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  1. jeppehh Jun 8, 2019

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    Hi all

    I recently received this bracelet as a part of a sale. The bracelet is not correct for the reference so now I’m trying to figure out if it’ll work for my 2505 or if I need to find a new watch to match the bracelet?

    But as I started investigating the bracelet the endlinks puzzled me. As they don’t look like any of the other endlinks I have seen on this bracelet and they seem to be attached to the bracelet.

    1) So does anyone know what years this bracelet was sold?
    2) Are the endlinks correct for the bracelet?

    This is my first bracelet so bear with me if I’m making a fool of myself :rolleyes:

    Thanks,
    Jeppe
     
    B87BDC36-547C-4217-B5A6-E291F6767CC0.jpeg 3FFE48A2-39BA-4C59-B7F9-D2739404EAB5.jpeg 656A0C3C-ACB9-47D2-8757-3069930BACE2.jpeg B673C0B8-F67C-4179-BD1E-A866951A0531.jpeg B5CCEC41-8F0E-4148-85B9-9C3E9CE12EED.jpeg
  2. JwRosenthal Jun 8, 2019

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    Those don’t look like Omega Endlinks. The most common bracelet for this watch is the 1069 with 524 enlinks, but there was also a flatlink like that used on the Speedmaster (don’t even try to find one- all the Speedy guys already snatched them up) and I think there was a BOR combo available for the 120 (that may be the correct bracelet, just not right endlinks) . @Lucasssssss can probably chime in with his spreadsheets and give you the right combo.

    Btw- nice watch! Congrats.
     
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  3. jeppehh Jun 8, 2019

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    Thanks buddy.

    For this watch I already have a number of straps and a 1098 bracelet on the way. (Still need to source some 547 endlinks for the bracelet, though.)

    So now I’m trying to figure out what to do with this one. Which is why I’m looking to find out what’s going on with the endlinks and what watches these were offered with.

    You know, it feels like a great reason to buy another watch ;)
     
  4. Lucasssssss Jun 8, 2019

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    For this model, the correct Bracelet/Endlinks are: 1067/532 (flatlink), 1069/524 (an unusual bracelet with a double ridge down the centre), 1098/540 and 547/1098(a three row brick), 1125/560 (as seen on the Speedmasters) and 1172/538.

    I have not seen any Seamaster 120s on a BoR, however, it is possible that these did come on the watch occasionally. There are some experts on SM120s, and I am sure they will weigh in on this point. If they do confirm this, then this bracelet may well have been supplied with the watch. It is possible to find endlinks for a ref1037 which will make it fit properly.

    I do not believe your end-links are OEM. From my table, the earliest watch I have seen the 1037 bracelet on is in about mid 1950s, I do not know when the bracelet was discontinued, but I would hazard a guess at around early 1970.

    With regards to your 2505, I don't recall ever seeing a bracelet on this reference, this catalogue picture certainly does not show one.[​IMG]

    There are many watches which were supplied on the 1037 bracelet, however if it were me, I think I would sell the bracelet to fund a new, and correct bracelet for your SM120. You ask about references which may fit on this bracelet, they are too numerous to mention, but here are a couple: 2767, 166.010, Moonphase Cosmics, 168.005, 165.023.
     
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  5. jeppehh Jun 8, 2019

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    Thanks you @Lucasssssss for your thorough reply.

    Good to know regarding the non-OEM endlinks. That was also what I suspected.

    As I wrote just before I already found a 1098 bracelet which is on its way to me know. Can both the 547 and 540 endlinks be used interchangeably on this bracelet?

    And thanks for the reply on the correct matchings with the 1037. Now the question is to buy both a new watch and correct endlinks or just sell the bracelet.
     
  6. JwRosenthal Jun 8, 2019

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    I think this means you need to get yourself a Connie and get the correct endlinks.
     
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  7. jeppehh Jun 8, 2019

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    That’s also what I saw @Lucasssssss writing between the lines.
     
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  8. Lucasssssss Jun 8, 2019

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    Short answer: Yes, they can be used interchangeably

    Long answer: Interestingly (perhaps only to me), the literature we have on the endlinks of this model is contradictory. We first have this German catalogue (here) [credit to Old-Omegas.com and hmmmcamu]. This states that the 547 endlinks came on the 135/136/165/166.027's, whereas the 540 was used for other models.
    [​IMG]

    However, we also have this (credit to Michael_e), which states that the 135.[0]027 was supplied on #540 with no mention of #547. The other references of this model indicate the same thing. In fact from what I can see, there is no mention of 547 at all on these tables.
    [​IMG]

    In my table, I have simply indicated that both endlinks fit all models, and indeed this is the common wisdom on this forum. But I am interested as to why there is a discrepancy, it seems odd to me to supply two endlinks for exactly the same purpose. My pet theory is that the 547 was used on the later models, and had not been included on the table supplied by Michael as the table was produced prior to the production of the 547 endlinks.

