Longines "Nautilus" Bracelet

OllieOnTheRocks · Apr 29, 2020

Hello Longines fans!

I have recently managed to get hold of this elusive Longines bracelet that I have admired for a little while. It's not in my hands yet, but is starting its journey via mail to me today. So apologies for the photo.

As you can see there's one big problem - there are no end links.

I was wondering if anyone by any chance has, or knows where I can buy some of these, OR at least a link that would fit these. I have seen that there were some very similar bracelets for the Bulova divers from the 60s, as well as some other brands including JLC. So, I was wondering if there could be some links that would fit, if not original but an alternative.

If I cannot find any, perhaps I could have some made up, would anyone has experience with a similar project - whether they did it themselves, or outsourced it. Being a small and somewhat intricate piece, it's not similar to anything I have ever had made before, certainly not from any metals.

Any advice would be gratefully received!

Thank you as always,

Ollie 😀

OllieOnTheRocks · Apr 29, 2020

Here's an example of the Bulova end links I thought might fit:

MoclovFlop · Apr 29, 2020

These end links are hard to find. Ask me how I know:

As for alternatives, I think you're on the right track. If you find one that has the double gap, you'll probably need to file them a bit to get the beads to fit well. Here's the same endlink from the Bulova version you mention. It would need to be widened to fit:

Here's a different version where the inside bar would need to be filed down:

Either way it is kind of a wash, and a bummer because they won't have the bead ripples that bring it together. But it will be better than nothing! And you can keep your eyes out for a donor since they do come up.

But the biggest issue for you will be finding the Nautilus 20mm size if you want an original. Those are hen's teeth.

Good luck!

OllieOnTheRocks · Apr 29, 2020

MoclovFlop
These end links are hard to find. Ask me how I know:

As for alternatives, I think you're on the right track. If you find one that has the double gap, you'll probably need to file them a bit to get the beads to fit well. Here's the same endlink from the Bulova version you mention. It would need to be widened to fit:

Here's a different version where the inside bar would need to be filed down:

Either way it is kind of a wash, and a bummer because they won't have the bead ripples that bring it together. But it will be better than nothing! And you can keep your eyes out for a donor since they do come up.

But the biggest issue for you will be finding the Nautilus 20mm size if you want an original. Those are hen's teeth.

Good luck!

Wow! Such a great response! Thank you so much! I'm hoping to fit this on my Longines Conquest Power Reserve, so I'd be looking for 18mm end links 😀

As for a donor, are there particular search terms I should be making to find this particular style of bracelet? Clearly if I can find one that'd fit it perfectly that'd be best.

In the meantime I'd be happy to file down some other styles, again are there particular search terms I can use to find these style, so far it's been pot luck and hours of searching haha!

Thank you very much!

Ollie 😀

seekingseaquest · Apr 29, 2020

OllieOnTheRocks
Wow! Such a great response! Thank you so much! I'm hoping to fit this on my Longines Conquest Power Reserve, so I'd be looking for 18mm end links 😀

Not sure how helpful this is but I think they actually were sized in inches, at least that’s the case for mine. Came in the original box and hang tag which indicates my endlinks are 11/16 inches (17.5mm). I find the endlinks are a tad small on my Conquest.

_awatchsnob_ · May 8, 2020

It is always a tough project finding missing correct end-links for a bracelet, good look!!

Longines "Nautilus" Bracelet

OllieOnTheRocks

OllieOnTheRocks

MoclovFlop

OllieOnTheRocks

seekingseaquest

_awatchsnob_

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