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Let's talk about bracelets

Stufflers Mom
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I can't believe that I'm the only one to have bought a watch only to find the bracelet has let down an otherwise nice watch.

From the lack of adjustment on a Speedy all the way to my ridiculously sized clasp on my Helson Sharkmaster microbrand it seems that bracelets and clasps are sometimes overlooked.

The point in case is that the Helson bracelet had me to the point of selling the Sharkmaster and while the bracelet is very well made, the bracelet feels that it would have been a lot better if it had tapered a little more, and had a simple flip lock clasp rather than the clumsy effort they have supplied. I've also noticed that this particular style of clasp is appearing on quite a few different mircobrands. I've even thought about trying to source an Aqua Terra bracelet, but If anyone has any recommendations on an alternative clasp that will fit the Sharkmaster I would be grateful to hear about it.

P1180867.JPG P1190357.JPG P1190359.JPG
 
Tet
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Yeah I've seen that clasp alot lately on various brands, mostly micro as you mention. It is an unwieldy beast and kind of negates the bonus of instant adjustment the fact that it adds so much bulk.

There's alot to be said for vintage bracelets and hopefully at some point brands will start to recognise this and go back to the drawing board.
 
Stufflers Mom
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Tet Tet
Yeah I've seen that clasp alot lately on various brands, mostly micro as you mention. It is an unwieldy beast and kind of negates the bonus of instant adjustment the fact that it adds so much bulk.

There's alot to be said for vintage bracelets and hopefully at some point brands will start to recognise this and go back to the drawing board.

Yep, I've even seen it on the new Smiths PRS25, which is 36mm and is dwarfed and ruined by using this clasp.

tn_everest36-2.jpg
 
BradleyJ.
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Stufflers Mom Stufflers Mom
I've even seen it on the new Smiths PRS25

tn_everest36-2.jpg

How did that even get approved and put into production Haha. ridiculous looking
 
Stufflers Mom
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BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
How did that even get approved and put into production Haha. ridiculous looking

Some people are always looking to reinvent the wheel, surely the plonker should have used a clasp that's is more in keeping with the watch.

Below is the style of clasp that would have made the watch a great all rounder, instead we have something less loved than a ginger stepkid.
vintage-rolex-clasp-7836-folded-oyster-bracelet-for-1675-1016-1655-gmt-explorer.jpg
 
Stufflers Mom
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BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
Or even the older aquaterra style

I find it hard to believe that from the many possibilities of clasps that were considered as suitable he said yep! that's what the customers will what, a really oversized lump of a clasp on my vintage inspired 36mm homage watch.

But going back to my search for a suitable 20mm bracelet for my Sharkmaster, it's crying out for something like your AT bracelet, well made, nicely tapered and a non bulky clasp. I've been looking at Strapcode, but I'm unsure if it will fit.
 
BradleyJ.
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That actually was a random pic off the interwebs Haha but I do have a 36mm with that same bracelet and I love it cause it's so thin and light.
 
Stufflers Mom
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BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
That actually was a random pic off the interwebs Haha but I do have a 36mm with that same bracelet and I love it cause it's so thin and light.

I've taken the plunge and bought a 20mm jubilee bracelet from Steinhart, I will update the thread when it arrives, hopefully it's a good fit.

jubilee_9.1545381102.png band_jubilee_ocean_39.1.1545380806.jpg
 
BradleyJ.
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I just came back to suggest trying uncle seiko. He got tons of diffrent well priced bracelets. Although I never held any, he has good reviews and the seiko guys love him.
 
Stufflers Mom
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BradleyJ. BradleyJ.
I just came back to suggest trying uncle seiko. He got tons of diffrent well priced bracelets. Although I never held any, he has good reviews and the seiko guys love him.

Just had a look over at his website, looks like he sells some good stuff.
 
Stufflers Mom
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Well here's the update on the bracelet. I've used a Steinhart 20mm jubilee bracelet, it tapers nicely from 20mm to 16mm at the clasp, I've also used the end links from the Helson. The clasp is now more in keeping with the traditional style and size and is far less bulky than the monstrosity that is provided on what would otherwise be a good bracelet.

step0001 jub.jpg P1190405.JPG
 
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