Community Stories

JB Champion bracelet advice?

Luca.P
Posts
82
Likes
50
I found this JBC bracelet on Ebay yesterday and wanted to ask for some advice, since I´ve never bought, owned or seen such a bracelet in real life:
s-l1600.jpg

The full listing is here: https://www.ebay.at/itm/Vintage-JB-...085380?hash=item3fd6c3a404:g:m4kAAOSwQTVeEmia

The seller is asking for 400 pounds which is about 470 Euros. Is that a good/acceptable price? I understand the straight endpieces are cheaper than the curved ones, which would work well for me as I prefer the straight ones on a purely aesthetical basis.

Is it safe to wear these bracelets as a "daily driver"? I read that NASA used them mostly because the OMEGA bracelets at the time were too solidly built and they didn´t want the astronauts to get injured when they snagged the bracelet somewhere so they used a bracelet that breaks easier. Should I be concerned about that when I wear the bracelet?

Lastly, can I wear this bracelet on a 15,5cm (6 inch) circumference wrist? My wrists aren´t the biggest out there and I already made the mistake of buying a beautiful Breitling Navitimer 806 with its original mesh bracelet once only to find out later, that I couldn´t wear the bracelet because my wrists were too small.

Looking forward to hearing your opinions.
Cheers!
 
This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.
kingsrider
Posts
2,720
Likes
5,552
Buying the vintage JB mesh right now is somewhat speculative. The prices seem to be on a downward trend. I would look at the link above before you go any further.
Whether you buy vintage or the new version, don't worry about breakage. They are very strong. The new version is a bit more robust from what I've read.


PS the new version does come in a shorter model as well.
Edited:
 
Luca.P
Posts
82
Likes
50
Thank you @Patrik83 and @kingsrider so much for making me aware of that! I was very close to ordering this one and just wanted to ask on the OF if everything was alright with it - I´m very glad I did. I´ll just order myself a new one now. Thanks so much for making me aware of that
 
Capt Cave Man
Posts
586
Likes
749
SpeedyPhill SpeedyPhill
1960s version on display
2019 Forstnerbands as a daily wearer
This.

I suspect like watches, people will want an original/vintage esp. due to the historical relationship with the moon landings.

But for daily wear, if you like the style and the price difference, the modern Forsterbands are perfect... ahem having one myself 👍
 
simonsays
Posts
1,344
Likes
1,966
Luca.P Luca.P
Is it safe to wear these bracelets as a "daily driver"? I read that NASA used them mostly because the OMEGA bracelets at the time were too solidly built and they didn´t want the astronauts to get injured when they snagged the bracelet somewhere so they used a bracelet that breaks easier. Should I be concerned about that when I wear the bracelet?

I continue to be the voice of reason calling this out as nonsense. They are very strong and the clasp is harder to release than an Omega version. These were used by X-15 pilots pre NASA tests and were popular with pilots.
If you are in the incredibly unlikely situation of being trapped by your watch, why not just take it off by releasing the clasp????
Edited:
 
michael e
Posts
1,522
Likes
4,781
The modern Forstner JB is great if you want the look of the original JB and for some that is good enough, good to have the size go up to 20mm too.
I have bought two modern Forstner bracelets and for the money they are fantastic, not as smooth feeling as the original to the touch if that makes sense but for £100 I think they are a bargain alternative to the more expensive original, they get my thumbs up 👍 I would recommend one myself to anyone who isn't fussed about vintage/original.

Although I missed a sale here I am happy to hold on to an original one, I am also happy to wear the new ones too on a wide spectrum of watches not just Omegas.

I'm sitting on the fence 😁
 
Passover
Posts
2,170
Likes
2,966
Luca.P Luca.P
Lastly, can I wear this bracelet on a 15,5cm (6 inch) circumference wrist?

The reissue one is also available in a "short" version
 
michael e
Posts
1,522
Likes
4,781
pseikotick pseikotick
I looked at recent ebay sales, going back to November. The prices have definitely headed south. Some sold under 200 usd. I stand corrected. It appears they are already well under 400 in some cases, depending on condition. Time to pick up some bargains.

I mainly see prices ending £300-400 and can see them in December.
You might drop lucky but I don't think prices have faded to below 200 as a new price.
 
michael e
Posts
1,522
Likes
4,781
pseikotick pseikotick
I looked at recent ebay sales, going back to November. The prices have definitely headed south. Some sold under 200 usd. I stand corrected. It appears they are already well under 400 in some cases, depending on condition. Time to pick up some bargains.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mesh-JB-Champion-Slide-NASA-Men-039-s-Wristwatch-Band-Stainless-16mm-19mm-/383376319709?hash=item59430264dd:g:4YgAAOSwHnpeIdsy&nma=true&si=f%2F8FcbuVbfxzBO34b9PFD64faWA%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NASA-19mm-...693265?hash=item46a6798811:g:SvoAAOSwgFpd4t6H

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-JB-Champion-NASA-Stainless-Steel-Straight-end-Mesh-Watch-Band-/153773816272?hash=item23cda239d0:g:RH4AAOSwrzBeAnG2&nma=true&si=f%2F8FcbuVbfxzBO34b9PFD64faWA%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-JB...210514?hash=item420e16b452:g:0j8AAOSwuTld5E~f

Most of these were at auction, which is, of course, the only way to get an idea of the market as BIN sales can be at any price.

