Help with ending question 2531.80

Hey everyone,

I recently acquired this seamaster 2531.80 and I’m experiencing something odd with the end links.

As you can see in this album:
The end links don’t fit properly and there is a decent amount of vertical play. I figured that the spring bars may just need to be replaced so I ordered some OEM replacements.

Upon further inspection however I noticed that in photos I’ve seen of this same watch, the end links stick out slightly past the lugs, which isn’t the case on my watch.

The links are stamped “825” on both sides, and while worn the bracelet has all of the proper markings.

I’ve also read that there are different variants of end links/bracelets for this model? This watch was made around 2006 if that helps.

I’m just trying to figure out if this is a spring bar issue, or if I somehow have the wrong end links for this watch.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Title was supposed to say end links!

There is an other option regarding your pictures of the back side. Your watch may have suffered a hard polished at one point that created a gap. Nothing much to do if that is.

I don’t see any indication that this watch has ever been polished. The bezel edges are sharp, the insert looks original so I doubts it’s ever been changed after a polish, serial number is perfectly legible.

Also if that was the case the end links would stick out too much rather than not enough right? If you compare the side view the one here, you can see that the end links on my watch don’t appear to stick out past the lugs as much as they maybe should. Problem seems more so to be the end links rather than the watch.

Quick edit: I think some of the examples I’m looking and comparing to are insanely over polished. Like this one for example, the lugs are completely rounded off.

Mine has a defining line separating the top and bottom of the lugs.


I also noticed some back and forth play in the spring bars themselves. I think they may just be tired and aftermarket, and hoping that swapping in OEM replacements minimizes the play.