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The Super Oyster II has been updated to make it fit a wider range of wrist sizes – and here is one of the first of this new batch.
Unwrapping: the William Jean SO II with Seiko 6309-729A.
Essentially, it’s the same SO II that has been documented previously, but with the addition of two extra removable links – one each side of the clasp. There are now a total of eight removable links, four each side of the clasp.
This means that the “revised” bracelet can be taken down to a smaller size, to fit a narrower wrist. According to the vendor, William Jean, it “generally fits 6.25-8.50 inch wrists.”
As I understand it, there will ultimately only be the one SO II – the one reviewed here with the extra links. William confirmed that he “plan to keep this version going forward - allows a larger market - us small wrist individuals.”
The current batch ships on a two-hole clasp – a four hole version might be ready for mid-March.
I paid $59 shipped for mine, and it took just over a week to cross Canada. (I’d posted on the Isthmus SO II review, asking if it would fit a six-and-a-half inch wrist; William contacted me, told about the upcoming revision, and I said I’d take the first one available.)
I bought it to go on a 6309-729A, as I like the contrast between metalwork and a Pepsi bezel. William also asked if I’d try it on my SKX031 as he’d received inquiries from owners looking for a SEL bracelet option.
The bracelet ships well wrapped, and weighs in at 97g (or at least, that’s the reading I got off the office postal meter - hey, only dieters and drug dealers have their own scales).
I don't have a regular SO to compare it to (for the obvious reason that it would never have fitted me), but I’m pleased with the quality of the bracelet. My intent here is to show how the endlinks fit with the two Seiko models mentioned above, not talk about how the bracelet feels, or any of that subjective stuff. (It's a bracelet; you either like them or not.)
Side view: SO II SEL's on Seiko 6309-729A.
Half way there: SO II on Seiko 6309-729A.
As you can see, they fit this 6309-729A just as well as they do the dive rated SKX cases (as seen previously in other reviews). The solid end links push into place, and are a reassuringly tight fit. They go in better from underneath, rather than slid along the length of the lugs.
However, the smaller cased SKX031 is another matter. The endlinks are just too chunky for the sleek lugs. Which is a real pity. If one watch deserved an all-solid bracelet, it’s this one.
Too tall: SO II SEL's on Seiko SKX031.
Too tall: From left, SO II SEL, SKX031 folded end link, Seiko SKX031 lugs.
Of course, getting in close on a macro setting does tend to make things look a lot more frightening than they really are. . . and I have to be honest and say that I didn't attach the endlink with a springbar (I was concerned that I'd not be able to remove it myself), I just pushed it into place. There might be some difference when it's fitted, but all the same, metal removal would be required to make it fit. If someone had a vice and a dremmel, it would be possible, I guess.
The bracelet fits the hollow end links that come with the watch, but that's not the point, is it?
Unwrapping: the William Jean SO II with Seiko 6309-729A.
Essentially, it’s the same SO II that has been documented previously, but with the addition of two extra removable links – one each side of the clasp. There are now a total of eight removable links, four each side of the clasp.
This means that the “revised” bracelet can be taken down to a smaller size, to fit a narrower wrist. According to the vendor, William Jean, it “generally fits 6.25-8.50 inch wrists.”
As I understand it, there will ultimately only be the one SO II – the one reviewed here with the extra links. William confirmed that he “plan
The current batch ships on a two-hole clasp – a four hole version might be ready for mid-March.
I paid $59 shipped for mine, and it took just over a week to cross Canada. (I’d posted on the Isthmus SO II review, asking if it would fit a six-and-a-half inch wrist; William contacted me, told about the upcoming revision, and I said I’d take the first one available.)
I bought it to go on a 6309-729A, as I like the contrast between metalwork and a Pepsi bezel. William also asked if I’d try it on my SKX031 as he’d received inquiries from owners looking for a SEL bracelet option.
The bracelet ships well wrapped, and weighs in at 97g (or at least, that’s the reading I got off the office postal meter - hey, only dieters and drug dealers have their own scales).
I don't have a regular SO to compare it to (for the obvious reason that it would never have fitted me), but I’m pleased with the quality of the bracelet. My intent here is to show how the endlinks fit with the two Seiko models mentioned above, not talk about how the bracelet feels, or any of that subjective stuff. (It's a bracelet; you either like them or not.)
Side view: SO II SEL's on Seiko 6309-729A.
Half way there: SO II on Seiko 6309-729A.
As you can see, they fit this 6309-729A just as well as they do the dive rated SKX cases (as seen previously in other reviews). The solid end links push into place, and are a reassuringly tight fit. They go in better from underneath, rather than slid along the length of the lugs.
However, the smaller cased SKX031 is another matter. The endlinks are just too chunky for the sleek lugs. Which is a real pity. If one watch deserved an all-solid bracelet, it’s this one.
Too tall: SO II SEL's on Seiko SKX031.
Too tall: From left, SO II SEL, SKX031 folded end link, Seiko SKX031 lugs.
Of course, getting in close on a macro setting does tend to make things look a lot more frightening than they really are. . . and I have to be honest and say that I didn't attach the endlink with a springbar (I was concerned that I'd not be able to remove it myself), I just pushed it into place. There might be some difference when it's fitted, but all the same, metal removal would be required to make it fit. If someone had a vice and a dremmel, it would be possible, I guess.
The bracelet fits the hollow end links that come with the watch, but that's not the point, is it?
