Community Stories

Flat link - Forstner or Uncle Seiko?

Uncle Seiko
Posts
162
Likes
705
Candle00 Candle00
Added a Forstner Flat Link (fully brushed) to my FOIS the other day. Pretty happy with the quality but fitting/resizing was a bit finicky.

WhatsApp Image 2021-01-14 at 8.04.11 AM.jpeg

He sent me one of his bracelets, which was very kind of him. Without a doubt the most difficult sizing of any bracelet in my experience. Wowzers. I never wished i had a 3rd arm before. Lol. He said he was going to change that on the next batch.
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,810
Uncle Seiko Uncle Seiko
He sent me one of his bracelets, which was very kind of him. Without a doubt the most difficult sizing of any bracelet in my experience. Wowzers. I never wished i had a 3rd arm before. Lol. He said he was going to change that on the next batch.
I did not want to resize mine on my own, so my watchmaker made himself a tool! Basically a slab of acrylic with a scredriver bit mounted in a hole and I think it had a set screw. Took him almost no time at all.

I guess that's why he's driving a vintage BMW convertible (M3 I think it was).
 
Candle00
Posts
348
Likes
1,076
Uncle Seiko Uncle Seiko
He sent me one of his bracelets, which was very kind of him. Without a doubt the most difficult sizing of any bracelet in my experience. Wowzers. I never wished i had a 3rd arm before. Lol. He said he was going to change that on the next batch.

Yes, I had to enlist the help of my significant other to get the job done
 
Forstnerbands
Posts
173
Likes
662
Uncle Seiko Uncle Seiko
He sent me one of his bracelets, which was very kind of him. Without a doubt the most difficult sizing of any bracelet in my experience. Wowzers. I never wished i had a 3rd arm before. Lol. He said he was going to change that on the next batch.
Surprised it was that difficult, it's a pretty common screw system. Notice how we don't ever publicly dump on your products - would appreciate the same courtesy.
 
Jr86
Posts
41
Likes
24
Cool tension guys..

Did someone tried the 19mm Forstner flat link into a speedy day-date?

I assume that the reduced flat link from USeiko would fit, as it’s 18mm too ?!
 
Dms5150
Posts
134
Likes
133
Looking forward to trying both these bracelets soon!

One question, does anyone know if they'll also be doing 1039 versions of these?

The 1039 had a slightly wider outer link designed for the lugs of the Professional, as seen in this great post:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/fro...ge-seamaster-and-speedmaster-bracelets.45883/

Both these bracelets have the narrower 1035 outerlinks but with the option of 19 or 20mm endlinks, which makes them interchangable between FOIS and Professional Speedies, but not quite wide enough for the 20mm endlinks imho.
 
wilderbeast
Posts
911
Likes
4,393
I went with Forstner for my FOIS and installed it today. Really pleased with the results - The flatlink really looks stunning with the FOIS (with the brushed/polished finish). Vintage style, but brand new and shiny!

Contrary to some reports, I found resizing it pretty painless. I think patience and headspace are key!

E61906C5-A51B-4DCC-B63C-5345E92952AE.jpeg
 
DoctorEvil
Posts
1,725
Likes
3,368
wilderbeast wilderbeast
I went with Forstner for my FOIS and installed it today. Really pleased with the results - The flatlink really looks stunning with the FOIS (with the brushed/polished finish). Vintage style, but brand new and shiny!

Contrary to some reports, I found resizing it pretty painless. I think patience and headspace are key!

E61906C5-A51B-4DCC-B63C-5345E92952AE.jpeg
That looks great! Seriously considering the Forstner flat link once the leather strap on my FOIS finally wears out.
 
leafy
Posts
76
Likes
470
wilderbeast wilderbeast
I went with Forstner for my FOIS and installed it today. Really pleased with the results - The flatlink really looks stunning with the FOIS (with the brushed/polished finish). Vintage style, but brand new and shiny!

Contrary to some reports, I found resizing it pretty painless. I think patience and headspace are key!

E61906C5-A51B-4DCC-B63C-5345E92952AE.jpeg

That looks really nice! I can't wait till their 1450-style bracelet comes out.
 
Dsloan
Posts
3,616
Likes
24,373
Just joined the Forstner club - brushed flat link for my 3594. The stretchy links are what sold me vs the Uncle Seiko. (That said I have some US tropic straps that I really enjoy too; both seem like great brands).

