Hey guys, I am looking to produce a few bracelets for the Speedy to meet the high demand for alternatives. I just made the Beads of Rice bracelet and am looking to also make the classic Flat Link and maybe President style (1171?).

The problem is that I am mostly a Seiko guy and don't know a whole lot about Omega, other than I love my Speedy and wish I could venture more into the brand as a collector. I had some good feedback about my BOR but some complained that the clasp should have been different.

So, just gathering ideas at this point, I guess. If you have any thoughts as to what bracelet should be made, what kind of clasp, etc. feel free to share. While I know there are many purists out there, I am sure many would also like some alternatives.

unclepenn1 (aka UncleSeiko)

 

A sturdy, modern reproduction of the classic flat link bracelet would be nice.

Nice looking BoR by the way.

 

Free plug: https://www.uncleseiko.com/

 

Could you think about doing a bracelet in both 20mm and 19mm. The FOIS (19 mm) doesn’t come with a bracelet and are quite difficult to get hold of let alone the cost.

 

Any detailed pics to share?

 

OP not marketing himself well.
https://www.uncleseiko.com/store/p215/Beads_of_Rice_Bracelet_for_the_Omega_Speedmaster_"Moon_Watch".html

 

Amen, brother. Purists might want to spend $2k for the real thing but I'd jump on a good remake, even if it didn't have the expanding links.

 

I don't see why people are complaining about the clasp -- it's a solid, functional piece. When the OP makes one for a 19mm lug-width Speedmaster, I'm gonna be all over it!

 

I understand the comments about the clasp. I like the secondary clasp (or whatever the hell its called) on my Seiko bracelets but I prefer a standard, simple clasp on Speedmasters.

 

+1 vote for a flatlink bracelet with options of 19 and 20mm end links. I think it is a winner. This thread has lots of info on Speedy bracelets:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/fro...ge-seamaster-and-speedmaster-bracelets.45883/

One could also do a semi-flat 1175 inspired bracelet. I don't think there would be much demand for an 1171 style bracelet, as those are still available from omega.

 

Hi uncle seiko,

Mostly appreciated to me would be something similar to the Holzer hecho en Mexico design, nicely tapered down to 16mm and equipped with a more classy stile adjustable clasp as already discussed.
Great would be to have the links not too flat overall but also tapered down from let’s say 3mm down to 1,3mm or so.

Picture borrowed from the sales corner of Uhrforum

 

@unclepenn1 thanks for asking.

Love your work. The clasp you have there on the BOR is almost identical to Seiko clasps (as you undoubtedly know). It’s great (and they are secure), but a bit too clunky on Speedies (and maybe folk associate them with Seiko...on a Speedy. Maybe not). I second the 19mm option too!

Davidt sent you a pic of a Speedy clasp (and the flat link, but there are tons of pics here)...while they don’t look sturdy, they surprisingly work like a charm after 40+ years. I have not had any problems with any of my clasps on 1035/1039/7912’s etc.



One could however make them more secure with the dual push button release mechanism as found on the more modern bracelets, incorporated into this regular vintage-y clasp (they did it with the new Apollo 11 50th bracelets, which are killer...maybe have a look there too?).



More ideas : president style bracelet (check out the 1450...fantastic on a Speedy, better looking than 1171 imho).





Looking forward to seeing what you make

 

Inspiration for the clasp could be take from the 50s anniversary watches as mentionned above


picture from swisswatchesblog


and

pics from Fratellowatches


+1 for a flat link here !

and great job on the BoR !

 

This is all good input, guys. I think I have to buy a FOIS this week (poor me!) and get busy looking for some original bracelets. The 1450 does look like an awesome match, but I only saw one on Ebay and it's $4k? Seriously?

Anyway, I am just starting the research so it might be a while but I do love to hear more about this watch and what makes the original bracelets so prized. Thanks guys, and if you have more comments, keep them coming!

 

1450 (with 808 end links) are +/- 1500 depending on condition...for 20mm lugs. Don’t come by very often...

1039 (with 516 end links) are priced about the same...for 20mm lugs. Quite common...

1035 (with 506 end links) start to get crazy prices due to 506’s which are unobtainable ... for 19mm lugs. Don’t come by very often...almost identical to 1039/516. I feel that folks would love an affordable classic flat link for 19mm...

1035/6 , 7912/6 ... all crazy, but similar to 1035/506 except the clasp.

 

OK, a couple of questions come to mind.

1. I think that 1450 looks awesome with the Speedy. If I am unable to attain one, what if I just used a similar bracelet and gave it my best shot based on pictures? Or maybe someone could get me measurements?

2. A lot of the old bracelets have end-links that sit under the lugs. I don't think I have seen an Omega bracelet with end-links that are flush. Is this something guys like and would want to keep? I like a bracelet that is flush with the case, and always thought it strange when certain watches have bracelets that sit under the lugs. Any thoughts about this?

3. If I use my modern speedy (20mm) would that fit a lot of other models?

 

1) I am sure there are collectors nearby who could help you out to have a look at one in the hand. Otherwise calling @mblease ...

2) Scratch the lugs, so imho better not to. The new ones (Apollo 11 50th, Speedy 60th anniversary) don’t, a better design



This watch has an extra lip though in the case that mates with the EL so it sits solidly. Not sure how the 60th works (honestly never bothered to look )...

3) should work for all assymetric regular 42mm moonwatches with 20mm lugs...FOIS should do the trick for all regular 39mm moonwatches with 19mm lugs.

But that’s just me...sure some more opinions will be along.

 

I think these tabs are still needed to prevent the endlinks from distorting around the spring bar and it will take an enormous technical effort to get this issue solved another way.

So I'm fine with this kind of basic endlink approach.

Cheers,

Winny

 

Loving the idea of a flat link bracelet for my Speedy with a modern clasp with the double push pins to release the clasp.

 

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear in regards to #2. When I say that they sit under the lugs, I don't mean underneath, I mean how the bracelet wears in relation to the case. See picture for example.