You think you can't get an OEM 5 link bracelet for your Tudor GMT/Chrono? Think again

[Dave O]

When the Tudor Black Bay Burgundy bezel with the 5 link bracelet came out I fell in love with the bracelet and wanted one for my BB GMT and Chrono. Unfortunately they changed the size of the bracelet with this new watch and it wouldn't fit. Then the Chrono Pink came out and again I just loved the look of the 5 link bracelet - and this one would fit both the standard chrono and GMT!!! When I inquired about it at my AD they said IF you could actually get one it wouldn't be available for around 6 months. So decided to get an Uncle Seiko jubilee and it really transformed the watch. It looked great! I even was able to use the original Tudor clasp with it.

However, as much as I liked the new look, there was just something about it that wasn't "perfect". Don't get me wrong, it was great, and the end link fit perfect with no gaps. But there was just something missing and the end link on it just didn't look quite right.

While doing a random search on jubilee's for Tudor GMT/Chrono I stumbled across a post on Instagram and Redit where someone installed a 5 link bracelet from a Tudor BB 41 non diver model (M79680-0002). It looked awesome, and also had the T-fit clasp! It appeared to have what the Uncle Seiko didn't. The polished section of the watch looked more robust and the end links looked better. Not to mention the T-fit clasp.

So I took a trip to my AD and inquired if this bracelet was available to order (part number B-20-65580-22-E1). It was, but my SA was unsure if it would fit. I ordered it anyway going off the posts I had read about it trusting it would fit. The cost is MUCH more expensive than the Uncle Seiko ($1000 vs. $150) but I just had to give it a try.

Well, it arrived yesterday and it is gorgeous. A perfect fit! The end links have some raised edges on the two outside polished links which makes the transition from the end links to the bracelet much more seamless when compared to the Uncle Seiko. Also, the middle polished links are larger, and fits the size of the bracelet much better - more like a Rolex jubilee. The size of the middle polished links on the Uncle Seiko were small in comparison, and just didn't look right on that size of a bracelet. And the T-fit clasp. Awesome!!! All in all, the bracelet is just much better in every way - which you would expect from an OEM bracelet which costs considerably more that the Uncle Seiko. Don' get me wrong, the Uncle Seiko bracelet is VERY nice. A perfect fit and is a great improvement over the original bracelet. For me, I just wanted more.

I liked it so much I ordered a second one for my GMT. In the attached pics you can see the difference between the Tudor 5 link and the Uncle Seiko. The OEM is on the Chrono and the Uncle Seiko is on the Opaline GMT.

So if someone tells you you can't get an OEM 5 link for your BB Chrono or GMT they are mistaken. That being said, I have also read where some AD's won't let you purchase this bracelet unless you actually own the watch. If this happens to you, try another AD.

[Potawatomi]

Very nice write up. This will come in handy for years to come.

[Polarexplorerii]

I very much like it!

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

Very nice write up. This will come in handy for years to come.

Originally Posted by Polarexplorerii

I very much like it!

Thanks guys. Pictures really don't capture how good this bracelet looks. So I thought I'd post a couple more pics from a little further away with different lighting. I just love this thing.

[S54Mickey]

Thank you for the write up. Definitely handy for future reference. The Tudor Chrono's weak point is the bracelet itself. Great watch nonethelss.
I may be wrong, but I read somewhere that the 5 link bracelet from the Pink Chrono has more taper than the BB41 5 link bracelet.

[inadeje]

It looks fantastic. Great discovery and discussion. Thanks.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by S54Mickey

Thank you for the write up. Definitely handy for future reference. The Tudor Chrono's weak point is the bracelet itself. Great watch nonethelss.
I may be wrong, but I read somewhere that the 5 link bracelet from the Pink Chrono has more taper than the BB41 5 link bracelet.

I'm not sure about the taper, but I do know that the one I installed from the BB41 has flat bottom links, like your typical jubilee has. Where as the 5 link from the BB41 Burgundy, Mono or the Chrono Pink have football shaped links, and not flat on the inside/bottom of the bracelet. Probably doesn't matter much, just an observation. Another observation is the watch doesn't feel as tall on the wrist with the 5 link. Probably just my imagination though.

PS - sorry for the crappy pics.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I'm not sure about the taper, but I do know that the one I installed from the BB41 has flat bottom links, like your typical jubilee has. Where as the 5 link from the BB41 Burgundy, Mono or the Chrono Pink have football shaped links, and not flat on the inside/bottom of the bracelet. Probably doesn't matter much, just an observation. Another observation is the watch doesn't feel as tall on the wrist with the 5 link. Probably just my imagination though.

PS - sorry for the crappy pics.

Ouch, and there's the catch. The oval link jubilee looks so ridiculously comfortable I was hoping it was the jubilee that you might be able to order from an AD. The T-fit clasp and the fact it's OEM from Tudor are certainly plusses but was really hoping for a chance at the oval link.
dP

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Ouch, and there's the catch. The oval link jubilee looks so ridiculously comfortable I was hoping it was the jubilee that you might be able to order from an AD. The T-fit clasp and the fact it's OEM from Tudor are certainly plusses but was really hoping for a chance at the oval link.
dP

I've actually tried on both and really couldn't tell any difference whatsoever comfort wise. I could be mistaken, but I believe it's just a cosmetic difference but feels the same on the wrist. The OEM I installed feels the same as a Rolex Jubilee. If you like the Rolex Jubilee, you'll love this. That being said, if Tudor continues with the 5 link trend then hopefully the football shaped bracelet may be available within the next year or so to purchase.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I've actually tried on both and really couldn't tell any difference whatsoever comfort wise. I could be mistaken, but I believe it's just a cosmetic difference but feels the same on the wrist. The OEM I installed feels the same as a Rolex Jubilee. If you like the Rolex Jubilee, you'll love this. That being said, if Tudor continues with the 5 link trend then hopefully the football shaped bracelet may be available within the next year or so to purchase.

