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Tom Dick
·Morning all
Wanted to share how to rebuild an Omega bracelet from the 1970’s, the same process applies to Megaquartz, Megasonic, Speedmaster 125, Chronoquartz and a number of other bracelets.
For those of you who (like me) collect these watches, there is nothing worse than a stretch bracelet, originally they would have been tighter than a submarine door but over time many (if not all) have picked up stretched interlinks.
These types of bracelet are extremely well made and robust, solid SS links held together by double spring bars, which interconnect each link. Over time the interlinks stretch and give the BCT a baggy feel.
So, down to the task in hand, you will need:
1)1 X large wallet, the interlinks are £10 each and you can end up using 10+
2)1 X a huge amount of patience and pain tolerance (more to follow on that)
3)1 X a free evening
4) 1 X case knife/ large flat head jewelers screwdriver
5)1 X spikey implement
6)1 X small flat head jewelers screwdriver
Step 1
Remove the bracelet and flip it over to expose the rear
Ease the large flat head jewelers screwdriver or the case knife between the links and turn to stretch out further
slowly repeat this process (careful not to bruise the metal) until there is a good gap between the two links and the interlinks is well exposed.
Step 2
Ease the spikey implement (I use a jewelers punch) down the center of the interlink to spread it
This is where it can get painful, the first time I tried this I put the tool through my left hand and still have the scar, even tonight I slipped and spiked my thumb, which bled for about ten minutes!
Step 3
Once completed on all interlinks take the small jewelers screwdriver and just like removing a spring bar east it between the interlink and the link and remove the old double spring bars.
Step 4
Lay of the bracelet (I also take together) to ensure you don’t rebuild in the wrong order (believe me it is easier to do than you think)
Step 5
Fit the interlinks together to form the complete bracelet
Step 6 wear and enjoy
Completed bracelet pic to follow later today, for those considering this then I suggested doing it sooner rather than later, 18 months ago these interlinks were £1.75 each, now £10! Also with swatches new policy of preventing third parties like cousins from selling Swatch and Omega spares the window to do this is growing smaller by the day!
Cheers Tom
Wanted to share how to rebuild an Omega bracelet from the 1970’s, the same process applies to Megaquartz, Megasonic, Speedmaster 125, Chronoquartz and a number of other bracelets.
For those of you who (like me) collect these watches, there is nothing worse than a stretch bracelet, originally they would have been tighter than a submarine door but over time many (if not all) have picked up stretched interlinks.
These types of bracelet are extremely well made and robust, solid SS links held together by double spring bars, which interconnect each link. Over time the interlinks stretch and give the BCT a baggy feel.
So, down to the task in hand, you will need:
1)1 X large wallet, the interlinks are £10 each and you can end up using 10+
2)1 X a huge amount of patience and pain tolerance (more to follow on that)
3)1 X a free evening
4) 1 X case knife/ large flat head jewelers screwdriver
5)1 X spikey implement
6)1 X small flat head jewelers screwdriver
Step 1
Remove the bracelet and flip it over to expose the rear
Ease the large flat head jewelers screwdriver or the case knife between the links and turn to stretch out further
slowly repeat this process (careful not to bruise the metal) until there is a good gap between the two links and the interlinks is well exposed.
Step 2
Ease the spikey implement (I use a jewelers punch) down the center of the interlink to spread it
This is where it can get painful, the first time I tried this I put the tool through my left hand and still have the scar, even tonight I slipped and spiked my thumb, which bled for about ten minutes!
Step 3
Once completed on all interlinks take the small jewelers screwdriver and just like removing a spring bar east it between the interlink and the link and remove the old double spring bars.
Step 4
Lay of the bracelet (I also take together) to ensure you don’t rebuild in the wrong order (believe me it is easier to do than you think)
Step 5
Fit the interlinks together to form the complete bracelet
Step 6 wear and enjoy
Completed bracelet pic to follow later today, for those considering this then I suggested doing it sooner rather than later, 18 months ago these interlinks were £1.75 each, now £10! Also with swatches new policy of preventing third parties like cousins from selling Swatch and Omega spares the window to do this is growing smaller by the day!
Cheers Tom
