I called my local OB today and told him I was hunting for a period correct bracelet for my 145.012.

He didn’t come right out and say what was or wasn’t available, but he hinted that Switzerland might have more available than just the 1171.

I said that the consensus on the internet is that the 1171 is basically the only thing still available.

He said that’s because people don’t ask. I do find that kinda hard to believe.

The subject changed to availability of the bracelet for the Apollo 50th, and I’m more keen on trying to make that a reality than getting a tinny vintage bracelet, at least for daily wear, but I told him if that doesn’t pan out for reasons of availability or fit, that I’d be inquiring about a 1039. He said he would be happy to put in the request to Switzerland any time.

I should have asked more pointed questions like, have you actually ever ordered and received a 1039 for a customer? But I didn’t.

He seemed pretty knowledgeable about Speedmaster stuff in general, but he also seemed pretty eager to say whatever I wanted to hear. I guess that’s how they train their CSRs.

But what if he's actually right? What if there are new vintage bracelets to be had besides the 1171, but no one has dug deep enough to make it happen? I mean going to your local AD and inquiring is not the same as going to Omega directly. But most people just deal with their AD. And vintage watch dealers and hard core collectors aren’t typically interested in modern parts for vintage watches...

 

Considering a few members here have access to part accounts..

I’m fairly sure the 1171/1 is the only option.

 

Apollo 50th doesn’t fit other watches due to the endlink shape. Confirmed in the A11 50th thread

 

On the off-chance, I asked if the 1069 was still available for my 146.0017, but was told it wasn’t.

However, I was told the 1125 was available...

 

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ome...ny-in-the-wild-yet.97752/page-40#post-1290450

 

Searching the Omega Extranet for a 1039 bracelet gives one result:

020ST1039660 | STEEL BRACELET - Information: This item is not available anymore

I checked for 1035 - No results found

I checked for 7912 - No results found

I checked for 1116 - no longer available and replaced by 1171

The 1125 is available

I checked for 1168 - No results found

I checked for 1175 - No results found

Whoever was talking to you was stringing you a line.

Cheers, Al

 

Thanks for looking. Not sure what the guy's motive is.

 

Best option is buy an 1175 and you can still order the 640 end links. Not many people know this.

 

Maybe you can get the endlinks... a good 1175 from eBay still going to run 1k usd plus.

 

Interesting. I might go that route if some manner of ‘68 bracelet takes too long or too much money to source.

 

I read it as the end links are available, not the bracelet itself?

 

I edited while you wrote that.

 

Are you sure the 640's are still available? I tried earlier this year and was told they were no longer available

 

Still available per the Omega Extranet...