BoR Bracelet - Impulse Buy. Missing end links

wolfrichter · Mar 21, 2021

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry my first post is a question like this - I've been following for quite some time indeed, but usually I'm only active on the German watch forum.

So I just bought this BoR Bracelet, which should - I hope - fit my 2848, given that I might find No. 11 end links somewhere. Does anyone happen to know a reliable source or even have some in a drawer?

The bracelet is the following:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Omega-Alter...Rice-Groesse-ca-16-0-cm-IK6109-/313457206827?

I had planned to ask the following before the auction ended, but well, I forgot.

What I can see:

1. Missing end links, obviously
2. Missing 2nd, 4th and 6th inner link-part on the left side
3. The links next to the clasp on the right side seem too small, or at least the tapering is very sudden.

Idea: If the two links from 3. are incorrect, I could just use their link-parts to solve problem 2., right?

Is there anything else obviously odd? Will it fit my Seamaster and the 11 end links?

I can, btw, return it, so please be as brutal as you can.

Thanks, any help appreciated.

I will of course take photos when it arrives, but I'd love to get my head a bit clearer until then.

EDIT: added info, corrected minor mistake

wsfarrell · Mar 21, 2021

I'm ready to be corrected, but I don't see missing links or small links. Could you point to them with arrows or something?

Wlcutter · Mar 21, 2021

The links near the clasp are just fine.

Finding the beads that'll connect to the spring bar through the 11 links will be harder to do; if this is long enough you can canibalize it by taking out a spare link toward the clasp, but that's about it.

Not a bad find, esp given how prices have gone up of late.

JwRosenthal · Mar 21, 2021

The tapered section are the removable links- they are smaller so they can slide into the clasp for adjustment.

SkunkPrince · Mar 21, 2021

In my opinion, you didn't do yourself any favors. A brand-new complete 3010/511 is $450. I wouldn't waste my time with it.

wolfrichter · Mar 21, 2021

Thanks so far!

@wsfarrell: I was talking about the beads Wlcutter just mentioned, probably a better description than "Link-parts". sorry 😬

Also, I'm glad to hear that the links on the right are ok, just for clarification I'll add the photo.

@Wlcutter: cannibalzation it is then, as I don't need the whole 16cm + watch. Thanks again!

wolfrichter · Mar 21, 2021

JwRosenthal
The tapered section are the removable links- they are smaller so they can slide into the clasp for adjustment.

Thanks for clarification!

SkunkPrince
In my opinion, you didn't do yourself any favors. A brand-new complete 3010/511 is $450. I wouldn't waste my time with it.

It does make quite the difference to me. Still at university. 😉

SkunkPrince · Mar 21, 2021

You're missing too many parts. For example, the tapered links that should be in that last picture.

Edward53 · Mar 22, 2021

Finding 11 end links for sale without a BOR is going to be very difficult. In your situation I would look for an unbranded pair of 18mm links.

SkunkPrince · Mar 22, 2021

Edward53
Finding 11 end links for sale without a BOR is going to be very difficult. In your situation I would look for an unbranded pair of 18mm links.

Omega still sells the replacements for 11, the 511. They're about $45 each, last time I checked.

masteroftime · Mar 22, 2021

Wlcutter
if this is long enough you can canibalize it by taking out a spare link toward the clasp, but that's about it.

if it is long enough, couldn't OP just pry apart that last link with the missing rice? You'd wreck a permanent link, but it would seem to be the "easiest" and it looks like there are enough removable links to compensate.

wolfrichter · Mar 23, 2021

So, the bracelet arrived today. After some thorough cleaning it looks really good I think. The "missing" tapered links were found on the other side of the clasp, so this problem is solved. (Tapering on the other side is still perfect).
See:

Only problem with that: I still can't enjoy the look of the tapering, as the bracelet is too long with all the links. I actually took out all removable links.

Does the 6-71 mean that it was produced in June 1971?

Here is some further data - does anything look suspicious to you guys? I've compared it with all the 1036 clasps I could find and I found some identical ones.

The logo still looks relatively crisp, doesn't it?

SkunkPrince
Omega still sells the replacements for 11, the 511. They're about $45 each, last time I checked.

Thanks for that information, thats very helpful. I'll contact Omega Customer Service!

masteroftime
if it is long enough, couldn't OP just pry apart that last link with the missing rice? You'd wreck a permanent link, but it would seem to be the "easiest" and it looks like there are enough removable links to compensate.

That would indeed be an option, but thanks to the help of a fellow member, I can probably leave everything intact.

Are there any other sources of 511 or 11 end links on the internet in case Omega can't help? Ideally EU-based? I've spent the better part of this evening trying to find some.

Thanks for everyone's help!!

SkunkPrince · Mar 23, 2021

wolfrichter
Are there any other sources of 511 or 11 end links on the internet in case Omega can't help?

Why wouldn't they?! When I say in stock I'm not kidding. Anything you find will be much more expensive than Omega.

I have some vintage 11 but they've been narrowed to 11/16".