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·THE DANGER OF HOROLOGICAL HISTORY RE WRITTEN
sadly with help from supposed knowledgable and trusted sources.
JB Champion USA, holds a historically documented place in space exploration and watch history. The JB Champion USA NASA bracelet adoption by NASA was based on practical engineering needs, and its use is documented in photographs and firsthand accounts.
The modern revival demands critical scrutiny to prevent the erosion of historical accuracy.
Preserving the true story of JB Champion USA is essential to honoring both horological craftsmanship and the legacy of human space exploration.
Let’s clarify the historical facts with a coherent structure:
Origins:
The expandable mesh bracelet was originally designed and produced by Forstner as the Komfit in 1939. Astronaut Wally Schirra wore a Forstner Komfit with non expandable lugs on the 1962 Mercury Atlas 8 mission, this was a privately purchased piece, not NASA issued.
IT WAS NOT A SIMPLE RE BRANDING !!!
SPRING LOADED VARIABLE WIDTH END PIECES 16MM-19MM
Jacoby Bender, Inc. U.S. Patent No. 3,030,686
December 1960
U.S. Patent No. 3,030,686 for an "Expandable Bracelet" was filed by Jacoby Bender, Inc. on December 14, 1960, and granted on April 24, 1962, with Harry A. Winkler listed as the inventor. This patent covers the key design modification for the Forstner Komfit bracelet. The redesign work was conducted by Jacoby Bender, Inc. (the parent company of JB Champion USA) after it acquired Forstner in 1963
The Komfit design was retained but Jacoby Bender introduced key improvements, including spring-loaded, variable width end pieces (16–19 mm), making the bracelet more adaptable and secure features the original Forstner Komfit lacked.
The patent filed in 1960 predates the acquisition, suggesting Jacoby-Bender was already developing these attachment mechanisms independently or prior to fully absorbing Forstner's operations.
The Forstner company ceased to exist as an entity after the 1963 acquisition.
LOCKING MECHENISM -
Jacoby Bender, Inc. U.S. Patent No. 3,084,412
November 1960
JB Champion USA re-engineered the breakaway feature after acquiring Forstner in 1963. While the original Forstner "Komfit" had a flexible, adjustable design, JB Champion along with the introduction of the expandable ends (16–19mm) ... a new clasp mechanism was introduced different from the one used on the Komfit by Forstner for greater reliability and safety.
The updated clasp maintained the quick-release functionality allowing astronauts to easily remove the bracelet in an emergency but with improved construction to prevent accidental slippage, a known issue with earlier Komfit by Forstner versions.
Jacoby Bender USA Champion NASA bracelet
1962 re design, re engineering patent drawing on former Komfit bracelet.
illustration by: Emil Rodriguez
U.S. Patent No. 3,084,412 filed on November 2, 1960 titled "Structure for Releasable Attachment of Bracelet Sections" granted on April 9, 1963, The inventor listed on this patent is E. Rodriguez, assigned to Jacoby Bender, Inc. This patent covers a clasp mechanism for the expandable bracelet, separate from the earlier patent (3,030,686) for the expandable band re design by Harry A. Winkler.
E. Rodriguez is documented as the inventor of this specific clasp component for Jacoby Bender, Inc.
The patent filed in 1960 predates the acquisition, suggesting Jacoby-Bender was already developing these attachment mechanisms independently or prior to fully absorbing Forstner's operations.
The Forstner company ceased to exist as an entity after the 1963 acquisition.
NASA Adoption: By 1964 through Donald Slayton officially ordered 12 JB Champion USA bracelets for use in the Gemini and Apollo programs. All space flown versions from Gemini onward were JB Champion USA models, not original Forstner Komfits. This includes use on the Moon during Apollo 17.
PROPER TERMINOLOGY:
The correct name is the NASA BRACELET specifically from the Champion line by Jacoby Bender USA. Modern recreations, even if similar, should be labeled "reproduction" or "reissue" or "repo" is acceptable shorthand.
Many modern sources, including some retailers and media, refer to JB Champion USA NASA BRACELET as "Forstner Komfit, Komfit JB, Komfit style , or Astronaut bracelet" is historically inaccurate.
The perpetuation of the myth that the Forstner "Komfit" was the NASA-issued bracelet is dangerous because it actively erases the true history of horological innovation. This revisionism risks erasing Jacoby-Bender’s engineering contributions and misattributing the success of the JB Champion USA NASA issued bracelet to a company that did not exist after 1963 and had no role with the space program of NASA.
OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL caliber 321 Space Flight Qualified, Use on Lunar surface Certified
On March 1, 1965, NASA officially qualified the Omega Speedmaster for all manned space missions. From Gemini through Apollo, Skylab, and Apollo-Soyuz, the Speedmaster was standard issue.
The models used:
ST 105.003 - Gemini missions
ST 105.012 and ST 145.012 - Apollo missions
ST 145.022 - Post-Apollo and Skylab
It originally came with an Omega steel bracelet.
BULOVA ACCUTRON ASTRONUAT GMT caliber 214HN
1962 Mercury-Atlas 8 mission and the Komfit bracelet
Walter Schirra in 1962 Mercury-Atlas 8 mission wore his Speedmaster CK2998 on a Forstner Komfit bracelet with solid (fixed-width) end links, both the watch and the bracelet were NOT officially issued by NASA they were privately purchased by Schirra from a Houston jeweler, the Komfit bracelet is distinct from the later JB Champion USA models with expandable spring-loaded links that NASA officially issued starting in 1965. The JB Champion USA bracelets are functionally and mechanically distinct.
Schirra's 1962 flight is the one and only use of the Forster Komfit in space.
All attribution there after should be credited to JB Champion USA which was used in Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions, they are not the same company nor are the two bracelets the same as many have mistakenly assumed.
Casually calling these bracelets made by JB Champion USA aka The NASA bracelet as Komfit is simply WRONG and giving credits and accomplishments that belong to JB Champion USA to the wrong entity.
NASA began officially procuring JB Champion bracelets in 1964, meaning all versions used in Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions were made under Jacoby Bender’s design. The original Fostner Komfit, with fixed-width end pieces, was only worn by Wally Schirra on Mercury-Atlas 8 (1962)—before the acquisition.
The confusion arises because:
The design lineage traces back to Fostner.
The NASA bracelet made by JB Champion USA retained and used the same metal mesh material on the Komfit that stopped production in 1963
The modern reissue by the revived Fostner brand mimics the JB Champion USA, not the original Komfit made by Fostner
Many assume “Komfit” and “JB Champion” are the same, ignoring the functional and mechanical differences.
IN SHORT - Forstner created the concept, but JB Champion USA developed the NASA-issued bracelet. The credit for the space-flown design belongs to Jacoby Bender USA.
Forstner Komfit:
1950's up until 1963
Fixed (non adjustable) end pieces @ 18MM
THE NASA BRACELET
from the CHAMPION line of bracelets by: Jacoby Bender USA
with variable-width end pieces @ 16MM-19MM
CHAMPION (by Jacoby Bender USA): Spring-loaded, variable-width end pieces (16–19 mm), designed to fit securely over watch lugs, and compatible with a wide range of timepieces including Omega, Bulova, Rolex, and Universal Genève any changes, modifications, or improvements seen and used on this bracelet were developed and implemented by Jacoby Bender USA, not Forstner.
By allowing publications to repeat the modern Forstner brand's narrative without correction, a "Johnny-come-lately" brand hijacks the legacy of a defunct OEM giant, replacing documented history with corporate myth.
The public is spoonfed inaccurate historical narratives by prominent watch publications. Major publications themselves have not issued official corrections to their original coverage, which often repeats the simplified and conflated narrative.
The periodicals Hodinkee, Craft + Tailored, Fratello, Worn & Wound, aBlogtoWatch, Watchtime magazine, GearPatrol, and Revolution have not published formal corrections or clarifications to address the misleading claim that the modern Forstner brand is directly responsible for the NASA-issued "JB CHAMPION USA expandable stainless steel mesh" bracelet.
The name Komfit and Forstner if mentioned in any article discussing the NASA BRACELET by JB Champion USA belongs in the portion giving background information.
By marketing reissues as direct heirs to historic designs, these brands craft a corporate narrative that emphasizes legacy while omitting discontinuity a practice akin to the "truth hijacked as propaganda" phenomenon, where emotional resonance overrides factual accuracy.
The perpetuation of the myth that the Forstner "Komfit" was the NASA-issued bracelet is dangerous because it actively erases the true history of horological innovation. This revisionism risks erasing Jacoby-Bender’s engineering contributions and misattributing the success of the JB Champion USA NASA issued bracelet to a company that did not exist after 1963 and had no role with the space program of NASA.
