Speedmaster Mark II love

Ascalon · May 24, 2021

You'd be surprised! 1162 and 1171 are both widely available, and the standard finish is pretty close to the sunburst brushed look.
They are pricey though, €350-€400 and more for vintage. Also, 173 end links are required. Hence the popularity of the likes of Uncle Seiko, MILtat, etc.

Ascalon · Aug 4, 2021

I think I have finally settled on a winner!
I took a punt on the Uncle Seiko US1171 bracelet.
After much end link research, and finding that every one of the compatible options (735, 567, etc) was rarer than hen's teeth, I settled on the Omega 660.
Available from a (relatively) local supplier, as soon as they arrived I set to work.

The results aren't perfect, but I'm very happy overall.

The void in the 660 link is probably generous enough to accommodate the US1450 too, which I will try when funds allow.

I also snagged a titanium 1498 clasp, from a 1st gen X-33, quite reasonable. I am going to see if I can assemble a 1498 style bracelet with an aftermarket band and the Omega clasp.

jimmyd13 · Aug 4, 2021

I've just been trying to find an image of mine on my phone. I dont think that your choice looks too bad at all.

Ascalon · Oct 20, 2021

Have been messing about with bracelets again!

First of all, I managed to track down some vintage 735 end links and now the Uncle Seiko US1171 fits perfectly.

It's just gorgeous and gives the Mark II a very elegant line.

But, I also like a chunky bracelet.
The Seiko inspired Super Engineer II goes very well on a Mark II, but I wasn't wild about the clasp. I fancied something a bit more Omega-ish, so I got an unbranded Seamaster style bracelet for the double button clasp.
After a bit of filing and adjustment, it integrates fairly well.

And looks nice on the watch.

Happy with that...
for now. 😀

JetLinks · Feb 2, 2022

Ascalon
Have been messing about with bracelets again!

The Seiko inspired Super Engineer II goes very well on a Mark II, but I wasn't wild about the clasp.

Hey @Ascolon where did you get this Super Engineer II bracelet from? (I've got an incoming Mark II.... just a tad excited!!! 😁 😁).

Thanks.

Ascalon · Feb 3, 2022

JetLinks
Hey @Ascolon where did you get this Super Engineer II bracelet from? (I've got an incoming Mark II.... just a tad excited!!! 😁 😁).

Thanks.

Because I wanted to mess with it myself, I didn't want to spend a lot, so I just got an AliExpress €30 job.
The clasp was also a similar thing, unbranded.
I used a couple of needle files and some sand paper to shape it, but it didn't take too much work. The general pitches in terms of spacing and aligment was actually quite close.
I also have a Strapcode Super Engineer II, for an SKX009, and the finish level is not anywhere near as good from the ALiExpress one, but it's not far off, and for the price is acceptable.

Ascalon · Feb 10, 2022

Messing about with more bracelet options.
A 1450 type bracelet, with a generic double button clasp.

No engineering required, just assembly, as everything fit together nicely.

I like the end link on this, as it is very close to the Z-33 style, and works nicely with the Mark II as an alternative to the Endmill type arrangement.

Bracelet was less than €20 from AliExpress and the clasp was from an old Alpha.
It is chunkier than the 1162/1171 type bracelets, but not as chunky as the Super Engineer. Very comfortable too, with the inner surface flat milled, and then nicely contoured solid links, right down to the end link, which is the same pitch as the main links.

Gulosten · Feb 13, 2022

My mark II «Telestop» (ST 145.037)

Ascalon · May 15, 2022

Decided to treat myself and go with the Forstner 1450 bracelet.

Those are square section 660 end links and the effect is nice.
The brushed finish of the bracelet is a little coarse compared to the Uncle Seiko 1171 but it is nice quality and the stretch links are excellent.

heypacha · May 15, 2022

Kind of regretting I sold mine

sneer · May 22, 2022

Ascalon · Jul 27, 2022

I think I have settled on a favourite bracelet.

Despite the period correct appeal of the Uncle Seiko 1171, the Forstner 1450 just looks better on my wrist. And the 660 end links, with their square section, sit just nicely with milled ends of the Mark II case. It means the 1450 sits very neatly in relation to the case.

Plus, there is the shared kudos of Forstner heritage.

BarbVl · Jul 27, 2022

Mine it's not in so good condition so i am still looking for a better one

..Regards

Ascalon · May 1, 2023

Just having a browse of the Uncle Seiko website when I copped this:
https://unclestraps.com/collections/omega-mark-ii/products/us1162-bracelet-omega-speedmaster

It's an 1162 with solid end links and a fold over clasp for the Mark II.

ysl · May 1, 2023

Yes, I have been waiting for this for quite some time. Here it is, in comparison with the original 1162

Above: left US1162 - right Omega, Omega is a bit narrower, also the clasp of the Omega is a bit smaller in width

I like the new US1162

Ascalon · May 2, 2023

ysl
Yes, I have been waiting for this for quite some time. Here it is, in comparison with the original 1162

Above: left US - right Omega, Omega ist a bit narrower, also the clasp of the Omega is a bit smaller in width

I like the new US 1162

Thanks for that, @ysl, that's a really useful comparison.

My OEM 1162 has a very odd outer profile, instead of tapering inward from the end link back, it seems to almost flare outward before tapering to the clasp.

I just don't like the way it looks in comparison to other 1162 versions I've seen.

Might take a punt on the US one.

Ascalon · Aug 31, 2023

Thread ressurrection!

I have seen that there is now a sapphire crystal available for the Mark II, apprently made in Germany.
No affialiation, just found a reference for here.

Has anyone got one for their Mark II? But more importantly, does anyone have a source for them from Germany? What with me being in the EU, it would be a whole lot easier to get one from there, rather than go round the houses and get on from that US of A.

tikkathree · Aug 31, 2023

sneer
R

That's a bright dial!

Risto · Aug 31, 2023

This one now lives inside of the 105.012 CB case.

YYTIN · Aug 31, 2023

Wearing mine today…

Bought it 2 years ago and it actually keeps growing on me.

Speedmaster Mark II love

Ascalon

Ascalon

jimmyd13

Ascalon

JetLinks

Ascalon

Ascalon

Gulosten

Ascalon

heypacha

sneer

Ascalon

BarbVl

Ascalon

ysl

Ascalon

Ascalon

tikkathree

Risto

YYTIN

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