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Revo
·Forstner “Klip” review
Many of you will be familiar with the old “ladder” or “bamboo” style bracelets: thin, light and almost infinitely adjustable; vintage examples command premium prices and are hard to come by in larger lugs widths.
Perhaps the most famous of these is the Bonklip, which was made in England in the 1950s and ‘60s and supplied as standard issue on a number of British military watches from that era, including the IWC and JLC Mk XI. During that same period the Rolex bubblebacks came with a Swiss-made Gay Frères ladder bracelet.
So, to the Forstner.
First impressions are very favourable. I like the construction. The sprung clasp feels a lot more secure than the original interference fit. I also like the way the two parts are equal halves.
The Forstner follows the design of the Gay Frères. This differs from the Bonklip because it just threads through like a "normal" (i.e. buckle) strap. At the end of the “tail” section is the spring-loaded clasp that clips through the links. This means there's no "upside down" section like on a Bonklip (which, of course, gets re-inverted to right side up when you pull it back on itself.) However, I do like the reverse pull dynamics of the Bonklip as it means you are tightening it against itself. This makes it less rattly and easier to get a nice tight fit.
The Forstner "clasp" (if that's the word) is a joy. No issues with the twin buttons on it catching or gouging. It’s a much better solution than the friction fit on any other ladder bracelet (including the original Gay Frères – which, incidentally, I find tinny, rattly and prone to wearing on the links.)
The main ("ladder") section is well made and very well finished, with brushed links and polished connecting / edge pieces. Endlinks are very nicely done in a matching mix of polished and brushed. No sharp or rough edges anywhere.
All sizes (i.e. endlink / lug widths) have the 18mm bracelet, which is perfect imho and will keep manufacturing costs and therefore retail price down. It will fit over fixed bars but might need some fettling if they are particularly thick or the clearance is tight.
It's basically a pretty damn near perfect copy of the old Gay Frères ladder bracelet, i.e. links spaced like a Bonklip but it doesn't fold back on itself. (See the pic of the two side-by-side for reference). The GF ones sell for a lot of money because the Bubblebackboys (and girls) love them. Personally I don't think they are "all that" and not a patch on Bonklips in terms of quality or design. The Forstner, though, is a serious contender: light, comfortable, adjustable. It's very well made and has that sprung clasp for much more positive (and secure) fixing. I’ve also personally never seen a vintage ladder bracelet in anything wider than 18mm lug width – and they are pretty hard to come by even in that size. The 18mm main section (“running line” we’d call in fly fishing) is also great, and again not something you can readily (or possibly, ever) find on an old original one.
All in all: recommended.
Apologies for the poor pics: I’m better with words that with a camera and besides there’s plenty of images online.
Many of you will be familiar with the old “ladder” or “bamboo” style bracelets: thin, light and almost infinitely adjustable; vintage examples command premium prices and are hard to come by in larger lugs widths.
Perhaps the most famous of these is the Bonklip, which was made in England in the 1950s and ‘60s and supplied as standard issue on a number of British military watches from that era, including the IWC and JLC Mk XI. During that same period the Rolex bubblebacks came with a Swiss-made Gay Frères ladder bracelet.
So, to the Forstner.
First impressions are very favourable. I like the construction. The sprung clasp feels a lot more secure than the original interference fit. I also like the way the two parts are equal halves.
The Forstner follows the design of the Gay Frères. This differs from the Bonklip because it just threads through like a "normal" (i.e. buckle) strap. At the end of the “tail” section is the spring-loaded clasp that clips through the links. This means there's no "upside down" section like on a Bonklip (which, of course, gets re-inverted to right side up when you pull it back on itself.) However, I do like the reverse pull dynamics of the Bonklip as it means you are tightening it against itself. This makes it less rattly and easier to get a nice tight fit.
The Forstner "clasp" (if that's the word) is a joy. No issues with the twin buttons on it catching or gouging. It’s a much better solution than the friction fit on any other ladder bracelet (including the original Gay Frères – which, incidentally, I find tinny, rattly and prone to wearing on the links.)
The main ("ladder") section is well made and very well finished, with brushed links and polished connecting / edge pieces. Endlinks are very nicely done in a matching mix of polished and brushed. No sharp or rough edges anywhere.
All sizes (i.e. endlink / lug widths) have the 18mm bracelet, which is perfect imho and will keep manufacturing costs and therefore retail price down. It will fit over fixed bars but might need some fettling if they are particularly thick or the clearance is tight.
It's basically a pretty damn near perfect copy of the old Gay Frères ladder bracelet, i.e. links spaced like a Bonklip but it doesn't fold back on itself. (See the pic of the two side-by-side for reference). The GF ones sell for a lot of money because the Bubblebackboys (and girls) love them. Personally I don't think they are "all that" and not a patch on Bonklips in terms of quality or design. The Forstner, though, is a serious contender: light, comfortable, adjustable. It's very well made and has that sprung clasp for much more positive (and secure) fixing. I’ve also personally never seen a vintage ladder bracelet in anything wider than 18mm lug width – and they are pretty hard to come by even in that size. The 18mm main section (“running line” we’d call in fly fishing) is also great, and again not something you can readily (or possibly, ever) find on an old original one.
All in all: recommended.
Apologies for the poor pics: I’m better with words that with a camera and besides there’s plenty of images online.
