What strap or bracelet do I put on this 1960s Seamaster?

pbook4g5 · Mar 23, 2023

Howdy OF!

I recently picked up my first vintage Seamaster from a member on OF. I’m in love with the dial. The watch came alone with no strap or bracelet.

I’ve tried searching for the “correct” band to go on it but I haven’t found anything specific to my model/reference.

Can someone point me in the direction of where I should be looking? I’m thinking a leather band but also would want something period-correct. I’ve attached a photo of the watch in question.

Thanks for the assistance… my searching abilities are apparently not as good as they once were (although admittedly my job keeps me off of the public internet at work and having a new baby at home ties up a lot of my free sleuthing time).

Spruce · Mar 24, 2023

My 1960s 166.010, is obviously a later version but the watch style is similar.

I’m an inveterate strap changer and have tried BoR and leather straps, both plain grain and lizard grain, brown and black. In the end I’ve found that I prefer the black smooth grain - particularly because the watch is IMHO, too stylish for everyday wear and tends to get strapped on as a dressy watch.

YYTIN · Mar 24, 2023

^ love all the above.

You have plenty of choice with your « off white » linen dial. Some dark brown would be my first thought. Some leather texture would be nice.

Torre on IG is by now a very popular strap maker in Italy so personally I would reach out to him. He has great knowledge in particular regarding 40s and 50s style strap (shapes of cuts, leather type, texture and colors & finishing). A dark chocolate pigskin can be nice :

I also use GLC and put that deerskin on an Eterna.

that’s just my thoughts : have fun exploring your possibilities and enjoy wearing this beautiful seamaster ;-)

MtV · Mar 24, 2023

And if you want a bracelet: The 7-row BoRs fit. That’d be 1503, 1037, 1068, 8270. The end links are numbered 70 or 570. Note that there are unnumbered bracelets that are still correct. Some have a circled 12 in the clasp which has nothing to do with the reference number.

Alternatively, a flatlink would also work, at 800€+ it can quickly be more expensive than the watch itself, though.

By the way, it’ll be from the early 60s, not 1953.

sathomasga · Mar 24, 2023

If you want something more casual, I'm partial to the Fluco Nizza Anthracite Suede Leather Watch Strap

SOG53 · Mar 24, 2023

With the linen dial I think dark brown (like the chocolate pigskin from Torre I have one its gorgeous) or black lizard texture.
The BOR is also hard to pass up- I suggest BOR plus one leather

Congrats on the watch, and the baby!!!!

What strap or bracelet do I put on this 1960s Seamaster?

pbook4g5

Spruce

YYTIN

MtV

sathomasga

SOG53

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