Community Stories

Repop Bracelet Quality?

F
Posts
69
Likes
518
4 of my favorite pieces in my collection are my vintage Connies dating from the 50’s and 60’s. 3 of the 4 have been on leather straps ever since I acquired them 10 years ago, while the 4th(circa 1969) wears its original stainless steel bracelet.

I’d like to put 1 or 2 more on BOR bracelets, however, I’d rather not spend the money on stretched and scarred original bracelets. I’ve recently noticed that there are several sources offering reproduced BOR bracelets on eBay and Etsy, and I’m assuming they’re all produced in China…and probably all coming from 1 or 2 manufacturers.

Anyone care to comment on the fit, finish, and overall quality of these reproduced bracelets, and do any of the vendors selling them have better quality than the others?

On the right is my 561 from 1962 currently on a mesh bracelet, and on the left is my 751 from 1969 on its 1040 bracelet with 518 end links.

E4D8FFAC-0F3E-4BFF-9CD6-013D80452375.jpeg
 
snunez
Posts
419
Likes
185
I think Uncle Seiko, a forum member here, makes BoRs. Write him a message about sizing, or perhaps search here to see if it has already been discussed.
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Not to mention you can buy bracelets directly from Omega.
I’ve looked on line and can’t seem to find the details. Can you provide a link.
 
Edward53
Posts
3,133
Likes
5,565
The only repro (a kind word - I prefer "fake") Omega BORs I know of are the copies of the 1038 and they are, to put it bluntly, shit. They look ok when laid flat on a table but as soon as you push the links together, they kink up and stick that way. Also IIRC correctly the facetting is simplified, which probably isn't obvious but if you know, then you know. Not only that, but they are passed off as genuine and by buying one you are subsidising fraud.

Personally I would either spend the money needed for a real Omega BOR or buy something generic that isn't a copy. There are plenty of inexpensive generic bracelets that wear well and are of acceptable quality.

EDIT: I should make it clear that I am not referrring to the Uncle Seiko BORs mentioned above, about which I know only that people here seem to think well of them and they are not pretending to be Omega.
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
Thank you all for your input. I think I’ll look further into the present day Omega 3010 bracelet for my earliest Constellation:

Case. 2652-1
Lugs. 18 mm
Caliber. 354
Serial. 13160692

Will the 511 end links fit this case, or would this case require different end links?

it’s currently on a good quality aftermarket BOR bracelet from StrapsCo, however, I don’t care for the large gaps where the bracelet meets the case nor the bulky clasp.

15EB1424-4756-411E-B128-DD0A03698D2A.jpeg 56037A5F-CFBF-4E47-80A7-04C09ECFCAA0.jpeg
Edited:
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,811
The 511 will probably fit, because the old 11 end links generally fit. In fact, might even fit better.
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
Thank you!

I’d rather not spend the big $ for the present day Omega bracelet and end links, however, this is my favorite Constellation of my collection…and it’s from 1952 (my birth year).
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,811
F FL-Frank
Thank you!

I’d rather not spend the big $ for the present day Omega bracelet and end links, however, this is my favorite Constellation of my collection…and it’s from 1952 (my birth year).
I hear ya... I think of it this way... it's brand new, genuine Omega, you only buy it once, and it's yours forever. 😀
 
sirtaifun
Posts
513
Likes
339
If it come to a BOR bracelet the original manufacturer ones are without doubt the best quality there is a big gap between aftermarket and them you can really feel it. The links are finer the finish has a look and feel of more craftsmenship and so on.
As an example the modern Omega BOR or even vintage Rado if you are lucky to get one in NOS condition.

But for every day use there are some that are also well made like:
https://forstnerbands.com/products/the-forstner-beads-of-rice
https://www.geckota.com/butterfly-beads-of-rice-premium-watch-strap
At Geckota you can have curved endlinks for 20mm to:
https://www.geckota.com/20mm-curved-end-pieces-for-beads-of-rice-for-18mm
Edited:
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
I ordered a new 3010 BOR bracelet from Omega last week, and was told the 511 end links don’t come with the bracelet and that I needed to order them separately for $50/each! So, I ordered the end links and was told they’re on back order and won’t be available to ship for 8-10 weeks.

