Hi guys,

This summer, I bought a Seamaster 2254.50 from 2006. It's in good condition, but I have a question about the bracelet: There's significant spacing between the links, as you can see from the pictures. I asked my local watchmaker, and although he isn't an Omega AD, he said that it's due to design, not wear. This seems right, and he also checked the pins and tubes, but I was hoping that some other owners could check their bracelets. Do they have the same spacing?

The only reason I'm asking, is because I'm curious. Thanks in advance!

 

Space for skin to breathe and not hair pinching.

 

That’s wear I am afraid but it’s not the worst I have seen. They are tighter than that when new. Pins and collars can be replaced on the removable links but to fix gapping like that on the fixed sections is a tricky specialist job which most watchmakers inc Omega won’t attempt. They will suggest a new bracelet which will run to £400+

There are those that do this kind of work, Michael Young in HK for one but it might be time to look for a new bracelet or live with it of course.

 

Thanks for your replies. But you have different opinions, @AntonisCy and @padders – which one is it?

 

Couldn't tell you the answer but heres some comparison of mine just for the heck of it.

 

Thanks, @BradleyJ.! Yours look a bit tighter than mine. Just curious – how old is it?

 

I forget the year but it was recieved back from service earlier this year and there was no note saying the bracelet wear was an issue. You can definitely still get a brand new replacement if you wanna freshen yours up. I'd be interested in knowing how much play is in a brand new one. I would imagine none Haha

 

When you had the pins and tubes checked, how bad were they? I'm no professional but I'd assume it's a good indication as to the rest of the pins.

 

I love my 2254!

 

My watchmaker took the bracelet completely apart, and concluded that the pins and tubes were fine – no need to replace them. The holes in the links (where you put the tubes for the pins) had been grinded down a bit, however, but not much. So to elaborate on my first post: He said that the stretch was mostly due to design, but also some wear.

I'd also like to know what a brand new bracelet looks like! From all the pictures I've seen of this bracelet online, it looks as if they do have some play, but I don't know how old the watch in the pictures are.

 

That bracelet is clearly worn. New pins/tubes may help, but if the links are worn the only solution is replacing them.

 

Here’s mine from 2007. Links are tight, but I’ve alway cleaned my bracelets regularly. Just got it back from Omega for a service and they replaced the pins and collars

 

I don't have a 2254, but I do have an older Speedy Pro with the very similar 1498 bracelet. Mine has been serviced once several years ago as part of a full Omega service, and is generally pretty lightly wore as my Speedy is on a leather strap 95% of the time. Compared to mine, your bracelet definitely looks to have some stretch/wear. That said, the gap between links on mine (which looks to be in similar condition to Bimmerman77's above) is quite large when compared to the brand new oyster bracelet on my Tudor Pelagos. The design seems as if it is supposed to have a noticeable gaps between links, just a bit less noticeable than yours. Said another way, I don't think yours is a basket case by any means, just some wear on a design that already has some "stretch" built in when new.

My 2 cents anyway.

 

Tudor does well with their bracelets. The main thing is keeping them clean. Usually dirt and grime causes wear. I have a submariner 1680 that I’ve kept super clean and there’s very minimal stretch.

 

This is a good reason to wash your bracelets with soap and warm water every couple of weeks. They look brighter and you get the gunk out that wears the holes.

Tom

 

Gonna toss my work watch in the ol sonic cleaner this weekend. Its feeling pretty gritty these days.

 

Thanks for your replies! It looks as if the bracelet is designet with some space between the links, and this, coupled with wear, gives me my result. I don't think there's much difference between your bracelet, @Bimmerman77, and mine. They're one year apart, and you have new pins and tubes. The outer link of your half link is not straight (right hand side of your picture), and neither is mine. I was also wondering about this, but it seems that this is just the way of the 1610/930.

This is also an interesting video. At 2:05 he takes a look at the bracelet, and it also has significant spacing.

 

It's normal wear, like some suggested a bit can be fixed with new pins and tubes. On a side note it's good to see worn pieces! As a lot of watches often seen on the forums look so minty and never worn . Wich is a shame these are great watches, wearing mine as i type this message

 

Not a good idea, take the bracelet off first and immerse that only, or use a cradle to keep the head clear.

 

Thanks! I bought the 2254.50 in July, and currently it's the only watch I own (except for a Garmin fenix, but that's specifically for hiking/workouts), and I wear it all the time. I had a small collection before, but the constant changing of watches just became stressful. So I wanted to get the "one watch". It was either the 2254.50 or Planet Ocean. The problem for me was the thickness of the cal. 8500/8900, and I like the design of the 2254.50 better than the PO's with cal. 2500.