Is this happening to your Forstner 1450 bracelet?

ae86guy · Jan 22, 2023

Lu..
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?

@Ascalon I couldn't help but notice you commented about this on a WUS thread - sounds like you were indeed able to remove the stretchy links? I emailed Forstner and officially the answer was that NO, they could not be removed... you seem to know otherwise?

I just ordered my 1450 from Forstner... wondering if I should he contacting them to ask for extra links so I can do this mod? Or given the fact I have a tiny wrist I could just use the spare links from when I sized the bracelet perhaps?

Aidanm · Jan 24, 2023

I’ve had the same issue with my 1450 bracelet. I contacted Forstner and they have sent out some replacement stretch links. They’re still in transit so I haven’t been able to assess the new manufacturing process.

In the meantime I’ve been working on the broken stretch links because the end link that attaches to the clasp is integrated with the stretch link set. I’ve removed the stretch links, opened the end link and attached it to the screw links. Now I just use the micro adjust holes and it works well.

Forstnerbands · Jan 31, 2023

FYI, soon to be releasing a version without the stretch links 😀 we’ve made a bunch of updates to the mfg process to avoid the stretching issue but due to popular request we’ll be phasing them out on the next generation. So folks who want replacement non stretch links can have them soon!

bigtriangle68 · Feb 4, 2023

Forstnerbands
FYI, soon to be releasing a version without the stretch links 😀 we’ve made a bunch of updates to the mfg process to avoid the stretching issue but due to popular request we’ll be phasing them out on the next generation. So folks who want replacement non stretch links can have them soon!

I think the stretch links are great. Glad you will keep them available and also another version for folks who don't want stretch.

Dimitar Adamski · Feb 5, 2023

C crumbsnatcher74
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 at the beginning of Oct 2021 and have been wearing it on my FOIS almost daily since. A couple weeks ago, I noticed that the bracelet was noticeably looser on my wrist than when I first installed the bracelet back in Oct.

Pictures 1-3 were taken a few weeks ago and show the separation and springy link failure between the 1st & 2nd link and also between the 3rd and 4th link.

Fast forward to last week and now the springy link has totally failed between 2nd & 3rd link as shown in pictures 4 & 5. The separation between the links are very noticeable whether you're wearing the watch or just laying it on the desk. In all these pictures, I was merely holding the watch head and the bracelet hangs with noticeable gaps between each of the failed links. I reached out to Forstner last week and a replacement bracelet was quickly dispatched and arrived today. Pictures 4-5 shows what a new Forstner 1450 bracelet looks like next to the installed bracelet with the failed springy links. My only concern is that the new bracelet will suffer the same demise in 2-3 months of wear.

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

Thanks to Forstner for the great customer service and sending me a replacement bracelet. Aside from the stretchy link failures, my FOIS has been a joy to wear with this bracelet.

Quite a stretch,mate. Do you wear it too tight?

Lu.. · Feb 5, 2023

Forstnerbands
FYI, soon to be releasing a version without the stretch links 😀 we’ve made a bunch of updates to the mfg process to avoid the stretching issue but due to popular request we’ll be phasing them out on the next generation. So folks who want replacement non stretch links can have them soon!

that's awesome......I'll be getting one without the stretch links when it comes available....😎

Cenzo · Apr 12, 2023

Hi,

I want to start out by saying the 1450 is my favorite bracelet to wear on my 1861 Speedmaster. The stretch links failed, and @Forstnerbands graciously sent me new stretch links. The replacements are now failing in a similar way.

Is it possible to get the non-stretch replacements for this? Or have the stretch links changed to hold up better? I'd be happy with stretch ones if they will last, or non-stretch ones if they turned out to be problematic. Again, I love this bracelet and want to wear it often.

Thanks,

Forstnerbands · Apr 13, 2023

Cenzo
Hi,

I want to start out by saying the 1450 is my favorite bracelet to wear on my 1861 Speedmaster. The stretch links failed, and @Forstnerbands graciously sent me new stretch links. The replacements are now failing in a similar way.

Is it possible to get the non-stretch replacements for this? Or have the stretch links changed to hold up better? I'd be happy with stretch ones if they will last, or non-stretch ones if they turned out to be problematic. Again, I love this bracelet and want to wear it often.

Thanks,

Hello! Thanks for posting. We’ve actually created replacement non stretch links for folks who want them. If you email our support line we can find your info and send you a set.