I think you're right, doubt the comfort would be impacted. But the oval link is just really great looking.

Certainly appreciate all the great info you've provided.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

I think you're right, doubt the comfort would be impacted. But the oval link is just really great looking.

Certainly appreciate all the great info you've provided.

Thanks. As another tidbit, in looking closely at the Chrono Pink via some YouTube videos that have surfaced recently it may just in fact taper a bit more than the one I have. On the Pink version there appears to be 5 links that taper. On mine only 4 links taper prior to no more tapering of the bracelet. Would it have been nice to have the Pink version instead? Maybe. But I didn't want to wait that long to see if they would even start offering it as a stand alone purchase. Once I get the second one I ordered I'll place it on my Opaline GMT and we'll see how that looks.

[Dave O]

Brent Miller Time just posted a video on YouTube about this modification with better pics/shots than I provided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlKpcXZD-Ds

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Dave O

Brent Miller Time just posted a video on YouTube about this modification with better pics/shots than I provided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlKpcXZD-Ds

Thanks for sharing!
dP

[rom33]

The Tudor Chronograph is under appreciated.

The bracelet gives it an even better look. Tudor should offer this bracelet as an option.

Thank you for posting the photos and telling how you acquired the bracelet.

[derekhayden]

This is awesome, and appreciate you sharing this with us. I will be heading to my AD next week to try and order one.

[Dave O]

Update. My second bracelet I ordered arrived yesterday. Only took 5 weeks this time around. Had my AD install and size it today. It looks beautiful on the Opaline GMT, and it too is a perfect fit. It really enhances the look of the watch, and to some extent, makes it look a little thinner (or that could just be my imagination ).

Took a few pics of both watches today, hopefully better quality than the last. I'm really loving these bracelets.

[vesnyder]

Wow - love it! I have been using the Uncle Seiko jubilee on my BB GMT, but the look of the OEM bracelet is much better. Justifying the cost is the challenge! $1,000 vs $150!

[vipereaper30]

It's so worth it to do this upgrade. I had tried the Uncle Seiko first which I found to be of very poor quality. Then I moved to the Forstner which was a big step up but still not comparable to the quality of the BB GMT. Have had it on the 5-link for about six months now and the bracelet is never coming off, love it!

[stevestil]

Wow! That looks great!

Enjoy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by vesnyder

Wow - love it! I have been using the Uncle Seiko jubilee on my BB GMT, but the look of the OEM bracelet is much better. Justifying the cost is the challenge! $1,000 vs $150!

Originally Posted by vipereaper30

It's so worth it to do this upgrade. I had tried the Uncle Seiko first which I found to be of very poor quality. Then I moved to the Forstner which was a big step up but still not comparable to the quality of the BB GMT. Have had it on the 5-link for about six months now and the bracelet is never coming off, love it!

Agree to both. Although I found the US to be a huge step up from the original bracelet, it was still lacking something. The way that Tudor makes the transition from the SEL to the bracelet is soooooo much better than the US. That being said, US does a great job for $150. But for me, it is well worth the higher price point for the OEM Tudor bracelet. It is just that much better in every way and the T-fit clasp is a huge improvement as well.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by stevestil

Wow! That looks great!

Enjoy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks!!!

[joe100]

Exceptional! I really like this.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Dave O

Update. My second bracelet I ordered arrived yesterday. Only took 5 weeks this time around. Had my AD install and size it today. It looks beautiful on the Opaline GMT, and it too is a perfect fit. It really enhances the look of the watch, and to some extent, makes it look a little thinner (or that could just be my imagination ).

Took a few pics of both watches today, hopefully better quality than the last. I'm really loving these bracelets.

Once again, well done, Dave! This is the perfect match and appreciate all your info.
dP

[brandrea]

Nicely done Dave. I bet it’s super comfortable. It sure looks the part

[1William]

Looks great. I missed this thread originally but will be in my AD this week to see what I can work out. I have the new Pink Chrono and the bracelet is great. I will get this new style bracelet for my Opaline GMT and my two other chronograph watches.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by joe100

Exceptional! I really like this.

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Once again, well done, Dave! This is the perfect match and appreciate all your info.
dP

Originally Posted by brandrea

Nicely done Dave. I bet it’s super comfortable. It sure looks the part

Originally Posted by 1William

Looks great. I missed this thread originally but will be in my AD this week to see what I can work out. I have the new Pink Chrono and the bracelet is great. I will get this new style bracelet for my Opaline GMT and my two other chronograph watches.

Thanks guys.

[Gearjockey]

Will this jubilee fit on a new BB58GMT?

I really like that reference but not a fan of bracelet rivets. I suppose they may introduce jubilee next year.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

Will this jubilee fit on a new BB58GMT?

I really like that reference but not a fan of bracelet rivets. I suppose they may introduce jubilee next year.

I don't believe it will. But the new monochrome BB58 5 link might.

[Goose 104]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

Will this jubilee fit on a new BB58GMT?

I really like that reference but not a fan of bracelet rivets. I suppose they may introduce jubilee next year.

I don't believe there is a 20mm 5 link bracelet yet

[watchwatcher]

Thanks for sharing this information.

Now it's time to get busy with my next project.