My take on fitting an oyster bracelet to a SS BLRO

[Devildog]

Ippon20 kindly posted this picture on another thread:

Originally Posted by ippon20

Here you go...BLNR on left...BLRO on right.

Having done an overlay in photoshop, the lug backs are almost identical (hard to be 100% using photographs) and the lugholes appear to be in the same place on both cases. So far so good.

However, if you look closely at the amount of midcase metal visible between the caseback and the endlink (photoshop also having established that the casebacks are the same size) there is less metal visible on the SS BLRO midcase.

This would suggest that whilst the lugholes are in the same place on each case relative to the ends of the lugs, jubilee endlink is deeper in dimension between the springbar and the midcase.

If this is correct, then I suspect that the oyster bracelet could easily be attached, but there would be a visible gap between the case and the endlink which itself would not be securely located.

Conversely, the new jubilee bracelet will not attach to any other oyster cases as it is too deep.

If I'm correct, the "good" news fro those who prefer 5 digit case styling, is that should someone have a SS BLRO case modified to fit the current oyster bracelet (by laser welding the old lugholes and drilling new ones) the fitment of the endlinks would be more recessed along the lines of the image below, rather than the more flush endlink to lug fitment of the 6 digit references.

So. Who's going to be first?

[G'ed]

Get me a SS BLRO (at retail) and I will try.

[travisb]

I think the Jubilee is a nice change for the new GMT considering just about everything else I own is on Oyster.
Would be very cool if we find out that a bracelet swap can be done which would go against what was initially said upon it's release.

[Chiboy]

On a forum where the prevailing wisdom is that a single polish by RSC can render a watch ruined, good luck finding someone to weld and drill their new hard-to-get GMT.

[Bigblu10]

Why? This scenario is crazy! Do you think the RSC will remotely touch the watch after they see the modifications? Heck no, warranty work or otherwise. If you don't like the bracelet, simply don't buy the watch!

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

On a forum where the prevailing wisdom is that a single polish by RSC can render a watch ruined, good luck finding someone to weld and drill their new hard-to-get GMT.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Why? This scenario is crazy! Do you think the RSC will remotely touch the watch after they see the modifications? Heck no, warranty work or otherwise. If you don't like the bracelet, simply don't buy the watch!

Relax Jamie. Its a discussion forum

The point of my post was to highlight why I believe it won't fit. But if someone wants to make it fit, what the implications will be.

Someone on here paid over $20,000 for one of these. Do you think he's that worried about a warranty?

Other watchmakers are available (at at considerably lower cost than RSC)

The other option may be to weld and re-drill the oyster end-links to re position the spring bar hole in the end-link, rather than the watch (subject to clearances)

[Trailblazer]

But i need a blro to start on this project...!

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Relax Jamie. Its a discussion forum

The point of my post was to highlight why I believe it won't fit. But if someone wants to make it fit, what the implications will be.

Someone on here paid over $20,000 for one of these. Do you think he's that worried about a warranty?

Other watchmakers are available (at at considerably lower cost than RSC)

The other option may be to weld and re-drill the oyster end-links to re position the spring bar hole in the end-link, rather than the watch (subject to clearances)

.

[droptopman]

Cool post, thanks for the research and input. My guess is that someone with a good independent WS will give this a go at some point.

[WAK4]

I'm hoping to alter an oyster bracelet so that I don't have worries that the case mod brings, plus I can use the jubilee if in the mood.

[037]

Originally Posted by Devildog

If this is correct, then I suspect that the oyster bracelet could easily be attached, but there would be a visible gap between the case and the endlink which itself would not be securely located.

Conversely, the new jubilee bracelet will not attach to any other oyster cases as it is too deep.

Scenario one might be possible assuming the BLRO's lug radius isn't too steep for an existing Oyster. Even if it fits with a bit of wobble, the radii might not match.

Scenario two might also be possible if a watchmaker or machinist / tool and die maker were to relieve the presumed 0.25~0.5mm length from the radiused face of the endlink. This would be easier than modifying a case. This of course assumes that the springbar hole hasn't been relocated and instead the BLRO case has been cut deeper.

But, all of the above assumes the speculated speculation is correct. Based on the visuals thus far I tentatively agree with your summary but really want both in-hand before signing off.

Originally Posted by travisb

I think the Jubilee is a nice change for the new GMT considering just about everything else I own is on Oyster.
Would be very cool if we find out that a bracelet swap can be done which would go against what was initially said upon it's release.

Agreed. I'd be fine if the Jubilee only fits the BLRO but also imagine the versatility with two GMTs and two bracelets.

[Likestheshiny]

Seems like it would be easier to just install custom endlinks. I'm sure a number of high-quality options will be available within a few months.

[challer]

Who makes custom end links?

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

Seems like it would be easier to just install custom endlinks. I'm sure a number of high-quality options will be available within a few months.

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

Seems like it would be easier to just install custom endlinks. I'm sure a number of high-quality options will be available within a few months.

Would seem the most likely way. If you could fit the oyster as well it would be even more awesome than it already is!

[Uhtred59]

Still doesn't make it a good idea though. Buy the WG one then you are there.