Fixing rare bracelets with partially broken links

[mseamaster]

Do watchmakers do this? Assuming you need a small rectangular piece of steel, let's suppose it looked like this(where the black. chunk is either missing or half broken):

How would you get it fixed? I am asking because I am wondering if such bracelets are worth buying to restore.

I am considering a damaged bracelet similar to the photo and would be grateful to hear how fixable are auch issues.

And while we're at it: what about the spacing between the links. I have two KS chains and one has a lot of spacing while the other one is tight. Can this specing be tightened somehow? (I will post photos of the KS chains tomorrow)

 

[X350 XJR]

Is the missing/broken link solid or folded metal?

 

[mseamaster]

It looks solid from both sides. Rectangular. But weirdly enough.. from above it looks folded. Perhaps it's just a very nice fold to make it look rectangular.

 

[sheepdoll]

There is some amazing stuff what can be done with a fiber laser and thin metal.

Small CNC machines what are used for finishing ghost might also be an option. One needs a high speed spindle. As long as it speaks grbl.

I recently got my lathe cleaned up. Have not attempted to pivot anything yet. Did run the gravers against the wet grinder.

Laser repair can also be an option.

A good dumore high speed drill press is probably more practical. Most likely one would be machining dies for an arbor press for bending laser cut blanks. My tool and die friend had a kick press for testing things before sometime placing them in the big rotary punches.

One needs lots of RPMs and a spindle much more solid than a dremel fixed into a strong frame.

None of this is cheap, but could be satisfying.

 

[mseamaster]

Hm, what if I just try to 3D print it? If it's a rectangular small piece with holes in it.. I could ask a friend who does CAD and send the file to a printing service?

 

[X350 XJR]

Don't forget that the bracelet will need to be disassembled to insert the link and then successfully reassembled, easier said than done if as this appears is press fitted, remember these are not intended to come apart.

Most anything can be done, but cost and time will be a factor for sure and for what payoff?

 

[mseamaster]

X350 XJR

Don't forget that the bracelet will need to be disassembled to insert the link and then successfully reassembled, easier said than done if as this appears is press fitted, remember these are not intended to come apart.

Most anything can be done, but cost and time will be a factor for sure and for what payoff?

I like genuine Seiko bracelets I suppose. And many others do based on prices.

What about reducing the spacing between links btw?

 

[sheepdoll]

X350 XJR

successfully reassembled, easier said than done if as this appears is press fitted,

Why I mentioned an arbor or kick press. Also worth noting the metal can often be bent only once.

 

[mseamaster]

Tbh, would it be cheaper to make a new bracelet and just keep the buckle? How difficult would be to replicate?

Chains look generic, and usually don't even have markings.. I wonder if I even care about the chain itself.. I am mostly in it for the buckle. But I want the chain to look genuine. Of course if the chain itself has something written on it, it's different, I would only want genuine. But most chains don't have anything on them.. just generic rectangular segments.

Now the watch itself is different.. I want it all genuine minus say the gaskets and crystal, spring and stem. That being said, I would buy genuine crystal if available.

Edited: Jul 24, 2024

 

[JwRosenthal]

The juice has to be worth the squeeze. If we are talking about a $1k+ vintage bracelet, then it could be worth the $3-500+ investment, like having a vintage Rolex bracelet rebuilt by the few people/places that rebuild them from scratch (pull apart, laser weld, new pins).

Many us who have a love for vintage bracelets end up buying broken bracelets or even entire watches to get the bracelets (I have purchased and sold 3 watches just to get the bracelets off of them). Broken bracelets make great donors and folded link bracelets can usually be easily repaired with a parter.
If we aren’t talking about Rolex post 1978- many brands used a handful of OEM bracelet contractors and there was a lot of styles that crossed brands. So you could find parts from a cheap Bulova bracelet that are the same a UG bracelet.

 

[JwRosenthal]

Oh, not sure if anyone here has ever tried using a jeweler to fabricate a small part like a link (we have a few jewelers here who could probably opine) but I would be curious to know myself.

 

[mseamaster]

Makes sense that a jeweler should be able to fix a chain easier than a watchmaker. I know a local guy so I will ask him about it.

I know he makes stuff out of gold/silver, but those links are steel, so I ain't sure...

 

[JwRosenthal]

mseamaster

Makes sense that a jeweler should be able to fix a chain easier than a watchmaker. I know a local guy so I will ask him about it.

I know he makes stuff out of gold/silver, but those links are steel, so I ain't sure...

I’ve read stainless isn’t an easy material to work with on a small scale, will be curious what you discover.

 

[STANDY]

Is it a Omega bracelet

https://omegaforums.net/threads/free-extra-links-to-a-good-home.18489/