    I have absolutely no way of substantiating this theory, however it would fit with the other patterns I have observed in other bracelet/model/endlink combinations.
     
  9. jeppehh Jun 9, 2019

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    That is interesting. I had only seen the German catalogue before.

    The hunt now begins for 547 or 540 endlinks... and maybe a Connie for the 1037 :)

    Really appreciate the help!
     
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  10. jeppehh Jun 10, 2019

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    So the investigation and confusion continues. I’m looking to find the correct endlinks for the bracelet in the pictures. From what I could find the endlinks that fit the 1037 are
    19mm; 555,
    18mm: 128, 570, 70, 150

    BUT these these matches are seen on the 7 row bracelet and not 5 row as I have. Also I haven’t been able to conclusively find a 1037 with 5 row ::confused2:: .

    The endlinks that seem to fit the 5 row are the no11 and 511 but those are seen on the 1036 bracelet.

    So questions are:
    1) Does the 1037 exist as a 5 row?
    2) Do I then have a 1036 on and 1037 clasp?
    3) Can the no11 and 511 endlinks be used interchangeably.

    Hope you can help, as I have learned that this detective work I half the fun of collecting vintage watches.
     
  11. Lucasssssss Jun 10, 2019

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    I obviously missed that this was originally not a 1037 bracelet. The clasp is incorrect, 1037 was only a 7 row BoR and not 5. Therefore either the bracelet has been changed, or the clasp has been changed. This fits the story with the put together end links (if this were my watch, I would also look hard at the watch itself). To answer your questions;

    1) No
    2) Possibly. There are other references of bracelet with this style such as 1502, 8220, and the 1036 which you have already identified.
    3) Yes, although there are some (very) subtle differences between them. #11 are period correct, but #511 will fit.
     
    Edited Jun 10, 2019
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  12. jeppehh Jun 10, 2019

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    Thanks @Lucasssssss

    It looks like I’ve got a full on frankenbracelet going on.

    The watch has been checked inside and out and there are no issues there. Think it just got matched with a random bracelet at some point. Not too big an issue as I’ve got a correct 1098 on the way.

    Will probably keep the bracelet and see it I can use the parts later on for something.

    On the positive side, now I know a lot more about bracelets than a couple days ago. The journey continues.
     
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  13. Lucasssssss Jun 10, 2019

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    If you are interested in making the bracelet whole again, the clasps do come up relatively often on ebay for not much money, it is worth keeping an eye out.
     
  14. jeppehh Jun 10, 2019

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    That was my plan. There is no rush, so hoping to put it together at some point. That’s also why I was curious about the endlinks.

    Do you know if there is a way to identify which of the 5 row versions you mention I have on hand?
     
  15. JwRosenthal Jun 10, 2019

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    This means you need a correct clasp for that bracelet and endlinks, then you need to find a bracelet to go with the clasp- then two watches to match to the two bracelets....I’m think an early Connie for the 5 row, and a later Seamaster Deville for the 7....oh the humanity!
     
  16. Lucasssssss Jun 10, 2019

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    I have not yet found a way to determine the differences between the four I have outlined above. I have had a brief look at some pictures but cannot tell the difference reliably. It is not particularly my area of interest, but once I have a little more time I might do some more research into it. I imagine I will have to buy each of the 4 and try to determine the differences between the two.
     
  17. jeppehh Jun 10, 2019

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    I guess by now it’s a bit like finding a hubcap by the side of the road and deciding to source the remaining parts of the car. Definitely a time pit and most likely a money pit. But that sound like the two corner stones of collecting vintage watches.
     
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  18. jeppehh Jun 10, 2019

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    Side note: I actually knew a guy who had half of a Trabant in his basement and after 20 years his wife convinced him to get rid of it. Now every time he comes across a spare part he was missing, it drives him crazy. I’m not going down that route :)
     
  19. jeppehh Jun 10, 2019

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    Great. That opens up the endlinks and clasp opportunities. I’ll familiarise myself with the references you mentioned.

    Thanks for helping start up the project.
     
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  20. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Jun 10, 2019

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    Maybe its already been noted (sorry I haven't read the entire thread) but OPs bracelet isn't an Omega bracelet at all, just the clasp. Note the folded side links, an Omega BOR has solid links.