Forstner Bracelets?

Rocketeer61
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EuroDriver EuroDriver
I have owned a couple and I agree with others that they are very good value for the money. They look great and of very decent quality. That said, I concluded they are not for me.The clasps failed to satisfy me, perhaps after being spoiled by the Omega OEM clasps and I found them to be a little too jingle-jangly.
The Omega bracelets are great, quality made works of art. The problem with them, at least for me, is twofold: I don't love Omega's insistence on providing a total of two adjustment holes in their clasps and I always have to chuckle over their long-running insistence that microscopic sizing screws are somehow more convenient than pins. They can do better (and have in the past).
G gdhoosier
This is a nice overview video of the Forster 1450 and it also shows their new quick tool-free micro adjust clasp. I have it on my two contemporary flat-link bracelets and it works great. I may need to order a 1450 for my no date SMP after watching this video….

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N
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OP here. I have heard Omega makes at flat link bracelet for their 1957 model that will fit the 3861. Is this true?

If so how does it compare with the Forstner Contemporary Flat Link from a weight, finish, clasp and price standpoint?

Thanks.
 
Tag0935
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N njlam
OP here. I have heard Omega makes at flat link bracelet for their 1957 model that will fit the 3861. Is this true?

If so how does it compare with the Forstner Contemporary Flat Link from a weight, finish, clasp and price standpoint?

Thanks.
Based on the knowledge collected here, the flat link from 57 does fit the 3861. The only issue are the flat endlinks which do not esthetically match the curved lugs. You can exchange the original endlinks with the ones sold by Forstner for a better fit.
 
N
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Thanks. Its a shame there is no easy way to compare the '57 and the Forstner bracelet side by side in the metal.

My OB says they would have to special order it, and no one near me carries Forstner...
 
Tag0935
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N njlam
Thanks. Its a shame there is no easy way to compare the '57 and the Forstner bracelet side by side in the metal.

My OB says they would have to special order it, and no one near me carries Forstner...
Why not buy the Forstner yourself, test it and sell it with a small loss if you don't like it? You'll get to "feel" the flatlink and if you like it, and need the Omega logo, you'll order one. Personal experience is best. At worst, you loose a few bucks...
 
4011021
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Just arrived, bought this bullet for my Aqua Terra pre-2017 with 41.5mm asymmetrical case.
Really impressed so far. Hope it stays as good as it is on day one for many years.

gem-do-Whats-App-de-2025-07-15-s-16-19-12-26d576bb.webp
 
S
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I'm surprised to see all positive reviews! I bought a forstner jubilee for my 1861 speedster and found it to feel cheap, didn't fit the case very well without really manipulating the springbars. Maybe I just got a bad batch! It did look great though.
 
josiahg52
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I have a Forstner 1450 and Contemporary Flat Link and they feel just as sturdy and well made as my Omega 1171/1. I've worn both on my green Seamaster without worry or fear and the fit and look was great. I wish that the end-links were hollow and not solid. They're made to emulate vintage design and feel, which they do very well, and not the heavy and bloated bracelets available today. The fit is entirely dependent on the proper end-links being used for the specific case.
 
hmmmcamu
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JB CHAMPION USA expandable stainless steel bracelet aka: THE NASA BRACELET and the REPO made by FORSTNER called Komfit

107707714_10157510799844537_3963200821027107988_n.webp 106346630_10157510042449537_4462036714632998243_n.webp 107800064_10157510042119537_7920961744032218564_n.webp 106600486_10157510041534537_8814710530376934208_n.webp 106987100_10157510040959537_7542088740783955781_n.webp 107812866_10157510799929537_106185233320329324_n.webp 471503730_10161033833309537_3190110728601277132_n.webp 107871861_10157510800089537_7652584673463984621_n.webp 106720020_10157510040379537_8889888730928633969_n.webp 106297328_10157510039379537_517350330749580719_n.webp 107610606_10157510800099537_5794014100055274969_n.webp


1964 NASA document
from: DONALD K. SLAYTON



87163277_10157052976459537_7062557501857726464_n.webp
Edited:
 
SpeedyPhill
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Lots of info about the original 1960s Forstner and Jacoby Bender Champion bracelets:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-final-elusive-piece-of-the-speedmaster-jb-champion-combination-has-arrived.7402/ Cover Image
Thread 'The final elusive piece of the Speedmaster/JB Champion combination has arrived...' ·
The search is finally over for the final piece to my 1968 Speedmaster/JB Champion set-up. icon_good.gif

The missing piece you ask, or most likely...
TLIGuy ·
 
Rocketeer61
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I have a 1450 on my White Dial and a Komfit wide straight link on my 3861 Hesalite. They both fit perfectly and look right. I also had a Forstner Flat Link that I gave to a guy with a 1997 Relaunch (don't call it a Replica). It looks every bit as good on that watch as the Omega Apollo 11 50th bracelet looks on my own Relaunch. Finally, I have Forstner A-12 serial #0001 stashed away for watch emergencies. It has a bullet bracelet from the factory and it is very well made. Forstner makes good stuff!
 
T
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Anyone know if the Forstner 1450 with micro adjust clasp will fit a WatchCo Seamaster 300 165.024?? Im thinking that the bracelets that fit a speedmaster 1861 caliber case also fit a watchco?
 
Trog
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Sadly, I had nothing but misery with my Forstner. During resizing, I found multiple link threads poorly machined and impossible to utilize.

Binned the bracelet and replaced with a US which was superior in every way.
 
502 to right
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Trog Trog
Sadly, I had nothing but misery with my Forstner. During resizing, I found multiple link threads poorly machined and impossible to utilize.

Binned the bracelet and replaced with a US which was superior in every way.
I've not found that to be the case. I own about 5 Forstner bracelets and about 10 from Uncle Straps. I find them of comparable quality and have never had a bracelet from either that wound up in the bin due to poor quality.
 
Trog
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502 to right 502 to right
I've not found that to be the case. I own about 5 Forstner bracelets and about 10 from Uncle Straps. I find them of comparable quality and have never had a bracelet from either that wound up in the bin due to poor quality.
Perhaps I just got a lemon.
 
tritto
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I have a Forstner Bullet on a Speedmaster and it looks and feels good. Certainly better than the old 1171/1 bracelet that I had on it. I also have an Uncle Seiko flat link on my ranchero. The US is lower quality, but is at least as good as the bracelets it mimics.
 
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