How do I repair a Bead of Rice bracelet?

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OneMoreVintage

·Apr 26, 2020

I have this Omega BoR bracelet (type 1068) on my Seamaster Cosmic. I was wearing it when all of a sudden the watch dropped off my wrist. I managed to collect all the pieces and re-assemble it. But the 'lock'-link (is that what it's called) has cracked (see picture) at the hole fixating the link. I have another 1068 I bought to get more links. Does anybody know how to replace this broken link with a link from the other bracelet? Do I have to go to a vintage watchmaker?

 

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Passover

·Apr 26, 2020

Hi,

if the bracelet is long enough I would just remove the damaged link.

Looking at this

I'm not shure if thats the genuine condition of the bracelet.

Has the damaged link a hole in the side / is it one of the removable ones?

Were is the damaged link located, could you please post some more pics?

Thank you

 

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OneMoreVintage

·Apr 26, 2020

I had my local watchmaker put a link from the replacement bracelet onto this. I assume it is that link that has broken. That could account for the difference in size.
Yes, it is a removeable link with a hole. I cannot figure out how to remove. Do you just twist the beads/grains open where they meet?

 

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cristos71

·Apr 26, 2020

It's very hard to say how to repair something that your WM has already attempted a repair upon. It looks like there has been an extra link added from a non-matching bracelet and it looks like the end of this link has failed. I'd go back to your WM and get him to have a look, if he manages to fix it then get him to have a look at the rice grain links too, one's the wrong way around and I'll bet it happened when he 'fixed it' last time.

 

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ConElPueblo

·Apr 26, 2020

I think the watchmaker took a link originally placed further up towards the watch head than the one he replaced 🤦

 

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Passover

·Apr 26, 2020

Could you please post some more pictures showing the bracelet and the clasp?

 

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wsfarrell

·Apr 26, 2020

ConElPueblo

I think the watchmaker took a link originally placed further up towards the watch head than the one he replaced 🤦

Indeed, and as he handed it back to the customer, he said "That'll buff right out."