Community Stories

Forstner bands relaunched

Gruesome
Posts
282
Likes
206
My polished/brushed Flat Link band arrived today. It was a bit tricky to fit it to my Portugieser Chronograph, even though the end links fit almost perfectly. The lug holes on the IWC are right towards the inner edge of the holes in the end link, so I had to use the spring bars provided with this band. They are more flexible, so it's easier to get the tiny amount of bend that is needed.

Adjusting the length was almost as tricky; even with the band taped down it was very difficult to apply enough torque with two 1.4mm screw drivers. I heated one screw, assuming there was thread locker in there, but that doesn't seem to be the case? Heating helped anyway. On the second screw I heated the same side, but this turned out to be the hollow rod. I applied heat for a good twenty seconds or so, so maybe it got all the way to the threads on the other side....

Fit seems perfect, leaving the band at maximum length (last hole in the clasp) hides all stretchy links under the clasp.
Some pics:
iwc_forstner_flatlink_1-jpg.15469092


iwc_forstner_flatlink_2-jpg.15469094
Edited:
 
marco
Posts
1,278
Likes
3,069
Anyone put a "flat link" on a vintage SM300 ?
This is such a handsome bracelet that I want to put it on something appropriate.
Pics would be great
 
Slevin kelevra
Posts
626
Likes
2,700
Forstnerbands Forstnerbands
Really, you only need a micro screwdriver and something to hold the other screw in place. It could be another screw driver or some other small flat object
I find this very difficult to actually achieve as the screw heads are so small. I鈥檓 really liking the bracelet but I must admit, I鈥檓 a little put off by the two screw head approach.

I鈥檝e changed a million links on a large variety of bracelets but I could get any of the links on yours to budge. I gave up trying to remove links and put the bracelet back in the box, will tackle again on a rainy day.
 
Gruesome
Posts
282
Likes
206
Forstnerbands, can you confirm there is no thread locker (Loctite or similar) used on the screws in the band? I found the torque needed to break the screws loose higher than what I can apply holding two watch screw drivers with my fingers (i.e. no pliers). I succeeded after applying heat (with the tip of a small soldering iron) for a good 20 seconds.
 
Forstnerbands
Posts
173
Likes
662
Gruesome Gruesome
Forstnerbands, can you confirm there is no thread locker (Loctite or similar) used on the screws in the band? I found the torque needed to break the screws loose higher than what I can apply holding two watch screw drivers with my fingers (i.e. no pliers). I succeeded after applying heat (with the tip of a small soldering iron) for a good 20 seconds.

Yeah no loctite or anything like that. Once you make it budge it's very easy to unscrew the rest of the way. If you're having a tough time keeping one screwdriver still, you may want to hold one screwdriver with a towel or glove or something that will give you a better grip.

My personal approach to unscrewing is to rest the bracelet screw on top of a screwdriver pointing up so the weight of the bracelet helps keep the screw locked into the screwdriver. Then I unscrew from the top. It's almost like a vertical clamp. I'll post a video of this approach soon in the hopes that it helps those who are less familiar with this screw system.
 
Archer
Posts
27,677
Likes
70,319
Slevin kelevra Slevin kelevra
I find this very difficult to actually achieve as the screw heads are so small. I鈥檓 really liking the bracelet but I must admit, I鈥檓 a little put off by the two screw head approach.

I鈥檝e changed a million links on a large variety of bracelets but I could get any of the links on yours to budge. I gave up trying to remove links and put the bracelet back in the box, will tackle again on a rainy day.

Gruesome Gruesome
Forstnerbands, can you confirm there is no thread locker (Loctite or similar) used on the screws in the band? I found the torque needed to break the screws loose higher than what I can apply holding two watch screw drivers with my fingers (i.e. no pliers). I succeeded after applying heat (with the tip of a small soldering iron) for a good 20 seconds.

If you are struggling, you may want to look into a screw jig, like this:

https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-6730-watch-band-screw-remover-tool/

No affiliation with the seller...
 
Forstnerbands
Posts
173
Likes
662
Gruesome Gruesome
Forstnerbands, can you confirm there is no thread locker (Loctite or similar) used on the screws in the band? I found the torque needed to break the screws loose higher than what I can apply holding two watch screw drivers with my fingers (i.e. no pliers). I succeeded after applying heat (with the tip of a small soldering iron) for a good 20 seconds.

Posted a video on the site:

https://forstnerbands.com/pages/using-your-forstner-flat-link
 
Caliber561
Posts
1,501
Likes
2,569
I just received my bracelet today, and it seems that there are a couple of issues with it.

First, the clasp must have shimmied out of position when the micro-adjust holes were being stamped, because they don't line up with each other and make the clasp cover sit high and tilted from the rest of the bracelet.
clasp side 3.jpg clasp side 2.jpg clasp side 1.jpg



Second, one of the bracelet's end links doesn't let the bracelet articulate around it, which causes it to flare out rather than drop back. I think another member mentioned this in an earlier post.
end link stuck.jpg



Also, it seems the end links don't fit on the Railmaster Trilogy either, which is a bit of a shame. It's not exactly an "issue" though because this bracelet was designed for the Speedmaster.
 
Forstnerbands
Posts
173
Likes
662
Caliber561 Caliber561
I just received my bracelet today, and it seems that there are a couple of issues with it.

