Here is my experience with Uncle Seiko.
Thanksgiving week Wednesday, I was sitting around aimlessly browsing the web. With depressing and looming announcement of LA Mayor Garcetti's COVID stay at home order 2.0, I became a little melancholy. So, in an overt attempt to ignore the ubiquitous COVID news, I was searching for something light hearted and harmless. That led me to the Fratello's article and was properly introduced to the "Uncle". From there, I went down the Uncle Seiko rabbit hole.
I initially only added the 20mm flat links bracelet to the cart with the modest intention of simply testing it out on one of my moon watches. Then, some magical and mysterious force compelled my hand to add the 1171 and the beads of rice bracelets in my cart. Couple unanswered moves of my hands later, I paid for all three Speedy 20mm bracelets and they were on the way.
Order Experience
Website was simple and easy to navigate. Ordering was a breeze.
Major points for shipping speed. It was shipped fast and I received the order fast.
The bracelets arrived nicely packaged with impeccable wrapping and good presentation. The items were visually beautiful and true to the description.
Customer Service Experience
I almost never reach out to customer service because I tend to give the seller the benefit of the doubt and fix the issue myself if possible. Plus, the process of going through customer service with most vendors is often more painful than the product defect itself. But obviously, since I am writing about customer service here, there was an issue I could not ignore.
The other two bracelets were fine but the 1171 model had a defect. One of the holes for the spring bars did not machine all the way through and it was too small for the bar to pass through.
This was an issue I could not resolve easily so I reached out by email. As with the shipping speed, the response from Uncle was fast and efficient. Uncle Larry acknowledged the issue and made the quick and right decision to send partial links of the bracelet with the correctly made hole. Again, the shipping was super fast and was sent out the same day. The issue was resolved quickly and efficiently. Great customer service and perfect execution to resolve a potentially negative experience to a positive one. Awesome job, Uncle.
Installation and Fit
Installation was simple and flawless. The pins were easy to remove and reinstall for sizing.
The fit of the parts were according to expectations. No surprises and everything fit well as can be. I think appropriate expectations is the key here. These are folded links and one's expectations have to meet the limitations of folded links. For those who only wear milled solid links for watch bracelets, know that folded links are not what you might expect. With the folded links, there will be give and play and it is meant to jingle jangle. That is the beauty and the charm of folded link bracelets.
Wear and Presentation
For the Uncle Seiko 1171 the wear experience is on par with my 1171 on my older Speedy.
Racing Speedy with Uncle 1171.
145.022 with Omega 1171
I never owned a vintage original Omega beads of rice bracelets so I do not have any reference points for it. I did find that as a generic standalone bracelet, it is satisfying to wear. It is comfortable with vintage feel and well made for the price.
I also never had a vintage Omega flat links bracelet. However, I do have the 60th Anniversary Speedy '57, which has the modern milled solid flat links. I never really liked this bracelet due to its weight and the overly large links and clasp. It is just overkill on the smaller case of the 60th Speedy and make it look odd. That might be the reason but versus the Omega milled flat links bracelet, Uncle's flat links are more likeable in my opinion. In the future, I will purchase the 19mm version of the flat links from Uncle Seiko and do a comparison but for now, here is the comparison as they are.
Omega Solid flat links on 60th Speedy'57.
3572.50 with Uncle's stamped flat links.
I like the presentation and look of Uncle Seiko's bracelets. I thought I would prefer the flat links out of the 3 before putting them on the watches. However, after installation, I found my favorite to be the 1171. In my opinion, it is the most vintage looking of the three.
Conclusion
Thumbs up. From the order process, customer service, to the items themselves, Uncle Seiko's execution is on point. They are fun way to add a little age to your modern Speedy without breaking the bank. Considering the price of the bracelets, they are well made and attractive bracelets that I am completely satisfied with.