FedEx delivered the bracelet today…and I was pleasantly surprised to find the end links packaged with the bracelet!

E66D5011-93F0-4FEA-8BB5-8CFE3E4F9486.jpeg
Edited:
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
And here it is on 2652-1, sized and ready to go. The Omega bracelet looks much better and is noticeably lighter than the previous aftermarket bracelet.

C35E51F5-CDA0-45F5-AF13-95D64FAEF91E.jpeg
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,811
3010, not 3020, which I assume is a typo. I am surprised they claimed the end links were separate, as that part number means they're included. Here's hoping you don't get a second set!
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
3010, not 3020, which I assume is a typo. I am surprised they claimed the end links were separate, as that part number means they're included. Here's hoping you don't get a second set!

Thanks, typo corrected. I’m going to call them tomorrow to see if I can cancel the end links order.
 
Puma_135o
Posts
242
Likes
407
F FL-Frank
I ordered a new 3010 BOR bracelet from Omega last week, and was told the 511 end links don’t come with the bracelet and that I needed to order them separately for $50/each! So, I ordered the end links and was told they’re on back order and won’t be available to ship for 8-10 weeks.

FedEx delivered the bracelet today…and I was pleasantly surprised to find the end links packaged with the bracelet!

E66D5011-93F0-4FEA-8BB5-8CFE3E4F9486.jpeg

Hi, may I ask you how much have you payed for this bracelet?
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
Puma_135o Puma_135o
Hi, may I ask you how much have you payed for this bracelet?

The current price is $450 USD, plus sales tax and $10.00 shipping.
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
F FL-Frank
Thanks, typo corrected. I’m going to call them tomorrow to see if I can cancel the end links order.

I was able to cancel the order for the end links, and placed an order for a second 3010 bracelet…this time in gold tone to replace the cheap, crappy aftermarket BOR bracelet I recently put on my gold capped 168.005.

This is the knock off bracelet sourced from eBay…a perfect example of “you get what you pay for”. Unlike the authentic Omega bracelet, this one’s links are sticky and the edges of the bracelet are abrasive. It looks and feels cheap compared to the Omega bracelet, and attaching it to the watch with its flimsy end links was a challenge.

C9EED562-AADA-4B2F-B3E9-AC05DD9ED606.jpeg
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,811
I'll be interested in the price and color of the gold 3010 and how it matches the bright 14K of the vintage watches. Would be nice to know the part number as well. 😀
 
F
Posts
69
Likes
518
SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
I'll be interested in the price and color of the gold 3010 and how it matches the bright 14K of the vintage watches. Would be nice to know the part number as well. 😀

Material Reference #: 0020SX3010511

Description: Bracelet, Yel. 2NPVD

Cost: $450.00 USD, plus 7.2% Sales Tax, plus $10.00 Shipping

I’m also curious to see how well the Omega bracelet color matches the vintage gold capped case. Even if it’s not a perfect match, I can live with it since the quality of the Omega BOR bracelet is far superior to any of the cheap aftermarket ones.
 
3 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Spacefruit

A Closer Look at a 105.012-63: Provenance, Originality, and Quality

Spacefruit Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
SWmania
SWmania
Posts
31
Views
2K
F

Geneve 166.0173 bracelet query

Fozzo_90 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Passover
Passover
Posts
1
Views
92
Canjar

PO 45.5 Bracelet question

Canjar Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Canjar
Canjar
Posts
0
Views
63
C

2254.50 Quality Check

ColumnWheels Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
C
ColumnWheels
Posts
0
Views
282
jeff48

1171-633 Bracelet Question

jeff48 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
jeff48
jeff48
Posts
5
Views
648
Sam909

Maen, Baltic, and Brew-Watches' Build Quality

Sam909 Open Discussion
Sam909
Sam909
Posts
10
Views
954