Close to pulling the trigger on a 1972 Carrera 1153. It comes on the standard leather rally strap, but wanted to see the feasibility of getting an actual Gay Freres bracelet or a reproduction. Any thoughts on where to source? EDIT: Saw a couple vintage Gay Freres and what is being asked for them, so let's change this into, looking for a good alternative
Yes-not sure where you are but you'll be looking at £1000 equivalent. The 1153 is a beauty. I have a 1153N (blue/charcoal dial) and love it. It looks excellent on a rally strap too. There are other BoR bracelets-varying quality. You may want to look up 'squinky' on Ebay and elsewhere-he may have something you're after.
Very good advice on Squinky. He'll have generic NSA (Novavit- who made bracelets for 1970s Heuers, although not the GF rice type) bracelets I've also seen some Asian-assembled GF clones that look quite good. The number 1 challenge won't be the bracelet...it will be finding the right end-pieces. For this reason, I'd also look at mesh bracelets that don't need end-pieces
Many thanks for the advice. Kept searching and saw what you mean about the end links. When you say mesh are you saying something like the shark mesh al la seamaster 300? Also, I'm seeing the lugs on the 1153 is stated at 20mm. Is this correct?
Yes, 20mm. Correct, the shark mesh. I'd also trying contacting @abcoro at HeuerTime because he seems to have some nice Beads of rice bracelets for 1st Gen Carreras at $158...might have something for you too http://www.chrono24.com/heuer/braceletstrap-beads-of-rice-bracelet--id3207264.htm
Many thanks. Too funny, saw that one and already sent home and email. Can't tell you how much I appreciate the help that's why I love this place, which speaks highly of yourself as being the driving force behind it