IMG_20210327_215127.jpg
 
DoctorEvil
Posts
1,725
Likes
3,368
PXL_20210419_063847748.jpg
Finally pulled the trigger on a Forstner flat link (brushed/polished) for my Speedy FOIS. It was supposed to be for when the leather strap wore out but it arrived in the mail today and I couldn't help myself. Had to try it on!

Looks great and is so comfortable to wear. I think mine is the latest version as it only has one long screw which goes through the whole link rather than two screws as I've seen on some reviews. Makes resizing the bracelet very straightforward. Full marks to Forstner for the redesign. The end links were also very easy to take on and off, so switching back to the leather strap is easy too. Love it!
 
wilderbeast
Posts
911
Likes
4,393
However much a FOIS suits a wide variety of straps (like any Speedy), I really do think it sings on a flatlink bracelet - just feels so right!
 
DIV
Posts
1,303
Likes
1,812
Both brands seem to have exceptional Flatlink bracelets, but I wonder if they are interchangeable as it looks like only Uncle Seiko offers an 18mm endlinks ....?
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,810
DIV DIV
Both brands seem to have exceptional Flatlink bracelets, but I wonder if they are interchangeable as it looks like only Uncle Seiko offers an 18mm endlinks ....?
The center link width is somewhat different. I don't recall whose is smaller.
 
DIV
Posts
1,303
Likes
1,812
SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
The center link width is somewhat different. I don't recall whose is smaller.
Thanks for the heads pup....
Larry (@Forstnerbands): any plans to release an 18mm Flatlink that I can fit to a Ranchero?
 
Uncle Seiko
Posts
162
Likes
705
DIV DIV
Both brands seem to have exceptional Flatlink bracelets, but I wonder if they are interchangeable as it looks like only Uncle Seiko offers an 18mm endlinks ....?

I have bracelets available for the 18mm Reduced line. They are not compatible with other bracelets I offer though (19/20mm are the same bracelet, different end-links. 18mm is different from both).
 
P
Posts
112
Likes
290
Really like the flat link bracelet, one of the best Omega bacelet...
 
Twocats
Posts
1,070
Likes
5,853
Uncle Seiko Uncle Seiko
I have bracelets available for the 18mm Reduced line. They are not compatible with other bracelets I offer though (19/20mm are the same bracelet, different end-links. 18mm is different from both).
Will your 18mm fit this Speedy ? Wife is not keen on the white leather and refuses to wear the pink NATO so a bracelet would make it look amazing. That’s my wrist in the NATO just to be clear.
CFDC01A1-8BB2-446D-A218-9CEBE9D4225D.jpeg
 
Uncle Seiko
Posts
162
Likes
705
Twocats Twocats
Will your 18mm fit this Speedy ? Wife is not keen on the white leather and refuses to wear the pink NATO so a bracelet would make it look amazing. That’s my wrist in the NATO just to be clear.
CFDC01A1-8BB2-446D-A218-9CEBE9D4225D.jpeg

Yes, it would fit
 
Twocats
Posts
1,070
Likes
5,853
Uncle Seiko Uncle Seiko
Yes, it would fit
Thanks, just ordered two 18mm and a US1450 20mm with additional 19mm end links, all set now.
 
28 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

R

Omega flat link bracelet + end links Forstner.

Rioveggite67 Modern Omega Watches
R
Rioveggite67
Posts
11
Views
363
140dave

Uncle Seiko 1035 Bracelet with Omega Clasp & 19mm SEL FOIS & CK2998

140dave Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
140dave
140dave
Posts
1
Views
409
sathomasga

Forstner Flat Link Bracelet for Omega Speedmaster FOIS / CK2998 (19mm), Fully Brushed

sathomasga Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
sathomasga
sathomasga
Posts
1
Views
179
M

Does the Uncle Seiko US1171 fit flush on the 3861 Speedmaster?

m.martinez818 Modern Omega Watches
M
m.martinez818
Posts
0
Views
353
fskywalker

Forstner 1450 / Flat Link Bracelet Endlinks for Rolex Explorer 1 / Omega Aqua Terra 42 MM

fskywalker Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
fskywalker
fskywalker
Posts
10
Views
955
140dave

Uncle Seiko 1035 flatlink Speedmaster Bracelet 20mm New Unworn Omega Clasp

140dave Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
140dave
140dave
Posts
1
Views
1K