Community Stories

Forstner flat link bracelet failure

DoctorEvil
Posts
1,724
Likes
3,366
Purchased a Forstner "classic fit" flat link bracelet for my Speedmaster FOIS in February 2021. Sadly, the stretchy links on it have now started to give up the ghost and lose elasticity. Whilst this doesn't render the bracelet unusable, it does look rather ugly. Almost like crooked teeth. Don't know if anyone else on this forum has encountered this issue as well with the flat link bracelet. Very disappointing as this bracelet is otherwise attractive and comfortable to wear.
PXL_20241025_102624668.webp PXL_20241025_092153041.webp PXL_20241025_102720360.webp
 
Scarecrow Boat
Posts
6,598
Likes
26,722
DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
Very disappointing
It has happened to other members. Just reach out to the company as they have great customer service and will help you.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/is-this-happening-to-your-forstner-1450-bracelet.140857/ Cover Image
Thread 'Is this happening to your Forstner 1450 bracelet?' ·
I'm curious to know if what I have is a defective one off or are others in this forum also experiencing the same issue with their Forstner 1450 bracelets? I purchased the Forstner 1450 bracelet...
crumbsnatcher74 ·
https://omegaforums.net/threads/forstner-flat-link-defective-bracelet-great-support.140897/ Cover Image
Thread 'Forstner flat link - defective bracelet & great support' ·
Edit 2:
New bracelet came today, it feels just how it’s supposed to. Forstner was very helpful along the way, they also threw in some extra goodies, for which i can’t thank them enough! I’m really...
vct4 ·
 
DoctorEvil
Posts
1,724
Likes
3,366
Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
It has happened to other members. Just reach out to the company as they have great customer service and will help you.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/is-this-happening-to-your-forstner-1450-bracelet.140857/ Cover Image
Thread 'Is this happening to your Forstner 1450 bracelet?' ·
I'm curious to know if what I have is a defective one off or are others in this forum also experiencing the same issue with their Forstner 1450 bracelets? I purchased the Forstner 1450 bracelet...
crumbsnatcher74 ·
https://omegaforums.net/threads/forstner-flat-link-defective-bracelet-great-support.140897/ Cover Image
Thread 'Forstner flat link - defective bracelet & great support' ·
Edit 2:
New bracelet came today, it feels just how it’s supposed to. Forstner was very helpful along the way, they also threw in some extra goodies, for which i can’t thank them enough! I’m really...
vct4 ·
Thanks for the links to the threads. I suppose I could give it a try and contact Forstner bands, but given that my bracelet is well outside the warranty period I'd be very surprised if they offered me a replacement. I suspect that these stretchy link failures are likely the result of a design flaw rather than a QC issue, so I'd rather get a new bracelet without stretchy links.
 
Scarecrow Boat
Posts
6,598
Likes
26,722
DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
given that my bracelet is well outside the warranty period I'd be very surprised if they offered me a replacement.
In the first link I sent you, Forstners said this:
Forstnerbands Forstnerbands
Don't worry about the year warranty expiring for this sort of thing - if the spring links fail, we'll take care of you.

DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
I suspect that these stretchy link failures are likely the result of a design flaw rather than a QC issue, so I'd rather get a new bracelet without stretchy links.
The failure rate for the 1450 became so great Forstners created the non stretch bracelet. For customers that already purchased the stretch version, and experienced failures, they offered non stretch links as a replacement option. So it’s worth asking if they ever made those for the flat link. If not, this was also posted in the first link I shared:
Dsloan Dsloan
They just sent me a mk 2 flatlink bracelet because I had an issue with the first generation version and the new parts are no longer compatible with it. I was just trying to see if there were any ways to salvage the band, and I didn't expect them to provide a compete new band for free.

Ultimately, my point is to reach out to them. They have great customer service.
 
Dsloan
Posts
3,616
Likes
24,373
I second what @Scarecrow Boat said!

They replaced my bracelet when the stretch links on my flatlink failed. I had the original version and the replacement links didn't work for me, so they just sent me a one of the new bracelets.
 
DoctorEvil
Posts
1,724
Likes
3,366
Thanks for the responses everyone. I've sent an e-mail to Forstner bands letting them know of the issue. My preference would be for replacement parts that would allow me to convert this bracelet to one that doesn't have stretchy links.
 
