Do you wear vintage on vintage bracelets? Fear VBF?

[140dave]

While on my recent EU trip I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow OFer.

He was wearing a magnificent straight lug Speedy on a vintage bracelet. We got into a quick discussion where I mentioned I was hesitant to wear my vintage Speedmasters on vintage flat links due to a lack of faith in the clasp of older bracelets. I tend to put my vintage on more modern bracelets or straps for day-to-day wearing outside of the house to avoid my fear of VBF (Vintage Bracelet Failure)

Today, I shortened one of my 1039's so I could wear vintage with vintage. It feels good, looks good, I may do it a bit more than in the past. I mean, his straight lug is worth multiples of watches I worry about, so I think I am going to worry a bit less and wear them on vintage flat links a bit more. Part of my hesitation is tightening vintage clasps; I like to leave them as found but that may just be silly over-thinking on my part. So I tightened this one properly and strapped it on for the day. I like it, and think I can get over my paranoia of vintage-bracelet-failure/VBF.

So, general discussion; do you wear your vintage on vintage or do you swap for modern bracelets for your vintage? Do you fear VBF? And I do mean when you leave the house and go about daily activities, not the ones that never leave the house.

Whats a thread without pictures? The newly shortened 1039/516 on my -68 transitional.

 

[Davidt]

Vintage on vintage all the way.

 

[SOG53]

Vintage bracelets when possible

1116/575


1069/524

 

[SpdMastr]

+1 for vintage on vintage. A few recent wrist shots:

 

[Enthusiasm]

Looks good

 

[hoipolloi]

My phobia is much worse, besides VBF, I also have VWF, that's why I always use my Watchcos on new bracelets when going out meeting an OFer.

 

[Shabbaz]

.

 

[pdxleaf]

I have no fear of VBF, but that might be due to inexperience. My preference is for vintage, although I am fine with modern. I had several 1175 bracelets because they looked the most like vintage flat links and were inexpensive. After complaining about needing to open and close the clasp several times a day due to swelling, a few members mentioned the 1039, as it has stretching links. The 1039 is very comfortable. If it weren't so expensive I would probably use it exclusively. The 1116 is another vintage bracelet that competes with the 1039 for comfort. The 7912 is close to the 1039 but not as comfortable (but it could just be unconscious bias).

The Bulova coffin bracelet is not comfortable to me but looks great.

The Movado Guy Freres is something I haven't figured out if I like or not.

The Explorer II is on a sub bracelet (came as an option originally) and feels secure and comfortable.

Edited: Feb 12, 2024

 

[MRC]

I have done, but not at present.

The watch in the middle (Heuer Carrera 7753, 1969) spent 40 years on the top bracelet (Rolex 6636 "Oyster Rivet", 1967) which had been on a North Sea diver's wrist until I bought it from him in 1974/5. The horrid condition of the 6636 you can see here made me send it to Hong Kong for refurbishment and the no-name beads-of-rice on the bottom (probably 1960s) was purchased from Belgium to act as stand-in for a year. It was somewhat loose but seemed OK. I wore the Carrera/BoR combo for a year or so with no problems.

When the 6636 returned it went straight back onto the Carrera and I looked to see what I had from the late '60s to match the BoR to. An old Hema (Landeron 248 inside, date unknown) seemed right and it went onto that. So far, so good. Couple of winters later the BoR gave way. Under fleece & heavy jacket I felt something happen but the Hema was retained inside the sleeve, so no harm done to it.

Now I looked harder at the 6636, the springs and the rivets in the links had been replaced, which what I asked for but the clasp to bracelet links seemed loose. I had not asked for those to be checked. Mea Culpa

So the Carrera is now worn on black leather, as it was when new. OK, it was Corfam faux-leather then. I don't know what to do about the bracelets, if ever I find some-one competent to check them over carefully I'd like to get them back into use, but not until.

 

[steversaurus]

I find the vintage bracelets quite charming despite the stretch and lighter weight. I also get a lot of joy looking at the old style logos on the 7077, 7912 and 1506 clasps.

 

[liquidsongbird]

I wear a vintage Constellation on a vintage BOR; however, I think it is not the ultimate band for this watch... and am looking for a vintage / "more correct" option which I think would be a 1037.

 

[Fish70]

Yep

 

[pdxleaf]

Fish70

Yep

WOW!

Condition!
Condition!
Condition!

 

[pete_mcc]

105.012-65 on its 1506

 

[iamvr]

Wow @140dave I‘m surprised by your thread. What have you been doing with your collection of vintage bracelets until recently?

For it’s also vintage on vintage all the way. My only modern Forstner band is collecting dust.

 

[kaplan]

I don't wear any of my collection items 🙁

I wouldn't have an issue wearing regular flatlinks since their springs have been reproduced, if something happens, you have an easy path to fix

Maybe even replace all of them and keep the original vintage springs paired with their respective bracelets to be transferred on a potential sale

 

[JerryB]

Some lovely watches here , always have mine on bracelets

 

[gbesq]

Yes, with one exception and that's my Ranchero. Because the case condition on this one is as close to NOS as you can get for a 1958 watch, I thought that a vintage bracelet would look mismatched with the case. The solution was provided by JWRosenthal who suggested a modern Omega 3010 beads of rice bracelet. Turned out to be the perfect match.

 

[140dave]

iamvr

Wow @140dave I‘m surprised by your thread. What have you been doing with your collection of vintage bracelets until recently?

For it’s also vintage on vintage all the way. My only modern Forstner band is collecting dust.

Heh, yeah, I have proper vintage bracelets for all my watches but if you look at WRUW etc I generally wear mine on straps. Sometimes an 1171/1 or similar but have just been looking at the vintage bracelets and not wearing them much. But over the last year or so have shifted more towards bracelets in general. Now I am just getting over my fear of old clasps and was curious if I am the only one who hesitates wearing old bracelets.

(I think I just need to get over not wanting to tweak clasps to make them more secure)

And great photos all! Keep em coming!

 

[hansaboy]

105.012-66 (HF) with 1039 bracelet.