Good day all, a little direction is required.

I have been involved in one of the longest negotiations one could imagine with a private seller and with any luck delivery of a '66 105.012 should occur this weekend (I'll spare you the detail).

The watch is head only and I'm trying to understand which bracelet I should match with it. Looking in the sales forums of complete watches I see various refs of bracelet and the chart found on the forum shows again overlap for the corresponding year.

I put it to the experts, which bracelet should I be hunting down and would it necessary need to be stamped '66?

Thank you in advance.

 

Most likely a 1039 with a -66.

 

Per your chart either 1039 or 1506 bracelet

 

I also have a couple of Speedmaster 69's. Both were original owner purchases. In both those cases the 1039 bracelet was slightly later than the year of production of the watch itself.
I think that originally the bracelets here were added to the watch at time of sale.
So coming back to your point I would IMHO also accept a date stamped bracelet slightly older than the 66 production of the watch.

 

Thank you for your replies.
Of the two 1039 and 1506 are both considered a strong and comfortable bracelet or are there differences?
What should I be looking to pay for either?
I am totally new to the speedy reference. Thanks

 

Construction is the same between the two. Only the buckle is different, I believe. 1506 is much rarer and could cost double a 1039. Check out EB completed sales.

 

I have both. The 1506 is much more comfortable to wear. At least for me. The quality isn't that great, so wear with care, but the looks are miles ahead of the modern 1998, or a 1171 for that matter.

 

Re. $$$, expect $1 - $1.5k for a 1039. 516 end pieces are probably another $300-500 or so.
1506 are harder to find. Probably looking at another $500 on top of a 1039 price. #16 end pieces are pretty rare. Expect to pay $700 - 1k I would think.

General consensus was that bclt year could be 1-2yrs younger than the watch production date. i.e. the watch head was shipped to the dealer who then added the bclt at a later date at point of sale. I think Joe Apa is saying this, but got wording mixed up in his last sentence...............Joe?

Unless you are hell bent on originality, for everyday wearing an 1171 is a pretty good option. More durable, similar looks and <<$

 

My Uncle was an Omega AD in the 50s thru the 80s. As a teenager I would watch him install bracelets that he received from Omega in bunches on new Speedmasters before he put them in his showcase. I'm convinced why there are so many different model number bracelets and end pieces shown for various different model Speedmasters.

I understand that occasionally Omega will include the bracelet number if it was married to the watch when it left Bienne if you request it when you send for an Extract. I've received two Extracts and requested the bracelet number for both my '68 and '69 Speedy - No Cigar

 

The watches I bought from original owners had later date stamped bracelets than the watch itself.
But in addition I also am well aware that often the bracelets would have also been ordered at the same time of production as the watch itself.
But adding again to that, for sure bracelets were manufactured ahead of the watch production itself.
IMHO I believe there is a mish mash of options re the bracelet dates and the watch at time of purchase.
I would EDIT my original comment to say I would happily accept the correct bracelet for the watch that was date stamped either before or after the production date of the watch.

 

My '66 has a 1039/516 stamped 4/68.

 

Thank you all for your insight...
The search begins. Haven't found many for sale here or on EB.
Any recommendations?

 

Check your PM, @The_Walrus