i have been searching for some time for 1-2 spare links for my 1159/154 mark II bracelet, with no luck. While there is a wealth of information regarding moon watch bracelets, I have not found the same for the mark II. Perhaps this thread can serve as a resource for that purpose. I have read that the 1159 was only used for the 1969 mark II, and the remaining years used the 1162/173. Which makes the 1159 pretty rare. How rare, I do not know, considering the 1159 was also used on the flightmaster, but with different end links of course. Then I read there are actually three bracelets that were used on the mark II: 1159/154 or 1116/154 and 1162/173 1159 and 1116 bracelets appear the same to me. So my question is, are 1159 links interchangeable with 1116 links or any other bracelet? The modern 1162/173 bracelet which is still available, and the and vintage 1162/173 bracelets are not compatible due to the use of screws versus pins in the bracelet. Is the difference between the 1159 and 1116 the use of screws versus pins also? Lastly, does the reissue bracelet fit the original vantage case?
Hey there, I can answer the last question, yes. A modern 1162 will fit a vintage mark II case. My mark II was restored by omega and outfitted with a new bracelet.
The 1116 and 1159 are different, or at least the 1116 bracelet I have is different from an 1159, with the centre part of the 1116 being narrower. And just to throw something else into the mix there is also the 1117 which has the same size centre part as the 1159 but is a little narrower in width - this is from my notes I wrote some time back. The 1159 spare links are hard to find and I have gradually acquired a mix of old 1159 bracelets parts but cant really use the links as spare links unfortunately. My 1116 is about 2 links short too so I dont currently use it until I find some spare links for it also. I'll try and look them out later and take a picture
Sometimes you see the 1159/154 or 1116/154 and still attached on the Mark II for sale. I have not seen one being for sale as an individual bracelet. And I think it is very hard to acquire some bracelet links for any of them. I would go for a beat up Mark II with the right bracelet and use that one. They come by quite frequently on the eBays. Good luck with the search!
Eight month link search/saga complete! Sort of anyway...Purchased a Pulsar Quartz watch that someone had put a 1159 bracelet on for some reason a couple months ago. Oh well, it had the much needed link. Again, "sort of"... I finally got the call to pick up my black mark ii from service the first week of April (purchased July 2015 for my birthday in August and never worn by me), and had spare bracelet in hand to have link installed... However, in the meantime I purchased an orange mark ii on 1162 bracelet with damaged end link and it could not be worn(purchased end of March). I was tired of waiting for the black one, and darn it I wanted a mark ii. I'm sick, but hey I'm sure you guys understand... I almost fell on the floor when I ended up with both of them the same week! What were the chances.... Anyway,that is two mark ii's, neither of which I had ever worn... Some where in the middle of this I also lost 25 pounds... Fast forward to picking up the black mark ii and it friggin fits perfect without the spare link!!!!! The sweet thing here is that my watchmaker put the spare 1159 on the orange mark ii and it also fit (both bracelets have same number of links, but different links) ! Last week he called and said the 1162 bracelet has been repaired. Hmm, I wonder if it will need a spare link.... gotta love this hobby... Anyone ever notice that some mark ii's have wider polished areas? The orange ones seem wider. Was that a change made between the models, or the production years?
Those individual links are probably not easy to find. If I were you I would look out for an old Mark II that came with the 1159 bracelet. These appear for sale on a regular basis. Good luck with the hunt!
And then.... Look what just popped up on the 'Bay: https://www.ebay.nl/itm/352321740108?ul_noapp=truePurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Seems to be parts of a 1159 bracelet.
Maybe parts ,but the clasp doesn't look correct to me . Anyway best of luck & hope you strike lucky on this .