BoR bracelet for 168.016?

Posts

213

Likes

263

Neeb

·May 23, 2022

Looking for a BoR bracelet for a Constellation 168.016. I've read elsewhere that a 1037 with 555 end pieces is correct (or is it 570?).

Where would I source such a thing? Plenty of these watches available with the bracelets, but I can't find this particular bracelet anywhere, at least with the 555 end pieces..

 

Posts

3,327

Likes

12,958

MtV

·May 23, 2022

Neeb

Looking for a BoR bracelet for a Constellation 168.016. I've read elsewhere that a 1037 with 555 end pieces is correct (or is it 570?).

Where would I source such a thing? Plenty of these watches available with the bracelets, but I can't find this particular bracelet anywhere, at least with the 555 end pieces..

Try eBay and some patience. Could be a couple of months. Your best bet will likely be to buy a watch with the desired bracelet and then sell it head-only/on leather.

 

Posts

625

Likes

998

Lucasssssss

·May 23, 2022

MtV

Try eBay and some patience. Could be a couple of months. Your best bet will likely be to buy a watch with the desired bracelet and then sell it head-only/on leather.

The easiest way of getting them will be on another watch, and then selling the watch. The "right" endlinks are 555, and I have some 168.016s with 556's, which looked like they fitted well, interestingly all of these have been in the US.

The 1037 bracelet is almost identical to the 8220 and 1068 bracelets. So if you find the right endlinks on their own, you can mix and match the bracelets.

Good luck

 

Posts

5,636

Likes

5,800

SkunkPrince

·May 23, 2022

Might be worth contacting Omega, too.

 

Posts

213

Likes

263

Neeb

·May 23, 2022

Thanks all!

MtV

Try eBay and some patience. Could be a couple of months. Your best bet will likely be to buy a watch with the desired bracelet and then sell it head-only/on leather.

I wish patience was one of my virtues. I'd be quite a lot better off! 😁

 

Posts

213

Likes

263

Neeb

·Jun 1, 2022

So these are available on ebay - but they are gold plated and I need SS.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165134144282?hash=item2672c3131a:g:px0AAOSwknxfvXyj

Will they be steel underneath, and if so, how easy would it be to remove the gold plating and polish them up?

 

This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.

Posts

3,327

Likes

12,958

MtV

·Jun 1, 2022

Yes, they’re steel underneath, but polishing them is quite some work and you’ll always see some gold or a hint of it at places. I tried and would recommend against it. These aren’t too uncommon - with a bit of patience you’ll find a pair.

 

Posts

213

Likes

263

Neeb

·Jun 1, 2022

Thanks, I suspected as much. I did briefly wonder about trying to source some aqua regia but it seems as if that wouldn't be easy.. 😉

Patience, patience... 😗

 

Posts

213

Likes

263

Neeb

·Jun 28, 2022

Got one.. 😀 From the other side of the world... (1068 No.12 with 555 end links).

I have a tiny wrist (6" spot-on). Even with all of the removable links removed, I still need to use the middle spring-bar hole in the clasp..