16760 endlinks dilemma: 501 501b?

[wyattearp]

I've read through as many threads on this topic possible and still haven't found a definitive answer. While it seems many people like the 501s on the case, I have a 501 and a 501b on mine (which work on the case but are still tough to affix) with the 501b fitting more accurately.

Here are pictures of the 501 and 501b on the case:

The 501


The 501b


As you can see, the 501 had quite a large gap between the top of the endlink and the bottom of the bezel, while the 501b has a more accurate fit closer up to the bezel. The 501b was also easier to install.

I guess what I'm asking is if there were variations of each endlink made having slight differences, and what watch were the 501bs made for? Because they are both basically the same design, neither one has a 'gap' for a non side holes case tool, as people have said before.

[roro]

Hi,

I have the same question and have been combing the Web trying to find an answer (in vain). Your post shed some light and your pics are very helpful so thanks! But the pics seem to be the opposite of what I thought the right answer was.
Here's what I'm using as info to go on: It seems that 501 end links were fitted on the 16550 "transitional" Explorer II and 501b end links were fitted to the 16570 current Explorer II since '89. Both used the 76360 bracelet. My understanding is that the newer 16570 has a thinner case than its predecessor and therefore the 501b must be a thinner end link. Your pics show the opposite so now I'm asking if:
a. The above info is wrong
b. One or both of your endlinks have been bent (happens all the time with these)

I would love to get an answer because I have an explorer II 16550 "transitional" with the 501b end links which I'm assuming are wrong for the refernce. They fit right but there is a noticeable gap at the top.

[wyattearp]

Originally Posted by roro

Hi,

I have the same question and have been combing the Web trying to find an answer (in vain). Your post shed some light and your pics are very helpful so thanks! But the pics seem to be the opposite of what I thought the right answer was.
Here's what I'm using as info to go on: It seems that 501 end links were fitted on the 16550 "transitional" Explorer II and 501b end links were fitted to the 16570 current Explorer II since '89. Both used the 76360 bracelet. My understanding is that the newer 16570 has a thinner case than its predecessor and therefore the 501b must be a thinner end link. Your pics show the opposite so now I'm asking if:
a. The above info is wrong
b. One or both of your endlinks have been bent (happens all the time with these)

I would love to get an answer because I have an explorer II 16550 "transitional" with the 501b end links which I'm assuming are wrong for the refernce. They fit right but there is a noticeable gap at the top.

Glad to be of some help. The endlinks pictured above are coherent with the labels I put above each, but I should have mentioned that I have a 16760 GMT II which has a thicker case than other GMT models. This may or may not be the reason for the 'gap' in the picture, but I don't think the endlinks are bent.. at least they don't look that way to me.

Anyways, it would be nice to know what endlinks were shipped from the factory on my watch but the small gap isn't noticeable and I really could care less.

cheers

[mike]

[wyattearp]

Thanks for the clarification Mike.

[Tools]

It's likely that if the 501's don't have as nice a "fit", that they have been bent or squeezed together..

Frequently that was a common fix when the inner spring-bar tubes became worn or bent. The proper fix should have been to bent the bat-wings on the backside a bit to rotate the upper contour against the case rather than to have just squeezed them together..

Personally, I think the later 501B's are identical except for being bent together slightly more (later thinner cases) and are completely interchangeable...

[gbany]

Just to add that when I went to RSC NY 2 years ago to replace the 78360 bracelet of my 16760, they initially installed the 501b even though my original bracelet came with 501. They claimed to be the same and I had to insist and tell them to look at the specs to finally have the 501 installed. When I originally purchased the watch from AD back in 1984, it came with the 78360/501 endlinks.

Hope it helps.

gb