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pdxleaf
··"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"
JB Champion NASA Bracelets or the Komfit by Forstner Corporate Myth
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SpeedyPhill
·@Togri v. 2.0
To answer Your question:
What is the earliest confirmed photo of an astronaut wearing the expandable bracelet?
☕
In September 1959, the "Mercury 7" astronauts were issued the very first official NASA wrist watch, a bespoke 24 hours dial/movement LeCoultre pilot watch based on the LeCoultre Quartermaster.
For these 34mm LeCoutre watches, the astronauts had the choice between the "Lizzard expansion" bracelet or the lightweight mesh bracelet:
(Photos: NASA/LIFE)
.
.
To answer Your question:
What is the earliest confirmed photo of an astronaut wearing the expandable bracelet?
☕
In September 1959, the "Mercury 7" astronauts were issued the very first official NASA wrist watch, a bespoke 24 hours dial/movement LeCoultre pilot watch based on the LeCoultre Quartermaster.
For these 34mm LeCoutre watches, the astronauts had the choice between the "Lizzard expansion" bracelet or the lightweight mesh bracelet:
(Photos: NASA/LIFE)
.
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hmmmcamu
·OMEGA SEAMASTER with date
Coat hanger S script
Arrowhead hour markers.
paired with NASA BRACELET made by Jacoby Bender USA aka: JB Champion USA
Coat hanger S script
Arrowhead hour markers.
paired with NASA BRACELET made by Jacoby Bender USA aka: JB Champion USA
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hmmmcamu
·OEM JB Champion USA
1970, the Bulova Chronograph “C” aka: stars and stripes
Bulova-branded mesh bracelet manufactured by JB Champion USA.
@ 20MM Ref.# 10261 heavy-gauge stainless steel mesh bracelet
1970, the Bulova Chronograph “C” aka: stars and stripes
Bulova-branded mesh bracelet manufactured by JB Champion USA.
@ 20MM Ref.# 10261 heavy-gauge stainless steel mesh bracelet
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·BULLET BRACELET by JB Champion USA
Named for the barrel shape of its bracelet links, which resembled the casing of a .45 caliber pistol slug, came in straight and tapered (for the Bulova accutron) link edge.These were not only OEM for numerous watch brands / companies, but were also available as an aftermarket accessory / upgrade option by a watch store owner to generate additional income for their shop. The vintage BULLET were available in 16MM to 20MM width endlinks both straight and curved.
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·BULOVA DEEP SEA 666FEET DIVER CHRONOGRAPH variant B
Bracelet - Straight expandable end link NASA Bracelet by JB Champion USA
Bracelet - Straight expandable end link NASA Bracelet by JB Champion USA
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·Wakmann Triple Date Chronograph Ref. 71.1309.70 paired with NASA bracelet by JB Champion USA
@ 37MM minus crown chronograph from the late 1960s, assembled in New York from Swiss components often by Charles Gigandet to bypass U.S. import tariffs. Dial reverse panda, with tritium lume, be careful of pieces whose lume has been restored / worked on sold as all original / untouched, powered by the Valjoux Caliber 730 17 jewels column wheel chronograph with triple calendar (day, date, month). Caseback with “sailboat” engraving, inside stamped “Charles Gigandet Swiss”. Earlier variants of this reference used the Valjoux 723 (or 72C) and do not have a sailboat engraving on the caseback. The Wakmann Triple Date Chronograph was also offered in a 39MM format nick named "Jumbo" variant
The Breitling equivalent of this watch was sold under references like 7691 or as a Breitling Chronomat Triple Date, also using the Valjoux 730. Housed in identical cases, movements, and dial layouts.
@ 37MM minus crown chronograph from the late 1960s, assembled in New York from Swiss components often by Charles Gigandet to bypass U.S. import tariffs. Dial reverse panda, with tritium lume, be careful of pieces whose lume has been restored / worked on sold as all original / untouched, powered by the Valjoux Caliber 730 17 jewels column wheel chronograph with triple calendar (day, date, month). Caseback with “sailboat” engraving, inside stamped “Charles Gigandet Swiss”. Earlier variants of this reference used the Valjoux 723 (or 72C) and do not have a sailboat engraving on the caseback. The Wakmann Triple Date Chronograph was also offered in a 39MM format nick named "Jumbo" variant
The Breitling equivalent of this watch was sold under references like 7691 or as a Breitling Chronomat Triple Date, also using the Valjoux 730. Housed in identical cases, movements, and dial layouts.
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Ron_W
·Amazing collection and i never realised the JB Champion fits so universally well on all these different watches, and your Elgin is super nice 😍
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·JB Champion USA with solid oval links Jubilee bracelet
For a period of time JB Champion USA supplied these to Rolex (OEM) to avoid paying additional import taxes. Once in a while a non-Rolex branded after purchase accessory / upgrade version pops up for sale.
images borrowed from: Timesofplenty Vintage Watchbands
For a period of time JB Champion USA supplied these to Rolex (OEM) to avoid paying additional import taxes. Once in a while a non-Rolex branded after purchase accessory / upgrade version pops up for sale.
images borrowed from: Timesofplenty Vintage Watchbands
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Togri v. 2.0
··Wow! Custom title... coolAre you affiliated with the new Forstner brand? And what is your take on its marketing claims that the Forstner Komfit was the bracelet "of choice for NASA astronauts" and "worn on the Moon" despite historical evidence showing that the space-flown bracelets were actually JB Champion USA models, developed after Jacoby Bender acquired Forstner in 1963 and re-engineered the design with patented improvements?
