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JwRosenthal
·really ... ?? i really do not have that concern ..... here is my accutron astronaut .. paired with the JB Champion USA bracelet ...... it has never scratch the inside of the lugs ... ever ........
Forstner bands relaunched
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JwRosenthal
·I really do not understand who started posting that concern concerning the end links damaging the inner surface of the lugs of a watch ... i can only confirm from personal experience using my JB Champion bracelets on several of my watches lug with 17mm thru
19mm and yes even on a watch who has 20mm lug width ... NEVER EVER have the end links damaged the inner surface of the lugs of any of my watches
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hmmmcamu
·The spring tension in endlinks of these Forstner is no where near what the old flexi’s were. I can push them back with my fingernail easily, not so with the older ones. The fear isn’t unfounded though
ahh perhaps with the bracelet u have i can see that ... but as far as i know from my personal experience the end links of the NASA bracelet has not damaged any of my watches ... again the NASA bracelet end links specific on any of my watches
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JwRosenthal
·ahh perhaps with the bracelet u have i can see that ... but as far as i know from my personal experience the end links of the NASA bracelet has not damaged any of my watches ... again the NASA bracelet end links specific on any of my watches
The original cheap stretchy ones were designed to work on 18 (sometimes 16) through 22mm so on anything less then 22mm they exerted real outward force to cover the pins. The original JB’s only sprung out to 19mm anyway so there was a gap and no force on 20mm- they kind of rattled around. The current Forster’s are designed to cover up to 20mm so the force on the lugs is minimal at 20, and on 18mm (which I have tried) it’s there but not so much that I can’t push them back with my fingernail.
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SkunkPrince
·Remember that "base metal" cases, no matter what they are plated with, are very soft. Steel is much harder. You might see a wear mark on a steel lug, but no groove.
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hmmmcamu
·I think there has been a blanket fear about these sprung endlinks as lug shredders for good reason- we see cases like the above all the time. And on sold gold watches it’s even worse as the metal is so soft.
The original cheap stretchy ones were designed to work on 18 (sometimes 16) through 22mm so on anything less then 22mm they exerted real outward force to cover the pins. The original JB’s only sprung out to 19mm anyway so there was a gap and no force on 20mm- they kind of rattled around. The current Forster’s are designed to cover up to 20mm so the force on the lugs is minimal at 20, and on 18mm (which I have tried) it’s there but not so much that I can’t push them back with my fingernail.
stainless steel on stainless steel no damage .. GOLD is a soft metal .. wrong lug case to compare ... like i said i own several stainless steel watches ...... NO DAMAGE from these end links what so ever
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerRemember that "base metal" cases, no matter what they are plated with, are very soft. Steel is much harder. You might see a wear mark on a steel lug, but no groove.
Well, if you say so...but my experience is quite different...from page 3...
This is a common issue with any sort of spring loaded end link. The damage is most often seen on softer cases, like this one that is 18k gold:
However, stainless steel cases are also affected:
Since there is nothing on the end link to keep it from moving relative to the case (as there typically is with fixed style end links) the relative motion of the parts, plus the pressure from the spring will eventually damage the case.
I usually advise my customers to avoid this sort of spring loaded end link, and people here have developed various work arounds to protect the cases from damage, such as fitting O-rings between the end link and the case.
Cheers, Al
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Gruesome
·I think it's nice that Forstner (whoever it is; the new Forstner) throws in some Kapton spacer disks, to help prevent damage to the inside of the lugs. I't s a bit like fixing your glasses with tape, but hey, your watch, your decision!
Also, depending on the watch and wrist the band is mounted on, it might actually be locked against the case when being worn, like on my IWC 3716: the bottom center of the Forstner end links is pulled tight against the bottom of the watch case. This prevents the end links from rotating against the lugs. (I added an extra bit of scotch tape at that spot.)
And finally, should the end links over the next few decades really slowly eat into the lugs, as shown in JW's and Al's pics: well, there are worse things in life. Do I really need that watch to outlive me?
Also, depending on the watch and wrist the band is mounted on, it might actually be locked against the case when being worn, like on my IWC 3716: the bottom center of the Forstner end links is pulled tight against the bottom of the watch case. This prevents the end links from rotating against the lugs. (I added an extra bit of scotch tape at that spot.)
And finally, should the end links over the next few decades really slowly eat into the lugs, as shown in JW's and Al's pics: well, there are worse things in life. Do I really need that watch to outlive me?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerAnd finally, should the end links over the next few decades really slowly eat into the lugs, as shown in JW's and Al's pics: well, there are worse things in life. Do I really need that watch to outlive me?
If someone still chooses to use these metal on metal, that’s fine. As long as they are aware of the issue, it’s up to them to decide.
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SkunkPrince
·Al, what is your experience with steel on steel with a person who keeps the watch clean versus the person whose watch is "filthy"? I would expect a difference but what magnitude?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerCertainly dirt accelerates the wear, but I have no way to accurately predict the magnitude of the difference.
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steffe
·Finally my bracelet has arrived! Extremely comfortable, but the best picture was off the wrist 🙄
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerWhat’s been your experience with metal on metal, in terms of wear, when the end-links do not have springs, vs when they do?
As I noted in my post on page 3, relative movement is an issue that compounds this wear. Most end links that are not spring loaded have some way of locking the end link to the case in a way that prevents that relative movement. On most it's a tab on the underside of the end link that contacts the underside of each lug. On the new 50th Speedmaster bracelet it's that bump on the end link that fits into a notch in the case.
The springs and that movement are what causes the wear. Since most end link designs don't move and don't have springs, the wear on the inside of the lugs just doesn't happen.
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M'Bob
·As I noted in my post on page 3, relative movement is an issue that compounds this wear. Most end links that are not spring loaded have some way of locking the end link to the case in a way that prevents that relative movement. On most it's a tab on the underside of the end link that contacts the underside of each lug. On the new 50th Speedmaster bracelet it's that bump on the end link that fits into a notch in the case.
The springs and that movement are what causes the wear. Since most end link designs don't move and don't have springs, the wear on the inside of the lugs just doesn't happen.
Yes, although I’ve seen numerous examples like the one below, in both stainless and gold, designed for pierced lugs. They have neither tabs to secure them, nor springs.
My guess would be that the external pressure from the springs cause more relative wear than the rotary motion, but I don’t have the experience to say so, hence the question.
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Ahvera
·The new 321 Ed White on a Forstner.
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Cenzo
·
I wore my band for about 3 weeks, and it did mark the inside of the lugs. I went to other bands for awhile, but put it back on yesterday and really LOVE the look. I sanded the insides of the horned ends to see if it helps. That outer mark looks like it would be outside of where the yellow dots would protect. (the dot did fall the first time I wore it). It looks like it came from the horned ends.
