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Early Speedmasters (Bracelet or Strap?)

Tek74
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I purchased my first Speedy Hesalite a month ago and was curious what type of Bracelet or Strap the Original or Early Models came with. A web search found an early model (Ref# CK-2915) which is shown with an apparent Black Leather strap, but I'm curious if this was the only option or if they there was a Bracelet variant as well. Can anyone educate me?
 
Davidt
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7077 bracelet, then 7912, 1501 and 1035 for straight lugs. 1506 then 1039 for Professional models.
 
Donn Chambers
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it’s my understanding that most Omega watches sold in the 60s had the bracelet or strap fitted at the time of sale based on costumer preference. So, both a flat-link bracelet and a leather strap are period correct.
 
Tek74
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Good info guys. Thanks. I'm liking the stock full brushed bracelet for now, but I many pick up a black leather strap and/or flat link Forstner bracelet in the future. I was shocked to find out how long Forster has been around.
 
josiahg52
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Tek74 Tek74
Good info guys. Thanks. I'm liking the stock full brushed bracelet for now, but I many pick up a black leather strap and/or flat link Forstner bracelet in the future. I was shocked to find out how long Forster has been around.

In name only. Forstner today shares a name and sells bracelets, but they're not the same as Forstner past. They are good bracelets.
 
G
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You could always go Forstner or JB Champion chain mesh too. Mine is a 1960's JB Champion... bough for a small fortunme on eBay about 2 years before they started to re-make them 😮

mine
Gene Cernan's Gemini Mission Speedy

IMG_0484.webp Cernan Gemini Speedmaster.webp
 
Tek74
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josiahg52 josiahg52
In name only. Forstner today shares a name and sells bracelets, but they're not the same as Forstner past. They are good bracelets.
Good to know. Does the current 321 Ed White use a Forstner bracelet?
 
Tek74
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G george.anthony.h
You could always go Forstner or JB Champion chain mesh too. Mine is a 1960's JB Champion... bough for a small fortunme on eBay about 2 years before they started to re-make them 😮
Interesting. I've never seen that specific Mesh bracelet. It looks vintage. I'm not sure about Mesh on the Speedy, but I have my eye on the black SMP300M with Mesh.
 
G
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Tek74 Tek74
Interesting. I've never seen that specific Mesh bracelet. It looks vintage. I'm not sure about Mesh on the Speedy, but I have my eye on the black SMP300M with Mesh.
IIndeed vintage it is, these were sold in the 1960's, and some of the NASA Mercury astronuats wore them on their watches, before a NASA designed Velcro strap was issued on Gemini, Apollo and beyond. JB Champion was the name I first heard of but found out later that apparently they are a subsidiary of Forstner.
 
Ron_W
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Tek74 Tek74
Good info guys. Thanks. I'm liking the stock full brushed bracelet for now, but I many pick up a black leather strap and/or flat link Forstner bracelet in the future. I was shocked to find out how long Forster has been around.
Read all about that history here

https://omegaforums.net/threads/open-discussion-jb-champion-nasa-bracelets-or-the-komfit.191613/ Cover Image
Thread 'Open Discussion JB Champion NASA Bracelets or the Komfit' ·
THE DANGER OF HOROLOGICAL HISTORY RE WRITTEN
sadly with help from supposed knowledgable and trusted sources.

JB Champion USA, holds a historically documented place in space exploration...
hmmmcamu ·
 
CajunTiger
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I wear straps in winter and switch to bracelets in summer as its hot as hell in the South and sweet and straps dont mix 😀
 
Tek74
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Ron_W Ron_W
Read all about that history here

https://omegaforums.net/threads/open-discussion-jb-champion-nasa-bracelets-or-the-komfit.191613/ Cover Image
Thread 'Open Discussion JB Champion NASA Bracelets or the Komfit' ·
THE DANGER OF HOROLOGICAL HISTORY RE WRITTEN
sadly with help from supposed knowledgable and trusted sources.

JB Champion USA, holds a historically documented place in space exploration...
hmmmcamu ·
Thank you. Good resource. I'm almost scared to learn too much about vintage Speedy's. I'm afraid I'll start wanting something old, which I know is a money pit. I wish Omega offered a more affordable 321 variant.
 
josiahg52
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Tek74 Tek74
Good to know. Does the current 321 Ed White use a Forstner bracelet?
No. Forstner is an aftermarket company. I don't who makes bracelets for Omega (or Forstner, for that matter) but the bracelets made for Omega are of higher overall quality. Personally, I have no problem wearing a modern Forstner on any of my Omega watches.
 
padders
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Without meaning to step on any toes, I have found the J B Champion in both original and rereleased versions to be fiddly to use and worryingly light weight, tinny even. I moved mine on. It seemed a triumph of style over function to me. I read somewhere, perhaps in MWO, that NASA chose such bracelets for safety reasons as they were a deliberate weak point allowing the watch to snap off if snagged. I can well believe it.
 
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