Hi, I recently purchased a 16mm aftermarket BOR bracelet for my 1953 bumper and the endlinks are a tad short (17mm lug width). I've looked for 17mm 5 line endlinks to no avail so thought about maybe filing down some 18mm ones. Problem is the genuine omega ones are hugely expensive for this small project and I cant seem to find any reasonable costing after market ones. Can anyone recommend a place that does these or think of an alternative. As you can see the gap in the photo... Thanks
To my knowledge there are no 17mm 5row BoR Omega Endlinks. There are some OEM Omega endlinks which are 17mm, but they are all from later periods. You can file down 18mm OEM BoR endlinks, and I am happy to give you the reference numbers if you need them with the bracelets. All in, I think it will be around 100-150 for the bracelet and endlinks with some searching on eBay. Also there are also various suppliers of aftermarket BoR bracelets, perhaps instead of looking for endlinks you should have a look for just a flat end to the bracelet, similar to this one:
The watch looks to me like a 2577, or something like that. These take 18mm straps/bracelets, so maybe check your measurements again.
Thanks for the responses What is 11/16th...is it a measurement or referencing the number of the endlink?
US watches were English for measurements 5/8ths, 11/16ths etc for the longest time- a total PITA. Most of my Bulova’s, Elgin’s, Benrus’s are 17.5mm which requires either squeezing an 18mm strap in, or filling down an 18mm bracelet. I would never file down a set of original Omega endlinks-that would be a crime in my book. I don’t have one of these but have heard good things and they are meant to be fitted to your lugs. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/253939583727
Oh, and hang on to that 16mm BOR- that’s a nice to have if you get into 40’s sport watches as most of them are 16mm...or PM me if you want to move it along. If it’s a new production, please share where you got it.
I have two US collection watches with 11/16th of an inch opening, and a couple of US collection bracelets. Sort of limits you in what you can get. Fortunately the 17mm straps are a bit oversized so they fit 11/16 watches. Tom
Might be worth a shot. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Or...cAAOSwnehdSwJJ&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=3000Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
I'd agree that filing original Omega parts would be a crime. I'd love to find an aftermarket one similar to what I bought but 18mm...the second hand orient one would be a great option. I bought it from an italian vendor on ebay on item number 193017152620 for 30 bucks. And although it sounds a bit jingly I think it looks great, albeit improper fitting.
There are lots of after market BOR’s from the 60’s that pop up on eBay- just make sure to ask about the length (forget finding links), and make sure the case profile is correct- that part is a total crap shoot.
By the way, an 11/16th JB Champion-made bracelet for Omega. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-1960...629985?hash=item36506e2621:g:HqQAAOSwdyhc1yBnPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Tom
One of mine is a 2627. You can’t go by reference number alone, some can be both. This is where the number after the dash in the case back is significant. Tom
US made straps and bracelets can be 11/16" and American produced cases for the American market could also have a lug width like that, but this is the first time that I've ever heard of any international case with those measurements.
Yeah I've re-measured it with the electronic display on the caliper this time and it is nearer 18mm than 17mm..cheers guys for your input. An 18mm endlink would definitely give me the desired fit.