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Forstner Flat Link Bracelet on a Seamaster 300

jeppehh
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Hi all

Wondering if anyone has has successfully fitted a Forstner Flat Link to a Seamaster 300.

Their website states that it only fits the Speedmaster, but since both cases have a similar shape and take 633 endlinks I was wondering.

"This bracelet was designed for the Speedmaster Professional and the First Omega in Space cases (which would include the CK2998 limited editions and Hodinkee 10th Anniversary limited edition). We cannot confirm whether the bracelet fits other models, in addition to these."
 
Concer
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It would be really surprising if it doesnt fit, since the cases are actually 1: 1.
I guess that with the band they are mainly targeting the speedmasters and that is why they simply didn't list the SM.
I actually wanted to order the bracelet but I already have the Flat Link from Uncle Seiko. I don't know whether there is such a big difference between the two bands that it would be worth buying the Forstner band too.

Does anyone have any experience?
 
SkunkPrince
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I tested the end links on my WatchCo Seamaster 300 and they didn't fit properly. I don't have an original so I can't comment on that.
 
Concer
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Hm ok, strange.

I’ve also sent “Forstnerbands” a message regarding this question. Their answer was:

“Thanks very much! Unfortunately I don’t know, but I expect they would not fit given that these were made specifically for the Speedmaster models listed.”
 
SkunkPrince
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That is strange, since he specifically sent me links to test and I replied that they didn't fit properly.
 
Concer
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Hm, but for the WatchCo version i remember that many also have had problems with the width of the original 516 endlinks also, so they have had to sand down the endlinks to fit them properly.

Could you measure the exact width between the lugs of your sm please?
 
SkunkPrince
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Concer Concer
Could you measure the exact width between the lugs of your sm please?

Don't know where my caliper went to but a good-quality ruler and a loupe, I get between 20.1 and 20.2mm.
 
Concer
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Ok, I’ve got 20.2 mm on my 166.024 also. But the width on my Moonwatch is ~20.2 mm, too.

Both, the 516 endlinks also the endlinks from the uncle seiko flat link bracelet fit properly on both watches. I dunno where the measurements of the Forstner endlinks will vary. Very strange.
 
eugeneandresson
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Concer Concer
It would be really surprising if it doesnt fit, since the cases are actually 1: 1.

This is actually not true at all. The cases between different flavours of seamasters and even speedmasters are not the same (even FOIS vs Trilogy vs new Ed White etc), and neither are the positioning of the holes relative to the lugs. This all is no problem on a flimsy bendable end-link (like the vintage 516's etc, which fit everything, and like Uncle Seiko, which will fit everything), but is a major problem on solid endlinks. This is exactly why Forstner says what he says, and why it fits what it fits (and why it does not fit what it does not fit).

As a side : the trilogy watches all have the same bracelet, but a different endlink, because of exactly the same reason.

Concer Concer
Very strange.

Hopefully not strange anymore 😉
 
Concer
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Oh, thanks for the clarification! I wasn't aware of that. I had just placed the two cases next to each other and I couldn't see any difference with the naked eye.
 
SkunkPrince
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eugeneandresson eugeneandresson
Can that not be bent to fit?
Unfortuately not, or at least not with my tools, and my watchmaker says he can't do it either.
 
eugeneandresson
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Unfortuately not, or at least not with my tools, and my watchmaker says he can't do it either.

Describe ‘long’ and what watch are you having a problem with?
 
SkunkPrince
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eugeneandresson eugeneandresson
Describe ‘long’ and what watch are you having a problem with?
Insufficient space between the case and the lug holes, so the end link tips up. WatchCo Seamaster 300.
 
eugeneandresson
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Bummer. On my SM300 US is a perfect fit. But it ain’t a watchco or a 165.024 (which came from factory with 516s).
 
SkunkPrince
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eugeneandresson eugeneandresson
Bummer. On my SM300 US is a perfect fit. But it ain’t a watchco or a 165.024 (which came from factory with 516s).
I'm guessing a more modern Speedmaster might have the same issue. 840 end links will go on but there's a gap between the end link and the case, and they tip a bit.
 
Forstnerbands
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
That is strange, since he specifically sent me links to test and I replied that they didn't fit properly.

Sorry, not trying to be sneaky or anything - I sent out a lot of tester links and only confirmed which models they indeed fit. I simply didn't recall that a particular model was tested.
 
SkunkPrince
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Forstnerbands Forstnerbands
Sorry, not trying to be sneaky or anything - I sent out a lot of tester links and only confirmed which models they indeed fit. I simply didn't recall that a particular model was tested.
I'm sure you weren't just sitting on a beach somewhere letting others do the work. 😁
 
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