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Buying a 3861 Speedmaster - bracelet and case back options

josiahg52
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Picking up a Heaslite Moonwatch this week and I'd like a flat link for it. Besides the Forstner and Uncle Seiko products, what are some OE Omega flat-link bracelets that fit? One option appears to be the '57 Speedmaster flat-link which fits unaltered although perhaps with a very slight gap against the case. The only other option I'm seeing is the Apollo 11 50th bracelet using 1.6mm spring bars or the Forstner or Uncle Seiko end links and presumably 1.8mm spring bars. Interested to hear experiences, pros, cons, or other options.

I really liked my 145.022 because it had a plain steel back with no writing on it. I don't want a display back, are there any case backs without writing that will fit the 3861?
 
bsowers34
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josiahg52 josiahg52
Picking up a Heaslite Moonwatch this week and I'd like a flat link for it. Besides the Forstner and Uncle Seiko products, what are some OE Omega flat-link bracelets that fit? One option appears to be the '57 Speedmaster flat-link which fits unaltered although perhaps with a very slight gap against the case. The only other option I'm seeing is the Apollo 11 50th bracelet using 1.6mm spring bars or the Forstner or Uncle Seiko end links and presumably 1.8mm spring bars. Interested to hear experiences, pros, cons, or other options.

I really liked my 145.022 because it had a plain steel back with no writing on it. I don't want a display back, are there any case backs without writing that will fit the 3861?
IMG_5639.webp
Here's what the 57 looks like on a 3861 case. No gap but the end link protrudes just a bit. But not enough for even my OCD to care.
 
josiahg52
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bsowers34 bsowers34
IMG_5639.webp
Here's what the 57 looks like on a 3861 case. No gap but the end link protrudes just a bit. But not enough for even my OCD to care.
That looks very good. Thank you.
 
josiahg52
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The '57 option is the cleanest and purest option, but there is a very small amount of lug overhang.

The A11 50th is fine but you have to use 1.6mm spring bars. Certainly not a doomsday scenario, but not ideal. An alternative to that is to Forstner or Uncle Seiko end-links and standard spring bars. I've saw a thread that reported Forstner stated that their end-links would NOT fit a post-2021 Hesalite Speedmaster for some reason. I do like the clasp on this one

The third option is to go aftermarket, which I don't particularly mind. I own several Forstner and wear them on my green Seamaster occasionally. I just really don't like the clasp they include. It can be removed and a pressure clasp installed in its place with some difficulty unless they've changed the construction since I bought my Contemporary Flat-Link a few years ago. I also own a couple Uncle Seiko. My only issue with the US flatlink is that it's a 1035 first so there is an odd step between the 1039 20mm end link and the first 18mm bracelet link. Minor, but it's there.

How available are the '57 or A11 50th bracelets generally? Can an AD get them for me?
 
YY77
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josiahg52 josiahg52
How available are the '57 or A11 50th bracelets generally? Can an AD get them for me?
Yes.
 
bsowers34
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I went with the 57 because I wasn't going to do aftermarket anything, not even end links on a Silver Snoopy. It took a couple months for my OB to get it though. Price in June 25 was 950.
 
josiahg52
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I don't mind aftermarket, I find the US and Forstner bracelets to be very good.

AD said they could get the A11 50th for me for $750. I'll either modify the end links or buy Forstner's.
 
ErichPryde
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josiahg52 josiahg52
I don't mind aftermarket, I find the US and Forstner bracelets to be very good.

AD said they could get the A11 50th for me for $750. I'll either modify the end links or buy Forstner's.
Modifying the endlinks isn't super difficult, as long as you don't mind the idea itself of permanently "damaging" an omega product. Once the endlinks are modified you won't need to use a 1.6mm springbar (as far as I am aware).


The A11 also fits the 2531/2254 cases with the proper forstner endlink, and also fits the 42mm SMP with the proper forstner endlink.

I don't find myself using my A11 bracelet much anymore since I moved my Speedy on, but it's a lovely bracelet.
 
josiahg52
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
Modifying the endlinks isn't super difficult, as long as you don't mind the idea itself of permanently "damaging" an omega product. Once the endlinks are modified you won't need to use a 1.6mm springbar (as far as I am aware).


The A11 also fits the 2531/2254 cases with the proper forstner endlink, and also fits the 42mm SMP with the proper forstner endlink.

I don't find myself using my A11 bracelet much anymore since I moved my Speedy on, but it's a lovely bracelet.

I'm just trying for the vintage look like my 145.022 and 1039 bracelet had. If only there were solid case back options without the Moon writing available.
 
josiahg52
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IMG_20251223_152926.webp

The A11 bracelet will be here in a couple weeks. They also ordered an extra link for me. Omega is pulling their watches from this store sadly. Incidentally, the nearby OB is performing quite poorly. Rolex is pulling their watches from another jewelry store nearby this one because the location isn't "luxury" enough. Jeez. They pulled that stunt with a chain of local stores near me but stopped at the eleventh hour when they found a location that pleased the crown.

Sold my 145.022 69ST for $6000 and got this one that looks very much like it for $6600. I can wear it without fear which is what I wanted.
Edited:
 
ErichPryde
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congratulations- and congrats on the A11 bracelet. I look forward to seeing more pictures soon!
 
josiahg52
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
congratulations- and congrats on the A11 bracelet. I look forward to seeing more pictures soon!
Thank you! I plan to bring both sets of end links to my local machine engineering shop and just have them match the inside face profile of the A11 end link to the included bracelet end link.

On another note, I saw the new Planet Ocean watches and they looked. . . odd. They seemed really small and not appealingly so. I didn't handle them, just perused the displays.
 
ErichPryde
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josiahg52 josiahg52
Thank you! I plan to bring both sets of end links to my local machine engineering shop and just have them match the inside face profile of the A11 end link to the included bracelet end link.

On another note, I saw the new Planet Ocean watches and they looked. . . odd. They seemed really small and not appealingly so. I didn't handle them, just perused the displays.

It's a 40.8mm bezel diameter with a fairly wide bezel, so I'm not surprised. I kinda wonder how big it's actual dial diameter is compared to a 2254 or 2531 or 2201.
 
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