Yes we understand that and this is precisely why an OB can do this but an AD can't. The AD can't just put this in their inventory of stock bracelets to swap and sell since they have to pay for the part. OB's can easily trade inventory in and out with other OB's and the warehouse.
Not really, once the bracelet is removed from the watch it is a used item. A new bracelet comes in a vacuum packed sleeve, so the removed bracelet should not be sold as 'new' or at full retail price, and I'd be very surprised if Omega would accept this back in stock to be repackaged and sold as a new item. Maybe they can swap it with another OB but the bracelet is not new, and how many of us would pay full price for a loose bracelet that's been flopping around for awhile from an OB. OBs don't sell used stock, or at least they aren't supposed to.
I believe I recall reading somewhere that the inside of the polished bracelet wasn't polished. So hypothetically you may be able to just turn it inside out?
I believe I recall reading somewhere that the inside of the polished bracelet wasn't polished. So hypothetically you may be able to just turn it inside out? The only problem might be the polishing on the end links. You could either live with it, have it brushed, or order non OEM end links from forstner etc. That way you'd still have an original bracelet if you ever decided to move it
Yes, someone wrote about it here:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/almost-reversible-3861-sapphire-bracelet.128091/
The bracelet code that is written on the final link would be exposed and the endlinks would still be polished.
Exactly this. Just take the spring bars out and unscrew the endlinks by the clasp, turn the bracelet over, and join it all back up again. The only problem is that you’ll still have polished sections on the two pieces between the lugs, but that might look ok, who knows… your AD can probably order brushed parts to replace those though, for a lot less than the cost of a new bracelet…
Alternatively you could just sell the bracelet the watch is supplied with as new and buy a brushed one from Omega (that’s what I would do).
Exactly this. Just take the spring bars out and unscrew the endlinks by the clasp, turn the bracelet over, and join it all back up again. The only problem is that you’ll still have polished sections on the two pieces between the lugs, but that might look ok, who knows… your AD can probably order brushed parts to replace those though, for a lot less than the cost of a new bracelet…
Alternatively you could just sell the bracelet the watch is supplied with as new and buy a brushed one from Omega (that’s what I would do).
I’ve asked the AD about turning the bracelet over, and received the following response:
“As for the bracelet, this may have been possible with older Omega models with ‘identical’ links (meaning both front and back sides have the same design), but these current Moonwatch bracelets are not like this. There is a slight curb towards the buckle that they introduced for more comfort. The bracelet is really not designed to be worn inside out so it will be very uncomfortable.”
I'd honestly just buy the polished sapphire version bracelet with the watch, sell it on eBay with a 70% off listing fee promotion then add the extra cash to buy the fully brushed version from Omega.
You're gonna be paying something like £100 or £150 to do the swap over this way but it's going to be far less of a annoyance compared to paying someone to brush the bracelet (and hope they even do it to a level of proper Omega finishing) or trusting some random person on the internet to trade bracelets with you etc. and you'll get the piece of mind knowing it's an actual brushed stock bracelet rather than some thing you've half modified to make it work.
Random bit of unrelated information here but I own a 1861 Speedmaster and it took me nearly a year of checking eBay daily until I found someone selling a brushed 3861 bracelet that I could buy for my watch. I probably saw about 5 polished/brushed ones in that time. For my brushed one I paid £730 and it was new in the vacuum sealed packaging.
The new bracelet is so much better than the old one, the previous bracelet they used from 1999-2021 was such a bad bulky fit that I preferred even wearing it on cheap £10 NATO or Perlon straps year round so it feels good to be back on quality metal everyday.
I would like to start wearing it the moment I pick it up!
Wear it on a strap. I love the bracelet and preferred wearing mine on said bracelet, but it’s just at home on a strap, honestly.
Thank you all very much for your kind feedback and wealth of knowledge and good advice. I picked up the watch today, and realised, to my great surprise, that the contrast finish of the sapphire bracelet is considerably less noticeable in the metal than it looks in photos. Particularly in natural daylight, I found it barely distinguishable from the fully-brushed bracelet, having been given the opportunity in the store to examine both side by side. The polished links are tiny, and somehow blend in and come across a lot less shiny than I expected. The upshot is that that I'm perfectly happy with this bracelet, which I intend to alternate with the nylon strap (on a deployant clasp) which was included in the purchase. I take the opportunity to give a shout-out to Beards--an independent, family-owned Omega AD in Cheltenham; buying the watch from them has been a delight.
They're not eating anything. Just a bracelet swap. 1 for 1.
Hello all! I'm picking up a new Speedmaster Pro sapphire from my local AD this weekend. I've asked the AD to swap the polished/brushed bracelet for the fully-brushed bracelet that comes with the haselite Speedy, and they can't do it. So... if there's anyone out there in the UK with the reverse desire, ie who would like to swap an unworn fully-brushed bracelet for my unworn polished/brushed, do get in touch!
Hello all! I'm picking up a new Speedmaster Pro sapphire from my local AD this weekend. I've asked the AD to swap the polished/brushed bracelet for the fully-brushed bracelet that comes with the haselite Speedy, and they can't do it. So... if there's anyone out there in the UK with the reverse desire, ie who would like to swap an unworn fully-brushed bracelet for my unworn polished/brushed, do get in touch!
Did you get any joy from the AD with swapping?
I picked up the watch today, and realised, to my great surprise, that the contrast finish of the sapphire bracelet is considerably less noticeable in the metal than it looks in photos. Particularly in natural daylight, I found it barely distinguishable from the fully-brushed bracelet, having been given the opportunity in the store to examine both side by side. The polished links are tiny, and somehow blend in and come across a lot less shiny than I expected. The upshot is that that I'm perfectly happy with this bracelet
Hi Bernardino--the AD could not offer a swap, and that's the norm: I think you're unlikely to find an AD who would be able to do it. However, there are two OBs in London, and I phoned both with the question; the first said 'impossible', the other said 'no problem, we'll do that for you if you buy the watch here.' (I can't remember which was which.)
I stuck with the AD (Beards of Cheltenham), who offered a considerably better deal (bracelet swap or not) and were just lovely to deal with. My qualms about the sapphire bracelet are now completely gone, so I'll keep it. However, should you wish to swap yours, I think you'll have no problem at all selling it. Whereas there are always brushed/polished bracelets for sale on Ebay, my impression is that the fully brushed version comes up for sale very rarely, and gets snapped up right away.
