circa 50% of what he stocks on there is available at a much lower price via a boutique or authorised dealer. If you have debilitating agoraphobia I can see why the premium makes sense. Otherwise...

 

I'm waiting for my Forstner bracelet to match my FOIS. As long as the quality is good, I think this may be the simplest and best looking option for a FOIS. They just sold out of their first lot of pre-orders which are due to be shipped end November.

 

So, finally tracked down an AD which would order the 617s for me. Quoted £45.95. Lovely stuff. Then they called me back to say that was price for one of them. x2 for the pair. There you go, that’s the price from Omega so £110 wasn’t too far out really.

 

Do you have a link for the Forstner braclet that will match your FOIS? Interested in this.

 

https://omegaforums.net/threads/forstner-bands-relaunched.102101/
Link to manufacturer's site in first post.

 

thanks you very much @jsducote !

 

I just came across the modern 19 mm bracelet 1587 / 986 for the Seamaster Automatic Aqua Terra and gave it a try to fit my FOIS.

I have also edited my first post in this threat and added some pictures.


FOIS on bracelet 1587 / 986

 

This thread was particularly helpful in my search for FOIS and bracelet so I wanted to revisit and say thanks.

1125/560

 

So still no viable solution for a flat link like the Trilogy or 50th ann Apollo XI to work with the FOIS?

 

Comparison

I just came across the vintage version of the 1125 bracelet and tried it on my FOIS. See edited first post.
Here is a comparison of the modern and the vintage 1125 bracelet.

MODERN 1125 (left)
Three rows of arched links
Taper 19 mm – 16 mm
Width clasp cover 17 mm
Length clasp cover 33 mm
Smooth clasp cover, small tab for opening
Push pins for extra links
Cover inscription: Omega-Logo in bas-relief against square, blackened background
Clasp inscriptions etched: 32 (in circle), Stainless steel, 1125, Omega-Logo in triangle (pointed corners), OMEGA
Friction based closure with hook between the hinges.

Vintage 1125 (right)
Three rows of arched links
Taper 19 mm – 14,5 mm
Width clasp cover 15,5 mm
Length clasp cover 29 mm
Clasp cover with grooves on each side, small tab for opening
Screwed pins for extra links
Cover inscription: Omega-Logo in relief.
Clasp inscriptions stamped: 11 (in circle), Stainless steel, 1125, Omega-Logo in triangle (round corners), OMEGA
Friction based closure with hole and small hook.







Good news for the small wrists:
By removing all extra links and using the last hole in the clasp cover, the vintage 1125 can be shortened to 13,5 cm and the modern one even to approx. 13 cm

 

im following this with immense interest as the FOIS is the only one i seem to like since trading away the reduced. Was concerned no bracelet can go on it.

 

If only there FOISs had hesalit instead of sapphire... Then it would be a must have watch for me....

 

I had my FOIS on the Speedy Racing bracelet. I recently bought a deployant and the Speedy Racing rubber strap. I like the integrated look of the rubber strap. I'm thinking of getting a custom made Snoopy strap from Jean Rousseau whenever they open back up also of 19mm taper to 18mm like the Speedy Racing rubber strap. The 19mm lug width is kind of annoying because most of the OEM 19mm straps are 19 tapering to 16mm and I don't like the 16mm taper.

 

I have a hesalite-converted FOIS with bracelet I’m considering selling. The second picture is in front of what’s left of the Gemini Launch Pad and the third is in front of the active Delta Launch Pad.

 

There's a UK-based eBay seller who's selling what appears to be a knockoff of the 1068 bracelet, but just calls it an "Omega beads of rice" bracelet. I recently bought one of them and test-fitted to my FOIS, and it somewhat fits, though with fitment issues similar to what was described in the first post of this thread.


It's worth noting that the "beads of rice" themselves, although being solid rather than the folded links of the original, aren't all that "beady", and are more like miniature jubilee links. In addition, the end links required some fiddling with small pliers before they would fit even semi-properly, and one can see there is still a bit of a gap towards the case, as well as the ends not sitting flush with the lugs. Finally, the bracelet came with every single link polished, and the brushing on the outer links is a modification I made myself with a scouring pad. For 38 GBP (translated into, in my case, about $52) and a bit of elbow grease, I thought it was a worthwhile value.

 

Mine's on a Speedy Racing and is my favorite watch

 

A FOIS on a Speedy Racing bracelet? How’s that going?

 

A photo please

 

Probably looks like this picture from earlier in the thread

 

Did you ever end up putting a Forstner on your FOIS?