This lack of correction from major watch publications perpetuates a dangerous rewriting of horological history.
A). It Erases True Innovation:
It credits the modern Forstner brand with the achievement of creating the NASA-issued bracelet, when it was actually Jacoby-Bender's "JB Champion" model, developed after they acquired Forstner, that was used in space.
B). It Misleads the Public:
Consumers and collectors, who rely on these respected publications for accurate information, are being fed a commercially-driven myth instead of the factual, nuanced history.
C). It Undermines Historical Integrity:
When influential media outlets repeat unchallenged inaccuracies, they allow a corporate narrative to supplant documented facts, mirroring the "truth hijacked as propaganda" warned of in historical discourse. This sets a precedent where brand marketing can overwrite historical reality.
The perpetuation of the myth that the Forstner "Komfit" was the NASA-issued bracelet is dangerous because it actively erases the true history of horological innovation.
SIMPLE REBRANDING CLAIM ...
The issue is not simply a rebranding; it is the obscuration of significant engineering work by Jacoby Bender working with NASA itself.
The space flown "NASA bracelet" was not the original Forstner Komfit, but the re-engineered JB Champion USA NASA bracelet, which introduced spring-loaded, variable-width end links (16–19mm) a functional upgrade essential for fitting over space suits. NASA officially procured JB Champion bracelets starting in 1964, and they were worn on Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions, including on the lunar surface.
The current Forstner brand revives the name and aesthetic but supplants documented corporate history by attributing the JB Champion USA NASA legacy to the Forstner name. This mirrors a broader trend where modern companies acquire defunct brand names like Nivada Grenchen or Enicar to evoke heritage and authenticity, even when no legal or operational continuity exists.
ARCHIEVAL IMAGES
All bracelets used during NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs starting from 1963 onward and any changes/ modifications / alterations on the bracelets were made JB Champion USA . Despite this, modern online sources often credit Forstner who had no involvement after 1963 in the evolution and changes of the bracelet.
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER (OEM)
All OEM supply work including for NASA and major watch brands was carried out by JB Champion USA under its own engineering and manufacturing.
Beyond the NASA mesh bracelet, JB Champion USA supplied Omega with other OEM bracelets, including flat link, slat-style, brick, and Oyster-style designs, as confirmed by historical supplier records. Evidence from retailer stock listings shows JB Champion USA also supplied bracelets compatible with Bulova, Hamilton, Longines, Universal Genève , Recta and other brands.
JB Champion USA supplied Rolex with OEM bracelets, including oval link Jubilee and Oyster-style designs, primarily during the 1960s–1970s to avoid U.S. import tariffs on complete watches. These bracelets were stamped "JB" in a triangle, "USA", and sometimes "14 KT U.S.A." or "ROLEX STAINLESS STEEL U.S.A." on the clasp.
They are genuine Rolex USA bracelets, made by JB Champion USA, and are distinct from Swiss-made versions. The "USA" stamp confirms they were made by JB Champion USA (not Forstner) for the American market.
back in the day ...
JB Champion USA bracelets were also made available with tapered (for accutron astronaut specifically) or non tapered solid links as an aftermarket accessory / upgrade option by a watch store owners to generate additional income for their shop.
The modern Forstner LLC owns the following:
A). The Name "Forstner": They operate under the name Forstner LLC and use the Forstner brand for their watch bracelets.
B). The "JB" Logo: They own an active U.S. trademark (Reg. 6014888) for the letters "JB" within a triangle, registered in 2020 for use on watchbands and accessories.
The modern Forstner LLC does not own the rights to JB Champion USA or its associated intellectual property. The JB Champion brand and its original trademark (Reg. 0774115) were owned by Jacoby-Bender, Inc., which acquired the original Forstner company in 1963. The Jacoby-Bender trademark for "JB" expired in 1984 and was not renewed.
The modern Forstner brand's use of the "JB" logo is a new, separate trademark registration. It does not constitute ownership of the historical Jacoby-Bender company or the JB Champion brand, nor does it reflect any involvement in JB Champion USA’s prior accomplishments, including its role as OEM supplier.
"reproduction" or "reissue" or "repo" is acceptable shorthand for bracelets made by this company.
sadly with help from supposed knowledgable and trusted sources.
