Hi - I have a speedmaster mark II from 1970. With the bracelet at its smallest setting it easily slides over my 6.5 inch wrist. Any recs for a better fitting replacement bracelet? Pic attached. Thanks!

 

You should be able to remove a link or two. If you can't, take it to a watchmaker/jeweler for some help.
The last links before the clasp are removable.

 

Yes it looks that way on mine too (new photo) but everyone I’ve asked (including Omega Store) has had zero luck removing a link. But maybe that means I should just get a new one and store the original away.

 

Nice Mark II!

This is what I found related to strap options:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedy-mark-ii-strap-options.65443/

And the bracelets I'm personally considering to use on my Mark II:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/mark-ii-cal-861-second-try.93801/page-2#post-1221497

For your wrist size, odds are that you would have to buy the 130mm bracelet if you decide to go Staib Mesh.
https://www.amazon.com/Staib-Polished-130mm-Steel-2792/dp/B01L843Y90/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=staib 20mm 130mm&qid=1556747537&s=apparel&sr=1-1-fkmrnull

 

Thank you. Very helpful!!!

 

I see 2 more removable links.

 

Yes. 3 watch repair people have tried and failed to remove links. When I asked at the Omega Store I was told they are not actually removeable. Maybe that’s not true, but I’m not sure why no one has been able to remove them.

 

They are removeable. I'm going to guess that the pins have worn themselves a good groove making them very difficult to remove but they should still come out. They may also have been put in with loctite. I'm sure one of our resident watchmakers will have a good tip for getting them out. Perhaps @Archer 's trick of dissolving the pins out using alum would be a go-to here? I've no doubt he'll let us know if that's a bad idea now I've tagged him.

 

@balkan72 it should be doable to resize the old bracelet, *but* I personally think this vintage bracelets are sub-par. So if the extra expense is not an issue, getting a newer/better bracelet is an upgrade and as a bonus, there is no risk of damaging the vintage bracelet.

 

Yes thanks. Based on your post, I’ve ordered the Strapcode endmill. Look forward to seeing how it looks with the watch!

 

@balkan72 you can find a review of the Strapcode endmill here:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/review-strapcode-ss-endmill-mark-4-5.90693/

When you have it on your Mark II, please remember to share a photo of it.

 

Looks like the perfect situation for a NATO.

 

In most cases forum users are looking for extra links because their bracelets are too short so strange to see that this reverses that trend. Maybe someone here with the exact same reference bracelet that is too small to fit might exchange with this one. 2 birds with one stone. Only a possible suggestion.

 

There are some bracelets that the pins are screws and to take them out you don’t have to hammer them out. I learned that the hard way so you might want to look into that first. If you want to replace it you can get them through Omega boutiques or Ebay. The reference number for the new ones is 1162-173,

 

Maybe something intressting for small wrists:

In some cases, the vintage bracelets with screwed links have more non-removable links than their versions with push pins.
Therefore the versions with push pins can be made shorter.

For example the Speedmaster MK II bracelet 1162 (as seen in the picture above) has 10/8 non-removeable links on the version with screws and 9/7 non-removable links on the version with push pins.

I have seen this also on the 1171 bracelet.

 

This might help to assess the differences on the bracelets.

In sequence:
a) Strapcode endmill (in a mark 4.5).
b) Omega bracelet (Mark II).
c) Staib mesh (Longines Legend Diver).

From the 3, the Staib is the most comfortable, followed next by the Strapcode.

 

Dibs on the Mark 4.5

 

@kingsrider it was the first true vintage watch I've added to my collection.


It is the somewhat uncommon model with the blue soleil dial and tonneau case, ref 176.0016. You can check further details here:
a) https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-speedmaster-omega-st-176-0016
b) https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-speedmaster-day-date-caliber-1045/

 

I am familiar with it. That's why I want one.

 

My uncle from my mother’s side gave me this one after I helped him sell an 80’s Paul Newman Daytona.