) and it’s the same thing with mine.


I have some experience manipulating endlinks and these really need to be opened up to fit properly (especially if the bracelet was on a Connie before). The back tabs rides up on the case back. It doesn’t seem “correct”, and I personally don’t think it is (not sure if this case is really supposed to take a bracelet at all), but Omega has said those are the correct endlinks, so….I guess it’s just a shitty fit. But it can be made to fit better.
I have heard there are short back tab and long back tab 70/570’s but I don’t recall seeing the short back tabs…maybe someone else here has a pair.
 
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I have an 002 technical dial (used to actually belong to @X350 XJR ) and it’s the same thing with mine.


I have some experience manipulating endlinks and these really need to be opened up to fit properly (especially if the bracelet was on a Connie before). The back tabs rides up on the case back. It doesn’t seem “correct”, and I personally don’t think it is (not sure if this case is really supposed to take a bracelet at all), but Omega has said those are the correct endlinks, so….I guess it’s just a shitty fit. But it can be made to fit better.
I have heard there are short back tab and long back tab 70/570’s but I don’t recall seeing the short back tabs…maybe someone else here has a pair.

That's such a handsome watch. Seen you (or maybe @X350 XJR ?) post it before.
 
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So I took my watch to a watchmaker and he is adamant that these 70/570 endlinks are not the right endlinks for this 165.002 case. He did adjust them but he says they still do not align correctly. I agree that they seem to not align with the lugs.
 
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I have an 002 technical dial (used to actually belong to @X350 XJR ) and it’s the same thing with mine.


I have some experience manipulating endlinks and these really need to be opened up to fit properly (especially if the bracelet was on a Connie before). The back tabs rides up on the case back. It doesn’t seem “correct”, and I personally don’t think it is (not sure if this case is really supposed to take a bracelet at all), but Omega has said those are the correct endlinks, so….I guess it’s just a shitty fit. But it can be made to fit better.
I have heard there are short back tab and long back tab 70/570’s but I don’t recall seeing the short back tabs…maybe someone else here has a pair.


I think you are right. I wonder if I can find some short back tabs. I may try opening them up a smidge as well.
 
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When adjusting endlinks, there are a few things to be aware of:

Wrap the tips of your pliers with electrical tape (to avoid tool marks)

Use two pair and make very slight adjustments and then test fit.

Just push it against the case on each tweak without the bracelet and you will get an idea how it sits.

The curved part where the endlinks attach to the bracelet is very thin metal- think of it like the hinged bit on a tin can lid. The more you flex it, the closer to breaking it will be.
The movements you make on the lower part will affect how it sits more then the top part.
Godspeed
 
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The diameter of the spring bar matters. I used 2mm diameter bars on one of my Seamasters to get a better fit.