JB Champion USA, holds a historically documented place in space exploration and watch history. The JB Champion USA NASA bracelet adoption by NASA was based on practical engineering needs, and its use is documented in photographs and firsthand accounts.
The modern revival demands critical scrutiny to prevent the erosion of historical accuracy.
Preserving the true story of JB Champion USA is essential to honoring both horological craftsmanship and the legacy of human space exploration.
Let’s clarify the historical facts with a coherent structure:
Origins:
The expandable mesh bracelet was originally designed and produced by Forstner as the Komfit in 1939. Astronaut Wally Schirra wore a Forstner Komfit with non expandable lugs on the 1962 Mercury Atlas 8 mission, this was a privately purchased piece, not NASA issued.
IT WAS NOT A SIMPLE RE BRANDING !!!
SPRING LOADED VARIABLE WIDTH END PIECES 16MM-19MM
Jacoby Bender, Inc. U.S. Patent No. 3,030,686
December 1960
U.S. Patent No. 3,030,686 for an "Expandable Bracelet" was filed by Jacoby Bender, Inc. on December 14, 1960, and granted on April 24, 1962, with Harry A. Winkler listed as the inventor. This patent covers the key design modification for the Forstner Komfit bracelet. The redesign work was conducted by Jacoby Bender, Inc. (the parent company of JB Champion USA) after it acquired Forstner in 1963
The Komfit design was retained but Jacoby Bender introduced key improvements, including spring-loaded, variable width end pieces (16–19 mm), making the bracelet more adaptable and secure features the original Forstner Komfit lacked.
The patent filed in 1960 predates the acquisition, suggesting Jacoby-Bender was already developing these attachment mechanisms independently or prior to fully absorbing Forstner's operations.
The Forstner company ceased to exist as an entity after the 1963 acquisition.
LOCKING MECHENISM -
Jacoby Bender, Inc. U.S. Patent No. 3,084,412
November 1960
JB Champion USA re-engineered the breakaway feature after acquiring Forstner in 1963. While the original Forstner "Komfit" had a flexible, adjustable design, JB Champion along with the introduction of the expandable ends (16–19mm) ... a new clasp mechanism was introduced different from the one used on the Komfit by Forstner for greater reliability and safety.
The updated clasp maintained the quick-release functionality allowing astronauts to easily remove the bracelet in an emergency but with improved construction to prevent accidental slippage, a known issue with earlier Komfit by Forstner versions.
Jacoby Bender USA Champion NASA bracelet
1962 re design, re engineering patent drawing on former Komfit bracelet.
illustration by: Emil Rodriguez
U.S. Patent No. 3,084,412 filed on November 2, 1960 titled "Structure for Releasable Attachment of Bracelet Sections" granted on April 9, 1963, The inventor listed on this patent is E. Rodriguez, assigned to Jacoby Bender, Inc. This patent covers a clasp mechanism for the expandable bracelet, separate from the earlier patent (3,030,686) for the expandable band re design by Harry A. Winkler.
E. Rodriguez is documented as the inventor of this specific clasp component for Jacoby Bender, Inc.
The patent filed in 1960 predates the acquisition, suggesting Jacoby-Bender was already developing these attachment mechanisms independently or prior to fully absorbing Forstner's operations.
The Forstner company ceased to exist as an entity after the 1963 acquisition.
NASA Adoption: By 1964 through Donald Slayton officially ordered 12 JB Champion USA bracelets for use in the Gemini and Apollo programs. All space flown versions from Gemini onward were JB Champion USA models, not original Forstner Komfits. This includes use on the Moon during Apollo 17.
PROPER TERMINOLOGY:
The correct name is the NASA BRACELET specifically from the Champion line by Jacoby Bender USA. Modern recreations, even if similar, should be labeled "reproduction" or "reissue" or "repo" is acceptable shorthand.
Many modern sources, including some retailers and media, refer to JB Champion USA NASA BRACELET as "Forstner Komfit, Komfit JB, Komfit style , or Astronaut bracelet" is historically inaccurate.
The perpetuation of the myth that the Forstner "Komfit" was the NASA-issued bracelet is dangerous because it actively erases the true history of horological innovation. This revisionism risks erasing Jacoby-Bender’s engineering contributions and misattributing the success of the JB Champion USA NASA issued bracelet to a company that did not exist after 1963 and had no role with the space program of NASA.
OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL caliber 321 Space Flight Qualified, Use on Lunar surface Certified
On March 1, 1965, NASA officially qualified the Omega Speedmaster for all manned space missions. From Gemini through Apollo, Skylab, and Apollo-Soyuz, the Speedmaster was standard issue.
The models used:
ST 105.003 - Gemini missions
ST 105.012 and ST 145.012 - Apollo missions
ST 145.022 - Post-Apollo and Skylab
It originally came with an Omega steel bracelet.
BULOVA ACCUTRON ASTRONUAT GMT caliber 214HN
1962 Mercury-Atlas 8 mission and the Komfit bracelet
Walter Schirra in 1962 Mercury-Atlas 8 mission wore his Speedmaster CK2998 on a Forstner Komfit bracelet with solid (fixed-width) end links, both the watch and the bracelet were NOT officially issued by NASA they were privately purchased by Schirra from a Houston jeweler, the Komfit bracelet is distinct from the later JB Champion USA models with expandable spring-loaded links that NASA officially issued starting in 1965. The JB Champion USA bracelets are functionally and mechanically distinct.
Schirra's 1962 flight is the one and only use of the Forster Komfit in space.
All attribution there after should be credited to JB Champion USA which was used in Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions, they are not the same company nor are the two bracelets the same as many have mistakenly assumed.
Casually calling these bracelets made by JB Champion USA aka The NASA bracelet as Komfit is simply WRONG and giving credits and accomplishments that belong to JB Champion USA to the wrong entity.
NASA began officially procuring JB Champion bracelets in 1964, meaning all versions used in Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions were made under Jacoby Bender’s design. The original Fostner Komfit, with fixed-width end pieces, was only worn by Wally Schirra on Mercury-Atlas 8 (1962)—before the acquisition.
The confusion arises because:
The design lineage traces back to Fostner.
The NASA bracelet made by JB Champion USA retained and used the same metal mesh material on the Komfit that stopped production in 1963
The modern reissue by the revived Fostner brand mimics the JB Champion USA, not the original Komfit made by Fostner
Many assume “Komfit” and “JB Champion” are the same, ignoring the functional and mechanical differences.
IN SHORT - Forstner created the concept, but JB Champion USA developed the NASA-issued bracelet. The credit for the space-flown design belongs to Jacoby Bender USA.
Forstner Komfit:
1950's up until 1963
Fixed (non adjustable) end pieces @ 18MM
THE NASA BRACELET
from the CHAMPION line of bracelets by: Jacoby Bender USA
with variable-width end pieces @ 16MM-19MM
CHAMPION (by Jacoby Bender USA): Spring-loaded, variable-width end pieces (16–19 mm), designed to fit securely over watch lugs, and compatible with a wide range of timepieces including Omega, Bulova, Rolex, and Universal Genève any changes, modifications, or improvements seen and used on this bracelet were developed and implemented by Jacoby Bender USA, not Forstner.
By allowing publications to repeat the modern Forstner brand's narrative without correction, a "Johnny-come-lately" brand hijacks the legacy of a defunct OEM giant, replacing documented history with corporate myth.
The public is spoonfed inaccurate historical narratives by prominent watch publications. Major publications themselves have not issued official corrections to their original coverage, which often repeats the simplified and conflated narrative.
The periodicals Hodinkee, Craft + Tailored, Fratello, Worn & Wound, aBlogtoWatch, Watchtime magazine, GearPatrol, and Revolution have not published formal corrections or clarifications to address the misleading claim that the modern Forstner brand is directly responsible for the NASA-issued "JB CHAMPION USA expandable stainless steel mesh" bracelet.
The name Komfit and Forstner if mentioned in any article discussing the NASA BRACELET by JB Champion USA belongs in the portion giving background information.
By marketing reissues as direct heirs to historic designs, these brands craft a corporate narrative that emphasizes legacy while omitting discontinuity a practice akin to the "truth hijacked as propaganda" phenomenon, where emotional resonance overrides factual accuracy.
The perpetuation of the myth that the Forstner "Komfit" was the NASA-issued bracelet is dangerous because it actively erases the true history of horological innovation. This revisionism risks erasing Jacoby-Bender’s engineering contributions and misattributing the success of the JB Champion USA NASA issued bracelet to a company that did not exist after 1963 and had no role with the space program of NASA.
This lack of correction from major watch publications perpetuates a dangerous rewriting of horological history.