Haha… no, I am not affiliated in any way, shape or form with Forstner. I only have one bracelet from them and it is not a cheap knock off but I agree that the overall quality of the old NASA bracelet seem to be better.
If Forstner claim that the Komfit was the choice of NASA astronauts, and that was not the case, of course that it not the right thing to do. I hate fake marketing. I was just questioning the worshipping of JB, while reducing Forstner to a footnote, if a major part of why NASA chose that bracelet pre-dated JB taking over the company.
I think that is a completely fair question to ask, after all this thread is about giving credit where credit is due and finding the truth. Especially if astronauts was wearing the expanding bracelet before the implementation of JB’s inventions. I dont know IF they were doing that but the first photos does not seem to be the horned spring-loaded endpieces.
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hmmmcamu
·Haha… no, I am not affiliated in any way, shape or form with Forstner. I only have one bracelet from them and it is not a cheap knock off but I agree that the overall quality of the old NASA bracelet seem to be better.
If Forstner claim that the Komfit was the choice of NASA astronauts, and that was not the case, of course that it not the right thing to do. I hate fake marketing. I was just questioning the worshipping of JB, while reducing Forstner to a footnote, if a major part of why NASA chose that bracelet pre-dated JB taking over the company.
I think that is a completely fair question to ask, after all this thread is about giving credit where credit is due and finding the truth. Especially if astronauts was wearing the expanding bracelet before the implementation of JB’s inventions. I dont know IF they were doing that but the first photos does not seem to be the horned spring-loaded endpieces.
Edited:
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hmmmcamu
·Haha… no, I am not affiliated in any way, shape or form with Forstner. I only have one bracelet from them and it is not a cheap knock off but I agree that the overall quality of the old NASA bracelet seem to be better.
If Forstner claim that the Komfit was the choice of NASA astronauts, and that was not the case, of course that it not the right thing to do. I hate fake marketing. I was just questioning the worshipping of JB, while reducing Forstner to a footnote, if a major part of why NASA chose that bracelet pre-dated JB taking over the company.
I think that is a completely fair question to ask, after all this thread is about giving credit where credit is due and finding the truth. Especially if astronauts was wearing the expanding bracelet before the implementation of JB’s inventions. I dont know IF they were doing that but the first photos does not seem to be the horned spring-loaded endpieces.
Edited:
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njlam
·Perhaps for those seeking a retro mesh bracelet for their watch but not wanting to offend anyone, they can/should post an acknowledgement of their knowledge of "stolen credit" if they buy a Forstner product.
Sort of like making an acknowledgement of stolen land that many people make at awards ceremony's and college graduations to signal their virtue (despite the fact no one offers to give the land back) absolving the attendees of any guilt they may feel.
While I find the some OP's posts to be aggressive/scary, I do wonder where one goes if they want a well-made, retro-inspired bracelet if the Forstner offerings are not considered virtuous enough for purists? Are used/vintage bracelets the only option?
Are there any makers of new retro/mesh bracelets that pass the OP's morally superior requirements for what other enthusiasts can buy?
Sort of like making an acknowledgement of stolen land that many people make at awards ceremony's and college graduations to signal their virtue (despite the fact no one offers to give the land back) absolving the attendees of any guilt they may feel.
While I find the some OP's posts to be aggressive/scary, I do wonder where one goes if they want a well-made, retro-inspired bracelet if the Forstner offerings are not considered virtuous enough for purists? Are used/vintage bracelets the only option?
Are there any makers of new retro/mesh bracelets that pass the OP's morally superior requirements for what other enthusiasts can buy?
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hmmmcamu
·Perhaps for those seeking a retro mesh bracelet for their watch but not wanting to offend anyone, they can/should post an acknowledgement of their knowledge of "stolen credit" if they buy a Forstner product.
Sort of like making an acknowledgement of stolen land that many people make at awards ceremony's and college graduations to signal their virtue (despite the fact no one offers to give the land back) absolving the attendees of any guilt they may feel.
While I find the some OP's posts to be aggressive/scary, I do wonder where one goes if they want a well-made, retro-inspired bracelet if the Forstner offerings are not considered virtuous enough for purists? Are used/vintage bracelets the only option?
Are there any makers of new retro/mesh bracelets that pass the OP's morally superior requirements for what other enthusiasts can buy?
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hmmmcamu
·Perhaps for those seeking a retro mesh bracelet for their watch but not wanting to offend anyone, they can/should post an acknowledgement of their knowledge of "stolen credit" if they buy a Forstner product.
Sort of like making an acknowledgement of stolen land that many people make at awards ceremony's and college graduations to signal their virtue (despite the fact no one offers to give the land back) absolving the attendees of any guilt they may feel.
While I find the some OP's posts to be aggressive/scary, I do wonder where one goes if they want a well-made, retro-inspired bracelet if the Forstner offerings are not considered virtuous enough for purists? Are used/vintage bracelets the only option?
Are there any makers of new retro/mesh bracelets that pass the OP's morally superior requirements for what other enthusiasts can buy?
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hmmmcamu
·
NASA bracelet by JB Champion USA
BENRUS SEA LORD SELFWINDING Diver series # 7092
Mvmnt. Caliber FE2D1 (Eta 2451) automatic Variant: Black Dial that uses TRITIUM (small T above the 12 marker) as its luminous material, marketed as a "skin diver" or recreational watch suitable for shallow diving and swimming.
Friction mounted bi-directional bakelite bezel using a solid stainless steel case top loader or front loader watch case design which is a one piece case with no separate case back, the movement is inserted through the top or front opening. This design is was common in military watches like the Benrus Type I and Type II models, which were developed in the 1940s and 1950s for improved waterproofing and simplify construction.
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