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FixoFlex bracelets ...

timesofplenty
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SpeedyPhill SpeedyPhill
Photo above taken May 20, 1969 the Apollo 11 prime crew at Launch Complex LC39a with their Saturn V launch vehicle rolled out...
Note Neil Armstrong wearing a NASA-issued Speedmaster and Michael Collins wearing his personal Rolex Turn-O'Graph pilot watch.
☕
Of the very first astronaut watches were the bespoke military-inspired 24 hours dial LeCoultre watches, which came on two types of bracelets.
Here's astronaut chief Donald "Deke" Slayton with what looks like a two-part bracelet with a metal part and a part with black leather insert ?
Photo: NASA
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Slayton-bracelet.jpg

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This one...might be JB Champion also but can't say for sure from this picture.
This type of combination was made by many companies: Lenox, Stonewall, JB Champion, Baldwin, and others.
I'm leaning toward JB tho.

Screenshot 2024-06-24 074710.png
 
JwRosenthal
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timesofplenty timesofplenty
x1774779-8250279bd28952a027984e821ad7733c.jpg.pagespeed.ic.EDjQMsSnDT.webp

This one...might be JB Champion also but can't say for sure from this picture.
This type of combination was made by many companies: Lenox, Stonewall, JB Champion, Baldwin, and others.
I'm leaning toward JB tho.

Screenshot 2024-06-24 074710.png
I’ve seen these on a few nice vintage pieces and as much as I want to hate them- they are kind of sexy.
 
Eddie K
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Hi folks, quick bump on my earlier request and a couple of pics of said watch with 1122 bracelet and damaged 558 end links, I'm beginning to wonder wether endlinks could be swapped at all and hence failing to find any? Anyways, thanks for looking and appreciate any info or guidance sent my way
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JwRosenthal
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Flip it over and let’s see the backside of the damaged endlink
 
Eddie K
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Thank you so much for your response Jw I've actually removed it due to the bar not seating correctly (it's sitting on a omega leather nato strap which is lovely) so it's a lot easier to photograph the rear:
83D4E4B0-3F4D-4F87-BAE4-D0A13169D09D.jpeg 460F9107-483F-4E58-85AD-5A00D0296B60.jpeg 5ABFD19A-0C0C-4521-9938-723F7D1D91EC.jpeg 24CE89B4-408D-42B1-B259-33AE520C4F75.jpeg 5BFC58B6-F86F-4446-8301-5BFD2864C112.jpeg 2CC8B11A-BDD3-4161-93C9-835AF08B62A9.jpeg E5027A4A-B76E-4952-BB79-74BFDB7D4565.jpeg
 
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JwRosenthal
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So I’m no expert on these but I’m assuming you’re not gonna find the endlinks seperate from the bracelet.
The first question is does it fit.
Second it how much do you like it?
Third is how much sweat/money equity do you want to put into it?
Although your pics aren’t great (sunlight is your friend) I see the dent and chatter marks on top that you mention which I agree- takes away from an otherwise clean look. That said, the endlinks aren’t structurally damaged and seem to be in pretty good shape.
I’m willing to be that if you were to unfold the tabs that hold them in (carefully and with tools wrapped in electrical tape to negate tool marks) and get them off carefully, you could probably flatten out the dent from behind with a blunt ended dowel and small hammer (or small peice of wood) against a leather strap (you go tap at a time). Then rebrushing the endlinks would knock down the surface marks if you can get close or match the brushing on the bracelet.

I’m sure a watchmaker or maybe more appropriately a jeweler could probably do this for you if you are willing to pay them for their time- which goes back to questions 2 and 3.
 
