Endlink with no holes in modern oyster case - how to remove?

[Nono01]

Need help ASAP.
Wrong combination of good company, watches and alcohol. Somehow we managed to put a endlink and bracelet of 16710 GMT master to 16600 SeaDweller with no case holes. The result, the endlink doesn't have springbar holes to pull out a springbar. Is there any way we or a watchmaker can pull that thing out without destroying the endlink or watch case?



Thank you, your help is much appreciated

[Andad]

I remember a thread where the wrong spring bar had been used and the fix was wax thread but this is different as there is no notch on the end link.
I can’t see an easy way out.

[Dan Pierce]

The end links are attached to the bracelet and one on your's is the wrong type end link. That would not only make the entire bracelets originality suspect but it will be very difficult to remove that end link.

Edit: The above is correct unless you have 2 different bracelets attached, one at each end, which appears might be the case. If so, the 16710 bracelet will have to be sacrificed to get it removed.
dP

[Tools]

It will take drilling a hole at the same spot that the groove is on a no-holes link.

If done well, the hole drilled can then be machined to be similar to a grooved end link; a single hole could suffice and be left there, or the hole could be weld-filled. The case should not be damaged if done carefully.

In the meantime, the bracelet can be unscrewed at a removable link and re-attached to the other half to be fully functional until the work can be performed.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Tools

It will take drilling a hole at the same spot that the groove is on a no-holes link.

If done well, the hole drilled can then be machined to be similar to a grooved end link; a single hole could suffice and be left there, or the hole could be weld-filled. The case should not be damaged if done carefully.

In the meantime, the bracelet can be unscrewed at a removable link and re-attached to the other half to be fully functional until the work can be performed.

Best option


Long live lug holes.

I own a solid endlink bracelet with no slots. They were not made for too long before slots were added. I suspect only a few years when solid endlinks and lugholes coexisted. Generally A,P,K and sometimes Y serial numbers.

There has been a couple of times I came close to doing the same while tinkering.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Tools

It will take drilling a hole at the same spot that the groove is on a no-holes link.

If done well, the hole drilled can then be machined to be similar to a grooved end link; a single hole could suffice and be left there, or the hole could be weld-filled. The case should not be damaged if done carefully.

In the meantime, the bracelet can be unscrewed at a removable link and re-attached to the other half to be fully functional until the work can be performed.

Great suggestion, Larry. Might be able to save everything but possibly the spring bar.
dP