I just swapped bracelets on my Seamaster 300 and Broad Arrow Replica - the SM300 now has the US1035 and the Replica the 1171/1.




This has me thinking of changing up the bracelet on my new-to-me Seamaster 2254.50.


I like the 1610/930 Speedmaster bracelet and it suits the watch well. I like the flat-link look and it looks good on the SM300 and my Speedmaster Professional.


I also have a 1479/812 bracelet that I could incorporate into my collection.


Could this be an excuse to try the Forstner flat-link? Any other alternative options that others have tried on the 2254.50 and stuck with it?

 

I tried the flat-link on a 2254.50 and it's just... wrong.

 

This is the way that model should be worn on.

 

it looks great but there is a downside to that bracelet design in that the seatbelt type clasp is a little fiddly and can lead to the watch dropping to the floor. A deployant type is safer for the clumsy or distracted.

 

My favorite bracelet for my 2254.50 is the Forstner 1450 with the new milled clasp. I also have the flat link bracelet but I'm not a fan of that type of bracelet on any watch, including the Speedmaster (it has nothing to do with the manufacturer). I don't know why. I just don't like the look.

https://forstnerbands.com/collectio...r-president-1450-for-pre-2018-omega-seamaster

 

It does require paying attention to putting on and taking the watch off over a surface where it can’t fall and break. There is another ploprof bracelet that has a deployant clasp with adjustable push button in the clasp. Omega Planet Ocean 2201.52, In addition, it appears that the engraving on this buckle is different from the buckle that came with the 2201.52. The stock 2201.52 clasp has just the Omega logo and "OMEGA" engraved on it, whereas this one adds the "Seamaster", "PROFESSIONAL", and Hippocampus engraving. The actual 2201.52 buckle part number is 94522023, whereas this one is 94522043. Operation and geometry is the same, but engravings are different.
Omega 20mm Ploprof Mesh Bracelet and Deployment Buckle
Mesh Bracelet: 021ST1962
Deployment Buckle: 94522043
(spring bars not included)

 

Hmm, I agree that the flat link does not work on the 2254.50 like I thought. I guess if I really wanted to confirm that, I could put the US1035 on briefly for myself. However, I really like the look on my SM300 for some reason and the 1039 was the original bracelet for my 145.022 so maybe I'm just partial or a little weird.

The Forstner 1450 is an interesting suggestion. Would get me to try a Forstner and have a 1450 style bracelet option.

I do like the mesh and would very much prefer the deployant clasp. Could save some money initially and get a Staib to see if the look is what I want and then get the Ploprof above if I like it. A 20mm Staib would be nice to have anyway.

Please, keep any ideas coming. The 2254.50 is quickly becoming an unexpected favorite of mine.

 

Did you look at the “sport rubber”?

 

I generally don't look at straps of any type because they just don't fit my wrist. They end up being more uncomfortable than the most torturous bracelet on me. There are exceptions. A few work well on some watches.

 

This is no "strap". It's a thick, heavy rubber bracelet on an adjustable deployant clasp.

Not the best pics but I already had them.

 

I'm with you. I love the look of straps but cannot get comfortable with one. They are either too tight or don't conform to my wrist properly. That's why I have so many different bracelets.

I'm writing this wearing my 2254.50 on the Forstner 1450 with milled clasp. Comfy!

 

I end up using a $20 Barton silicon strap a lot.

 

Here’s a shot of my 2254 on the Forstner contemporary flat link with stretch links and the new milled clasp. I think it actually works quite well since it plays off the mirror polished surfaces on the watch case, and the contemporary model is just a bit thicker to work nicely with the case proportions:

 

See, that looks really good! I don't know, maybe I'll drop a few hundred and get the Forstner 1450 and contemporary flat-link. Never bad to have options. I also like the idea of a proper mesh bracelet and the 22mm Staib I have is wonderful.

 

Thanks! I just ordered the 1450 and the milled clasp to go with it myself.

awhile back I tried out the uncle seiko flat link and 1450 options and found they were too thin relative to the case thickness on the SMP, so the proportion seemed off. The thicker Forstner contemporary works fantastic IMO and the polished outer links are quite nice.

I like to mod, so I might consider polishing either the centre or outer links on the 1450 if I find that the all brushed look doesn’t quite match.

 

Strapcode makes a very nice $50 mesh bracelet. I think the SMP looks great with straight end link mesh bracelets due to the relatively short lugs.

 

I do have a Strapcode shark mesh on my Scurfa D1-300 that I really like for the price.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/blue-dial-watches-do-share.36225/page-77#post-1981915

I've read that "shark" mesh refers to the open end bracelets as compared to the straight or finished ends of a Staib.

 

I’ve been trying to get my hands on a 20mm Staib mesh that’s 130mm long (the short version) to no avail! If you have any recommended sources please share!