This is from eBay Uk.
I don’t think prices have bombed.
The lower priced ones seem to have fixed ends.
 
CD4BEB3C-2B70-4A5E-9030-828D9AB4E253.jpeg 8CD40E76-BD15-4BE0-AF3B-AC4EADFAA4A5.jpeg 70AF9450-84BD-452F-84DF-56494418CACC.jpeg 18435471-B70B-48CD-BD05-E4F495AE360C.jpeg 3360B5D0-2003-4736-9564-AA0FC4E358D3.jpeg
This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.
michael e
Posts
1,522
Likes
4,781
Thank God I didn't have any dubious windows open on those screen shots! 😁
 
Luca.P
Posts
82
Likes
50
pseikotick pseikotick
Since collectors tend to prize the authentic items worn by astronauts, Champions will continue to be worth much more than Forstners new or old bands, in my opinion. There are still too few for the demand. It's nice to have the option at a lower price, though. I wouldn't trade 3 new bands for one of my Champion pieces. I suspect many others will feel the same. If they ever go below 400 again, I'll be very surprised.
Yes, on a second thought I totally agree with you. Having the original and especially the hunt for it is a totally other thing than just buying a new one online.
Unfortunately, since I hate keeping my collectibles in the safe and the original JBC is too large for me to wear, I bought the new shorter version. To make up in authenticity I‘ll at least try to get one of those Timely wrist calendars, that @TLIGuy wrote about and researched so excesively.
 
T
Posts
2,123
Likes
11,376
Luca.P Luca.P
....To make up in authenticity I‘ll at least try to get one of those Timely wrist calendars, that @TLIGuy wrote about and researched so excesively.

Excessively possibly but I prefer extensively.
 
Luca.P
Posts
82
Likes
50
simonsays simonsays
I continue to be the voice of reason calling this out as nonsense. They are very strong and the clasp is harder to release than an Omega version. These were used by X-15 pilots pre NASA tests and were popular with pilots.
If you are in the incredibly unlikely situation of being trapped by your watch, why not just take it off by releasing the clasp????
I want to start this off by saying that I clearly don´t know as much about this topic as you do, so please excuse me if this might come off as ignorant, but I would think that NASA was more concerned about astronauts snagging their bracelet and injuring themselves instantaniously rather than as a result of not being able to get free after they got stuck. I imagine a scenario where an astronaut floats in zero G, passes some object with a noticable difference in velocity, snags his bracelet and the continued forward momentum of his body breaks his wrist without the astronaut having the chance of releasing the bracelet before that happens. In such a scenario a bracelet that brakes easily would prevent the astronaut from breaking his wrist, which I think NASA would deem favourable.
 
Radiozoop
Posts
200
Likes
291
Patrik83 Patrik83
I think that it is slightly unclear if that is the value today since the release of the new https://forstnerbands.com/ (US), https://www.forstnerbands.co.uk/ (EU).

Wow, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I’m going to spring on one of their “regular” bands right now.

I don’t have a 321 Speedy, but I DO have one of these:

5721A800-ABD8-4CCC-A72A-5E0AE3A9B8E0.jpeg


What’s y’all’s opinion on putting a new Forstner on it? I think it would be kinda cool!
 
athom
Posts
295
Likes
148
JB bracelet are very cheap and a trend made them very expensive...and I don't like how it is around the lugs...if I'd have to buy one, I'd go for a brand new Forstner Komfit...
 
Luca.P
Posts
82
Likes
50
athom athom
JB bracelet are very cheap and a trend made them very expensive...and I don't like how it is around the lugs...if I'd have to buy one, I'd go for a brand new Forstner Komfit...
That doesn´t look cheap to manufacture:
105530-e864f5d8a3cadfa215a6e97b107c60da.jpg
105531-b7286a228235cb2d0f04cc774559e1b1.jpg
 
24 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Arancio601

JB Champion bracelet Nasa type confirmation please

Arancio601 Open Discussion
Togri v. 2.0
Togri v. 2.0
Posts
5
Views
120
Duracuir1

JB Champion Bracelet Transformed…

Duracuir1 Open Discussion
Ron_W
Ron_W
Posts
1
Views
549
GarethS

Bracelet Advice for 1962 Tudor 7934

GarethS Rolex Watches
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
7
Views
308
Mark Rick

7912 bracelet advice.

Mark Rick Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
8
Views
844
omegaman

Vintage JB Champion/Tradition Komfit bracelets for Omega Speedmaster

omegaman Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
omegaman
omegaman
Posts
2
Views
384
DaveK

NOS SS mesh JB Champion bracelet

DaveK Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
DaveK
DaveK
Posts
0
Views
2K