DoctorEvil
Posts
1,724
Likes
3,366
@Scarecrow Boat
@Dsloan

I just sent an e-mail to Forstner bands and asked if I could just have parts to repair the bracelet and convert it to one without stretchy links. Their response was immediate:

"We're really sorry for this issue! You're right, the order is more than 3 years old which is well beyond the warranty period. I've created a replacement order for the bracelet. The links were upgraded, so sending you just the links wouldn't work. Once shipped, you'll be notified via email along with a tracking number. Apologies again for the stretchy links issue! Thanks for being a valued customer and have a great day! 😀"

In short, they're going to replace the whole bracelet for free. And all this without prompting. Amazing customer service indeed!
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,994
AdamVT227 AdamVT227
it does give the feels of an original 60s omega flat link 😀
Mad props to Forstner for admitting a design flaw and making good on it. And even greater props for attempting to design a bracelet with the same feature as the vintage…but sadly learned the same hard lesson. I do not own a single stretch link bracelet (JBC, Zodiac, Rolex) that hasn’t has at least one or two links go slack.

The only vintage stretch link bracelets I own (not a Speidel or Fixoflex) that don’t suffer this fate are the Expandro’s. But they are not nearly as sexy as the rivet or flatlink stretchies.
 
hen
Posts
2,979
Likes
8,734
If I ever need a new bracelet, its going to be a Forstner!
 
rbob99
Posts
1,325
Likes
5,829
I am a huge fan of Forstner and have several. Thankfully, no problem with any of them.
 
Dsloan
Posts
3,616
Likes
24,373
Man, that makes me want to buy another bracelet from them right now. Resisting urge ...
 
josiahg52
Posts
1,480
Likes
3,020
Forstner sent me replacement non-spring links for my third-hand used 1450 to replace the sprung links. I wish their classic flat link was available without the spring links at all. The contemporary flat link is very nice, but only available with a honking big milled clasp, but I converted that to a old-fashioned pressure clasp with some difficulty.
 
SOG53
Posts
3,020
Likes
6,437
Tried NOS JB Champion for n 145.012 but not thrilled with 19mm on 20mm lug so got US flat link very nice as well.
IMG_0628.webp IMG_1125.webp IMG_1114.webp
 
Davidt
Posts
13,202
Likes
22,958
Unfortunate that’s the links failed but top customer service from Forstner.
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,994
SOG53 SOG53
Tried NOS JB Champion for n 145.012 but not thrilled with 19mm on 20mm lug so got US flat link very nice as well.
IMG_0628.webp IMG_1125.webp IMG_1114.webp

I have a couple of the vintage and yeah, that gap is a thing- if you are a purist then it just is what it is. I have the modern Forstner horned-lug and it’s a good fit
IMG_2086.webp
 
ErichPryde
Posts
3,876
Likes
8,381
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I have a couple of the vintage and yeah, that gap is a thing- if you are a purist then it just is what it is. I have the modern Forstner horned-lug and it’s a good fit
IMG_2086.webp

Just curious what ref this is?
 
ErichPryde
Posts
3,876
Likes
8,381
SOG53 SOG53
Tried NOS JB Champion for n 145.012 but not thrilled with 19mm on 20mm lug so got US flat link very nice as well.
IMG_0628.webp IMG_1125.webp IMG_1114.webp

Beautiful 145.012.
 
pkaye6
Posts
204
Likes
242
Now that's the way a company should deal with it's customers!
 
3 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

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
178
R

Omega flat link bracelet + end links Forstner.

Rioveggite67 Modern Omega Watches
R
Rioveggite67
Posts
11
Views
362
finn_boett

Help Identifying and Extending Flat Link Bracelet (Stamped 198.0031) for Seamaster 166.028

finn_boett Open Discussion
finn_boett
finn_boett
Posts
11
Views
584
Snowsquare

Best Omega-produced Flat link bracelet for Watchco SM300

Snowsquare Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Snowsquare
Snowsquare
Posts
4
Views
206
iamvr

Omega flat link bracelet 1035 with 630 end links , full length, excellent condition

iamvr Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
iamvr
iamvr
Posts
0
Views
176
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
953