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Newbie here! BOR question

M
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Hi all!

My son has purchased me an omega seamaster cal 286
for my 65th birthday (I know, right!) but I would like to add an original Omega brand BOR bracelet. Maybe I’m being stubborn with that but I’m hesitant that I won’t like the quality of a replica.

I'm finding it very hard to determine which model BOR bracelet will fit it though. Some things I know:

18mm
1963 Seamaster
135.006-63 inside the case
Serial is 20163092

Any help you knowledgeable folks can provide will be greatly appreciate! I’m willing to spend up to around $400 or so.

I’ve attached a couple of pictures. Thanks in advance!

Mark
 
1E6BFC5A-B381-4A69-A871-8B28E28A5F6C.jpeg A9D53623-7E8D-47C9-8CE9-E570C1CA3002.jpeg
BradleyJ.
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You may ne hard pressed to find a genuine BOR in good shape for 400 or less. Others may chime in and point you in the right direction. As far as aftermarket goes, Forstner and Uncle seiko make some really nice stuff. Forstner has a nice BOR and you could upgrade it to a milled clasp and be just under 200. Or keep the clasp that's on it since it's more "vintage" and you'll be just over 100. The etsy and eBay junk out there will definitely feel cheap. Even strapcode is pretty meh.
 
Passover
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Hi and welcome here!

Looks like a loose screwhead is flying around in your watch!

upload_2023-3-25_18-3-20.png


Came from here:

upload_2023-3-25_18-4-32.png
 
M
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Passover Passover
Hi and welcome here!

Looks like a loose screwhead is flying around in your watch!

upload_2023-3-25_18-3-20.png


Came from here:

upload_2023-3-25_18-4-32.png
Great find, thanks! My son plans to break the watch down and service it. He has invested in a lot of the various things necessary in doing that and is hooked. He just bought a 2019 Rolex and it looks awesome. He said he would do it with my Omega for some quality father and son time.
 
M
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BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
You may ne hard pressed to find a genuine BOR in good shape for 400 or less. Others may chime in and point you in the right direction. As far as aftermarket goes, Forstner and Uncle seiko make some really nice stuff. Forstner has a nice BOR and you could upgrade it to a milled clasp and be just under 200. Or keep the clasp that's on it since it's more "vintage" and you'll be just over 100. The etsy and eBay junk out there will definitely feel cheap. Even strapcode is pretty meh.
I was afraid of that! If I do decide to go after an original,
any idea what part/model number!

thanks again all.
Mark
 
Passover
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If you want a more complete evaluation of the watch you can post a close up picture of the dial

I'm shure you will get some feedback concerning the BOR soon
 
Dan S
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The reference may not have an official BOR bracelet, but you can probably do some research to identify one that is a decent fit. The best approach is to do a google images search, find half a dozen examples with BOR bracelets, and then click on the links and find the bracelet and end-link codes.
 
BradleyJ.
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Dan S Dan S
The reference may not have an official BOR bracelet, but you can probably do some research to identify one that is a decent fit. The best approach is to do a google images search, find half a dozen examples with BOR bracelets, and then click on the links and find the bracelet and end-link codes.

This^
 
M
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0A5DE951-1DAC-4EAA-B447-385D09890735.png 65E4C10D-750F-499E-ADCA-1D2D1D88E855.png 86DA49C7-B43A-49CF-9218-4BCEE54E9F7F.png
From what I’ve researched from Google image (thanks for the hint!), 1036 looks to be the one. My next question is what ends I might need and how to measure my wrist to ensure proper length. I saw what seems to be a very nice one online for $350.

Here is what I am looking at
0A5DE951-1DAC-4EAA-B447-385D09890735.png 65E4C10D-750F-499E-ADCA-1D2D1D88E855.png 86DA49C7-B43A-49CF-9218-4BCEE54E9F7F.png
 
MtV
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BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
You may ne hard pressed to find a genuine BOR in good shape for 400 or less.

Have Omega BoRs doubled in price in the last few days? Sure, prices depend on your patience and the time you invest to find one, but 250$ should get you a good one without too much trouble.

As pointed out above, this reference wasn't intended for a BoR, my best guess would be a 7-row. The 5-rows have rounded endlinks, the 70 or 570 endlinks that most commonly come on the 7-rows have a flat top, which should look better with those lugs. The references you'd then be looking for are 1503, 1037, 1068 or 8270.
 
Dan S
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MtV MtV
Have Omega BoRs doubled in price in the last few days? Sure, prices depend on your patience and the time you invest to find one, but 250$ should get you a good one without too much trouble.

As pointed out above, this reference wasn't intended for a BoR, my best guess would be a 7-row. The 5-rows have rounded endlinks, the 70 or 570 endlinks that most commonly come on the 7-rows have a flat top, which should look better with those lugs. The references you'd then be looking for are 1503, 1037, 1068 or 8270.

Agree, $200-$250 should be plenty to buy an Omega BoR, depending on your level of patience and if you need a full-length bracelet.
 
BradleyJ.
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I quick searched chrono24 for prices and based my comment off that. Honestly I have zero interest in BOR bracelets so I'm not up to date on prices.
 
MtV
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BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
I quick searched chrono24 for prices and based my comment off that. Honestly I have zero interest in BOR bracelets so I'm not up to date on prices.

Your comment gave a different impression. Anyway, C24 is probably up there with the worst possible places to look for those bracelets. They pop up on eBay very regularly and for much more attractive prices, it seems.

@morear23 To get an idea of prices, search eBay for sold items.
 
M
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So if my wrist measures 6.5 inches it seems like most of the BOR bands are smaller on eBay. Would you agree?
 
Dan S
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M morear23
So if my wrist measures 6.5 inches it seems like most of the BOR bands are smaller on eBay. Would you agree?

Not likely, 6.5" is not a large wrist. Don't forget to include the size of the watch in your calculation.
 
Olhenry56
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If you're patient and lucky, you can even win them in auctions for less than $200. It took me a while, but I picked up a 5-row for 180 after taxes last year and an (unnumbered) 7-row for 135. Unfortunately, auctions are less common on eBay than buy-it-now listings. But listings at $200-$250 should still be common enough.
 
gbesq
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M morear23
So if my wrist measures 6.5 inches it seems like most of the BOR bands are smaller on eBay. Would you agree?
No. As Dan said, you have to include the size of the watch in the calculation. If you have a BOR that is 6.5 inches in length, including the endlinks, and you're going attach it to a typical 34 mm watch, that combination will generally fit a wrist circumference of 7.25 inches and perhaps a bit larger. Don't forget that the bracelet can be made longer or shorter not only by adding or removing links, but also by moving the spring bars in the pins that attach the braclet to the clasp. Typically, Omega BOR bracelets have 8 sets of holes for the spring bars that will give you about one inch of play to make the bracelet longer or shorter.
 
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