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Flat link - Forstner or Uncle Seiko?

Gav1967
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C citerbater
The Forstner endlinks have a shorter mid-link section which articulates over the wrist a little better, for me. But the stock clasp is a bit too long and some people have pointed out that the stretch links make it so that a portion of the clasp gets exposed when you wear it on a bracelet.
I have no idea what this means. 😕
 
DoctorEvil
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Gav1967 Gav1967
I have no idea what this means. 😕
This:
PXL_20210807_021135855.jpg

Notice the clasp poking out from under the bracelet.
However, mostly it looks fine:
PXL_20210807_021424224.jpg


Unfortunately I don't have photos of an Uncle Seiko flat link to compare the end links but this thread does:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/ome...tnerbands-flatlink-a-pictorial-review.120591/

The Uncle Seiko end links forms a distinct ledge on the mid section whilst the Forstner end link mid section is recessed. This is my Forstner:
PXL_20210807_022102521.jpg


Hope this helps you. Cheers!
 
Gav1967
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DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
This:
PXL_20210807_021135855.jpg

Notice the clasp poking out from under the bracelet.
However, mostly it looks fine:
PXL_20210807_021424224.jpg


Unfortunately I don't have photos of an Uncle Seiko flat link to compare the end links but this thread does:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/ome...tnerbands-flatlink-a-pictorial-review.120591/

The Uncle Seiko end links forms a distinct ledge on the mid section whilst the Forstner end link mid section is recessed. This is my Forstner:
PXL_20210807_022102521.jpg


Hope this helps you. Cheers!
Thanks

I have both bracelets and love them both to be honest. Great value and very comfortable.
 
nicolamilton
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I'd wait to see new Forstner flat link update and 1450 models release.
 
Donn Chambers
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I just purchased a Forstner because my US was pretty scratched up and I wanted to try one. I find it drapes a little better and is more comfortable to wear tighter than the US because of the expansion links, and the links are easier to remove because of the screws. I was surprised the expansion links are on only one side, though. Thought they would be on both sides and still think it would expand better if they were on the 6 o’clock side of the bracelet and not the 12 o’clock side.

You can’t go wrong with either, if I had to pick one, it would probably be the Forstner.
 
Pazzo
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
....

.. and is more comfortable to wear tighter than the US because of the expansion links, ...

.. You can’t go wrong with either, if I had to pick one, it would probably be the Forstner.


@Uncle Seiko - What are the chances of ever producing stretch links your US1035 please?
 
spe777
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I really like Uncle Seiko a lot, and own many of his straps/bracelets, but I feel the Forstner bracelets are just so much higher quality. The only difficult thing with mine was removing the link screws before this was redesigned recently.
 
Pazzo
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spe777 spe777
... , but I feel the Forstner bracelets are just so much higher quality. ..
..... .

I'm curious. In what way exactly?
 
spe777
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Pazzo Pazzo
I'm curious. In what way exactly?

I feel like the construction is higher quality. I also like the expanding bracelet links which I don't believe the US version has. Other than the complicated bracelet link system (which you'll likely only do once), it's a pretty easy decision for me.
 
Pazzo
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Had Forstner's used the pin system instead of the screws and the clip was shorter a decision between the two would have been a tough one.
On the other hand, Forstner's do the solid end-links and that nice embossed logo on their flat-link bracelet.

If one would mix & match the two products, one would end up with the ultimate bracelet, imho. ... 😀
 
spe777
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I have heard the same from others before--borrow some from both to make the ultimate bracelet. Sure seems like a lot of money (buying 2 bracelets) for very minimal gain, but hey, whatever floats your boat!
 
SkunkPrince
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spe777 spe777
I have heard the same from others before--borrow some from both to make the ultimate bracelet. Sure seems like a lot of money (buying 2 bracelets) for very minimal gain, but hey, whatever floats your boat!
In the case of the flat link, the dimensions are sufficiently different enough that you can't really mix and match much.

In my case, the Forstner end links fit my WatchCo Seamaster 300 where the Uncle Seiko did not. To get an Omega clasp cover, I had to change the entire clasp.
 
G
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I saw that Forstner recently released end links for the 2021 Speedmaster Professional. Has anyone seen/tried them in person?
 
S
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G GoBlueJedi
I saw that Forstner recently released end links for the 2021 Speedmaster Professional. Has anyone seen/tried them in person?

Yes, got the Forstner Flat Link for the 3861 and installed it today. I think the end links line up really nicely with the case.

Forgive the potato quality but attached are some pics.

Overall very impressed with the quality. The stretchy links are great.

Of course, I would have preferred a milled clasp over a stamped one. Forstner is apparently developing a "contemporary" flat link bracelet with more substantial links and a milled clasp (https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ13-TDrIIS/?utm_medium=copy_link) but they didn't say when it would be ready so I pulled the trigger on the current version.
Edited:
 
20211111_164517.jpg 20211111_164111.jpg
S
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DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
This:
PXL_20210807_021135855.jpg

Notice the clasp poking out from under the bracelet.
However, mostly it looks fine:

The clip on my clasp is nowhere near as long as the one in your pic (it barely extends beyond the clasp) so it must have been redesigned since your purchase.
 
20211111_172408.jpg
DoctorEvil
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S s0ckpupp3t
The clip on my clasp is nowhere near as long as the one in your pic (it barely extends beyond the clasp) so it must have been redesigned since your purchase.
That's interesting. I note that your clasp cover has more holes in it than mine. So it looks like the new clasp cover is indeed a bit longer. IMHO I think that's an improvement as it looks better and gives a wider range of micro adjustment. It seems that the design of the flat link bracelet is gradually evolving as the earlier versions had two screws securing each link. Mine only has one long screw going all the way across each link.
PXL_20211112_015305986.jpg
 
Forstnerbands
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DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
That's interesting. I note that your clasp cover has more holes in it than mine. So it looks like the new clasp cover is indeed a bit longer. IMHO I think that's an improvement as it looks better and gives a wider range of micro adjustment. It seems that the design of the flat link bracelet is gradually evolving as the earlier versions had two screws securing each link. Mine only has one long screw going all the way across each link.
PXL_20211112_015305986.jpg
You are correct! We made gradual updates to the flat link bracelet, including changing the screw system and updating the clasp. Both the polished/brushed and fully brushed versions have these updates now.
 
S
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Forstnerbands Forstnerbands
You are correct! We made gradual updates to the flat link bracelet, including changing the screw system and updating the clasp. Both the polished/brushed and fully brushed versions have these updates now.

Thanks for joining this thread. I’m really enjoying wearing the bracelet. It’s one of the most comfortable bracelets I’ve ever worn.

Any updates on the contemporary flat link that’s in development?
 
C
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Great info. Has anyone had experience with Squinky’ flat link band Been interested to here comments.
 
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