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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Here you go then... slightly modified FOIS with a JB Champion Horned lug Mesh...ooops can't upload photos from my computer...sorry!
Another question: what induced the creation of the horned ends? Was there something about the straight ends that were lacking?
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:aqgAAOSwDMhZqLsYPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Here is my Tradition on my -5
The other steel mesh topic = https://omegaforums.net/threads/jb-champion-forstner-bracelet-guide.84930/