Advice needed on 1016 Bracelet

[brossa4422]

Dear All

Many thanks in advance for your help. I have a 1016 dated early 1969 from markings on the caseback. I bought it from a guy on Ebay and had it authenticated at the RSC in New York. When the RSC examined the watch, they said the head was authentic but the bracelet was "not intended for this model and has components from another model" They said the bracelet has the endpiece of 20F and does not "properly fit" From reading the site, it seems like I need endlinks of 558 or 558b and the bracelet of 78360. RSC quoted me $950 for a new bracelet model 78360. Here is my dilemma - I understand that I need the new endlinks of 558 or 558b. The braclet has some stretch to it but the clasp is stamped 1969 which is the same year as the caseback. I know the band is not original from RSC but was wondering should I keep the clasp dated 1969, buy the correct endlinks, and just rebuild the bracelet or should I just trade or buy an entire new bracelet and get rid of the one that came with the watch. Just don't want to do anything real stupid at this stage

I appreciate your help and have attached a couple of pictures of the bracelet on the watch currently.

Brad

[TTmax]

.
.
For a 1969's 1016, 78360 bracelet with 580 or 580b will fit (not 558), but you should have a bracelet referenced 7836, with endlinks 280 .

78360 appeared in 1975, and 7836 between 1967 and 1975.

Do you find any reference# on yours ? the clasp isn't OK, compaired to this picture :

[hatidua]

I can't add any thoughts on the bracelet but that sure is one pretty watch!

[ricardogp]

I have a pair of 558B end pieces in very good condition that I could sell you. They were on my GMT 1675, which I have now changed for the 580s, also for the sake of originality. From what I gathered at the time I replaced them on my watch (about a year ago), the 558B is in fact specific to the Explorer 1016.
Let me know if they are of interest and what you would be willing to pay for them.