Hello all,

Trying to get a new speedmaster pro, however, just hate the bracelet so much for some reason.
It's hard to find a new one with leather strap for a good price, so I am considering purchasing a bracelet version, sell the bracelet, and get a more classic looking bracelet.
Just wanting to know what are my options? Something in the style of 1171 would be perfect for my taste.

Thanks all for helping.

 

You've got a handful of choices to look at, all of them are going to be second-hand other than the current 1171-1 reissue that's still in production.

The 1450 looks nearly the same as the 1171 but has the same construction as a modern bracelet and solid links. It costs nearly £1000 and is considered the best bracelet they made. 20mm to 16mm taper.

The vintage 1171 is basically the same thing as the modern 1171-1 with some very minor differences. A new 1171-1 is £360 from an Omega boutique/authorized dealer and a vintage 1171 is like £400-£500. 20mm to 16mm taper.

The 1479 was the first to have polished/brushed links I think, but it doesn't look the same as the current way they do it. 20mm to 16mm taper.

The 1498 looks the same as the current bracelet except the clasp doesn't open using push buttons and just clicks into place. It also tapers from 20mm to 16mm.

The 1998 looks the same as the current bracelet and also has the same 20mm to 18mm taper with push buttons on the clasp. You can use half links on this bracelet.

The current bracelet is slightly thicker and heavier than the 1998 model and also uses screws rather than pins on it. You cannot get half links for this model. 20mm to 18mm taper.

I wouldn't bother with the bracelets made from 1957 to 1969-ish as they're all going to either be falling apart and stretched out due to use and age or extremely expensive because they're now classed as vintage collector's items.

The best overall is 1450, the 1171-1 can be bought brand new and looks like a mid-70's bracelet but the quality is cheap feeling and rattly. The 1498 looks like a current production bracelet but has a vintage style taper.

1498 is probably the best to go for due to the quality and solidness of it and it can still actually be found second-hand for a somewhat reasonable price plus it has a more form fitting feel and nice taper rather than the big chunky masculine (almost diver style) the current one and 1998 has.

Either that or just accept the lower quality feel and get a 1171-1 for it's fully brushed vintage look and fact it can still be purchased new.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to detail explaining.
1171-1 is the look I like, so the worst case is that I can still order one of those if I can't find a decent other ones.
Do you think that Omega store in USA can order the brand new 1171-1 as well?

 

I'd say that yes they can order it, I've seen people from America order them before. It took a while for me to get my one in the UK - 5 weeks to be precise when it was originally stated it would take about 2 weeks.

Just ask to order a replacement bracelet for a Speedmaster and say you have the part number for it which is 020ST1171633 then they will phone you once it's arrived and fit it for you. That part number is the 1171-1 bracelet itself and the two 633 links to attach it to the watch head. Total in dollars should be about $470 if it's the same as the UK price of £360.

 

Thanks again. I will look for a new 1171-1

 

The end links (633) for the 1171 are very 'boxy' in my opinion.

One option not mentioned already is the ref. 1447. More common than the 1450, much less expensive but still with solid links and end links. A more rounded profile to the end links suits the slimmer wrist.

Better quality than the 1171, same (better) vintage look, but only available on the used market unfortunately.

 

What models can be found with the 1447 bracelet? I read about the one with the sapphire sandwich but imagine other models should have it as well from the same time frame. Trying to source one!

 

Remember the good old days when WatchCo would sell you an 1171-633 for $300?

 

Great breakdown. I'd disagree with this, though:

When they're on your wrist, there's absolutely no difference between them, IMO. You need to flip them over to see the difference and you'd need to shake my 1171 around in your hand to make it "rattle" at all. Some are probably stiffer than others. I've had a NOS 1171 that was way too stiff and wouldn't bend enough to let me fold under the watch to prop it up at a 45-degree angle the way I like to keep my Grail when I'm wearing something else. The 1450 it came on had the same issue. I've also encountered a vintage 1171 that was too loose. If you get one in good condition, it doesn't feel cheap at all; it's just the hollow 70s style like the 1162 on Flightmasters, which seems to be an identical design except that it tapers from 22-16 mm instead of 20-16 mm. If the OP likes the feel of a solid bracelet that's not as heavy or flashy as the 1998, the 1479 is perfect, IMO.

Ugh. That sounds hideous. I sold the 1998 because it felt unnecessarily heavy and blingy.

 

Just got mine for a bit over $400 from an OB.

 

Any pictures of the bracelets mentioned above? Trying to figure out what would fit the ultraman. 1171/633?

 

Ya got me

 

I’m interested in the different options for bracelets, especially as the current model doesn’t have half-links. Had a snoop around, and found this, a few years old but has all you need to know:
http://www.omega-addict.com/reviews/bracelets/

 

Thanks @rob#1