JB Champion, Forstner Komfit and Gemex Bracelets. Historical Prospective Needed

gemini4 · Oct 7, 2017

Have had these bracelets for a while and finally getting ready to mount on some vintage Omegas. What I'm curious to know is the history and relationships of these bracelet firms. MWO speaks a bit on JB Champion buying Fostner Komfit in 1963. Where did Gemex fit in? I though Gemex was a bracelet company from the 50's but it uses the same 1962 adjustable end piece patent as the JBs.

Thanks to all with some knowledge.

Examples pictured below

Gemex Bracelet. 15.5mm wide SS mesh with straight adjustable end piece 16-19mm

Same patent, 3030686 for adjustable end piece, as the later JB Champions

Forstner Komfit Bracelet. 15.5mm wide SS18mm straight non adjustible end piece

Fomfit Forstner, 15.0mm wide, Leather with fixed 18mm end pieces

Transitional Bracelet?? Appears to have aspects of both the Fostner and the JB. No manufacturer name, 15.5mm wide SS mesh with 16-19mm (Pat Pending) adjustable end pieces.

Stainless Steel Tradition??

Pat Pending

JB Champion SS mesh with 16-19 adjustable end pieces, horn shaped and straight.

sky21 · Oct 7, 2017

Sorry I don’t know anything about these bracelets and their history beyond what is written in MWO and what has been posted in various threads here on OF. I just wanted to say that I’ve never seen the “transitional” style that you posted above and I wanted to thank you for once again sharing something new and unique with the collective group. 😀

Noles_88 · Oct 7, 2017

@gemini4 have you seen a tradition version with horned end links?

gemini4 · Oct 7, 2017

Noles_88
@gemini4 have you seen a tradition version with horned end links?

The example pictured above has horn end pieces.

TexOmega · Oct 7, 2017

I thought Gemex predated the 1950's.

Price differential guided me to get this 19mm Gemex.

gemini4 · Oct 7, 2017

Well, the variable width end piece patent 3060686 was filed in 1960 and published in 1962.

https://www.google.com/patents/US3030686

I don't see how my Gemex example above could have been produced before 1962.

TexOmega · Oct 7, 2017

I was more talking about the company rather than a specific strap. I may have misinterpreted your reference to Gemex as from the 1950's.

Taddyangle · Oct 7, 2017

Well, I can't offer much outside of it being the most comfortable bracelet I own. And that I am wearing my Ed White right now.

I prefer the one with the horned end links. I bought it on eBay.

My Ed White is from 1967. Picked it up a few years back when I posted a WTB.

Vercingetorix · Oct 7, 2017

I seem to remember that Tradition was a Sears brand like Craftsman. Could be totally unrelated.

gemini4 · Oct 7, 2017

TexOmega
I was more talking about the company rather than a specific strap. I may have misinterpreted your reference to Gemex as from the 1950's.

Indeed, I did think that Gemex was an older company. Preceding Fostner/JB. Now, I'm not so sure. Can't find very much Gemex info online. Perhaps other with know more.

WYO_Watch · Oct 17, 2017

To add one more dimension - I will throw in another Champion band. Strangely enough they have the same patent pending as the mesh bracelets (assuming that's for the extendable lug width?) Obviously these have bars one side instead of mesh, and I believe are less desirable.

2 straight lugs & 1 horned (left is simply upside down)

Patent pending numbers match

Ended up putting a more "loved" horned bracelet on my Speedmaster - still figuring out spacers at the moment. I also would love to see this strap (or any of the mesh varieties) on a FOIS...

SpeedyPhill · Oct 18, 2017

@gemini4
Superb collection 👍

Geo7863 · Oct 18, 2017

WYO_Watch
I also would love to see this strap (or any of the mesh varieties) on a FOIS...

Here you go then... slightly modified FOIS with a JB Champion Horned lug Mesh...ooops can't upload photos from my computer...sorry!

BartH · Oct 18, 2017

My Forstner Komfit with rather broad end pieces.

M'Bob · Oct 18, 2017

Another question: what induced the creation of the horned ends? Was there something about the straight ends that were lacking?

kingsrider · Oct 18, 2017

BartH
My Forstner Komfit with rather broad end pieces.

That Forstner looks great.
Vercingetorix is correct. Tradition was a Sears house brand. Many companies that made their own products labeled their products as Tradition for Sears and Roebuck.
Heuer Carreras were badged as Tradition for Sears https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tradition-...612476?hash=item4d6279837c:g:aqgAAOSwDMhZqLsY
Here is my Tradition on my -5

Pip retired · Jan 13, 2018

Thanks ever so much, very informative with great photos.

kingsrider
That Forstner looks great.
Vercingetorix is correct. Tradition was a Sears house brand. Many companies that made their own products labeled their products as Tradition for Sears and Roebuck.
Heuer Carreras were badged as Tradition for Sears https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tradition-...612476?hash=item4d6279837c:g:aqgAAOSwDMhZqLsY
Here is my Tradition on my -5

hmmmcamu · Mar 5, 2019

JB Champion USA ...... " EXPANDABLE " ....... watch band

SpeedyPhill · Mar 6, 2019

The other steel mesh topic = https://omegaforums.net/threads/jb-champion-forstner-bracelet-guide.84930/

JB Champion, Forstner Komfit and Gemex Bracelets. Historical Prospective Needed

gemini4

sky21

Noles_88

gemini4

TexOmega

gemini4

TexOmega

Taddyangle

Vercingetorix

gemini4

WYO_Watch

SpeedyPhill

Geo7863

BartH

M'Bob

kingsrider

Pip retired

hmmmcamu

SpeedyPhill

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