First, the clasp must have shimmied out of position when the micro-adjust holes were being stamped, because they don't line up with each other and make the clasp cover sit high and tilted from the rest of the bracelet.
clasp side 3.jpg clasp side 2.jpg clasp side 1.jpg



Second, one of the bracelet's end links doesn't let the bracelet articulate around it, which causes it to flare out rather than drop back. I think another member mentioned this in an earlier post.
end link stuck.jpg



Also, it seems the end links don't fit on the Railmaster Trilogy either, which is a bit of a shame. It's not exactly an "issue" though because this bracelet was designed for the Speedmaster.

please DM me about yours - you may have received a defective bracelet which we would replace. Re #2, we made the tolerance of the end links intentionally tight with the bracelet itself so it would gradually drape around the wrist when using thicker bars. The clasp issue seems abnormal though.
 
abrod520
Posts
11,806
Likes
38,238
Forstnerbands Forstnerbands
My personal approach to unscrewing is to rest the bracelet screw on top of a screwdriver pointing up so the weight of the bracelet helps keep the screw locked into the screwdriver. Then I unscrew from the top.

This is the method I settled on, but it was difficult finding something to keep a screwdriver pointed upwards with. I did find that some screws were very difficult to budge at first, compared to some which were about standard effort.
 
bikehomero
Posts
458
Likes
2,135
Looks great and the flexlinks are a unique feature nowadays. Just ordered my flatlink and will try to fit it to my Speedmaster Pro and as well to the Watchco SM 300. Will post fotos asap.
 
H
Posts
14
Likes
130
6848E059-55F0-41BC-AB7A-AE03F9D3FB49.jpeg
I have a 7 in wrist and I think it鈥檚 perfect. I always found the oem bracelet too chunky. The bigger wrist bros out there might prefer the oem bracelet though. For reference to those who are getting the flat link in soon is I took off 4 links and put the clasp at the very last notch. I believe two on each side from how it arrived.

also I recommend just investing in another 1.4mm precision flat head. I fiddled with it for about 30 minutes with various household items before giving up and going to Home Depot.
 
Candle00
Posts
347
Likes
1,075
Forstnerbands Forstnerbands
Hi all, does anyone have a CK-2998 limited edition who would be willing to test our 19mm flat link bracelet solid end links to see if they fit? The fit is great on the FOIS but I鈥檓 not sure if it would also work with the LE models.

If so please feel free to send me a DM. Thanks again to the community!


Looks great. Is this the Polished/Brushed option of Full Brushed? Asking as I have a FOIS and looking for comparison
 
Forstnerbands
Posts
173
Likes
662
Candle00 Candle00
Looks great. Is this the Polished/Brushed option of Full Brushed? Asking as I have a FOIS and looking for comparison
That鈥檚 the polished/brushed 馃榾
 
J
Posts
5
Likes
2
I have a polished/brushed bracelet on the way for my FOIS. I was hoping I would get it today, but the USPS tracking hasn't updated in 4 days now. Classic. 馃榾
 
Candle00
Posts
347
Likes
1,075
J jasonnolanreed
I have a polished/brushed bracelet on the way for my FOIS. I was hoping I would get it today, but the USPS tracking hasn't updated in 4 days now. Classic. 馃榾

Feel free to share some snaps when it eventually gets to you 馃榾
 
Pazzo
Posts
795
Likes
1,156
timestamp timestamp
.....

A suggestion for the next iteration - the one thing I feel is less than perfect are the inner clasp hinges sticking out from under the bracelet. My guess is it's because of a combination of a) very long hinges in relation to clasp cover b) ...........

C9DFF53F-A7DC-40D1-9521-02285100E926.jpeg

+1
 
Forstnerbands
Posts
173
Likes
662
Pazzo Pazzo
+1
I think this has been suggested before so apologies if I鈥檓 being redundant but if you size the bracelet to the tightest micro adjustment setting possible on the clasp, the elastic links will be mostly hidden and therefore the clasp hinge should stay hidden.
 
Pazzo
Posts
795
Likes
1,156
Forstnerbands Forstnerbands
........ but if you size the bracelet to the tightest micro adjustment setting possible on the clasp, the elastic links will be mostly hidden and therefore the clasp hinge should stay hidden.

It might be that I'm not understanding you correctly so please forgive me if I am.

Don't we usually micro adjust the length on a bracelet from the other end of the clasp, leaving the part where we lift up to open on the furthest outer hole?
 
154 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

DoctorEvil

Forstner flat link bracelet failure

DoctorEvil Open Discussion
Waltesefalcon
Waltesefalcon
Posts
21
Views
2K
DaveK

Forstner 19mm 7-Row Beads of Rice (BOR) Stainless Steel Watch Bracelet

DaveK Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
DaveK
DaveK
Posts
1
Views
861
DaveK

Forstner Beads of Rice, 19 mm (7-row)

DaveK Wanted To Buy
DaveK
DaveK
Posts
0
Views
2K
N

Forstner Bracelets?

njlam Modern Omega Watches
Rocketeer61
Rocketeer61
Posts
20
Views
1K
Dimitar Adamski

Forstner flat and US bracelets ,both with Omega clasps

Dimitar Adamski Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
Dimitar Adamski
Dimitar Adamski
Posts
0
Views
2K
K

Will any of Uncle Seiko/Forstner "FOIS" bracelet fit a vintage Seamaster 168.023?

knng Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
uk_onega
uk_onega
Posts
10
Views
2K