I bought a 1498 bracelet for my 145.22 Speedmaster. I like the solid feel of the bracelet versus the well worn loosey goosey 1171. But the polished centers was just too blingy for my taste. So I decided to brush the polished portion.

Brushed, I think it fits the look of an older and less shinny Speedmaster much better.

 

Definitely an improvement, IMO.

 

I've often thought about brushing the centerlinks on my AT150. What was the process you used?

 

I supposed it was done by a watchmaker. Looks too good to be a diy job. Could be wrong though.

 

The bracelet looks far better in my opinion, I can't really understand why the bracelet for a speedy would be blingy considering it's a tool watch and the polish would scratch and be more visible easily.

Anyway it looks really good, congratulations to you and the watchmaker.

 

Looks great. Big improvement for that bracelet. Seeing a vintage watch on that bracelet still looks foreign to me, but to each their own. Still, nice job.

 

I used the green ScotchBrite pad then used 0000 steel wool afterward to finish the brushing. I find the green pad made the finish too dull. Brushing in the same way using 0000 steel wool gave a more finished look.

BUT.... I only have to do the end links. The 1489 bracelet back side is already brushed. So i flipped the bracelet over, and only have to brush the end links. If you look underside, my bracelet still has the polished center links....just in case I want to go back.

Downside is that the links with the arrows are now upward, but it is not noticeable.

 

Brilliant. Though I notice, on my watch, that the two links connected to the two end links have numbers engraved. Did your bracelet have these, and how did you handle it?

 

Here is what the underside looks like. I think it matches the polished see thru caseback of the watch.

And going back to polished link is easier if I want to.

 

Mine did not have any numbers engraved. On the last of the link connected at the clasp have the number engraved.

 

The casebacks are always appreciated; they give you that insight into how much effort really goes into making the watch and how very complicated it can be to put one together.

The polished side matches with the caseback, it looks far better than brushed with polished.

 

Amazing idea. Simple fix and yet it did not even occur to me.