Eddie K
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Thank you for responding Jw
Yeah, my phone is old and the camera on it doesn't focus very well! You're thought process is pretty much the same as mine (I'm obviously no expert either lol) I'd have thought that the endlinks would have been interchangeable but I've come to the conclusion that they aren't unfortunately, and as for refurbishing them I've asked around a few local jewellery repair places aswell as an online request at fixalink in London (I'm up north) and they all responded with "can't do anything" hence my request on here hopeing that one of you folks could help. Also thought about attempting it myself but I just know I'll butcher it even more
The only solution is to keep looking for someone selling a NOS one but the ones that pop up are silly money! There's one on eBay for over £400 atm which is probably more than the watch is worth so I simply can't justify it, although I would love to find one to put it back to original so I I'll keep looking
Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to read and respond and as I said, it's now sitting on an omega leather nato which is very nice.....
16856C9E-E8E6-4E0E-990E-A927C7FD5638.jpeg
 
Eddie K
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Pastorbottle Pastorbottle
I think it's better on leather!
Ha ha I tend to agree, it looks even better in the flesh, waaaay more classier looking than I expected but the 60s/70s flexolink is nostalgic for me, plus those bracelets are so much more comfortable than they look, not to mention not having to faf around with a buckle.
I got the omega nato for a really good price and it's also really comfortable and also has the advantage of not having to faf about with spring bars, I did however (on the advice from a few people) fit curved bars to avoid creasing the leather.
Thank you for the comment
 
JwRosenthal
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There is a cross reference guide showing bracelets/endlink combos from omega keyed to case reference. If you know your reference, you can see what other bracelet combos were available for that watch- if you were interested.
 
Eddie K
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🍿
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
There is a cross reference guide showing bracelets/endlink combos from omega keyed to case reference. If you know your reference, you can see what other bracelet combos were available for that watch- if you were interested.

JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
There is a cross reference guide showing bracelets/endlink combos from omega keyed to case reference. If you know your reference, you can see what other bracelet combos were available for that watch- if you were interested.
Cheers Jw, yeah I looked at that (again, same thought process lol) and from what I can gather it's only the 558 endlinks that will fit my specific watch case/lugs. I've just emailed Omega (on a wing and a prayer) asking if they'd happen to have access to any NOS 558 endlinks but I'm not holding my breath lol as I now don't think that they're interchangeable which is a shame as the strap itself is in great condition. I'll post here with (if any!) reply that I get.
 
JwRosenthal
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Pastorbottle Pastorbottle
A picture to put fear and terror into the hearts of watch lugs everywhere!
As a cautionary to anyone contemplating one of these bracelets- the fixed endlinks are fine- the spring loaded ones that self adjust from 15-20mm with firm springs in the spring bar covers will destroy your watch over time.

IMG_2126.jpeg IMG_2127.jpeg IMG_2128.jpeg IMG_2129.jpeg IMG_2130.jpeg
 
Eddie K
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Ooof!! That's heartbreaking!🙁
Surely that's down to using different strength metals? ie s/s on gold or s/s on brass etc. Or am I missing something?👎
 
JwRosenthal
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Eddie K Eddie K
Ooof!! That's heartbreaking!🙁
Surely that's down to using different strength metals? ie s/s on gold or s/s on brass etc. Or am I missing something?👎
No doubt it’s a difference in metallurgy- but as they swivel and grind away with every movement of your wrist over the years, this is what could eventually happen. Obviously this is over the course of daily wear for years and many of us rotate our collection so often that we are lucky to wear the same watch twice a month- but cautionary none the less. Mind you it’s only the spring loaded endlinks- the fixed size endlinks are like any other bracelet
 
Eddie K
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Well, for anyone interested in the outcome, this confirms my suspicion:
BC6D794F-C9C6-4D3C-B6CF-291CE58C6DF1.png
 
Eddie K
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As a newbie I understand that I'm not permitted to post in the wanted/sales section so if any of you folks see/hear of a 1122 fixoflex in good shape is up for grabs please feel free to point them in my direction, cheers 🍿
 
JwRosenthal
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Eddie K Eddie K
As a newbie I understand that I'm not permitted to post in the wanted/sales section so if any of you folks see/hear of a 1122 fixoflex in good shape is up for grabs please feel free to point them in my direction, cheers 🍿
Only 191 posts to go.
 
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