Vintage Omega Bracelets for the Noob

Hello, all!

I'm starting to consider the possibility of picking up a mid-century Seamaster or Constellation in stainless steel, and would like to find one I can wear with an original bracelet. I have an 8" wrist, so I'm assuming this might be a challenge. I have a lot of questions, any help is appreciated.

Let's say I want to pick up a Seamaster 125.003. (Pic from omegaenthusiastltd.com .) Looking at the Case Bracelet Endlink List pdf, I see no endlinks/bracelet listed. Would I be out of luck in trying to pair this case with a curved endlink bracelet?




Let's say I want to pick up a Constellation 14900. (I understand this model is a minefield. Pic from watchesoflancashire.com .) Case model 14900 isn't in the same format as those in the Case Bracelet Endlink List pdf, is this too old to find a corresponding bracelet?




Let's say I want to pick up a Seamaster 135.007. (Pic from stetzcowatches.com .) Looking at the Case Bracelet Endlink List pdf, I see 135.0070 corresponding to bracelet and endlinks 1168/605. Am I looking at this correctly, does 135.0070 = 135.007?




- Would it be easier to hold out for a watch that comes with a bracelet?
- Would it be easer to source a bracelet and endlinks first, then find the corresponding watch head?
- Where do I go about sourcing extra links? Omega AD?
- If I obtain the bracelet I'm looking for, but don't have the correct endlinks for the watch I'm looking for, where can I source the endlinks?
- What are the most common bracelets and endlinks? Which are the hardest to obtain?
- What are the common pitfalls for sourcing and assembling a vintage Omega bracelet?

Thanks in advance! Stay safe out there!

Too many questions at once?

Ill have a go at these

- Let's say I want to pick up a Seamaster 125.003. (Pic from omegaenthusiastltd.com .) Looking at the Case Bracelet Endlink List pdf, I see no endlinks/bracelet listed. Would I be out of luck in trying to pair this case with a curved endlink bracelet?

No; they did come on bracelets, but you have to work out which one fits. I have quite a long list of bracelet/endlink combinations, so when you find the watch you like, feel free to ask, almost all of them will fit on some sort of bracelet/endlink combination, if it was made in the 50s or later.

- Let's say I want to pick up a Constellation 14900. (I understand this model is a minefield. Pic from watchesoflancashire.com .) Case model 14900 isn't in the same format as those in the Case Bracelet Endlink List pdf, is this too old to find a corresponding bracelet?

No, if the case is the same, it will fit.

- Let's say I want to pick up a Seamaster 135.007. (Pic from stetzcowatches.com .) Looking at the Case Bracelet Endlink List pdf, I see 135.0070 corresponding to bracelet and endlinks 1168/605. Am I looking at this correctly, does 135.0070 = 135.007?

Yes, sometimes in the reference table an extra 0 is added on, this is the correct bracelet and endlink combination.

- Would it be easier to hold out for a watch that comes with a bracelet?

Bracelets are fairly common to find, and unless the reference has a specific and expensive bracelet, then it is easier to buy the the best watch you can, and later source a bracelet. The bracelet should not be the deciding factor.

That being said, do budget for one.

- Would it be easer to source a bracelet and endlinks first, then find the corresponding watch head?

This is putting the cart before the horse, find the best example of the watch you can.

- Where do I go about sourcing extra links? Omega AD?

They come up in the usuall places, Ebay/OF will have some floating around. the AD does have some endlinks, but generally exensive for what they are.

- If I obtain the bracelet I'm looking for, but don't have the correct endlinks for the watch I'm looking for, where can I source the endlinks?

Ebay/Omegaforms, that being said, may endlinks can fit the same watch, e.g. 511/11

- What are the most common bracelets and endlinks? Which are the hardest to obtain?

Strange question, most common probably the 7 row BOR, hardest, probably the 6 endlinks?

- What are the common pitfalls for sourcing and assembling a vintage Omega bracelet?

1) Buying one which is not the right size
2) Buying one which is way too loose


Any more questions, I am happy to help. When you find the watch you want, if you post it here I will do my best to give you the bracelet/endlink combinations.

Just fair warning, this will not be the easiest endeavor and it will likely take time and patience. As others have mentioned, you'll probably have to settle on a watch that you like in good condition and then slowly search on eBay and the forum. I've been trying to source a good 1098/540 combo for a while for a late 60's Seamaster. Last week I bough a watch just for its 1098 and then found out that it was too small because a previous owner had removed some of the permanent links. Unfortunately, most of the bracelets that I have come across have also had most/all of their extra links removed. Unless you're fine paying top dollar, you may have to wait a while or buy some beater watch/bracelet combos to scavenge the extra links for your large wrist. Often times the endlinks are harder to find than the actual bracelet, so that will be another endeavor.

One interesting option for you to consider is getting an Omega mesh band. Most of the ones that come up seem like they were only for the Japanese market, but they're pretty standard, versatile, and comfortable.

In fact 1505, 1039, 1035, 7912 should have 4+6 stretch links, the 7077 should have 2+3 double stretch links.