When your end-links don’t match…

So I have this medium condition ref. 105.012 that I sourced a 1506 bracelet for years ago, but misplaced one of the number 16 end-links.

I found a lone number 16 on the sales forum, and here was the condition:



Not bad - scratches, a dent, a big line on the satin middle section. But here was the one I had to mate it with:



So I figured: distress the existing one to match, or spiff the new link to match its neighbor, and the bracelet. So I chose the latter, and got out the sandpaper for the satin finish, the polisher for the ends, and some tools to remove the dent. After shot:


You can still make out the two tiny dents on the polished left side.

Here are the two side by side; I think they look a bit more compatible now:


Here they are on the watch:



The obligatory wrist shot:

Totally agree. For a watch aficionado, we all hunt for that pristine, untouched example. On the other hand, when you do some work on one of your watches yourself, it changes your relationship with that item, and makes it a bit more “yours.”

Nice work, enjoy the result!👍

How on earth can you sleep knowing that one of them is "refinished"? 😁