Hello OF, I recently picked up a beautiful SM 2849 which is currently getting serviced right now. While I wait for the service to be completed, I'm looking to pick up a period correct BoR bracelet. From my research, it seems like the 8220 with 11 endlinks is what most people deem to be the appropriate bracelet. Just wanted to get other thoughts/opinions because it looks like the 8220 is a very hard bracelet to find compared to other Omega BoR bracelets(1037, 1503, etc)
1036, 8220, or 1502 bracelet reference with #11 or #511 endlinks. These are all the same aside from the numbers. Hopefully that helps broaden your search.
$450 plus shipping and perhaps tax. Do a search, you can find instructions on ordering. The part number includes end links.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/repop-bracelet-quality.133683/#post-1820759 ...has the information you need.
Or you pay half that for a vintage one that matches the looks of a 50s watch (unless it’s NOS), not shiny and new.
In my experience the going rate for one of these is around $250, sometimes more and sometimes less. But it requires patience or asking a collector who has a stash.
We’re speaking of regular 5-row BoRs I thought? I’ve bought 3 on eBay this year, all separate no-reserve auctions for easily within that price range. If I recall correctly @No Mercy usually has some on offer for ~230$ or so, close enough I’d still claim it counts as “half the omega price” and I doubt a WTB thread looking for one, offering 225$ would necessarily stay unanswered. I am, however, located in Europe. Watches are usually a little cheaper in the US, I found, might be the other way round with bracelets.
I got one for the price you cite and was happy to get it. It was refinished as well as the watch case. If a person wants to buy a new bracelet, they can, your opinion notwithstanding. What did I say? Oh right: As in a person has a choice. OP did mention how nice his watch was, so perhaps a new bracelet is worthwhile? I'm sure OP can make his own choice. Just sharing one alternative.
Woah $450 is a little steep but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised given that its sold directly by Omega. I'm still very much a purist so I will probably go with a vintage one but I was certainly curious to see what Omega was charging for a brand new one. Thanks for the info!
I just paid a bunch more for a bracelet for my WatchCo Seamaster 300. Fortunately, you only buy it once.
I’m sorry you fell for one that wasn’t in original condition. I didn’t say every single one that’s available for that price is good - I just said they were available for that money without a problem. Of course, caveat emptor also applies for bracelets. Exactly - and I added the other (new and vintage). Not sure where I put your nose out of joint there.
No, I requested my watchmaker refinish the watch case and the bracelet. He's pretty darn good at both. I'm not one of those people who chooses to wear something beat up and I am not averse to a good refinish job, as opposed to a horror show I received once when, without permission, a watch case was buffed into oblivion. My nose is fine. Just a non-collector who likes his watches to look nice, when appropriate.
Believe it or not, a 1036 with 511 endlinks just popped up on Ebay that I was able to pick up for a reasonable price($275) for the condition it is in. I'll be sure to upload pictures once I receive the bracelet and get the watch back from service. Thanks so much for your help/guidance!
As promised here are some photos of the bracelet. Very happy with my purchase given the condition the bracelet seems to be in! bought it off eBay from watchpdf. He has quite a few nice Omega bracelets if anyone is looking for one. Not quite sure if he is a member here on OF, but if so I would like to thank him! Side note, does anyone know what the 5-70 means that stamped on the bracelet clasp?
5-70 is the manufacture date. Nice find, by the way. A very gentle refinish, if that's something you're open to, would make it look very good indeed.