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Togri v. 2.0
··Wow! Custom title... coolBut if you ever do build that shrine in the basement, save me a front-row seat.
Haha will do 😄👍
JB Champion NASA Bracelets or the Komfit by Forstner Corporate Myth
Haha will do 😄👍
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hmmmcamu
·Man, I totally get the point of this thread, don’t worry.
My comment was a little tongue-in-cheek based on your previous: “And when you buckle up, go ahead and shout “Jacoby BenderUSA!” loud enough for the room to hear. A full-throated credit to the real engineers who didn’t just make a bracelet, but got it to the Moon”
I know you probably don’t have a sacrificial chamber to JB back home…
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hmmmcamu
·NASA bracelet by JB Champion USA straight expandable end links
SEIKO caliber 6105 case ref. # 8119
SEIKO caliber 6105 case ref. # 8119
Edited:
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timesofplenty
·.
Before the Forstner Komfit mesh bracelet, the "Mercury 7" wore their officially NASA-issued LeCoultre 'astronaut' watch on another Komfit type bracelet:
I believe these were named "Lizard expansion" bracelets, the photo shows JB Champion versions:
.
The bottom is a V.I.P.
Both were commonly called "combination expansion" bracelets in catalogs & advertisements.
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timesofplenty
·
A tight friction-fit, they're handy in repairing poorly filed and short-fitting ends that show spring bar.
Plus: they were made in 20mm 👍👍
Edited:
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SpeedyPhill
·65 years ago...
Probably the earliest photo showing NASA test pilot/astronaut Neil Armstrong wearing a lightweight mesh Forstner Komfit bracelet...
In April 1960, seven astronauts were secretly chosen for the US Air Force Dyna-Soar program, among whom Neil Armstrong. Did he wear an Accutron Astronaut GMT here ?
(US Air Force photo: March 1961)
.
Probably the earliest photo showing NASA test pilot/astronaut Neil Armstrong wearing a lightweight mesh Forstner Komfit bracelet...
In April 1960, seven astronauts were secretly chosen for the US Air Force Dyna-Soar program, among whom Neil Armstrong. Did he wear an Accutron Astronaut GMT here ?
(US Air Force photo: March 1961)
.
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hmmmcamu
·65 years ago...
Probably the earliest photo showing NASA test pilot/astronaut Neil Armstrong wearing a lightweight mesh Forstner Komfit bracelet...
In April 1960, seven astronauts were secretly chosen for the US Air Force Dyna-Soar program, among whom Neil Armstrong. Did he wear an Accutron Astronaut GMT here ?
(US Air Force photo: March 1961)
.
The Douglas Skindiver WT, worn earlier during his X-15 and Dyna-Soar test pilot days, was originally paired with a leather strap and an "American-/Pilot Plate" under-strap.
The watch is his personal watch from his test pilot days as a civilian research pilot for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) pre NASA
1962
Gordon Cooper wore a JB Champion USA and Wally Schirra Forstner Komfit (fixed end links) BOTH their watches and bracelets were personal purchase.
Jacoby Bender, Inc. and GEMEX ???
There is no evidence that JB Champion officially licensed Gemex to use U.S. Patent No. 3,030,686 for the adjustable end-link design but Gemex produced functionally identical bracelets as JB Champion USA straps whose parts use the same patent number, they either licensed the design (?) or replicated it under permissible patent use, perhaps an informal licensing not documented in public records, what is referred to as a gentlemen's agreement.
Edited:
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Waltesefalcon
·Hirsch used to make end-link tubes, they can be slipped over the end of this type of Forstner Komfit "basketweave" mesh bracelet.
A tight friction-fit, they're handy in repairing badly filed and short-fitting ends that show spring bar.
Plus: they were made in 20mm 👍👍
That is something worth looking into. My Astronaut is on a new Forstner, with plastic washers I punched out between the lugs and end links.
My original Komfit is on something a bit smaller now, but even here the end links are a touch short.
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Speed2Sea
·That is something worth looking into. My Astronaut is on a new Forstner, with plastic washers I punched out between the lugs and end links.
My original Komfit is on something a bit smaller now, but even here the end links are a touch short.
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Waltesefalcon
·Wow! That looks absolutely fantastic with your new Forstner bracelet. Great vintage vibe.
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SpeedyPhill
·He wore a Douglas Skindiver WT ("World Timer") in that time frame. The project reached mockup stage and active pilot training including simulator development work by Armstrong, if the photo was taken some time early in 1963 before December that year (canceled/terminated) ... that could have been his Douglas Skindiver WT ("World Timer") on a JB Champion USA NASA bracelet or perhaps a Gemex bracelet or if it has non expandable end links a Forstner of some sort.
The Douglas Skindiver WT, worn earlier during his X-15 and Dyna-Soar test pilot days, was originally paired with a leather strap and an "American-/Pilot Plate" under-strap.
The watch is his personal watch from his test pilot days as a civilian research pilot for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) pre NASA
1962
Gordon Cooper wore a JB Champion USA and Wally Schirra Forstner Komfit (fixed end links) BOTH their watches and bracelets were personal purchase.
Jacoby Bender, Inc. and GEMEX ???
There is no evidence that JB Champion officially licensed Gemex to use U.S. Patent No. 3,030,686 for the adjustable end-link design but Gemex produced functionally identical bracelets as JB Champion USA straps whose parts use the same patent number, they either licensed the design (?) or replicated it under permissible patent use, perhaps an informal licensing not documented in public records, what is referred to as a gentlemen's agreement.
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hmmmcamu
·If You're correct, this must be the only photo showing Neil Armstrong wearing a 35.5 mm Douglas Skindiver WT "Wolbrook" ... More on the story:
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pdxleaf
··"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"In April 1960, seven astronauts were secretly chosen for the US Air Force Dyna-Soar program, among whom Neil Armstrong
No watches though.
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Ron_W
·Happy to find a JB Champion inspired by this thread, it wears really nice especially during the hot weather the last week. And a smart "hook on" to that adjustable bar which is easy to adjust during the day.
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