A). It Erases True Innovation:
It credits the modern Forstner brand with the achievement of creating the NASA-issued bracelet, when it was actually Jacoby-Bender's "JB Champion" model, developed after they acquired Forstner, that was used in space.
B). It Misleads the Public:
Consumers and collectors, who rely on these respected publications for accurate information, are being fed a commercially-driven myth instead of the factual, nuanced history.
C). It Undermines Historical Integrity:
When influential media outlets repeat unchallenged inaccuracies, they allow a corporate narrative to supplant documented facts, mirroring the "truth hijacked as propaganda" warned of in historical discourse. This sets a precedent where brand marketing can overwrite historical reality.
The perpetuation of the myth that the Forstner "Komfit" was the NASA-issued bracelet is dangerous because it actively erases the true history of horological innovation.
SIMPLE REBRANDING CLAIM ...
The issue is not simply a rebranding; it is the obscuration of significant engineering work by Jacoby Bender working with NASA itself.
The space flown "NASA bracelet" was not the original Forstner Komfit, but the re-engineered JB Champion USA NASA bracelet, which introduced spring-loaded, variable-width end links (16–19mm) a functional upgrade essential for fitting over space suits. NASA officially procured JB Champion bracelets starting in 1964, and they were worn on Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions, including on the lunar surface.
The current Forstner brand revives the name and aesthetic but supplants documented corporate history by attributing the JB Champion USA NASA legacy to the Forstner name. This mirrors a broader trend where modern companies acquire defunct brand names like Nivada Grenchen or Enicar to evoke heritage and authenticity, even when no legal or operational continuity exists.
ARCHIEVAL IMAGES
All bracelets used during NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs starting from 1963 onward and any changes/ modifications / alterations on the bracelets were made JB Champion USA . Despite this, modern online sources often credit Forstner who had no involvement after 1963 in the evolution and changes of the bracelet.
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER (OEM)
All OEM supply work including for NASA and major watch brands was carried out by JB Champion USA under its own engineering and manufacturing.
Beyond the NASA mesh bracelet, JB Champion USA supplied Omega with other OEM bracelets, including flat link, slat-style, brick, and Oyster-style designs, as confirmed by historical supplier records. Evidence from retailer stock listings shows JB Champion USA also supplied bracelets compatible with Bulova, Hamilton, Longines, Universal Genève , Recta and other brands.
JB Champion USA supplied Rolex with OEM bracelets, including oval link Jubilee and Oyster-style designs, primarily during the 1960s–1970s to avoid U.S. import tariffs on complete watches. These bracelets were stamped "JB" in a triangle, "USA", and sometimes "14 KT U.S.A." or "ROLEX STAINLESS STEEL U.S.A." on the clasp.
They are genuine Rolex USA bracelets, made by JB Champion USA, and are distinct from Swiss-made versions. The "USA" stamp confirms they were made by JB Champion USA (not Forstner) for the American market.
BULLET BRACELET by JB Champion USA
The moniker BULLET supposedly came from the barrel shape of the bracelet links, that resembled the casing of a 45 caliber pistol slug. They were used and paired with by several watch brands for certain models in their line.back in the day ...
JB Champion USA bracelets were also made available with tapered (for accutron astronaut specifically) or non tapered solid links as an aftermarket accessory / upgrade option by a watch store owners to generate additional income for their shop.
The modern Forstner LLC owns the following:
A). The Name "Forstner": They operate under the name Forstner LLC and use the Forstner brand for their watch bracelets.
B). The "JB" Logo: They own an active U.S. trademark (Reg. 6014888) for the letters "JB" within a triangle, registered in 2020 for use on watchbands and accessories.
The modern Forstner LLC does not own the rights to JB Champion USA or its associated intellectual property. The JB Champion brand and its original trademark (Reg. 0774115) were owned by Jacoby-Bender, Inc., which acquired the original Forstner company in 1963. The Jacoby-Bender trademark for "JB" expired in 1984 and was not renewed.
The modern Forstner brand's use of the "JB" logo is a new, separate trademark registration. It does not constitute ownership of the historical Jacoby-Bender company or the JB Champion brand, nor does it reflect any involvement in JB Champion USA’s prior accomplishments, including its role as OEM supplier.
"reproduction" or "reissue" or "repo" is acceptable shorthand for bracelets made by this company.
Edited:
