Looking for a bracelet/clasp

[HAPConst]

Hi guys. Looking for some help. I bought another 16808. The bracelet is solid but the clasp has been over polished to the point there’s a tiny pin hole in a corner and the logo is very faint.

I talked to Rolliworks to see what they could do. They could fix the pin hole, but the faint logo is a whole other issue. They have someone they can send it to that gingerly reforms the logo from the back.

Not sure I want to wait 3-4 months for this nor do I want my watch being shipped from person to person. The cost is fine, but the logistics concern me. With all this said I wouldn’t mind buying a bracelet from someone that switched to a strap. I guess my issue is where do I start? What would you do?

[Tools]

I would have my proper bracelet fixed up and refurbished and wear it on a strap or rubber until I got it back.

[springer]

Originally Posted by HAPConst

Hi guys. Looking for some help. I bought another 16808. The bracelet is solid but the clasp has been over polished to the point there’s a tiny pin hole in a corner and the logo is very faint.

I talked to Rolliworks to see what they could do. They could fix the pin hole, but the faint logo is a whole other issue. They have someone they can send it to that gingerly reforms the logo from the back.

Not sure I want to wait 3-4 months for this nor do I want my watch being shipped from person to person. The cost is fine, but the logistics concern me. With all this said I wouldn’t mind buying a bracelet from someone that switched to a strap. I guess my issue is where do I start? What would you do?

Try an ad in the Want To Buy section here on the forum.

List the clasp model number and whether it needs to be stainless, 18k, 14K etc.


Also list the bracelet it needs to go on such as ...an Oyster Or Jubilee plus the model # of the bracelet.

[CTech]

A 16808 is an 18ct gold Submariner and most of these were sold with an Oyster bracelet, probably a model 92908, with diver's extension links and a fliplock clasp.

Finding a good condition replacement bracelet is very difficult and expensive. Poor to average condition ordinary 20mm gold Oyster bracelets generally sell for around $10000 and a good condition fliplock one would probably be around $15000.

Gold fliplock clasps of the correct design are also very difficult to find and could cost up to around $3500 if you ever found one.

With these options, I think the best path is to have the existing clasp repaired and refurbished and, as suggested above, put the watch on another bracelet or strap while the bracelet or clasp is away.

If the only problem is with the clasp I would think about removing the clasp from the bracelet and just sending that to be repaired. There is no need to send the entire watch away, and I don't think it would be necessary to send the complete bracelet unless you needed the repaired clasp and bracelet to be refinished at the same time with matching brushing.

Rolliworks could do the refinishing but if you are unwilling to send the entire bracelet to them an alternative strategy would be to have a local jeweler remove the clasp, have it repaired at Rolliworks and then have the jeweler refit the clasp and refinish the bracelet/clasp as necessary to get the bracelet and clasp finishes matching and correct.

[TuRo]

Agree with CTech - I'd get the old one done/refurbed if it was me as it sounds like it is easy ish fix. As for coronet many of my old clasp tops are thus it doesn't bother me one jot as it's usually commensurate with other wear to the crown/caseback/bezel edge/plexi/lugs - but a non invasive crown refurb is not going to hit its value, so that's an option.

Otherwise you'll spend at least £3000 (clasp) - £8000 (bracelet) on another one, and the old one is just going to sit in your spares box with physiology of 'scrap' and I personally hate having unloved/unused watch bits and bobs like e/l's, clasps, bracelets, dials etc...and I'd end up (expensively) buying another watch head to attach to the orphaned cast-off !