I've mostly been a flat-link guy, wandered into 1171 land, and have now purchased a Speedmaster with this bracelet. Is it me, or do these mostly suck? Who designed this thing, there are like two, tiny micro adjustments? Anything out there that will fit that's more accommodating? Thanks.

 

End-links marked 849, otherwise, completely unmarked. Is that odd?

 

They suck. Not in the way you like.

 

I will introduce the bracelet to my wife...

 

That looks nothing like an 1171 to me. That is more like the 1998/849 bracelet used on the 3570. The 1171 has a push/click clasp with adjustment. If it has no markings, maybe yours is a fake 1998.

 

all modern watch bracelets pretty much suck. The neo-flat link on the Trilogy watches is not terrible, but it's still very heavy compared with an old flat-link Omega or Rolex Oyster etc.

 

+1 on horrible. They look too busy.

 

+1, the only modern one I like is the 1171/633 that you can order from OB, way lighter, easier to adjust and still get a retro look. Otherwise I bought some 1039 for my other speedies

 

I think the only downside to modern bracelets is that the clasps tend to be quite thick. The glidelock mechanism on the Rolex Oyster bracelet adds quite a bit of thickness to the clasp compared to an old stamped clasp for example. But to me the extra functionality is worth it.

That said, most modern bracelets do in fact suck. The oyster bracelet is probably one of the few I enjoy having on my wrist.

 

Uhuh. Old bracelets are charming but insubstantial with their folded links, broken spring links, stretched links and bent clasps. Don’t even get me started on the hollow end links which can rotate and scratch cases. There is a reason why the bracelets got heavier. You may not like the later designs but don’t kid yourself that the 1960s rattley thing you just paid £1k for is any better built. It really isn’t.

ps the modern 1171 or 1125 are crap too. £350 for something Seiko would be ashamed to charge £20 for. I would love a 7912 but I wouldn’t pretend it was well built!

Wow that was a bit ranty. It must be the drink!

 

Well, nobody's saying bracelets used to be built better, they were just designed better from an aesthetic standpoint (though I do think that stretch links should come back). You raise good points, but keep in mind vintage bracelets are readily repairable

 

Never said they were better built. I gave three reasons: Lighter, easier to adjust (never managed to get any modern speed bracelet to the perfect fit.), and look.
Going down that route why would you buy vintage watches ? Same thinking process could be applied.

 

Totally agree that the newer bracelets are more substantial, and better built, as you say, but despite that fact, from a wearability perspective, they have far fewer fans than the flat-links. So, at the end of the day, who cares if they're more robust if you don't really like using it?

 

It really doesn’t make much sense does it to make a bracelet super beefy when it’s only as strong as the pins that hold it together.

The Omega adjustable bracelets from the late fifties early sixties work very well and with a slim profile. There are at least two models that slide to fit with the push of a button. Now 60 years later, its considered a brilliant innovation to have micro adjustments.

The flatlinks with stretchlinks are also quite nice and sensible and imminently wearable, just like their rivet brethren. Seems most vintage lovers prefer comfort and gracefully aging materials, where as a contemporary timepieces have to be impervious to any signs of wear and built for “survival.”




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You can still order the 1171/633 bracelet? From where? What’s OB?

 

Yes you can. Pm me and I can give you my contact. Or you can call your local OB and they should be able to assist.

 

I'm still not sold on the claim that modern bracelets are better built. They're heavier yes, but the engineering difficulty is making something like a bracelet strong and light not just heavy. Anyone can add substance to increase strength/durability.

Has anyone had an old flat link bracelet fail on them (even though they're 50 years old)?

I'm pinning my colours to the older bracelets. In my opinion they look and wear better, are lighter and are just as durable, if not more so than modern bracelets.

 

Fair point, perhaps the truly old ones are decent. My experience with the 1171 and 1125 bracelets of 70s and later vintage ain’t so great though, they seem to stretch quite badly and don’t impress me particularly. 1998s don’t stretch. I am not sure the expanding links on the earlier ones are always perfect though...

I am speaking purely from practicalities. The aesthetics of the earlier ones are streets ahead.

 

Yes as @Taddyangle said you can just go to your OB and order it from factory, it's coming with modern 633s. Or you can contact @Taddyangle to keep it within the OF Family !

The latest picture I've with it: