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Vintage Bracelets from Omega?

C
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I am a fan of vintage Omega bracelets as I find the lighter weight and the way they conform to the wrist much more comfortable.

I have my SMP300, Aquaterra and Watchco300 all on genuine Omega 1171/633's. While the 1171 is my favorite I'd like to switch things up from a looks standpoint.

I have already inquired with an AD about an 1168 and a 1479 and neither of those are available. Does Omega still make/sell any other vintage bracelets other than the 1171/633?
 
AdamVT227
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I think the only vintage style bracelet Omega still makes is the 1171 but maybe someone will correct me .

You can find vintage bracelets for sale , but they are not cheap .
 
padders
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They sell the 1125 too but that’s usually seen on 18 and 19mm lugs. Both that and the 1171 are pretty rattly and hideously overpriced for what they are. Try US or Forstner for better quality aftermarket vintage style bracelets.
 
C
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AdamVT227 AdamVT227
I think the only vintage style bracelet Omega still makes is the 1171 but maybe someone will correct me .

You can find vintage bracelets for sale , but they are not cheap .

padders padders
They sell the 1125 too but that’s usually seen on 18 and 19mm lugs. Both that and the 1171 are pretty rattly and hideously overpriced for what they are. Try US or Forstner for better quality aftermarket vintage style bracelets.
I have tried both US and Forstner, while both are ok they are not to the same quality as even a modern 1171 in my opinion. They are heavier and not finished as well.
 
97'vintage
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I heard about Beads of Rice bracelets that are still in production by Omega. Can someone confirm that?
 
Dan S
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Just to clarify, you are apparently referring to new vintage-style bracelets. Not actual vintage bracelets.

Alternatively, you could, of course, buy actual vintage bracelets, which are readily available on the secondary market.
 
Davidt
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I’d always advocate for vintage bracelets. People are put off their apparent ‘flimsiness’ but imo modern bracelets are over engineered with added weight to give the impression of added durability.

Good engineering in this case comes from being strong and light, not a bit stronger but massively heavier.

Simply seek out vintage bracelets in good condition.
Edited:
 
C
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Dan S Dan S
Just to clarify, you are apparently referring to new vintage-style bracelets. Not actual vintage bracelets.

Alternatively, you could, of course, buy actual vintage bracelets, which are readily available on the secondary market.
Yes I am referring to new vintage style bracelets like the 1171 that Omega still makes and sells. If it was easy to find good condition vintage bracelets for an even somewhat reasonable price I would have already gone that route…they do pop up here and there but few and far between. Would be much easier to just phone the AD and order one direct from Omega as I recently did for some 1171’s.
 
C
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Davidt Davidt
I’d always advocate for vintage bracelets. People are out off their apparent ‘flimsiness’ but imo modern bracelets are over engineered with added weight to give the impression of added durability.

Good engineering in this case comes from being strong and light, not a bit stronger but massively heavier.

Simply seek out vintage bracelets in good condition.
Totally agree. Not a fan of the hefty modern bracelets on Omega or Rolex for that matter.

My Bond 2220.80 has been on an 1171 since day one when it was new 12 years ago. That bracelet has been through hell and back as my daily and while it has some stretch it still looks great, is secure and has at least another decade of life left.

Seeking vintage bracelets daily, not a very great selection out there.

673056DA-526A-43DE-96BE-F327EAE26A19.webp 7EFCAF59-4847-4FBB-A5E4-ECE0290FF34A.webp 7229FFBB-89B4-4A24-A1BD-C9E371343685.webp
 
Dan S
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C curated
Yes I am referring to new vintage style bracelets like the 1171 that Omega still makes and sells. If it was easy to find good condition vintage bracelets for an even somewhat reasonable price I would have already gone that route…they do pop up here and there but few and far between. Would be much easier to just phone the AD and order one direct from Omega as I recently did for some 1171’s.
I have bought many, many vintage Omega bracelets, and IMO, they are widely available (not rare or hard to find), and many of them tend to hold up very well. I don't know what you mean by a reasonable price, but they have a pretty well-defined market value depending on the bracelet. If you have a large wrist, you need to count links. In contrast, vintage bracelets from many of Omega's competitors are much harder to find and more expensive.

That said, if you prefer to stick with new/modern bracelets, that's totally fine. I am just reacting to the fact that you indicated that you are a fan of "vintage bracelets" and you posted this thread in the vintage forum, where true fans of vintage bracelet reside. It's not clear to me whether you have experience with actual vintage bracelets, or just the new bracelets Omega makes that resemble the vintage bracelets. For example, even the modern 1171 is not the same as an 1171 from 50 years ago.
 
C
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Dan S Dan S
I have bought many, many vintage Omega bracelets, and IMO, they are widely available (not rare or hard to find), and many of them tend to hold up very well. I don't know what you mean by a reasonable price, but they have a pretty well-defined market value depending on the bracelet. If you have a large wrist, you need to count links. In contrast, vintage bracelets from many of Omega's competitors are much harder to find and more expensive.

That said, if you prefer to stick with new/modern bracelets, that's totally fine. I am just reacting to the fact that you indicated that you are a fan of "vintage bracelets" and you posted this thread in the vintage forum, where true fans of vintage bracelet reside. It's not clear to me whether you have experience with actual vintage bracelets, or just the new bracelets Omega makes that resemble the vintage bracelets. For example, even the modern 1171 is not the same as an 1171 from 50 years ago.
I must be looking in the wrong places then or maybe it's the specific bracelets I am looking for but I wouldn't say they are widely available at least in a condition that is acceptable to me.

I have both true 50 year old vintage bracelets and modern reissues like the 1171 recently purchased. I don't find the difference between them to be very great and I would happily take either true vintage in good condition or newly made vintage style.
 
Dan S
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C curated
I must be looking in the wrong places then or maybe it's the specific bracelets I am looking for but I wouldn't say they are widely available at least in a condition that is acceptable to me.

I have both true 50 year old vintage bracelets and modern reissues like the 1171 recently purchased. I don't find the difference between them to be very great and I would happily take either true vintage in good condition or newly made vintage style.
I guess it's all relative, but they are inexpensive and widely available by my standards. If you want a bracelet that's expensive and hard to find in good condition, try collecting Rolex 7206 rivet bracelets.

Anyway, don't wait until you need one, because you will be impatient at that point. Just keep your eyes open and buy good ones when you see them, and then you will have them when you need them.

The good thing about collecting bracelets, and accessories in general, is that you don't need to worry about servicing them. If it's in good shape when you buy it, you're good to go. You do need to look carefully at photos, though, because they are often modified over the years. Another good thing is that they are incredibly easy to sell, so no need to worry about having extra.
Edited:
 
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