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Is this happening to your Forstner 1450 bracelet?

502 to right
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C crumbsnatcher74
I'm curious to see what other member's experience has been like with the Forstner 1450 bracelet.

My experience with Forstner has been excellent. I own 4 of their bracelets. I would recommend them to anyone. And if I had an issue with them (or any company) that was peacefully resolved I would not take to the internet to dump on them.

Personally, I don't care for stretchy links, although I understand why many do. For my latest bracelet when I asked if I could replace the stretchy links with solid ones and offered to pay for the additional links--they sent them at no charge.

For me, and I'm not speaking for anyone else, they are a stand up company and I fully support them. They supply a gap in Omega's inventory and for that I am very grateful.
 
C
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chnzwh chnzwh
This is by no means to deny OP's problem with his bracelet, but personally I've never had an issue with my Forstner bracelets (I've got 3 for my Speedies, all with stretchy links) and I like to wear my bracelet snug. I think the purpose of stretchy links are slight auto micro-adjust when your wrist circumference fluctuates throughout the day and they shouldn't be used as a regular links. Maybe OP can try to add back 1 or 2 regular links and see whether it works out better.😀

It's a bracelet. You size it to your comfort level and wear it. It should be that simple and it is, hence no instructions included. Not sure I follow your comment, "they shouldn't be used as a regular links." The stretchy links are not removeable and is part of the bracelet so how else can it be used?
 
C
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502 to right 502 to right
My experience with Forstner has been excellent. I own 4 of their bracelets. I would recommend them to anyone. And if I had an issue with them (or any company) that was peacefully resolved I would not take to the internet to dump on them.

Personally, I don't care for stretchy links, although I understand why many do. For my latest bracelet when I asked if I could replace the stretchy links with solid ones and offered to pay for the additional links--they sent them at no charge.

For me, and I'm not speaking for anyone else, they are a stand up company and I fully support them. They supply a gap in Omega's inventory and for that I am very grateful.

If by me posting pictures and asking if other members of this forum has ever experienced failed stretchy links is considered a "dump on them" then what is the purpose of this forum at all? If you go back and read my original posts back in January, you'll clearly see that I've said nothing negative about Forstner. Yesterday's post with the picture of the replacement bracelet was merely to update anyone following this thread that the stretchy links on the replacement bracelet have failed again after a few months of wear. Is that a "dump on them" too?
 
Newatch321
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Thank you for the update and more importantly for highlighting an issue even is small or not, it is still an issue. Take care.
 
502 to right
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C crumbsnatcher74
If by me posting pictures and asking if other members of this forum has ever experienced failed stretchy links is considered a "dump on them" then what is the purpose of this forum at all? If you go back and read my original posts back in January, you'll clearly see that I've said nothing negative about Forstner. Yesterday's post with the picture of the replacement bracelet was merely to update anyone following this thread that the stretchy links on the replacement bracelet have failed again after a few months of wear. Is that a "dump on them" too?

You don't own a business, do you?
 
cvalue13
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502 to right 502 to right
You don't own a business, do you?

Sorry 502, I’m having trouble following.

if someone buys a car, and the engine blows up after 6 months, and the car company sends them a new car, then that car’s engine blows up in 6 months, and the car company sends them another new car…

then perhaps that’s a good company with a sometimes faulty product?

And the customer, if they tell others considering the purchase of that car model, somehow don’t understand owning a business? Or if they ask other owners of the model if they’ve had a similar experience? That’s dumping on the business?

What if I don’t want a potentially failing bracelet on my expensive/rare watch? What if I don’t want to have to deal with replacements, swapping new bracelets, etc., and am assuming that for the price it will just … work? I’d appreciate knowing OP’s information in advance, just as I’ll find comfort that the company appears to stand behind its product if it fails.

I’ll really never understand why there are such soft kid gloves about these reproduction bracelet makers on OF.
 
AmateurHour
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Good thread. Since I’m iffy on the stretch links, anyway, I think I’ll see how this shakes out before jumping on the wagon.
 
bigtriangle68
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Has the stretch link issue with the Forstner 1450 been resolved? Did the original 1980s Omega OEM 1450 have stretch links too?
 
Forstnerbands
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bigtriangle68 bigtriangle68
Has the stretch link issue with the Forstner 1450 been resolved? Did the original 1980s Omega OEM 1450 have stretch links too?
Hi! We’ve updated the manufacturing process for the 1450 stretch links and haven’t heard of any problems with the updated version since.
 
bigtriangle68
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Forstnerbands Forstnerbands
Hi! We’ve updated the manufacturing process for the 1450 stretch links and haven’t heard of any problems with the updated version since.

Thanks!
 
C
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bigtriangle68 bigtriangle68
Has the stretch link issue with the Forstner 1450 been resolved? Did the original 1980s Omega OEM 1450 have stretch links too?

I received a 2nd replacement bracelet, this time with a milled clasp which I appreciate and was a nice gesture from Forstner customer service. However, I haven't worn it since it's summer and I much prefer a nato strap during summer months. I'll let you know how it holds up once I put it back on the FOIS for the fall/winter months. Additionally, I was told they are working on making the stretchy links removable and would send me a bracelet to try if and when it becomes available too. It'll be interesting to see how that future version holds up differently to this current version.
 
Cenzo
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I received the replacement links (thank you @Forstnerbands !) in May. This has been my go to bracelet. I've worn this for over 2 months since getting the replacement in May and haven't had an issue. In the unlikely event I did, I have full confidence Forstner would resolve for me. They were super responsive the first time and I received the replacement links 5 days after reaching out to them via email. They have my gratitude and business for the way they handled things.
 
G
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C crumbsnatcher74
Additionally, I was told they are working on making the stretchy links removable and would send me a bracelet to try if and when it becomes available too. It'll be interesting to see how that future version holds up differently to this current version.

I like the idea of removable stretch links. Seems like a more sustainable solution.
 
ae86guy
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502 to right 502 to right
My experience with Forstner has been excellent. I own 4 of their bracelets. I would recommend them to anyone. And if I had an issue with them (or any company) that was peacefully resolved I would not take to the internet to dump on them.

Personally, I don't care for stretchy links, although I understand why many do. For my latest bracelet when I asked if I could replace the stretchy links with solid ones and offered to pay for the additional links--they sent them at no charge.

For me, and I'm not speaking for anyone else, they are a stand up company and I fully support them. They supply a gap in Omega's inventory and for that I am very grateful.

Can I ask what your process was for ordering the bracelet without the stretchy links? Did you just email them to make the request and then order it normally through the site? Or was this some separate special order? Seriously considering the 1450 w/milled clasp for my 1861, as it seems to hit all the sweet spots, but the QC issues shown in this thread are naturally giving me some doubts.
 
Ascalon
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Hi @Forstnerbands
unfortunately, my 1450 is doing the same as those listed here. I bought it in April of this year, and it has begun to fail already, as visible from the pics.
VCE677.jpg
LsRDIb.jpg

RHLEX3.jpg

May I PM to discuss?

Thanks
A
 
Ascalon
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@Forstnerbands thanks for the response.
Taking this up off forum.
Much appreciated.

Edit to add: issue resolved with outstanding service.
Thank you!
Edited:
 
josiahg52
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If they offered the 1450 without the spring links, I'd have two or three of them.
 
Lu..
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was about to buy the Forstner 1450 for my 3861 Speedy till I saw this.........can the stretchy links be removed.....I know it increases comfort as the wrist expands and contracts...but would rather remove them to replicate the feel of OEM......anybody able to remove them successfully?
 
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