As the original 1039 was broken and in need for some extra links, i tried to repair the ones that lost a spring, took two from my 1035 on my Seamaster 300 and
bought another 2 in the bay.
I cut a mainspring of an old movement into pieces to make new springs for the links, they are a bit weaker because the mainspring was thinner as the original springs but else it did work out fine.

This is the result

 

I did the same. Only I took some small steel springs,
like these-
Cut a length, pounded them flat with a hammer,
cut to size and installed(the hard part)
Work perfect, and no weakness in link tension.

 

Picture does not work, could you check that, because this sounds interesting

 

great job. my old 1039 was so pinchy! I do not miss it.

 

Lovely watch and good job on the bracelet!