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Great White GMT: bracelet anxiety

tikkathree
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I love my Great White and wear it but infrequently when I am always reminded how fundamental to my love of watches is this design - the case size and shape, the wave dial especially.

I'll upload a photo from the phone in a moment.
20220912_095629.jpg 20220912_143859.jpg


I bought the watch on this bracelet some years ago and I glance at it daily. One of the reasons I don't wear it more is that the bracelet only just goes round my wrist - better on a cold day than a warm day in fact.

I believe the bracelet to be the correct one for the watch.

I need more bracelet, not much but maybe one more link.

I suppose I could swap the bracelet out for a strap but I love the watch on bracelet.

I could look for an OE bracelet but can't help feeling that I'm looking at pre-owned and a lot of sellers who want me to believe that what they've got is OE: but who's to know?

I have an older Speedmaster on an Uncle Seiko bracelet and though the look is good, the heft of the OE item isn't there, the end links aren't solid and the clasp isn't signed Omega.

I'm not sure what to do but one thing I will do is listen to advice from you guys.
 
dsio
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Just order some extra links. Omega still has plenty and they’re not insanely expensive
 
Donn Chambers
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I can't tell from the picture if you have a half-link installed or not. That will make all the difference on this bracelet. If one doesn't work, try two. If you don't have any, they can be ordered from Omega for a nominal price.
 
tikkathree
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
I can't tell from the picture if you have a half-link installed or not. That will make all the difference on this bracelet. If one doesn't work, try two. If you don't have any, they can be ordered from Omega for a nominal price.

None fitted at present on this bracelet but I plan to get one full and one half link from Omega which will cover it methinks.
 
spacemission
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Great watch and enemy of the rolex 16710. Before(eta sa) and now, omega and rolex are on the same level. Buy the link and enjoy it 👍
 
padders
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Despite this bracelet having a unique number (1611/931 from memory), the std and much more common 1610 (speedy style) links fit, so if you can find one of those cheap or have one laying about that is worth trying as to brush the polished sections is not tricky. Or you can just fit them back to front.

Perhaps counterintuitively, I found the fully brushed finish of the GW and also ST1, despite looking very toolish, rather high maintenance, and as a result made me nervous. It is actually pretty easy to remove microscratching from a polished surface, less so on full brush.
 
Donn Chambers
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tikkathree tikkathree
None fitted at present on this bracelet but I plan to get one full and one half link from Omega which will cover it methinks.

if it fits well when cold and is a little tight when warm, I found two-half links together made it perfect when it was warm on my old GMT — mine was the black version but had a similar bracelet. Even though you’d think 2 halves equals a whole, in this case it doesn’t. I think on this bracelet, 2 halves is just a tad less than a full.

might want to get 2 halves and 1 full just so you can experiment to get the perfect fit.
 
tikkathree
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
if it fits well when cold and is a little tight when warm, I found two-half links together made it perfect when it was warm on my old GMT — mine was the black version but had a similar bracelet. Even though you’d think 2 halves equals a whole, in this case it doesn’t. I think on this bracelet, 2 halves is just a tad less than a full.

might want to get 2 halves and 1 full just so you can experiment to get the perfect fit.

Perfect fit when warm or prefect fit when cooler? ::facepalm1::::facepalm1::
 
aleksejeremeev
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When I was looking for additional links, I looked at them on ebay and other sites from private sellers. And I was pleasantly surprised by ordering omega from a dealer at a price 2 times lower than from private sellers. Therefore, you are on the road to the omega dealer
 
tikkathree
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aleksejeremeev aleksejeremeev
When I was looking for additional links, I looked at them on ebay and other sites from private sellers. And I was pleasantly surprised by ordering omega from a dealer at a price 2 times lower than from private sellers. Therefore, you are on the road to the omega dealer

And I have one such right here in town. I'll report back.
 
Donn Chambers
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tikkathree tikkathree
Perfect fit when warm or prefect fit when cooler? ::facepalm1::::facepalm1::

perfect fit with two half-links when warm. Perfect fit without two half-links when cold. Since these old bracelets don’t have any sort of micro-adjust, one often typically has to add some links in the warmer months and and remove in colder. Or learn to live with a tight or loose bracelet.
 
tikkathree
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
perfect fit with two half-links when warm. Perfect fit without two half-links when cold. Since these old bracelets don’t have any sort of micro-adjust, one often typically has to add some links in the warmer months and and remove in colder. Or learn to live with a tight or loose bracelet.

Donn, thank you sir. I tend to be a live with a loose fit pensioner. Wearing Great White yesterday and coming home with a neat imprint circling my wrist caused some comment.
 
tikkathree
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Little update: phoned Omega UK earlier this morning, selected "Spare parts, private customers" on the phone menu. Got straight through to a human who gave me two choices: either send the watch to us and we'll quote you for the supply and fit of a complete new bracelet or pop into your local Omega account-holding retailer who will order the parts for you.

Popped into the local account-holding jewellers; one full link and two half links ordered and paid for @ £45 each. Week to ten days if Omega UK have them in stock, up to two months if they don't.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
jets
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I'm not sure why no one suggested fitting an adjustable clasp that can fit this bracelet. It's an original Omega part on newer seamasters that allow the wearer to tighten and loosen on the fly. I have one on my 2254.50 which is the same bracelet with the exception that there are small polished sections rather than brushed completely like yours.
 
tikkathree
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jets jets
I'm not sure why no one suggested fitting an adjustable clasp that can fit this bracelet. It's an original Omega part on newer seamasters that allow the wearer to tighten and loosen on the fly. I have one on my 2254.50 which is the same bracelet with the exception that there are small polished sections rather than brushed completely like yours.

That's a good question/suggestion, thanks. Might look into it.

But wait, your clasp isn't the one which stays firmly shut is it?
 
jets
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tikkathree tikkathree
That's a good question/suggestion, thanks. Might look into it.

But wait, your clasp isn't the one which stays firmly shut is it?

Not sure what you are asking but this is what I'm talking about:
If I had to do it again I'd pick the 4666. They all look similar like in the video.

Part #'s
Clasp options
117STZ001154 longer (6 click)
117STZ004666 shorter (3 click)
117STZ001159 with diver extension

Endlinks - O118ST1589 (2)
Pins - O128ST0166 (2)
Screws - O124ST3307 (4)
 
tikkathree
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One half link fitted and this feels just great. That leaves me with one and a half spare links: maybe if we have a hot summer in 2023::psy::
20221001_154908.jpg
 
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