Scarecrow Boat · Apr 13, 2023

Forstnerbands
Hello! Thanks for posting. We’ve actually created replacement non stretch links for folks who want them. If you email our support line we can find your info and send you a set.

Are the non stretch links an option to select during purchase or only available as replacement?

josiahg52 · Apr 13, 2023

Scarecrow Boat
Are the non stretch links an option to select during purchase or only available as replacement?

Several posts ago, @Forstnerbands said they were coming out with an entire bracelet without links for folks who preferred that option. Not sure if it's on the website yet.

Cenzo · Apr 13, 2023

Forstnerbands
Hello! Thanks for posting. We’ve actually created replacement non stretch links for folks who want them. If you email our support line we can find your info and send you a set.

Will do. Thank you for the quick reply. Appreciate it!

Scarecrow Boat · Apr 13, 2023

josiahg52
Several posts ago, @Forstnerbands said they were coming out with an entire bracelet without links for folks who preferred that option. Not sure if it's on the website yet.

Awesome, thanks for letting me know. I went to the website and hadn’t seen anything, which is why I asked 😀

Cenzo · Apr 13, 2023

@Scarecrow Boat
Check it out here. I read it as it only comes with non-stretch now:
https://forstnerbands.com/collectio...president-1450-bracelet-for-omega-speedmaster

"The bracelet is also now fitted with Forstner's push-button milled clasp, and by popular request, Forstner's 20mm version has replaced its stretchy links with solid links."

Scarecrow Boat · Apr 13, 2023

Cenzo
@Scarecrow Boat
Check it out here. I read it as it only comes with non-stretch now:
https://forstnerbands.com/collectio...president-1450-bracelet-for-omega-speedmaster

"The bracelet is also now fitted with Forstner's push-button milled clasp, and by popular request, Forstner's 20mm version has replaced its stretchy links with solid links."

Ah thank you! Completely missed that part when I read it earlier.

Forstnerbands · Apr 13, 2023

Lu..
that's awesome......I'll be getting one without the stretch links when it comes available....😎

Available now! We swapped to non stretch links on this bracelet until we can conclusively resolve the issues discussed in this post.

gdhoosier · Apr 15, 2023

Forstnerbands
Available now! We swapped to non stretch links on this bracelet until we can conclusively resolve the issues discussed in this post.

Thanks for your efforts and for keeping everyone posted! No issues with the stretch links on my 1450 - they are fantastic - so hopefully you can sort it out and bring them back for others. Or, stick with the non-stretch links and offer a comfort-adjustment / tool-less clasp - I'd upgrade to that in a minute and you'd sell a bunch!

Lu.. · Apr 16, 2023

Forstnerbands
Available now! We swapped to non stretch links on this bracelet until we can conclusively resolve the issues discussed in this post.

FANTASTIC!!!! ......I just placed an order......😎👍

...when it arrives, I'll install it and post a quick review for everybody.....

ae86guy · Apr 28, 2023

Just purchased a set of non-stretch links from Forstner.
Can I just say a big thank you to @Forstnerbands for listening to the community and addressing the concerns people had with this bracelet. Replacing the stretch links was a breeze with the supplied screwdriver that comes with the bracelet.

I can now confidently say that the Forstner 1450 with the double milled clasp and non-stretch links is the better 1450 of the aftermarket 1450 options available now (yes, I've tried others with their milled clasp as well).

For the extra few dollars, you get a much better finished, more substantial bracelet, screwed adjustment pins, and better presentation. Definitely worth it.

Apologies for the dirty hands (was just working on car), and lack of wrist shot (Speedy is currently getting serviced)

bigtriangle68 · Apr 28, 2023

Forstnerbands
Available now! We swapped to non stretch links on this bracelet until we can conclusively resolve the issues discussed in this post.

Any chance of making a milled clasp with quick adjustment capability without using a tool -- like the Rolex glide lock, Tudor T-Fit or Omega micro adjustable clasp etc?

pierre37 · Jun 4, 2023

Hi,
I experienced the same issue with my 1450 Forstner Band. I'm not able to find the non-stretch links on forstner shop. Does anyone have the direct link to purchase them?

Is this happening to your Forstner 1450 bracelet?

ae86guy

Aidanm

Forstnerbands

bigtriangle68

Dimitar Adamski

Lu..

Cenzo

Forstnerbands

Scarecrow Boat

josiahg52

Cenzo

Scarecrow Boat

Cenzo

Scarecrow Boat

Forstnerbands

gdhoosier

Lu..

ae86guy

bigtriangle68

pierre37

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